I know this is most probably a dumb question, but I was wondering if the cable also charges the iphone, I'm assuming it does. Also is there any advantage to using the CDIU230v or the apple composite cables? I actually have both since I heard you can only view video thru the apple ones, but I wasn't sure if it was worth installing them both.

The CDIU230v cable DOES charge the iPod.

I do not see any advantage, but I have not used the Apple cables, so I'm not much help to you, sorry.

Any cable that charges a 2nd gen or later IPOD, charges an I-phone. They're basically the same thing (one just has a phone chip in it)

Firewire charging devices won't work.