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OT: iPod or other?


ToeJamFootball

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Posted

I want an Mp3 player. I'm sick of carting my CD wallet to work every night. Having an iPod is appealing, they look cool. :D But, are they really worth it?

 

An 80Gb Classic iPod will cost me AUD$350 straight from Apple. This is way more space than I'll need for a long time, but the next one down is only 8Gb.

 

Any recommendations of other Mp3 players?

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I have a 60gb 5th gen iPod Video, and I'm really happy with it. If I were to buy a new iPod today though, I would get the Touch 16gb. Mainly because of the bigger screen and WiFi-capabilities.

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I have a 60gb 5th gen iPod Video, and I'm really happy with it. If I were to buy a new iPod today though, I would get the Touch 16gb. Mainly because of the bigger screen and WiFi-capabilities.

I hate touch screens, and the iTouch is only availabe in 8 Gb in Aus atm.

 

EDIT: The 16Gb is available. But it's AUD$550! :eek:

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Depends on what you want to get out of it.

 

Here are the MAIN reasons why I will never buy an iPod:

 

- no USB jack in the player, need proprietary cable

- no "Universal Mass Storage" file transfer. You need to have iTunes and/or iPod drivers installed on the computer to transfer music

 

When I take my player places, I want to be able to hook it up to any computer via a standard USB cable, and transfer music. This is a must for me. It may not be for you.

 

That said, here's two brands you should take a good look at:

 

www.cowon.com

www.iriver.com

 

Both make EXCELLENT mp3 players that are far less restrictive than the iPod. And 16GB of flash storage is nice! They can't quite beat Apple in style and easy-to-use interface though. See where your priorities lie. :)

 

Also check out www.creative.com. Great players, too. But again, most of them need software and drivers to connect.

 

Great website to help you research:

 

www.dapreview.net

 

Happy hunting! :)

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I've got a Creative Zen Vision:M and I love it! So easy to use. As far as software goes, you can use the stuff bundled with it or use something like Media Player or Winamp. I prefer Winamp because it has a nicer interface.

The size of mine is 30gb. Oh yeah its bright green too :D you can get them in different colours. :)

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The biggest one there is 16Gb. Thanks, but that would mean half the space is gone after all my songs.

 

 

How much space are you looking for?

 

Is your mp3 library growing so fast that double the space of all your songs is not enough?

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How much space are you looking for?


Is your mp3 library growing so fast that double the space of all your songs is not enough?

Thanks for your suggestions too, I didn't see them earlier.I buy a couple of CDs a week. So yeah, it grows fast.

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My iPod gave me no trouble during the time that I owned it. I would recommend one wholeheartedly. Grab a refurbished 30GB model from the previous generation if you think that the current one is too big/too expensive.

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I have an iPod video, but only because it was randomly given to me as a present.

 

If I were to buy an mp3 player, it wouldn't be something made by apple due to proprietary hardware/software issues, itunes doesn't sell mp3s, the file support is lacking compared to other players (ogg, etc), and it's overpriced.

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I have an iPod video, but only because it was randomly given to me as a present.


If I were to buy an mp3 player, it wouldn't be something made by apple due to proprietary hardware/software issues, itunes don't operate on mp3, the file support is lacking compared to other players (ogg, etc), and it's overpriced.

 

That's right, that would mean converting my whole library.

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The inability to play mp3's was the deciding point for me to NOT get an Ipod. The gf has a great Creative Labs player, if I go and get an Ipod, then we need double the storage capacity on our computer to hold both mp3 and Apple files. No thanks.

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I never thought I would defend an iPod, but saying it can't play mp3's is not correct:

 

# Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF

 

Straight from apple.com.

 

However, the iTunes music store does not sell mp3's, only Apple's proprietary format. Maybe that's what you were thinking of?

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I never thought I would defend an iPod, but saying it can't play mp3's is not correct:


# Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF


Straight from apple.com.


However, the iTunes music store does not sell mp3's, only Apple's proprietary format. Maybe that's what you were thinking of?

 

 

+1

 

I use mp3 files on my iPod and iPhone all the time. iTunes is set by default to encode to AAC, but a quick trip to preferences and you can change that to whatever supported format / bitrate you like. I personally use either 256 or 320kbps CBR mp3 when ripping my CDs.

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+1


I use mp3 files on my iPod and iPhone all the time. iTunes is set
by default
to encode to AAC, but a quick trip to preferences and you can change that to whatever supported format / bitrate you like. I personally use either 256 or 320kbps CBR mp3 when ripping my CDs.

 

 

But do you have to use Itunes? Because if not, I will gladly retract my last statement as being outdated information. I know that at one time Ipod's didn't run anything but AAC and only worked with Itunes, but if that has changed, this is an interesting new development.

 

If it is at all still proprietary (the cable is a big enough deterrant, but I can live with that... maybe) then I am not interested. I like being able to drag and drop mp3 files as if they were just data on my current RCA Lyra POS mp3 player. I don't need to sync it, I don't need to use Media Player or anything, I just load it up like a USB Flash drive and off I go. If I can't do that, I am not interested.

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I have the 30 Gig Creative Zen. I've had it for 5-6 years and it has been dropped quite a bit and still runs great. I'm thinking of replacing it though, because the new Ipods sound better. I haven't checked out the new creative stuff though. I hope that it sounds as good as the new Ipods.

Brian

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But do you
have to
use Itunes? Because if not, I will gladly retract my last statement as being outdated information. I know that at one time Ipod's didn't run anything but AAC and only worked with Itunes, but if that has changed, this is an interesting new development.


If it is at all still proprietary (the cable is a big enough deterrant, but I can live with that...
maybe
) then I am not interested. I like being able to drag and drop mp3 files as if they were just data on my current RCA Lyra POS mp3 player. I don't need to sync it, I don't need to use Media Player or anything, I just load it up like a USB Flash drive and off I go. If I can't do that, I am not interested.

 

 

It plays mp3's, but you still have to use iTunes to transfer music.

 

This, combined with the proprietary cable (like I'm gonna haul that stupid cable around with me!) is also the dealbreaker for me.

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Posted

 

But do you
have to
use Itunes? Because if not, I will gladly retract my last statement as being outdated information. I know that at one time Ipod's didn't run anything but AAC and only worked with Itunes, but if that has changed, this is an interesting new development.


If it is at all still proprietary (the cable is a big enough deterrant, but I can live with that...
maybe
) then I am not interested. I like being able to drag and drop mp3 files as if they were just data on my current RCA Lyra POS mp3 player. I don't need to sync it, I don't need to use Media Player or anything, I just load it up like a USB Flash drive and off I go. If I can't do that, I am not interested.

 

 

Yes, you use iTunes, but so what? You load songs and vid from Itunes, or rip your own source, and Bob's your uncle. It's not slow or cumbersome, and I'm about the least interested person when it comes to f'n around with technology like this. I expect it work work easy, and all the time.

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Posted

 

Yes, you use iTunes, but so what? You load songs and vid from Itunes, or rip your own source, and Bob's your uncle. It's not slow or cumbersome, and I'm about the least interested person when it comes to f'n around with technology like this. I expect it work work easy, and all the time.

 

 

To each his own.

 

Not everyone has iTunes on their computer. And I would like to be able to connect my player to their computers as well. iPod = no go, unless the computer has iTunes and iPod drivers. This is too restrictive FOR ME.

 

It may be fine for you, but I will absolutely NOT consider a player that cannot be used as a USB storage device using a standard USB cable.

 

But like I said, this is an important factor for some people, but certainly not for all. Everyone needs to decide for themselves what's important for them.

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To each his own.


Not everyone has iTunes on their computer. And I would like to be able to connect my player to their computers as well. iPod = no go, unless the computer has iTunes and iPod drivers. This is too restrictive FOR ME.


It may be fine for you, but I will absolutely NOT consider a player that cannot be used as a USB storage device using a standard USB cable.


But like I said, this is an important factor for some people, but certainly not for all. Everyone needs to decide for themselves what's important for them.

 

 

I'm with you on this one. Add to that the proprietary cable (that probably costs $90 to replace) and I'm out.

 

I have a digicam and an mp3 player, therefore I own 2 USB (small) to USB (PC) cables. One sits at work, plugged in at the back, the other sits at home, plugged in at the back and both have the business end sitting on top of my tower, taped in place for when I need it. I don't want to mess with another cable, I don't want to have to carry my cable with me when I go every where, it's just not worth it to be trendy.

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Posted

 

But do you
have to
use Itunes? Because if not, I will gladly retract my last statement as being outdated information. I know that at one time Ipod's didn't run anything but AAC and only worked with Itunes, but if that has changed, this is an interesting new development.

 

 

Then you know wrong. iPods have been able to play mp3 files since day 1. My iPod is the second generation that was released in 2002 and again it has no troubles playing mp3 files. The iPod couldn't have been an mp3 player if it didn't play mp3 files now could it.

 

As to your other questions, there are other programs to add / extract files from iPods (they do attach as regular devices but the music files and playlists are normally hidden from view). You'd still be in the same boat though, instead of freely downloading iTunes from the Apple website, you'd have to find Senuti or other program to do the work iTunes normally does.

 

The cable is proprietary as it is not a standard USB to mini-USB connector. On the older models, like my 2002 one, it was a plain 6pin to 6pin Firewire connector but those days are gone. Still, you can find replacement cables at a few different stores and they cost about $20, give or take.

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Then you know wrong. iPods have been able to play mp3 files since day 1. My iPod is the second generation that was released in 2002 and again it has no troubles playing mp3 files. The
iPod couldn't have been an mp3 player if it didn't play mp3 files now could it.

 

 

That's what always got me about them. I looked into buying one and the SALESMAN told me that it couldn't play mp3's, but Itunes easily converts the files to the correct format. They aren't mp3 players... they are media players. So I dropped them from my radar and never looked back. I know 2 people that own them, and grumble constantly for various reasons.

 

I appreciate the new information, thank you. I am not at all surprised by it, I always thought it weird that they'd block out the mp3 format, but it is Apple, and the like to do things their own way whenever possible.

 

All factors considered, I now feel a lot more educated about the products, and still stand by my conviction that I have zero interest in ever owning an Apple Ipod. Don't even get me started on the waste of plastic that is the Iphone though. :poke:

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