So... is the iPod worth it?
 

I kind of like the idea of one, but I'm not really sure I'd use it that much.

My car already has a 6 disk CD stacker, so I won't use it in there (unless there's some other way of connecting it) and I use my stereo system at home.

Mr Mephisto

http://www.mp3players.co.uk/site/uk/ihp.html

there is an alternative to being steve job's bitch.

The iPod does support the excellent AAC format now, but I would go with something that has Ogg-Vorbis support if buying one right now.

For any stereo there is a $40 addition that would broadcast to any fm station that would then be able to played through the stereo. I personally do not have one but am planning on purchasing one.

I say get the Creative Nomad Zen, its damn nice.

Have an iPOD and love it. At the time I got mine about 6 months ago, they were far better than anything else on the market (haven't kept up since). Two things to keep in mind. You need a firewire port, and the software for windows machines is not as good as for the apple (there are freeware and commercial alternative available). I often use mine at work, since I am often away from my desk.

I have the 30GB and it is amazingly badass... And it does support AAC... Also, iTunes (the best music library software) is on it's way to the PC. I suggest you take a look... read the reviews of the iPod and make your decision. I loved mine!

I do like the iPod - its perrrrrrrrrty! It's also got a huge hard disk and as others mentioned, support for multiple formats.

If price is an issue for you like it is for me, I'd recommend looking in to cheaper mp3 players or MiniDiscs. These things, although well worth the money, do cost a lot, and perform equivalent functions to something that you can get for much cheaper.

OGG + FLAC and I'll consider it.

Agree with bermuDa, <a href="http://www.iriver.com">iRiver</a> makes some great firmware upgradable products. I've had an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000063574/qid=1059817707/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-9745936-8628617?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846">iMP-350</a> mp3 cd player for nearly two years now and it's great if you carry a backpack and you're on a budget (only $110 or $180 for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009YDPM/qid=1059817869/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-9745936-8628617?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846">iMP-550</a>). It can read packet write cd-rws so I usually burn new tunes onto cd as I go.

I love my 20gig 2nd gen - its really fantastic, and I find I use it for more productive things like server backups/large file transfers than you would think.

What kills me is that there is no AWESOME car kit. They need a pluggable iPort, with a big lcd and a remote. I'd shell out 200 bucks for one.

To those that have the iPod which do they think is better the first or second generation? I know the new one is lighter and smaller but uses more batteries and the old is the opposite. Also some like the old button interface more. What do all of you guys think?

Old button interface is smoother to use IMO. It looks better, also.


The port on the bottom of the next gen ipod needs a cover too.

I agree with the Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox Zen -- I got the 20 gig version and it is awesome. A tiny bit bigger than an ipod, but looks cooler and is about $100 cheaper.

:thumbsup: same here

I bought a 20GB Archos Studio 20 just after the first gen iPods were released. I don't have any regrets. It works great for what I need, it plays MP3s and can act as a USB hard drive. The nice (?) thing is that it is formatted using Fat32, so I can use it as a /home mount under Knoppix.

I still think it's a better buy compared to the iPod. It's about $200 cheaper for more comparable space. It's larger and heavier.

Since I've got it, I'm not running out to buy an iPod. If I didn't have anything I'd probably still buy the Archos, maybe the Zen. Apple is just too proud of their products, they charge too much IMO.

OGG + FLAC??

I presume these are different file formats to MP3?

I don't know...

There's something about the iPOD. It's just so damn sexy...

Not sure about the Nomad. I'll check it out.

Those combined MP3/CD players are out. I don't anything that big.

Mr Mephisto

What an unusual thing to say...

It's not like Apple have a monopoly on MP3 players (a la MS and desktop operating systems).

Does buying a NOMAD make me Creative's bitch?

Having said that, the iHP looks pretty cool, so thanks for the link!!

Mr Mephisto

The NOMAD is pretty sweet, it'd get a iPod but it costs an arm and a leg.

Not as much as buying an iPOD for retail cost.

Okay, this sentence doesn't really make sense, but I'll give it a try. <u><a href=http://www.vorbis.com>OGG Vorbis</a></u> is much like MP3, but slightly better and much more free (Fraunhofer or whatever controls MP3 and it is illegal to make an encoder without their permission, I believe, regardless the OGG Vorbis format is better). <u><a href=http://flac.sf.net>FLAC</a></u> is a lossless codec (comparable to zipping a wav of the audio, except it's a bit smaller, can be tagged, and can be streamed and played immediately, without having to decompress the entire file). FLAC includes some file integrity checks which I also like and is now part of the OGG project, a group of people attempting to make free codecs and such. Since basically all of my audio is in one of these two formats, it would be unlikely that I would seriously consider purchasing a player that did not support them. I could do without FLAC, since I would probably convert them to OGG Vorbis for use on a portable device anyway, but I would probably not buy a device without at least supporting OGG Vorbis. Vorbis is the lossy sound format of the OGG project, although the format is often referred to as just OGG.

I've got one of the latest 10gb ipods. The price and the file types supported are the only two reasons i could think of not getting one.

The interface is brilliant, there's third party software available for windows that should be the official windows software for the ipod (ephpod.com), and the machine is just so damn sexy.

I don't use Ogg Vorbis, but if you do you'll want to hold off on the ipod. I doubt they'll support it at all.

I'm really happy with my ipod, despite the price.

and in regards to the older and newer models, I haven't owned one of the older ones, but if you want to save some cash, look into getting one of the 2nd generation ones. you can get them for cheap, as long as you can find one somewhere. however, apple won't be supporting the older models any more for firmware updates.

you mentioned battery life. the reason it's a shorter battery life (8 hours instead of 12) is because it's a physically smaller battery. I find the time i get out of the battery per charge to be plenty.

Firewire is a brilliant technology, and I'd reccomend it over USB any day, although you can use the ipod with USB 2.0

I personally would reccomend the ipod to anyone looking to get not only a great mp3 player, but also a conversation piece. (not to mention a really handy external harddrive)

While iPods are nice, they aren't worth the obscene amount of money you'll end up paying for one.

I recommend the Archos Jukebox 20 with the RockBox firmware instead of the default one.
- Low price. I got mine for a little over $200
- USB 2.0, so it's fast
- No interface needed to get to the device, so you can copy files back and forth quickly and easily
- The open source RockBox firmware is powerful and expandable (if you know how to code. haha)

Well, I don't mind paying money for quality. But then again, I suppose that's what comes with having a good job and a large disposable income...

:)

Quote:

I recommend the Archos Jukebox 20 with the RockBox firmware instead of the default one. - Low price. I got mine for a little over $200 - USB 2.0, so it's fast - No interface needed to get to the device, so you can copy files back and forth quickly and easily - The open source RockBox firmware is powerful and expandable (if you know how to code. haha)

I just looked at this on Amazon.

It's enormous.
It's ugly.
It's average "score" is low.

Thanks for the advice though.


Mr Mephisto

I love my iPod. Not only do you get amazing integration with your computer's playlist (on the Mac...it's slightly tougher on a Windows box) but you get a large, portable FireWire drive as well. The transfer speeds are amazing. It might seem like a lot to spend at first, but once you buy it, you'll wonder how you did it any other way.

You know how you get to keep more of that disposible income? By not overpaying for something just so you can have the same thing all the "cool kids" have. ;)


Enormous and ugly are in the eye of the beholder. The iPod is smaller though, it's 'wee'. The Archos jukebox is smaller than an MP3/CD player combo though, and that's what I was looking for. For $200 less it can be bigger and uglier.

Everyone I know that has one or the other is perfectly happy with the one they have. I think the best feature they both have is the ability to carry around obscene amounts of music and listen to it whenever and whereever you want.

I think the only 2 criteria anyone should consider are the price and asthetics. If you don't mind paying for pretty, you'll be happy with the iPod.

Pretty is nice.

:)

And, in this circumstance at least, size does matter...

Mr Mephisto

The Ipod is so expensive. I have gone through an archos ten gig and am currently using a creative jukebox. The archos was by far the biggest peice of shit i have ever used, but the nomad is doing me pretty good so far. my borhter got a zen that is simply bad ass except its missing a stop button and the scroll wheel is a little akward. when the ipod drops in price i will probably upgrade to that but right now i am pretty set with my nomad.

Ditto. I don't understand how anyone could like the new models unless they're rampart mac follower who seem to like anything apple makes :p The buttons seem too sensitive and the look of it just bland. You can pick up 2nd gens for cheap now.

where can you find the 2nd gens?

yes it's worth it if you plan on actually using it

Mr Mephisto

Dear God, buy it now.

It's worth every penny. And the third-gen one that's out now is by far the best thing I've seen as far as ease of use and ridiculously cool features.

There's 3rd gen iPods already?

Mr Mephisto

sure is - one of big chages is the new firmware with the AAC support. From what I understand you can easily update the firmware for the 2nd gen models if using Macintosh, do not know about the PC side of the fence though. (Just a PC user/*nix user with neither a Mac or iPod here)

a patch was released the other day. here.

Love my Zen 2.0. Was comparing it with my brother-in-laws I POd. Though bigger and not quite as innovative we both agreed that my ZEN has superior audio quality and far superior price. That said, if you are not into line in and FM radio go for the Zen NX, which has a replaceable battery and is a bit smaller than the zen 2.0

I dunno about M$ users, but as a mac user, I think you would be stupid not to ue the iPod. It works so flawlessly with iTunes, its sick.
I just regret jumping and buying a 5gb 1st gen, I am contantly shuffling around music to save room...

I think it's worth it but heres' a funny comic about it.http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~southpark/ipod.gif

heh, my friend showed me that, I ended up getting an expensive and shitty MD player........oh woe is me