To "i - Pod" or not to "i - Pod"
Discussion
Please help a 40 year old "fogey"
My son will be 13 next month and like all 13 year olds he wants an I-pod, the reports I've read say that a Creative Zen Micro 5gb is far better than the new I-pod Nano 2mb for similar money is this true ?
plus what are the pitfalls of actualy up loading music from his computer to either device , is it true the I-pod requires a different unique format of file or is it not realy a problem ?
>> Edited by farmer on Saturday 17th September 22:42
My son will be 13 next month and like all 13 year olds he wants an I-pod, the reports I've read say that a Creative Zen Micro 5gb is far better than the new I-pod Nano 2mb for similar money is this true ?
plus what are the pitfalls of actualy up loading music from his computer to either device , is it true the I-pod requires a different unique format of file or is it not realy a problem ?
>> Edited by farmer on Saturday 17th September 22:42
Buy him a black 4GB iPod Nano and I reckon he'll be over the moon 
The accepted standard for music files is .mp3 which most (if not all) hard drive based music players accept, the Nano is no different.
Where you may have heard that the iPod uses different file types is that it's preferred file type is called .aac, but that's nothing to worry about. It's something I'm sure your son will be able to explain to you
To upload the music to the Nano he can download iTunes (extremely easy to use - as user-friendly as music software can be IMO) from Apple's website for free.
I would advise that you or he buy the iPod a case though, as they do scratch quite easily.
The accepted standard for music files is .mp3 which most (if not all) hard drive based music players accept, the Nano is no different.
Where you may have heard that the iPod uses different file types is that it's preferred file type is called .aac, but that's nothing to worry about. It's something I'm sure your son will be able to explain to you
To upload the music to the Nano he can download iTunes (extremely easy to use - as user-friendly as music software can be IMO) from Apple's website for free.
I would advise that you or he buy the iPod a case though, as they do scratch quite easily.
Depends if you're after the best features for the cash or if you're in it for the 'street cred value' 
For the street cred the iPod takes it, it's like comparing Gucci with Fruit of the Loom
No, not really the Creative players are very good, but your son might be set on the iPod they seem to be the most popular and desirable of the MP3 players..
And judging by the adverts for the iPod nano, it'd fit in to the credit card section of his wallet
Dave.
Added: about the transferring of files, yes like Andy says MP3 files are accepted as usual as far as I know you just use the iPod the same as any other player, but it also accepts that other .aac format - it's all a bit confusing really but gifts are more rewarding if it takes a while to figure them out!
>> Edited by UncleDave on Sunday 18th September 00:34
For the street cred the iPod takes it, it's like comparing Gucci with Fruit of the Loom
No, not really the Creative players are very good, but your son might be set on the iPod they seem to be the most popular and desirable of the MP3 players..
And judging by the adverts for the iPod nano, it'd fit in to the credit card section of his wallet
Dave.
Added: about the transferring of files, yes like Andy says MP3 files are accepted as usual as far as I know you just use the iPod the same as any other player, but it also accepts that other .aac format - it's all a bit confusing really but gifts are more rewarding if it takes a while to figure them out!
>> Edited by UncleDave on Sunday 18th September 00:34
The pitfalls of the ipod are that you can't copy music off it, and use depends on the software with which the vendor controls the way customers can use the ipod.
Apple offers an entire system to buy, administrate and listen to music, called iTunes. iTunes uses a DRM system that is expected to protect the artist's and music industry's rights by controlling copying, but is actively exploited by Apple to embank competiton in both hardware and music sales.
They will not allow other music stores to offer files that are playable with the ipod's DRM.
This however, is only relevant for users that shop their music online, and want to use their music on more than one computer/ipod.
Personally, I recommend using a player that supports copying music files by standard file managers, using music ripped from CDs to open file formats. This allows a broader range of music offers to choose from and gurantees forward compability by free standards.
Apple offers an entire system to buy, administrate and listen to music, called iTunes. iTunes uses a DRM system that is expected to protect the artist's and music industry's rights by controlling copying, but is actively exploited by Apple to embank competiton in both hardware and music sales.
They will not allow other music stores to offer files that are playable with the ipod's DRM.
This however, is only relevant for users that shop their music online, and want to use their music on more than one computer/ipod.
Personally, I recommend using a player that supports copying music files by standard file managers, using music ripped from CDs to open file formats. This allows a broader range of music offers to choose from and gurantees forward compability by free standards.
A perspective from another 40 yr old 'fogey'......
I wouldn't buy an iPod a) because of the reasons stated above and b) (and more importantly for me) they don't support the .wma music format.
My entire collection is ripped in the (superior to mp3
) wma format and unless I want to convert 5000+ tracks to an inferior format (which I don't) an iPod is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
And there are hundreds of good mp3 players such as the Creative or Rio or iRiver ranges that do support wma.
>> Edited by arcturus on Sunday 18th September 11:15
I wouldn't buy an iPod a) because of the reasons stated above and b) (and more importantly for me) they don't support the .wma music format.
My entire collection is ripped in the (superior to mp3
) wma format and unless I want to convert 5000+ tracks to an inferior format (which I don't) an iPod is as much use as a chocolate fireguard. And there are hundreds of good mp3 players such as the Creative or Rio or iRiver ranges that do support wma.
>> Edited by arcturus on Sunday 18th September 11:15
Agree with most. creative probably make the best, and most usable mp3 players on the market. Good capacity, good price, and with none of the nonsensical flaws of the i-pod. BUT... It is a fashion thing, as well as a music player. Ask the wee bloke whether he wants an i-pod, or show him the other creative models... See what he says! Could be an opportunity to show him that following the crowd isn't always the best route.
I have one of the 20Gb iPods and I'm very happy with it. A couple of things to remember though - they have had problems in the past with battery life. I don't know if this has been resolved in the newer models (mine's still fairly new) but it certainly has been for the older ones - batteries dying after about 12 months. However, there are several aftermarket replacements available.
The other thing to remember is that contrary to the popular myth - you aren't tied to iTunes if you are just going to organize and transfer music to you iPod. I use a freeware alternative called EphPod. Admittedly, it's not a music store like iTunes is, but it's great for doing wverything else without having to install the iTunes bloatware :-) .
My only other experience with a personal MP3 player was my friend who bought a Creative Zen - the first was dead-on-arrival, and it's replacement failed as well, when something internal broke off and started rattling round inside.
[k]
The other thing to remember is that contrary to the popular myth - you aren't tied to iTunes if you are just going to organize and transfer music to you iPod. I use a freeware alternative called EphPod. Admittedly, it's not a music store like iTunes is, but it's great for doing wverything else without having to install the iTunes bloatware :-) .
My only other experience with a personal MP3 player was my friend who bought a Creative Zen - the first was dead-on-arrival, and it's replacement failed as well, when something internal broke off and started rattling round inside.
[k]
I had one of the first Generation 3 iPod's back in May 2003 (15gb with the touch pad rather than a wheel) and quality wasn't great. I had numerous problems with it and apple themselves seemed dis-interested when I called 3 days out of warranty (well, they were interested but wanted £157+P&P just to look at it, and then more on top to repair it). It's not just me who suffered the same problems either, there are hundreds of people online who experience trouble with the iPod but there are also thousands who have no trouble at all and don't post.
One other thing for you to think about - when the iPod's became really popular (around the Gen3 mark) there was a news reports about the white "ear buds" which were allowing thieves to target people with iPods. Similiarly with the iPod been a very desirable object which is easily sellable & stolen, many were going missing. Are you sure you want to allow your son to take a £179 Nano to school / out and about where he'll no doubt want to show it off to his friends (I know I would at 22 never mind 13).
Either way, if you are thinking about getting an MP3 player, act now. The Christmas rush will soon be upon us and you'll not find one anywhere for love nor money!
One other thing for you to think about - when the iPod's became really popular (around the Gen3 mark) there was a news reports about the white "ear buds" which were allowing thieves to target people with iPods. Similiarly with the iPod been a very desirable object which is easily sellable & stolen, many were going missing. Are you sure you want to allow your son to take a £179 Nano to school / out and about where he'll no doubt want to show it off to his friends (I know I would at 22 never mind 13
). Either way, if you are thinking about getting an MP3 player, act now. The Christmas rush will soon be upon us and you'll not find one anywhere for love nor money!
Bodo said:
The pitfalls of the ipod are that you can't copy music off it, and use depends on the software with which the vendor controls the way customers can use the ipod.
Apple offers an entire system to buy, administrate and listen to music, called iTunes. iTunes uses a DRM system that is expected to protect the artist's and music industry's rights by controlling copying, but is actively exploited by Apple to embank competiton in both hardware and music sales.
They will not allow other music stores to offer files that are playable with the ipod's DRM.
http://hymn-project.org/jhymndoc/
I have three ipods now (15gb 3rd gen, 1gb shuffle, and 4gb nano)
They're brilliant. Sure, some other players have a few more functions, but the ipod does everything you need and look, feel, and working amazingly.
I've had my nano for a little under a week and it is fantastic - it's made my other two ipods redundant
They're brilliant. Sure, some other players have a few more functions, but the ipod does everything you need and look, feel, and working amazingly.
I've had my nano for a little under a week and it is fantastic - it's made my other two ipods redundant
www.creative.com/products/mp3/
My personal opinion is that creative make the best variety on the planet!
Sure others will disagree, but ho hum!
My personal opinion is that creative make the best variety on the planet!
Sure others will disagree, but ho hum!
If you want the ultimate ipod filler and home cd player/recorder without the hassles of itunes try this www.hifidelio.net/ , it actually holds 2,000,000 music titles. I had this for a year and works perfectly, purchased the back up drive and sold all my cd/albums (600) and a grand in profit..
Part of the sales blurb...................
Find archiving hard work, time consuming? No longer... thanks to Hifidelio. Just put the CD in. The tracks are read and saved automatically.
Hifidelio's "inner intelligence" even registers track title, artist and album. Over 2 million music titles are stored on the internal database. Hifidelio also let's you record your LPs and cassettes and even synchronise with your MP3 players. All your music on one single device... a device that can store up to 20,000 songs (depending on format). Brilliant!
Part of the sales blurb...................
Find archiving hard work, time consuming? No longer... thanks to Hifidelio. Just put the CD in. The tracks are read and saved automatically.
Hifidelio's "inner intelligence" even registers track title, artist and album. Over 2 million music titles are stored on the internal database. Hifidelio also let's you record your LPs and cassettes and even synchronise with your MP3 players. All your music on one single device... a device that can store up to 20,000 songs (depending on format). Brilliant!
Edited by bomber harris on Sunday 23 July 20:03
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