Best MP3 player for me? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Fire · 11-25-2006, 10:54 PM

I'm thinking about getting a mp3 player and I hope you guys can give me some advice on which mp3 player is best for me.

- I have about 40 Gig worth of mp3s.
- They are all in mp3 format. Mostly at 192 Kbps. I don't want to have to convert the music in any other format.
- Some of the music was ripped from CDs and a lot were downloaded using file sharing programs.
- With about 40 Gigs of mp3s I want it to be easy to transfer my mp3s to the player.

I'm thinking the 60GB Ipod might be a good choice, but I'm unsure if it would compatible with all my mp3s.

Any advice?

Bobblehead · 11-25-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

I'm thinking about getting a mp3 player and I hope you guys can give me some advice on which mp3 player is best for me.

- I have about 40 Gig worth of mp3s.
- They are all in mp3 format. Mostly at 192 Kbps. I don't want to have to convert the music in any other format.
- Some of the music was ripped from CDs and a lot were downloaded using file sharing programs.
- With about 40 Gigs of mp3s I want it to be easy to transfer my mp3s to the player.

I'm thinking the 60GB Ipod might be a good choice, but I'm unsure if it would compatible with all my mp3s.

Any advice?

Every MP3 player will play what you say you have, so that isn't a concern. Either figure out if there are any other features you would like to use to decide, or head to someplace like BestBuy and try out a few of them to see which you prefer.

Mango · 11-25-2006, 11:10 PM

They actually aren't making 60 gigs anymore, instead, Apple has the latest video which is an 80 gig. It is retailing for 379.99. iPods will read MP3 files, but if you rip from a cd they transfer them to a proprietary file called m4a (I believe?). iPods have about 85% of the market and have 100s of accessories available.

I've had a 30 gig since August and now, I'm not sure what I'd do without it!

ken0042 · 11-25-2006, 11:37 PM

Another consideration is your use. The ones with massive storage use a hard drive, whereas the smaller ones store the songs in memory. The difference? If you are going to be exposing the unit to a lot of shock, you might be better using one that doesn't have any moving parts.

I would image the HD ones are pretty good for having some sort of anti-skip, but nothing beats not having moving parts.

Fire · 11-25-2006, 11:38 PM

If I buy a 80GB Ipod, what other somewhat necessary accessories (charger , headphones, software) will I have to fork money over to make my life easier?

Do Ipods make it easy to organize 40 Gigs of songs? I have them all in folders (Band Name) and sub-folders (Albums).

AC · 11-25-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

Do Ipods make it easy to organize 40 Gigs of songs? I have them all in folders (Band Name) and sub-folders (Albums).

You'll have them sorted (assuming you have the Artist and Album information for each mp3 in place) by iTunes.

Otherwise, I know iRiver products usually let you treat the mp3 player as a drive, and you can create your own folders - I found that handy with my old iRiver.

Mango · 11-25-2006, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

If I buy a 80GB Ipod, what other somewhat necessary accessories (charger , headphones, software) will I have to fork money over to make my life easier?

Do Ipods make it easy to organize 40 Gigs of songs? I have them all in folders (Band Name) and sub-folders (Albums).

iPods come with headphones and a USB/Dock cable (iPods can charge through USB). They no longer include the software, but you can download it for free at www.apple.com . In fact, you can preview the software before buying an iPod to see if it will work for you. iTunes is either a program you love or hate. Personally, I like the way it organizes my music and I'm constantly updating my different playlists, genres, album art etc.

If you'd like to listen in your car, you'll need an iTrip or equivalent FM transmitter. They run from $60 - $100.

If you are traveling and won't have access to a computer I would suggest getting a power adaptor. An Apple branded one is $40, while a Logiix/Griffin branded is $30.

Other than that, I'd grab some silcone covering or case.

iTunes organizes by aritist and then by album. Download it and give it a try. I'm not sure if an iPod will work with any software other than iTunes.

Bobblehead · 11-26-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mango

I'm not sure if an iPod will work with any software other than iTunes.

There are other ways of loading the iPod, but iTunes is easiest.

I have an iPod Nano(2Gb) and a 30Gb Creative Zen Vision:M

I prefer the Zen by quite a bit, but I watch quite a bit of video with it and appreciate being able to drop the files on the player instead of using iTunes.

Fire · 11-26-2006, 02:18 AM

Thanks for advice guys.

SebC · 11-26-2006, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mango

iPods will read MP3 files, but if you rip from a cd they transfer them to a proprietary file called m4a (I believe?).

That's the default in iTunes, but you can change it to mp3 (and I'd recommend doing so as soon as you get iTunes). Edit->Preferences->Advanced->Importing

Winsor_Pilates · 11-26-2006, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

That's the default in iTunes, but you can change it to mp3 (and I'd recommend doing so as soon as you get iTunes). Edit->Preferences->Advanced->Importing

Yeah, easy as pie and not an issue at all. And I'm pretty sure the other file format is AC3, not m4a.

Mango · 11-26-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Yeah, easy as pie and not an issue at all. And I'm pretty sure the other file format is AC3, not m4a.

Yup, you're right

Thanks for making that correction. Not sure where I got that other format from.

Winsor_Pilates · 11-26-2006, 02:27 PM

Fire, you may want to try picking up a refurbished model too. It can save you a lot of money.
Apple sells refurbished ipods on their website and they come with all the same stuff, are quality tested, look like new and have the same 1yr warrenty as a brand new one.
I got my last ipod through there and it saved me about $150

Barnes · 11-26-2006, 02:52 PM

/\ Although not what you are looking for, others may be interested. Good deal for a 4 gig nano. Reg $229

Nano

SebC · 11-27-2006, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mango

If you are traveling and won't have access to a computer I would suggest getting a power adaptor. An Apple branded one is $40, while a Logiix/Griffin branded is $30.

I just bought one from Kensington that for $40 that works as a USB adapter or prong adapter and includes the different pronger for Britain, Europe, North America, Oceania etc. Will be taking my iPod to Spain/Portugal in December and using it for storing photos (have the camera connector).

underGRADFlame · 11-27-2006, 07:26 AM

If you deside on a iPod, the apple website has a refurbed section, that you can save considrable money on iPods. Linky

llama64 · 11-27-2006, 08:12 AM

I bought a 3rd Gen refurb 10G iPod for about 200$ (2.5 years back). Lasted for over a year, but then the battery took an epic nosedive.

The iPod is a great player but if you arn't willing to pay for the battery replacement every year or so, you might be better off with a different player. If only they let you easily replace the batteries yourself... like a cell phone.

I've heard excellent things about the SanDisk Sansa players. The largest they come in is 8gig flash models, but apparently they beat the snot out of the latest iPod shuffles/nano models.

Bobblehead · 11-27-2006, 09:24 AM

Keep in mind the criteria being looked for:

40GB of music won't fit on a flash based unit (yet).

tussery · 11-27-2006, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llama64

I bought a 3rd Gen refurb 10G iPod for about 200$ (2.5 years back). Lasted for over a year, but then the battery took an epic nosedive.

The iPod is a great player but if you arn't willing to pay for the battery replacement every year or so, you might be better off with a different player. If only they let you easily replace the batteries yourself... like a cell phone.

The 3rd gen iPod was notorious for battery failures more so than any other iPod. I have had my 5th gen iPod for a year and a half now and the battery still seems like it is brand new.

underGRADFlame · 11-27-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tussery

The 3rd gen iPod was notorious for battery failures more so than any other iPod. I have had my 5th gen iPod for a year and a half now and the battery still seems like it is brand new.

yeah, my 30gb video iPod hasen't given me a sniff of a problem (and it was a refurb too)