iPod/MP3 player question

**N. Abstentia** · 02-13-2006, 06:49 PM

Okay, I think I've finally decided to buy an MP3 player. I was looking at 60gb hard drive players first, so I could transfer my entire collection to it but I think I've decided to go opposite and get a smaller at least 2gb flash player for cost and reliability reasons.

So I'm looking at Best Buy...because I have a Best Buy credit card with 6 months free financing

and the main ones I liked are the Sandisk Sansa 2gb and of course the iPod 2gb dealie.

My main concern in flash player is this...I want to plug it into a USB port and copy my files to it, then play them. That simple. I don't want any other software involved. Can the iPod work like this, or does it have to use iTunes?

Anybody have the Sandisk Sansa? It says it works like this, but I'd like to hear from a user here. I'm already leaning towards the Sansa because it's cheaper, it's not Apple, and the iPod does not play WMA files which is a deal killer unless I hear something that negates that. I don't want to re-rip as MP3, but I can if needed. Since it's only 2gb I will only need to rip a little anyway.

**anamorphic96** · 02-13-2006, 07:12 PM

The one question I can answer for you is the iPod ONLY works with iTunes.

Not sure about the Sandisk players. But my boss has a small Samsung 1GB flash player that sounded real good. There is also a 2GB version as well. The other nice thing is they run on 1 AA battery. Not sure the price on the 2GB but the 1GB version is only 99.00.

**N. Abstentia** · 02-13-2006, 07:42 PM

Thanks anamorphic, that kind of rules out the iPod for me..which I didn't really want anyway

Looks like the only Samsung players Best Buy has are the 512kb players and the 1 gb Yepp which is $30 more than the 2gb Sandisk. I'll be going to the store to get it though, so they might have more available there.

You reminded me of another think I liked about the Sandisk player, it runs off of 1 AAA battery. A rechargeable battery like the iPod is okay, but for $6 I can get FOUR rechargeable batteries

**paul_pci** · 02-13-2006, 08:11 PM

Why is using mp3 sofware like iTunes such a dealbreaker? I'm quite the opposite, where I wouldn't want a player where I couldn't control or organize my music. I think iTunes is an asset not a detraction.

**N. Abstentia** · 02-13-2006, 08:36 PM

The main reason I don't want to use iTunes is because I want to be able to transfer my music from any computer on my network at any time. I don't want to have to install some software package on every computer I touch. I don't really care about playlists or downloading music, and I don't want my music to go through any type of 'conversion' or anything like that. I just want to pick out a handful of albums from my audio server and drop them on the player.

But if I HAD to use iTunes I could probably get used to it, assuming it doesn't do any type of downcoversion during the uploads. However there are just too many reasons I don't want an iPod...it can't play WMA files (I don't have one single MP3), it can't play WAV files, and it does not have an FM tuner like the Sandisk.

**kexodusc** · 02-14-2006, 04:43 AM

I thought the new Ipods were compatible with wav and MP3 now? Does this mean they convert all these other formats in iTunes or whatever?

**audio_dude** · 06-04-2006, 08:47 AM

there are many different apps you can use instead of iTunes...do a google on "iTunes alternative"

**Zhyn** · 06-04-2006, 10:13 AM

I use XPlay by mediafour to transfer files to my ipod (first gen 10GB) and it just uses a drag and drop system. I switched to xplay right away (I think back then the only option for windows was musicmatch). I'm not sure if xplay works with the ipod flash players, or what they are up to now. You do have to install it on any system You want to drag and drop though, so thats a minus.

Oh, and my Ipod only last for about 6 hours now, but I've had it for years so I guess that's pretty good. I rarely listen to music longer then that in one day anyway. And I just charge it at night.

It's also super durable. I've dropped it so many times <_<. It has a dent in it. But it still works

Saying all that, I would not buy another ipod. There are players that have way better features and suppost more music formats now. Ipods seem so lacking now. There's just no reason to buy an Ipod anymore.

**audio_dude** · 06-04-2006, 11:32 AM

hey, thats not nice, I think iPods still have it! take this for instance, they haven't changed in price since the 3G iPod, now it has the click wheel, 2.5" color screen, 30gb capacity, 14h batterylife, shall I go on?

**N. Abstentia** · 06-04-2006, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by audio_dude

they haven't changed in price since the 3G iPod,

Yeah good point...most things come down in price over the years. Look at computers, dvd players, HDTV's...yet an iPod has not changed in price.

**PHiX** · 06-05-2006, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by N. Abstentia

Yeah good point...most things come down in price over the years. Look at computers, dvd players, HDTV's...yet an iPod has not changed in price.

An iPod you buy today has more functionality / storage / battery life and is a better piece of equipment than one you bought 3 years ago. Apple isn't a pricefighter, they don't lower prices, they improve their products.

**N. Abstentia** · 06-05-2006, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by PHiX

An iPod you buy today has more functionality / storage / battery life and is a better piece of equipment than one you bought 3 years ago.

And a computer/dvd player/HDTV is not? Choose from that list..I'll take a brand new one any day over one that's 3 years old.

**PHiX** · 06-05-2006, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by N. Abstentia

And a computer/dvd player/HDTV is not? Choose from that list..I'll take a brand new one any day over one that's 3 years old.

A high end gaming pc was expensive 3 years ago and still is. Many family pcs drop in price because lately they are more and more equipped with old junk. The amount of clockcycles isn't a measurement anymore... so the average Joe goes for the cheapest pc which runs windows and can be used to surf the net. An average pc could do that 5 years ago as well. Once Vista is out I bet that the price of an average family pc found in warehouses raises again.

With dvd-players / burners you're right, they drop in price because R&D has been paid back by now and the high production volumes.

If you buy a dvd-player which incorporates new technology you still pay a fortune.

iPods also constantly get equipped with new technology every year. Go ahead and mention a device like a 5G iPod that does the same and is considerably cheaper. I can't think of one. Closest is a Zen Vision M which is about the same price.

**audio_dude** · 06-06-2006, 12:15 PM

no, look at the improvements, and it's still the same price, i meant that as a good thing, like the thing is not more expensive, lol

**audio_dude** · 06-06-2006, 03:21 PM

aren't we getting a bit off topic here, lol....hehe, i'm glad I opened this back up, lol

**audio_dude** · 06-08-2006, 01:49 PM

what about GNUpod, or another free iTunes alternative

**Fritz** · 12-13-2006, 12:32 PM

I use Winamp with a plugin for my iPod. It works very well, and I like it because Winamp is the best media player I have found for windows so far. I really want try out iPodLinux and rockbox too, but they dont support the 2G nano yet....

I also would love a line-in recording feature, especially since my major is 'Sound Recording Technology'..hehe. I would just love to make a dock connector adapter and an external pair of preamps

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