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ipod mini? nano?

#22
Vandelay said:
Congrats on your purchase, you'll like it a lot!

If you buy songs off iTunes, you don't get much control over sound quality/size. They keep that fairly hidden. If you import songs from CDs using iTunes, you can choose what bit rate you want to encode with (thus affecting quality and file size).

The stock headphones are not terrible, they're just not great either. Try them for a while at least before you shop for something else.
Click to expand...

It's not hidden, all purchased iTunes songs are 128kbps AAC encoded files with Apple's Fairplay DRM wrapped around it.
 
#24
Bayou_Brawler said:
128kbps? that's pretty crappy eh?
Click to expand...

I haven't bought any songs from the iTunes store so I couldn't speak to the sound quality beyond tech specs. I would say if the sound quality was really bad the iTunes store probably wouldn't have sold over 1.5 billion songs to date.

[edit]
Don't forget, this is only the purchased music. You can set your CD ripping preferences up to 320kbps mp3 or even use a lossless format if sound quality is paramount to you.

Personally I've ripped my CDs in either 256 or 320kbps mp3 format.
 
#25
As for headphones, Grado Labs is coming out with some ipod phones for about $50. This company is known for good quality stuff (I have a Grado SR-60 ($60) which I really like (big headphone). This is not an earplug, but smaller phones with a headband.

Link Removed

Check out the "Breaking News" for "iGrado"

People have been saying good things about the Koss cheapo plugs too (there's even a mod in a headphone site that was done by a well know stereophile). These you can get for $15.
 
#26
Bayou_Brawler said:
128kbps? that's pretty crappy eh?
Click to expand...

It's not bad. It's average.

I usually burn or download MP3s at 192kbps to 256kbps. It helps bring the bass definition out :D

Personally, I'd recommend looking into the Creative Zen Micro or Zen MicroPhoto. Better features, less software hassles, great battery life, and the size of an iPod mini. Plus, you can replace the battery once its life is worn out; you can't do that with an iPod Mini (a known problem that has angered many customers, since the body of the player is sealed). Avoid the mainstream!

I've got a Zen Micro that I'm very pleased with. You'll never get me to be one of the 'Pod people!

...If it's starting to sound like a horror movie, it probably is... after all, students nowadays are starting to resemble mindless zombies with iPod headphones in their ears... :ninja:
 
#28
Vandelay said:
Correct, and this may be veering slightly off-topic, but the new 8GB nano is a bad choice. It costs $249, the very same price as a new 30GB regular iPod that can also play movies and games. You have to wonder what Apple was thinking with that pricing strategy. :eyebrow:
Click to expand...


(+1 on that.)

I just bought my son a 4GB Nano in blue this last weekend, because that is what he had to have.

It cost me $199.00. The 30GB Video iPod was only $40.00 more, and is a much better value for the money, but try telling a kid that…..
 
#29
Somewhat OT, but as far as tune-swapping goes, there are ways around Apple's annoying file permissions with the iPod. Normally, iTunes won't let you drag songs from your iPod onto you computer but there are some apps that will let you do just that.
I'm currently using a Mac so I'm not privy to the latest Windows apps but from what I understand, both platforms have some decent offerings in this area. I've had great success with iPod Access. Even in demo mode it'll still let you move five tracks at a time.
 
#30
pocket_groover said:
The new nanos are now aluminum case like the minis (stronger) and the 4gb ones now come in colors like the mini used to.

Of course, you can't get these refurbished at the Apple store.

I think the aluminum case is a good idea; I just got through replacing the lcd in my daughter's nano (new lcd was $20 on Ebay). The plastic case flexes too much and the lcd is prone to cracking.
Click to expand...
i didn't get my stats from Apple, and you're right, they are talking about the old nanos.

my apologies for incorrect info.
 
#31
VintageBT6Lover said:
Somewhat OT, but as far as tune-swapping goes, there are ways around Apple's annoying file permissions with the iPod. Normally, iTunes won't let you drag songs from your iPod onto you computer but there are some apps that will let you do just that.
I'm currently using a Mac so I'm not privy to the latest Windows apps but from what I understand, both platforms have some decent offerings in this area. I've had great success with iPod Access. Even in demo mode it'll still let you move five tracks at a time.
Click to expand...

check out a program called EphPod.
I'm not sure if it's for mac though.
 
#32
Well, I was thinking about getting a second generation 4GB nano today, but I looked on the Apple support forum and the new nanos are reportedly making a high pitched noise when on (from the actually iPod, not the headphones). Could anyone that has a new nano comment on that?
 
#35
OK so i'm a little confused on song sharing. basically what i want to do is show up at my friends houses and fill up my ipod from their itunes.

it sounds like i may not be able to do this?

it's not as easy as just plugging my ipod into their computer and hitting a button?

of course if they have their music in a folder in MP3 for i can just burn a CD and load it into my itunes though right?


:confused:
 
#36
Bayou_Brawler said:
OK so i'm a little confused on song sharing. basically what i want to do is show up at my friends houses and fill up my ipod from their itunes.

it sounds like i may not be able to do this?

it's not as easy as just plugging my ipod into their computer and hitting a button?

of course if they have their music in a folder in MP3 for i can just burn a CD and load it into my itunes though right?


:confused:
Click to expand...
Mostly, you can do this. If they bought their songs via the iTunes music store, those songs will be encoded with "Fairplay" digital rights management. There are SOME constraints, but you can mostly do what you are asking. Here's a good explanation of what you can and can't do:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairPlay
 
#37
Vandelay said:
Mostly, you can do this. If they bought their songs via the iTunes music store, those songs will be encoded with "Fairplay" digital rights management. There are SOME constraints, but you can mostly do what you are asking. Here's a good explanation of what you can and can't do:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairPlay
Click to expand...

cool. i'll read it now. what about if they ripped CDs to their computer and put it on itunes?


:hiding:
 
#38
Bayou_Brawler said:
cool. i'll read it now. what about if they ripped CDs to their computer and put it on itunes?
:hiding:
Click to expand...
Ripped CDs have NO digital rights management protection, so technically they are open season. (But legally, it's safe to say that you'd be in violation of copyright to grab ripped CDs that you didn't purchase. You know the drill).
 
#39
Salicete said:
(+1 on that.)

I just bought my son a 4GB Nano in blue this last weekend, because that is what he had to have.

It cost me $199.00. The 30GB Video iPod was only $40.00 more, and is a much better value for the money, but try telling a kid that…..
Click to expand...

The Nanos are actually pretty good deals as far as flash memory-based players go. The nearest 8 GB flash competitor, the Sansa, is the same price as the 8 GB Nano.

Flash memory players have no moving parts and are generally more resistant to drops, bumps, shaking, etc. which is an important consideration if you use the player to work out (or you buy one for your clumsy kids).

I agree with you though, for $250 I'd rather have the 30 GB hard-drive player.
 

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