NationStates Jolt Archive

Some people will know that the iPod mini is coming out soon, and i Won't be buying one, nor did i buy the original iPod. And i never will, and heres why.

1) No support for the WMA format.

This will mean alot less songs, as the WMA format is twice as small as MP3. this will also mean a 20GB Creative player could fit as many songs as the 40GB iPod.

2) The Touch-pad is too sensitive.
i found the player fiddly when it came to moving down while selecting tracks, and trying to move down one track could mean going down several tracks.

3)The Battery
You cannot remove the battery, unlike alot of other players, which means you have to send it to apple to get it replaced. And i will cost 250GBP to get it replaced. You might aswell get a cheaper Creative Player when it runs out.

4) Extras cost too much.
29 GBP for a carry case is too much, and alot of plyers come with a Carry case/neck strap.

I would like to here from some other MP3 player users users and tell me what they think about the Ipod. :)

sorry for having a rant, but i wanted to get my point across, also, if you saw a similar review on amazon.co.uk, that was my review

meh, I still use a good 'ol cd player.

So do I. I also use my cell phone for all my mobile mp3 playing needs ;).

So do I. I also use my cell phone for all my mobile mp3 playing needs ;).

dear god, its now an MP3 player. I've also seen the TV phone. Things are getting way too complex.

Soon our toilets will become high tech! Imagine toilet morse code! Communicating over the toilets with farts!

Soon our toilets will become high tech! Imagine toilet morse code! Communicating over the toilets with farts!

Lol

But Jokes aside, does anyone here actually have An MP3 Player?

Lol

But Jokes aside, does anyone here actually have An MP3 Player?
Nope. I got a phone with MP3 player functionality so I wouldn't have to buy a real MP3 player.

Yes, I do, and I love it! It's much smaller and more compact than an iPod, it supports .wma and .mp3 both, it will store any type of file for transfering data, it never skips, it has plain old standard AAA batteries, and it's very sturdy.

Oh, and you don't have to sign up for Apple's stupid site to put music on it.

<-- NOT an apple fan

Yes, I do, and I love it! It's much smaller and more compact than an iPod, it supports .wma and .mp3 both, it will store any type of file for transfering data, it never skips, it has plain old standard AAA batteries, and it's very sturdy.

Oh, and you don't have to sign up for Apple's stupid site to put music on it.

<-- NOT an apple fan

What do you have then?

I have a first generation MP3 player- 32mb of memory, lol. You can buy 512mb cards for it, but they're expensive. I won it years ago, I wouldn't buy one.

I have net MD which I bought a couple of years back, which has done me well.

Excuse me for being old-fashioned:

You people are spoiled by technology. I'm working out of '99 EMachine and I'm happy. Sure I never played any advanced games but I'm good. Also, who needs MP3s? THere's this thing called RADIO! Meh, you're all spoiled with your high tech gadgets and yes I'm cold and bitter... :p

I bought my ipod about a year ago when the alternatives were either worse or much more expensive. I have to say that I am very pleased with my ipod. It has enough space to hold all the music I will ever have, it is asthetically pleasing, reasonably lightweight, is pleasing to use (the scroll wheel makes even browsing the playlist fun :) ) and plays music at a hig quality without skipping when you move about. I actually did get a dock and case with my ipod, it depends on the model you buy.
For someone like me it doesnt really matter that it doesnt play WMA files, because it has much more space than I'll ever need.

Excuse me for being old-fashioned:

You people are spoiled by technology. I'm working out of '99 EMachine and I'm happy. Sure I never played any advanced games but I'm good. Also, who needs MP3s? THere's this thing called RADIO! Meh, you're all spoiled with your high tech gadgets and yes I'm cold and bitter... :p

You Sound like my mother.

THere's this thing called RADIO! Meh, you're all spoiled with your high tech gadgets and yes I'm cold and bitter... :p
Wahoo, around 6 stations of crap (I think it may be different where you are, but here we have no decent radio stations for music)

I bought my ipod about a year ago when the alternatives were either worse or much more expensive. I have to say that I am very pleased with my ipod. It has enough space to hold all the music I will ever have, it is asthetically pleasing, reasonably lightweight, is pleasing to use (the scroll wheel makes even browsing the playlist fun :) ) and plays music at a hig quality without skipping when you move about. I actually did get a dock and case with my ipod, it depends on the model you buy.
For someone like me it doesnt really matter that it doesnt play WMA files, because it has much more space than I'll ever need.

Compare this..... (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000UXH64/ref=br_lf_ce_12/202-9880442-9271067)

To the 20 Gig iPod (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000UXH64/ref=br_lf_ce_12/202-9880442-9271067)

Wahoo, around 6 stations of crap (I think it may be different where you are, but here we have no decent radio stations for music)

There's hardly any good radio stations anywhere. By their nature, you only hear what is popular at the time, with maybe one or two alright songs played ad nauseam every half an hour, or golden oldies that get overplayed and are only the band's worst songs anyway. Radio blows.

Check out
http://reviews.cnet.com/Music/4521-6532_7-5021434-3.html?tag=dir.tp
for a good list of alternatives to the ipod - in particular check out the iRiver H-120. Its a bit more expensive than the ipod, but is more versatile.Creative are cheaper, but they're of a poorer quality. By the way, Apple are releasing a new 4th generation ipod which improves on the old one (but i don't think it has wma), if you didn't already know.

You Sound like my mother.

Eeeeeeew!

I use my palm to play music. It rawks.

:D

I didn't but an iPod because they are far too expensive.

meh, I still use a good 'ol cd player.

Just get a MP3 CD portable player, best of both worlds and no hassle with more music in a library…

Excuse me for being old-fashioned:

You people are spoiled by technology. I'm working out of '99 EMachine and I'm happy. Sure I never played any advanced games but I'm good. Also, who needs MP3s? THere's this thing called RADIO! Meh, you're all spoiled with your high tech gadgets and yes I'm cold and bitter... :p

Hi Isle of Rose, get one of those cool little necklet radios. I got one with some software a while ago, I should use it at uni.

Hint of advice if you invest in an MP3 player, do not drop them off flights of stairs, they have a tendency to shatter into many peices when this is done. Trust me, it's no fun *runs off to fiddle with the primitive CD player that has been forced upon me*

Why I didn't buy an ipod.

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2004/07/19/duke/

I didn't but an iPod because they are far too expensive.

ha HA ! broke people unite!!!!! same reason here, except i had a job=(

-kooterade

Hint of advice if you invest in an MP3 player, do not drop them off flights of stairs, they have a tendency to shatter into many peices when this is done. Trust me, it's no fun *runs off to fiddle with the primitive CD player that has been forced upon me*

hey now, my cd player is plenty fine thank you very much.

-kooterade

What do you have then?It's a Buslink (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?siteID=MVnH7xuWG2g-My9uL.9ra6R.UduP8I799w&http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=470800) mp3 player, only about 2-4 hours of music but I've never had a need for more. (That price on their site is outrageous, I got mine at a local store here for $60.) I'm very satisfied with it, and would highly recommend it over an iPod. iTunes really sucks, as well.

Hint of advice if you invest in an MP3 player, do not drop them off flights of stairs, they have a tendency to shatter into many peices when this is done. Trust me, it's no fun *runs off to fiddle with the primitive CD player that has been forced upon me* I dunno, I've dropped mine several times and it's stood up quite well to my shoddy treatment :)

i have a 128 mb (supposedly) rca lyra with a 32 meg (supposedly) mem card (got it back in the day when i had a k@zoo) dont know if it supports wma, ill have to try, right now i have mp3s coded down to 96 kbs i think.

i was looking at the 1.5gig rio nitrus, the only problem is its built in rechargable battery, but i will last about 1/3 as long as the music will play, but 16 hours is still a while

the rca lyra and rio nitrus are the best prices for what they hold

It's a Buslink (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?siteID=MVnH7xuWG2g-My9uL.9ra6R.UduP8I799w&http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=470800) mp3 player, only about 2-4 hours of music but I've never had a need for more. (That price on their site is outrageous, I got mine at a local store here for $60.) I'm very satisfied with it, and would highly recommend it over an iPod. iTunes really sucks, as well.

Huh? The program that everyone else says is the best mp3 player on the market? What's wrong with it?

And to the other guy who said you had to subscribe to a website to put music on the iPod...HUH??

Huh? The program that everyone else says is the best mp3 player on the market? What's wrong with it?

And to the other guy who said you had to subscribe to a website to put music on the iPod...HUH??

No offence mate, but you seem brainwashed, look beyond the marketing and look at the alternatives

No offence mate, but you seem brainwashed, look beyond the marketing and look at the alternatives

I have...I've seen (and attempted to use) Media Player-big load of pish. Is there something else I'm missing?

I have...I've seen (and attempted to use) Media Player-big load of pish. Is there something else I'm missing?

Have you tried the iRiver? the Philips HDD?

Have you tried the iRiver? the Philips HDD?

This is where my ignorance starts to show...no, I haven't even heard of it. Could you give me a link?

(On a side note, I'm getting quite angry with all these companies using "i" in front of all there products because Apple did it...)

This is where my ignorance starts to show...no, I haven't even heard of it. Could you give me a link?

(On a side note, I'm getting quite angry with all these companies using "i" in front of all there products because Apple did it...)

This is the 40GB version of the iRiver (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001FAP7W/ref=br_lf_ce_5/202-9880442-9271067)

This is the 40GB version of the iRiver (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001FAP7W/ref=br_lf_ce_5/202-9880442-9271067)

Curious...how does it connect to the computer? To transfer across songs etc.

Curious...how does it connect to the computer? To transfer across songs etc.
USB

I've got a cheap ass Memorex mp3 player that's terrific--I dropped some extra memory in it, so for around $200, I've got 4-5 hours of music. It's small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, and has an FM tuner in it as well. Runs off a AAA battery.

USB

Ouch...it'll take years to get the songs in then...is it USB 1 or 2?

I have the 20gb player by Creative labs, I think its the Zen NX. It's great, changing the battery is easier than changing the batteries in a flashlight, although I dont know how easy (or expensive) it is to get a replacement. It connects to your computer via USB and takes about 10 sec per mp3 using USB 1.1 or 1 sec using USB 2.0. I think it cost my parents about 300 USD about 7 months ago.

<<cough>>apple sucks<<cough>>

<<cough>>apple sucks<<cough>>

Care to tell us why?

Ouch...it'll take years to get the songs in then...is it USB 1 or 2?
USB2

USB2


USB2 works fine with my ipod mini. Just as quick as firewire.

Lol

But Jokes aside, does anyone here actually have An MP3 Player?

yes, i have an mp3 player

What version of firewire :-D

But yeah usb2.0 is very fast … no problem using external hard drives (believe the original release is 240 mbps … might be off by a little)

But yeah love the smaller irivers (got a 256 flash iriver) never been happier :)

don't complain there's only 3 radio sations here tha play music... one's only fit for an old age home... one's just a bunch of bubble gum pop... and one's classic rock which is deadly but ya loose the signal every 2 minutes... but my sanity is saved.. i'll never grow tired of the good 'ol CD player... (probly cuz i have 5.1 surround)... my computer gives me too much trouble for me to get an MP3 player that would depend on it.

"Some people will know that the iPod mini is coming out soon, and i Won't be buying one, nor did i buy the original iPod. And i never will, and heres why.

1) The first problem is addressed by the AAC format, which like the .wma is twice as small, but is better quality than WMA. The AAC format was patented by Apple and a 128kbps AAC sounds better than a 160 kbps MP3 and MUCH better than a 160 kbps WMA file


2) You can change the sensitivity of the pad.

3) The battery is rechargeable and although the first generation iPod had battery problems the later ones do not.

4) I won't debate the extras costing too much, but all of your arguments are invalid and you basically made them without full knowledge of the product. I bought the iPod knowing that I was paying a premium (Yes there are similar products that are cheaper) but I will for the quality that I'm getting

And whoever said you "have to" sign up for the music store is braindead, all you have to do is import CDs, or download from somewhere else.

and to add to that, since it uses Firewire it can also CHARGE while being attached to the computer which you can't do with USB :) :fluffle:

and to add to that, since it uses Firewire it can also CHARGE while being attached to the computer which you can't do with USB :) :fluffle:


You can with USB2. I'm doing it right now.

"Some people will know that the iPod mini is coming out soon, and i Won't be buying one, nor did i buy the original iPod. And i never will, and heres why.

1) The first problem is addressed by the AAC format, which like the .wma is twice as small, but is better quality than WMA. The AAC format was patented by Apple and a 128kbps AAC sounds better than a 160 kbps MP3 and MUCH better than a 160 kbps WMA file


2) You can change the sensitivity of the pad.

3) The battery is rechargeable and although the first generation iPod had battery problems the later ones do not.

4) I won't debate the extras costing too much, but all of your arguments are invalid and you basically made them without full knowledge of the product. I bought the iPod knowing that I was paying a premium (Yes there are similar products that are cheaper) but I will for the quality that I'm getting

And whoever said you "have to" sign up for the music store is braindead, all you have to do is import CDs, or download from somewhere else.


Do you own a windows PC? it is much better to use the WMA format sine you can copy straight from a CD to your PC through windows media player, no other software required

And the iPod still has battery problems, as lithium polymers can still leak and ruin the iPod, and have you ever tried to download songs through USB? on most players, the battery doesnt use much power mhen it is downloading songs, but on the iPod, you get 2 hours MAX

You may be able to change the sensitivity of the pad, but what about those who have sausage fingers? give them a little credit.

And do you really want to pay 100 GBP for a Dock, USB dock connector and carry case? i get all that for free with my Philips HDD120

Look beyond the marketing and look at what you get with the others players, Don't just make assumptions

Do you own a windows PC? it is much better to use the WMA format sine you can copy straight from a CD to your PC through windows media player, no other software required

And on a Mac, you can copy straight from a CD to your Mac using only iTunes, using the AAC format.

And the iPod still has battery problems, as lithium polymers can still leak and ruin the iPod, and have you ever tried to download songs through USB? on most players, the battery doesnt use much power mhen it is downloading songs, but on the iPod, you get 2 hours MAX

2 hours of what? If you had a decent FireWire card, your iPod would charge as you transfered the songs; hence, you wouldn't lose any battery power.

And do you really want to pay 100 GBP for a Dock, USB dock connector and carry case? i get all that for free with my Philips HDD120

The dock comes free with all but the most basic model of iPod. As does the carry case. And you want a USB dock connector for why now?