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a shitload of mp3 player questions
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:22 am
by werldhed
Okay, I know... it's a topic that's been clubbed to death (and christ with headphones, there are a lot of pages of mp3 player banter to read through on this forum). But if anyone is willing to offer some advice, I have a few questions.
I'm deciding between a 30Gb iPod and a Creative Sleek Zen. I never was keen on the iPod because of battery life, cost, sound quality, options, looks, and interface... pretty much everything. I do like the clickwheel, though. Now that they've come down in price, integrated video playback, gotten smaller, and imporved battery life, I'm starting to be tempted.
Here's what I want to know about the iPod, and I haven't found straight answers yet. All the info I've found is the same shit ("It looks sleek and fits in your pocket!") If anyone happens to have the answers:
-Can you do voice recording? If not, does anyone know if Apple has plans to add a built-in microphone? This is important, and might possibly make/break the iPod as an option.
-I've heard that you can't edit playlists on the go. True?
-From what I've heard, it can't it play divx .avi's? Is there a way to make it so (firmware, etc.)?
-What is the actual (real-life) battery life? How long until it's expected to stop working? And do you still have to buy a new, overpriced one from Apple?
-Album art & lyrics: can you get them if you're ripping music from your cds, or are they only an option through the iTunes store?
-Do you have to use iTunes with it?
-Finally, if I want a car-adapter kit, which is a better bet: buying the radio adapter, or using one of my old cassette adapters? Which has better quality?
TIA to anyone willing to offer some insight or alternatives...
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:35 am
by Dave
Man, get an ipod.
Re: a shitload of mp3 player questions
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:49 am
by +JuggerNaut+
werldhed wrote:
-Can you do voice recording? If not, does anyone know if Apple has plans to add a built-in microphone? This is important, and might possibly make/break the iPod as an option.
Nope and probably won't be in the near future since it's not a feature after 5 years
-I've heard that you can't edit playlists on the go. True?
I believe that is true, yes.
-From what I've heard, it can't it play divx .avi's? Is there a way to make it so (firmware, etc.)?
Not unless you go the linux route, which i do not recommend.
-What is the actual (real-life) battery life? How long until it's expected to stop working? And do you still have to buy a new, overpriced one from Apple?
Not sure about this one. Dunno if there are alternatives to Apple's own either, but i don't think i'd trust any in an ipod.
-Album art & lyrics: can you get them if you're ripping music from your cds, or are they only an option through the iTunes store?
Dunno.
-Do you have to use iTunes with it?
No. there are alternatives such as Anapod
-Finally, if I want a car-adapter kit, which is a better bet: buying the radio adapter, or using one of my old cassette adapters? Which has better quality?
generally a cassette adapter if i had to choose between the two. better yet, get yourself an cheap*ss head unit with an auxiliary input. that's the best and most cost effective, imo, since those types of head units can be had for <$100 US.
TIA to anyone willing to offer some insight or alternatives...
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 8:14 am
by +JuggerNaut+
add the Cowon Iaudio X5 to your short list. ghey name, yes. feature rich, yes. sounds great, oh yes.
click me here, yeah
Homepage listing all the features
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:26 pm
by saturn
Dave wrote:Man, get an ipod.
I'm gonna slit the throat of the person that stole my iPod.
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:27 pm
by +JuggerNaut+
oh oh.
hey wait. people around this forum were telling me that ipods aren't a hot item to steal because "everyone has one".
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:31 pm
by saturn
Those were Welsh chavs.
Anyway, time to get a Nano.
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:34 pm
by saturn
riddla wrote:saturn wrote:Anyway, time to get a Nano.
I had sex with my nano, it was good
you Alabama hillbillies would have sex with anything with non-moving parts :>
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:00 am
by werldhed
Thanks for the suggestions and answers, Juggs. Although, it really made the decision more difficult. :icon32:
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:16 am
by +JuggerNaut+
;P soz
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:18 am
by Geebs
Aren't the people criticizing the ipod's audio usually the same silly sods who think one codec's utterly supreme to the exclusion of all others?
The really funny thing about "audiophiles" is that by the time in your life you can afford "pro audio" gear, you're already succumbing to presbyacusis
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:21 am
by plained
extracting music off a spinning disc is so 18 century
i'd get something modern with no moving parts.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:24 am
by +JuggerNaut+
Geebs wrote:Aren't the people criticizing the ipod's audio usually the same silly sods who think one codec's utterly supreme to the exclusion of all others?
The really funny thing about "audiophiles" is that by the time in your life you can afford "pro audio" gear, you're already succumbing to presbyacusis
i think it's funnier that almost every iPod owner gets super defensive.
now about codecs, i use .mp3 and .flac exclusively. both for obvious reasons. how hard is that?
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:27 am
by werldhed
Geebs wrote:Aren't the people criticizing the ipod's audio usually the same silly sods who think one codec's utterly supreme to the exclusion of all others?
The really funny thing about "audiophiles" is that by the time in your life you can afford "pro audio" gear, you're already succumbing to presbyacusis
Who said they were an audiophile? I just want something that fits my needs.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:30 am
by SiCdeth
saturn wrote:Those were Welsh chavs.
Anyway, time to get a Nano.
You're going to spend 50 bucks less on something that can't hold half the amount of the 20gb just because it's smaller?
And you already had your iPod stolen... smart move.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:30 am
by +JuggerNaut+
@ werdheld:
he's pointing at me, don't worry about it.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:30 am
by werldhed
plained wrote:extracting music off a spinning disc is so 18 century
i'd get something modern with no moving parts.
I want a decent capacity harddisk so I can put my entire music collection (and some photos, too) on it and not have to lug my cds around when I'm in the car or on trips. (I have some vinyls I'd like to put on, too, when I get around to it)
I plan to get a smaller flash player to take to the lab each day, and to take mountain biking and running and such.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:36 am
by plained
werldhed wrote:plained wrote:extracting music off a spinning disc is so 18 century
i'd get something modern with no moving parts.
I want a decent capacity harddisk so I can put my entire music collection (and some photos, too) on it and not have to lug my cds around when I'm in the car or on trips. (I have some vinyls I'd like to put on, too, when I get around to it)
I plan to get a smaller flash player to take to the lab each day, and to take mountain biking and running and such.
ah that makes sense then
hehe make a few back-ups :forme: HEWHE
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:38 am
by werldhed
+JuggerNaut+ wrote:@ werdheld:
he's pointing at me, don't worry about it.
Oh, well... I've been called an iPod hater before just because it hasn't been exactly what I wanted... so I just assumed it was directed at me. :icon26:
Anyway. I found this. It's too much more money, but I wonder how well it works...
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductP ... _Id=158384
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:40 am
by plained
omi man thats
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:40 am
by +JuggerNaut+
didn't know that even existed. go to ilounge.com, i'm sure they have a review for it.
Re: a shitload of mp3 player questions
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:18 am
by Ground_Zero
-Can you do voice recording? YES, YOU CAN. There is a mic available.
-I've heard that you can't edit playlists on the go. True? Yes. You can make your own "on the go" playlist whenever you like
-From what I've heard, it can't it play divx .avi's? Is there a way to make it so (firmware, etc.)? see my thread. not sure if it can, but you can convert the files to the proper format.
-What is the actual (real-life) battery life? How long until it's expected to stop working? And do you still have to buy a new, overpriced one from Apple? check the website. I believe it's 8 hours of music, 3 of video. Oh wait. Total battery life? No idea. Several years at least I would think. More than that if you actually take care of it and keep it charged
-Album art & lyrics: can you get them if you're ripping music from your cds, or are they only an option through the iTunes store? not sure
-Do you have to use iTunes with it? No. Sourceforge has alot of indy options, one even integrates it with winamp I believe
-Finally, if I want a car-adapter kit, which is a better bet: buying the radio adapter, or using one of my old cassette adapters? Which has better quality? I've heard points on both sides. Radio is less wires hanging around in your car though, so that's what I would go with if your reception is decent.
Re: a shitload of mp3 player questions
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:27 am
by +JuggerNaut+
Ground_Zero wrote:-Can you do voice recording? YES, YOU CAN. There is a mic available.
-I've heard that you can't edit playlists on the go. True? Yes. You can make your own "on the go" playlist whenever you like
yeah, i was wrong about the on-the-go playlists.
about the mic accessory: now you're talking about a $350 DAP. so a few downsides:
1) it's not cheap
2) it's not exactly a small attachment
3) it will look
really funny if you decide on a black ipod.
but, if you have no issues with the above, Belkin makes decent products so i'm sure it works fine.
here's an ilounge review
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:26 am
by Ground_Zero
350dap sounds really expenisve! ROFL I went to go check and it's $20 USD. :icon32: That could be really useful for recording lectures.
You do have a good point about it clashing with the black pod though.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:29 am
by Tormentius
Here's an app for importing album art into iTunes:
http://www.yvg.com/itunesartimporter.shtml