MP3 players

The ukrm jury is requested to help dear old me by voting for

a) the new Sony Walkman MP3 20GB player or
b) the new Apple IPOD Video 30GB

Which is best IYE and why? Oh and what colour is de-rigeur?

I'm completely clueless when it comes to stuff like this so real world
observations much appreciated. I have actually held and had a listen to
the new Sony device which was very nicely put together. Never used an
IPOD.

 

The iPod. Better range of accessories.

 

The iPod has by far the nicest interface. iTunes is a very easy way to
get your MP3s organised and onto your player.

Both players, AFAIK, limit you to using their own software to load the
player - with Sony getting less than glowing reviews for their
implementation.

 

iPod. Because it just works.

Black.

Or white.

 

There are a number of pieces of software that will load Ipods. I use
amarok under Linux, tehres one called purpleghost for windows as well that
I am aware of

 

An iPod is worth it just for the experience of removing it for the first time
from its packaging.

 

Neither to be honest, both force you to use rubbish software to put song
on there, and once theyre on, you cant get them back off without a lot
of messing around with dodgey programs. I'd pick something from iriver
myself.

 

Mash wrote

Nice little toy the iriver.

 

The problem with all of the 3rd party solutions is that they are
incredibly clunky and a hassle to use compared with iTunes.

 

Err, Drag and drop files onto the ipod box and they are queued for
transfer, hit one button, job done. Not exactly clunky in IMHO

 

Riiiiiight.

Fire up MP3 encoder. Encode disc. Locate file on hard drive. Drag to
iPod.

vs.

Fire up iTunes, Encode disc and transfer in one easy move.

And that's before you get into the file management and playlist
management.

 

Stick disc in, run Grip, its already configured to name everything
correctly and place it in my collection, appears automagically in Amarok
so I can just drag it to Ipod. Playlists need setting up in iTunes just as
in any other application. Amarok also downloads lyrics to anything I am
listening to and the album cover as well.

If you are happy with iTunes then fine, I'm happy with my lot.

 

Hmm.

I've had an ipod for about 2 years which gets used for at least 10 hours
a week. No problems except the battery's dying. My daughter's had an
ipod mini for about 18 months (ish) also no problems.

I'm happy with the product.

 

Ho Yuss. I enjoyed my second as much as my first.

 

Having used the nano (4Gb black) for a couple of months
now, it really is one of the best gadgets I've ever bought
and I do really, really like it. The interface just *works* so
well with the click wheel. The only accessory I've bought
has been the desktop dock thing, so I got home and plonk
it in there to update and recharge.

I'm not a big fan of iTunes as it looks like it has been written
by people that don't use Windows (in terms of interface) so
you'll either love it or hate it. I already had a large collection
of MP3s, and continue to use Windows Media Player to
rip CDs to the HDD as MP3s and then import them into
iTunes. It's only an extra couple of clicks, so no real
overhead. My previous MP3 players software has all
been dire. Once you're used to it, iTunes works well enough
and the Podcast features are great too, although it does
have a habit of keep sending you to the iTunes store
to buy more stuff...

One thing though is that I'm now 85-90% full on the 4Gb
which is not a problem as I can remove some stuff and
load on more if I want to. I spent a long time thinking
about buying the video iPod, but I just couldn't see
myself watching videos on it as the screen is too small
and (I think) the ability to put videos on it is limited. There
are far better products out there for video, like the new
Archos ones which also act as PVRs and so on. Or you
could just go with a PSP, but again I think these are
too limited on the "ripping your own DVDs" front.

I would still buy another nano now, but it would be great
to have one with more space. I love the nano because
it is tiny, but would love the space/video feature of the
larger iPod. The size is the only barrier stopping me
from buying one, but if that's not an issue then go and
get one as I'm sure you'll not regret it. Might be worth
going for the bigger 60Gb one too, if the premium over
the 30Gb is not too much?

There's a new shop just opened up opposite Liverpool
St, called popXpress I think, which has tons of the things
in stock with all the accessories if you have any trouble
locating one, or want to try them.

 

And laughing at the "Do Not Steal Music" sticker on the screen.

 

I neither love it, nor hate it. I suspect that experiencing emotions
about software products is for nerds only. For me, software either
works, or it doesn't. iTunes works.

 

Ah, but aren't you a Lotus Notes fan? That explains everything...

 

I have not experienced any of those emotions in relation to software
products.

I have not experienced any of those emotions in relation to consumer
products.

Cars, occasionally. Very occasionally.

 

Are these the ones that drop down vertically, then the holder bit
rotates outwards, IYSWIM?

If so, they're a really nice touch.