Ipod info needed

[swanster]

well said bluestrike

you said everything i was gonna say. only in a better way

[Dryden]

Bluestrike_2,

In all that combative, incoherent rambling, you made a lot of assumptions about me that aren't true, inferred several things from my post that I didn't write, and provided a lot of marketing babble about the iPod that wasn't necessary and is, in fact, a feature of any PDA, cellphone, or portable jukebox manufactured in the last two years.

Lets address a few facts first:

• The iTunes AAC, DRM-protected audio format is only compatible with the iPod.

• The iTunes/iPod combination is only fully compatible and supported with Windows 2000 SP4 or newer, Windows XP or newer, or Mac OS X 10.1.5 or newer.

• The Apple lossless compression format is a completely worthless, bloated POS. A file compressed with Apple lossless will only see a 25-50% file size savings. Compressing several CDs in iTunes 4.5, I've found that the resulting album sizes for a full audio CD are in the scope of 250 to 370Mb! The exact same CDs encoded with the standards compliant and open source LAME .mp3 encoder average 80 to 140 Mb with identical resulting waveform patterns and audible clarity.

• The iPod only offers one-quarter of the storage capacity of similar, competitive products that also happen to be compatible with all versions of Windows, all version of Mac OS (including MacOS Classic 8.5+), and 200+ flavors of Linux.

I have absolutely zero clue what the heck the MPAA, Macrovision, or Windows XP activation codes have to do with anything I originally posted. Further, you admit in your own post that the lossless compression format is bloated, that you have had to rip your music collection twice, and further have to convert it into a grossly inferior 192-bit file format to utilize the space on your iPod effectively. You pay an awful lot of lip service in defence of the iPod, then go on to state how many hoops you have to jump through to get everything working optimally wherever you decide to take your music.

You fail to realize that RIAA and industry imposed DRM security features not only prevent music piracy, but also have the effect of limiting the rights of the purchaser to do what he or she wants with the audio they have legally paid for. Oh wait, never mind ... you admitted that Apple's software is tracking your playlists! Thanks, Big Brother!

I'd much rather only hassle with archiving my CD collection once, in a superior and universal file format that I can truly take anywhere, use it in any way I choose, and be done with it.

[Bluestrike_2]

Let it be known that you opened the door.

It's not that ALAC is bloated. It's just that lossless and uncompressed music is, well BIG! That and the difference between 192 AAC and ALAC CANNOT BE HEARD WITH A PORTABLE MP3 PLAYER!!! Theres this thing called ambient noise.

==================

I have 9 songs from iTMS. NINE! That's it. They were free from the Pepsi promotion. Why? Because I won't stream 128bit AAC into my basement to listen to it through a pair of reference monitors. When AL is available on the iTMS, I will use it. It's just that, well, sending a 50meg file over iTMS isn't that easy for anyone. Imagine the dial up users who want the higher sound quality.

Oh yeah, I have over 1 TERABYTE of storage for DVD's that I archive into a media server for the home theater and around the house. I also have about 250 gigabytes reserved specifically for music. So I am NOT lacking in the storage department. Throw in the hard drives for the other three computers in my house (laptop, workstation, desktop) and I have another terabyte.

===================

Want to know why I jump through these hoops? Because I bought an iPod mini. Four gigs. So, why did I settle for that? Because I use my iPod when I am running l.s.d's(long slower distance[still fast, though]). Really, the music is rather quite helpful when running an fairly easy 20 miler. I don't use it to just sit down and listen to music. That's what my separates and reference speakers are for. So yeah, I jump through the hoops to get good sounding(just not great) music for the background. While running I have more important things to do than analyze music. Anyone who would try to analyze the music on a run is a fool. I bought the 4gb mini over the 40gb iPod not because of price, but because of size and what it would be used for.

Keep in mind that sound quality is pretty compromised in a portable environment, regardless of what bitrate/format you choose. A pair of Shures will block a lot of sound, but there will still be some ambient noise.

For me, space is a much more important consideration[on the iPod]. For my rips, I've been using ALE/ALAC/AL for the the computer/streaming and AAC at 192 kbps for the iPod.

====================

I feel I should have re-worded one statement better, which you misunderstood. When I said copy it twice. Well, I rip it in ALAC. I then compress from the ALAC files to 192 AAC. Ship the ALAC to another comp to stream.

===================
AAC:

http://www.rjamorim.com/test/128extension/results.html

http://209.152.181.168/~hydrogen/index.php?showtopic=20531&

====================

Why I cited examples of DRM:

You used it as a reason why not to buy an iPod.

Besides, I De-DRM'ed all of my 9 downloads from iTMS long ago. So, yeah, it doesn't really affect me. Plus I know my Apple ID info is in the AAC file, so it's not like I am going to pirate them. Just using Hymn or similair, or burning to an audio CD and re-ripping or a virtual disk will de-DRM it. Yet your ID information is still in the file.

================

Rebuttals:

Point 1 - De-DRM. ID left in. No piracy. Point solved.

Point 2 - Yeah, so? What's your point?

Point 3 - To each their own. I have plenty of storage. So keep it coming...

Point 4 - They are meant as portable players. NOT AN ARCHIVE! Show me a 120gb(you said 40gb is a quarter of others) unit with the same size, weight, and interface. Hehehe. You can't....

I only put my CD's in the drive Once. Once. Then, I transcode from ALAC to AAC 192. BTW, I have the LAME plugin for iTunes.

Go here:

Hydrogen Audio:

http://209.152.181.168/~hydrogen/index.php?act=idx

http://209.152.181.168/~hydrogen/ind...?showforum=54& <<-AAC forum

BTW, there was NO god**** marketing babble. I cited scripts. They don't come with the iPod(except notes, calendars, and such). There is no weather, no fetching, no movie time scripts that come with the iPod. None whatsoever. They are made by the user base. As in me. You. Anyone who codes them. Not necessarily Apple.

My overview of you:

You don't like Apple. You use Windows Xp. You are biased, as it is evident with your posts. So, why are you here? He wants an iPod. We are giving him advice. We don't need you coming in here. I sincerely doubt you have owned/do own and iPod.
Shoo!!!

Edit: Swanster, please post what you were going to say.

[Dryden]

Show me a 120gb(you said 40gb is a quarter of others) unit with the same size, weight, and interface. Hehehe. You can't....

Again, you're reading things I didn't write. Scroll back up and read my very first post. I wrote that the 80Gb Archos cost less than the 20Gb iPod. And to help you with elementary arithmetic ... 40 is one-third of 120, not one-quarter.

My overview of you:

You don't like Apple. You use Windows Xp. You are biased, as it is evident with your posts. So, why are you here? He wants an iPod. We are giving him advice. We don't need you coming in here. I sincerely doubt you have owned/do own and iPod.
Shoo!!!

Again, making assumptions about me that aren't true and showing how myopic a Mac zealot you really are. I have posted several times on AO that I am a Linux supporter and run Red Hat 9 on several desktops both at home and at work. I happen to use Windows 98, XP, or Server 2003 when a job requires it, but would otherwise use either Linux or BSDi Unix for tasks where it is better suited. And for the record, I own a PowerBook G3.

See, I buy and use the product that is best suited for the task at hand, not blindly buy everything with a pretty Apple logo because Jeff Goldblum told me too; not buy products because a company happens to market the snot out of it and co-brand with Pepsi.

The original post from toyatoboy was, "Well i am thinking about getting an Ipod.." He didn't say he was getting an iPod, but rather that he was thinking about getting one. I suggested something else as an alternative, as did a few others, and you blew a fuse.

Apple makes some fine products, and I've already pointed out that I purchase and use them myself. The iPod is a fine product, but my original post stands. It is overpriced and undersized compared to others.

In your first rebuttal you accused me that I had my head in my rear. Maybe that's true, I don't know.

But at least my head isn't in Steve Jobs's rear.

[Bluestrike_2]

the last line was pretty funny.

Ok, back to business.

Yeah, I like Macs. Why not? Final Cut Pro, Motion, Shake, etc. These are all tools created by Apple(FCP was purchased from another company though). Apple takes things in a different perspective. Just look at their packaging.

===============

Calling me a Mac zealot. He.He.

Yeah, that's right. I guess I am. Oh wait, then why do I have two windows machines? Oh god! I guess I'm not.

I voice my opinion. That's it. The same as you are doing. Yeah, I think that for the tasks which I perform the Mac is better. Yet, for gaming, a Windows enviroment is better. It's fairly obvious.

BTW, I'm a Coca-Cola kinda guy. So, uhh, yeah I guess that pepsi bottle caps FRIENDS GAVE ME would make me a pepsi/mac zealot. Quit reaching for straws. They don't exist.
===============

The iPod only offers one-quarter of the storage capacity of similar, competitive products that also happen to be compatible with all versions of Windows, all version of Mac OS (including MacOS Classic 8.5+), and 200+ flavors of Linux.

Yeah, I guess you didn't write that one.

Ok, so I made a typo. 2, 6. BIG DEAL!!! A typo!!!

===============

The Archos.

The only Archos units I can find with 80gb HDD's are for video. Sure, they play MP3's, but who wants to lug that sucker around all day?

===============

In the end, to each their own. I like Apple, sure. Yet, I also own two Windows machines. Ok, so what? Does that mean I am an Apple zealot? There are a few Apple users that voice their opinions so loud that they create the illusion that all Apple users are crazy little zealots. Those are the people that will buy anything Steve Jobs puts an Apple logo on. Those are the people that literally worship the man. I'm not one of them. Never will be. Ok, so let's stop stereotyping people.

Eh, but toyotaboy then said:

Thanks guys and especially blue streak
I think i might just geth the 10k.
Or should i drop the cash and just get like 20k?
I am thinking i don't need THAT many songs.

So I suggested the iPod mini. I only, according to you, "blew a fuse" when you cited false information. Like the handcuffing into one OS.

Now, do I think that there is a lot of marketing crap in this thread? Yeah, you bet! Like, for instance:

I agree, the compression would be pretty damn ******. Sad thing is, most probably wouldn't notice it listening through the standard earphones.

Ok, let's quit this argument and get back on topic. He wants advice. So come in, toyota! Ask away....

[FreakBaller12]

lol you guys lost me with all this crap.
but anyway. Yea i am gonna go with the mini ipod, they're only 250.

for the price and size i think they're great
any accesories i should get, like this firewall cord or something?

[Bluestrike_2]

Yeah, there are a few accessories I would mention:

- iSkin mini. You need a case. Sure, the mini is scratch resistant, but it's not the fall that can kill an mp3 player. It's the shock. Very nice. http://www.iskin.com about $25

- Dock (Optional) Use for line out. Like to your stereo. Higher quality than with the headphone jack. Also used to charge( Dock connector connects to the back)
If you get one to use to play to stereo, you need a line out cable.

- Firewire cable NOT needed(unless you have firewire on your comp)as one comes with it to charge(it connects to the charging thing

- Xtrememac package

he 6-Piece Get Connected Audio Bundle expands the capabilities of the iPod by enabling connectivity to car stereos, home stereo systems, cassette players and computer speakers.

Supports all iPods with Dock Connector.

Bundle Includes:

* Xwire Gold iShare Earbud Splitter
* Xwire Gold Male/Male Audio Cables
* Xwire Gold Male/Female Cables
* Xwire Gold RCA Audio Cable
* Premium iPod Car Charger
* iPod Cassette Adapter

https://www.xtrememac.com

I don't know how old you are. But if you are in school or college, you get a discount at the Apple Store(store.apple.com). Click education in the left sidebar at the top.

Good luck!!!

Note: All accessories can be seen when you go to purchase the mini.

[FreakBaller12]

Yeah, there are a few accessories I would mention:

- iSkin mini. You need a case. Sure, the mini is scratch resistant, but it's not the fall that can kill an mp3 player. It's the shock. Very nice. http://www.iskin.com about $25

- Dock (Optional) Use for line out. Like to your stereo. Higher quality than with the headphone jack. Also used to charge( Dock connector connects to the back)
If you get one to use to play to stereo, you need a line out cable.

- Firewire cable NOT needed(unless you have firewire on your comp)as one comes with it to charge(it connects to the charging thing

- Xtrememac package


I don't know how old you are. But if you are in school or college, you get a discount at the Apple Store(store.apple.com). Click education in the left sidebar at the top.

Good luck!!!

Note: All accessories can be seen when you go to purchase the mini.

sweet thanks bluestreak, now the mini is only 230 for me. I am going to proly buy a cover.
The ipod comes with like charger and stuff right?

[Bluestrike_2]

No problem. The mini comes with:

The mini

Software

iTunes(4) - Go download 4.5; its 20 megs(download now so you can get a head start ripping

Firewire cable

USB 2.0 cable

manual

iPod updater - Dowload the new version at http://www.apple.com/itunes (same for 4.5)

AC Plug thing(firewire cable plugs into this.)

Tip for ripping:

How good are your ears?

Rip into 192 AAC. Or, download a LAME plugin for iTunes (Google it)

Lame = LAME Ain't an MP3 Encoder

After ripping, store CD originals in a SAFE place. Burn the songs to a CD-R Data CD as a backup. Do this regularly. (maybe once a month?)

[FreakBaller12]

Tip for ripping:

How good are your ears?

Rip into 192 AAC. Or, download a LAME plugin for iTunes (Google it)

Lame = LAME Ain't an MP3 Encoder

After ripping, store CD originals in a SAFE place. Burn the songs to a CD-R Data CD as a backup. Do this regularly. (maybe once a month?)

I have no idea what you mean by this, care to explain?
So let me get this absoulutely straight..
I download songs on the net with the software that apple provides. What kind of music selection is available, basically anything downloadable like on something that begins with a k and ends with an azaa?
I can download them from there onto the ipod. Which i can only have 1,000(well w/e the amount may be)songs on there at once, correct? I can access all of those songs being away from computer. Once the song is on the ipod, it's on there for sure?

Thanks alot bluestrike i really appreciate it too

[Skoad]

Archos is also 5x the size of an ipod, my friend had one and the thing was a brick.

And don't talk about kazaa on the public forums, mods might not like it

[Bluestrike_2]

I love Grab.... Yeah, I'm bored....

Ok, step by step:

This is your library. This is where all your music is stored. You can sort it by a multitude of ways. Ok. On the left is your Source list. It's where you access the music store(99 cents a song - encoded at 128AAC), along with your playlists, internet radio, and a very cool feature known as Party Shuffle. You can assign ratings(the stars you see) that smart playlists will listen to. So, if you have a song that you want to wake up to, but don't want to hear any other time, give it a zero. Then, the smart playlists won't play it Same with Party Shuffle.



Ok, Now let's import a song!!!

This is your Preferences menu - Import. Access by File -> Preferences.

Import:
Select AAC Encoder

AAC Encoder:

Hit Custom on pop up menu:
Choose your bit rate. 192 is nice to start. Compromise between space and quality.

Ok, Almost Done!!!

CD:
Insert CD. iTunes will then show it in sources sidebar. Click on it.
Put a check(blue checks) in the boxes on the left side of a track(s) that you want to import
Click the import button in the top right hand corner. Then, it imports them. They will then be viewable in your Library. Click on and drag into a playlist if you want to put them in a playlist. -Or- Select all that you want in a playlist. File --> Create Playlist from Selection. Then, it is created. Name it and your done!

BTW, after you set the settings once, you don't have to do it each time. It is saved forever(you can change it though). So skip to CD on 2nd + discs.

Hope this helps. iTunes has documentation in the help section, along with the manual that comes with the iPod mini/iPod.

Edit: Pulled the images for personnal reasons. Wait one minute while I edit and re-upload.

Edit: **** Imageshack.... Got some of the images back up, just Not all. Sorry. But hey, personal info doesn't need to circle around the net(No, it's not a CC or something).

[FreakBaller12]

whoa whoa whoa, it costs 99 cents per song to download them?
Can i use songs that i already have DLed?

[Curly]

Yes you can use already downloaded songs...

[sps16]

My best advice for you is to buy a case for it first, dont buy anything else. Mine is so scratched up, it would make you cry....