Questions on iPods

[NewJeffCT]

I've never owned one, but may get my wife one for Christmas. She's never owned one, either. I really haven't been much into music over the last 10 years or so.

From what I understand, you download the song from iTunes and then upload it to the iPod. Is this correct?

Do you have to download songs from iTunes? I ask because my wife might want at least several foreign-Chinese language songs that I'm not sure would be available through iTunes. Is the iPod compatible with songs from other formats that might be playable on a different sort of mp3 player?

Once you pay your $0.99 for a song, is it yours to keep on your computer, or is there any sort of subscription you need?

Thanks

[AlCzervik]

1. you can upload your cd's to your itunes library and then drag them over to your ipod

no subscription charges for itunes and once you but a song it's yours. You will need to download itunes, it's free.

[BulletproofLandshark]

2. You can download mp3's to your IPod from your computer

You never have to buy a single song from ITunes if you choose not to.

From Wiki: iPod can play MP3, AAC/M4A, Protected AAC, AIFF, WAV, Audible audiobook, and Apple Lossless audio file formats. The iPod photo introduced the ability to display JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG image file formats. Fifth and sixth generation iPod classics, as well as third generation iPod nanos, can additionally play MPEG-4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) and QuickTime video formats, with restrictions on video dimensions, encoding techniques and data-rates. Originally, iPod software only worked with Macs; however, starting with the second generation model, iPod software worked with Windows and Macs. Unlike most other media players, Apple does not support Microsoft's WMA audio format — but a converter for WMA files without Digital Rights Management (DRM) is provided with the Windows version of iTunes. MIDI files also cannot be played, but can be converted to audio files using the "Advanced" menu in iTunes. Alternative open-source audio formats such as Ogg Vorbis and FLAC are not supported without installing custom firmware onto the iPod.

The iPod is associated with one host computer. Each time an iPod connects to its host computer, iTunes can synchronize entire music libraries or music playlists either automatically or manually. Song ratings can be set on the iPod and synchronized later to the iTunes library, and vice versa. If a user wishes to connect the iPod to a second computer, only reformatting the device will allow the iPod to sync with the new computer.

[NewJeffCT]

4. thanks

I saw the wikipedia entry & my eyes glossed over it was so lengthy.

[AlCzervik]

5. also you never have to buy anything from itunes, you can just use as your music library.

i had itunes for about a year before i ever bought a song.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

3. You can download songs

or you can rip songs from CD's, using your computer. Your CD's, or check them out at the library, music and books on CD.

or you can record songs from tape or vinyl, I use a gadget that converts two rca plug connections to a USB connection.

[leeroysphitz]

14. I saw an actual USB turntable awhile back. nt

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

21. The converter gadget is probably cheaper

Assuming you already have a decent turntable / amplifier setup. Mine is probably 30 years old, still going strong.

If your turntable is rusty and siezed up from being forgotten, then a USB turntable might be a good idea.

At any rate, "ripping" from vinyl is not quick like a CD. You have to record the thing, then bust it into tracks with software like "audacity".

[JBoy]

6. I've never bought anything from iTunes

Just download the iTunes software (free), then stick one of your own music CDs into your computer - it will automatically copy into your iTunes library. Repeat for other CDs. Then plug the iPod into your computer, and drag/drop music from your library to the iPod. Pretty easy.

Only thing I don't like about the iPod (I have a Nano) is that the battery doesn't last very long (about 5 hours for me) and it doesn't come with it's own charger - you recharge it from the USB port, so your computer has to be "on".

[Aristus]

15. You can buy a separate take-anywhere plug-in charger for about $40.

Kinda steep and I've only used mine a couple of times, but it's handy to have when you're away from your computer.

[Mythsaje]

18. Damn...my shuffle lasts a LOT longer than that.

A good reason not to upgrade.

[krispos42]

7. Also plays files from "other sources"

Like, CDs you can rip to your computer, and, um, even more sources.

[Javaman]

8. My wife is a technophobe. Two days after I bought one for her

to surprise her for her birthday, she stated to a friend that was over, "I don't want an Ipod, I just don't see the need, frankly, they look annoying".

Just great, I thought.

So screw it, I gave it to her on her birthday, contrary to her opinion, she loves it and uses it everyday. :)

[grace0418]

10. I'm not a technophobe but I wasn't in a big hurry to get an iPod when they came

out, either. My husband bought one a few years ago, and it was nice but wasn't blowing me away. Then I finally got sick of dragging a whole bunch of cds with me everywhere and I broke down and bought one. Mine is the 80G, which is enough to hold our entire record collection and way more (my husband's only holds about half our collection) and I took the time to load every cd we owned into iTunes. Now I absolutely ***LOVE*** my iPod and won't leave home without it. I download podcasts and new music and all kinds of fun stuff. It is now my favorite toy.

[TommyO]

9. In addition to the other sources listed

You can downloads unprotected MP3 tracks from Amazon's MP3 store, their downloader will automatically load it into iTunes for you.

[grace0418]

11. "I really haven't been much into music over the last 10 years or so."

That was me until I got my iPod. Once I got our entire cd collection loaded into iTunes (which was a monumental task at first) I started realizing how much I miss music. I listened to stuff I haven't heard in years. I started making playlists like crazy, I started downloading new music. It's so nice to be able to listen to ANYTHING I own at a moment's notice. I used to bring a handful of cds in the car with me and I'd listen to them until I got totally sick of them. Then I stopped listening to anything for awhile. It was such a pain shuffling through those stupid cd holders looking for something to play. Now it's all loaded into one handy device, along with podcasts, audiobooks, and other goodies. I even brushed up on my Italian before a recent trip to Europe using free podcasts.

I love it, I'm a total convert. My iPod is hands down my favorite gadget.

[NewJeffCT]

12. Thanks

that's as good a promotion as one can make for an iPod.

[alarimer]

13. I swore I would never get an Ipod

Now I have two- a Shuffle (the smallest one, so small and lightweight I like to use it at the gym) and an Ipod Classic (80 GB of storage). I bought the larger one based on the cost per GB. But it is incredibly easy to use. The sound is good, the battery life is excellent.

Call me a convert.

[grace0418]

17. You're welcome. And I swear I don't work for Apple! LOL! I just really love

my iPod. One suggestion: buy one of those rubbery skins for the iPod. They protect it surprisingly well when you drop it (and everybody does once in awhile).

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

24. Agree about the rubber skin protector thing

I keep mine in my shirt pocket when I work out. Since I put the skin on it, it's never slid out of the pocket - too much friction. So it not only protects the ipod in a fall, it prevents falls.

[underpants]

16. The complete works of Gerry Raferty

ITunes is really easy to use and the Apple really really know what they are doing with the iPods (and I can be brutal on such things as well as my assessment of their engineering). They got this on the money right out of the box.

Yes once you buy a song it is yours forever. I will say this iTunes is fairly good in their library but you may want to look into subscribing to a file sharing group on the web for more obscure music-trust me there are tons of them out there.

[no name no slogan]

20. Subscribing to eMusic was the best thing I did

I've used it to discover a lot of new music and to do some catalog backfilling (and even to replace "pirated" MP3s with better quality legit versions).

iTunes is huge, but it makes sense to subscribe to another service too.

[speedoo]

19. ipods cost about 2 to 3 times what competitive products cost.

Basically when you buy an ipod you are funding all that cute advertising Apple floods the airwaves with.

When you compare an ipod feature for feature to other products you can get the same thing for much less, particularly if you shop around. Now, you don't have time to shop around, so I'd recommend that you do some research on the web to get an idea what you think she'd like and then take about $100 to your nearest Costco or other discount store and get something for about that price.

You could spend a lot more (particularly on an ipod) but since you and your wife are both new to this, I'd limit your spending on this first device. If it turns out to be a hit, you'll probably want to go for something bigger and better later, after you've learned about what's out there.

Some products I'd recommend that you can probably get at this late date: Microsoft Zune (my favorite), and anything from Creative, IRiver or Sansa.

[Omphaloskepsis]

22. The new Zunes are the same price as the same iPod. (storage wise)

And one thing to consider is support. If you need help with your iPod finding an answer is easy since everyone has one. Finding help when your iRiver rvs-43w acts wonky might not be as easy.

[speedoo]

23. Maybe so, storage-wise, but what about features?

I don't think it would take me very long to demonstrate that the new Zunes offer more than comparably priced ipods. And if you can find a first generation Zune anywhere, their pricing totally blows away ipods, in every way.

Regarding support, I am currently using a Zune, and I also own an iRiver and a Sansa. They are all incredibly reliable and rarely act "wonky". And I have no trouble at all finding support on the web.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

25. iRiver is good as well

I have an iRiver mp3 as well as the ipod. My iRiver is old, only half a gig of memory, so I can't store everything on it at the same time. But I can quite a bit. My iRiver also has a built-in FM tuner and it runs on one AA battery. I just keep swapping rechargable batteries, so it's convenient that way.