GIP! And some advice, please!

[caz963]

Okay, so first of all... *drools at new icon* courtesy of the ever wonderful coloneljack. Just what I needed after a totally manic week - a gorgeous man to stare at.

Now the serious stuff. I'm going to treat myself to an mp4 player and am currently looking at either the 80GB iPod or the 60GB Creative Zen one. I have to say, I'm leaning towards the latter - I have a Zen mp3 player which I'm very happy with and I've heard good reports about most of their products. Yes, it's a bit smaller in capacity than the iPod, but that's reflected in the price. I also hear many grumbles about Apple which is why I'm not sold on the iPod. (Oh, and do you have to use iTunes to put everything on an iPod? See, I'm sooooo technically challenged!) So if anyone out there who is much more savvy about this sort of thing than I am - which I'd guess is probably ALL of you! - can help me make my mind up, I'll be eternally grateful! I might even write you some porn when I get time... (but don't hold your breath!)

*hugs*

Comments

[quaggy]

Well, I have a Creative Zen. I adore it. It's holds a ton of songs and its so small that I can carry it around in my pocket and not even notice. My brother (who has one too) calls it a piece of junk. I suppose because it's the equivalent of an ipod shuffle. He bought my mom an ipod with video capacity despite my protests that non-Apple products where cheaper. (Me, if I decide to go all video, I'm getting this.)

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Hey! *hugs* Sorry I haven't been around much - it's been a crazy week!

And that's the player I'm thinking about - except I think it's the 60GB one I'm looking at; it's about 30 quid more, I think. The thing with Apple stuff is that I don't know if it's compatible with other systems - technically challenged, me! - and I like my Creative mp3 player a lot... so I'm leaning that way!

[quaggy]

*hugs back* YOU haven't been around?? My computer's been busted since Wednesday!! I only got it fixed last night! Will you be around later?

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Oh what a bummer! No, I've been buried under work and rationing my computer time! I hope to be online for a bit later - catch you then I hope!

[quaggy]

Yeah, the LCD was dead. You could KIND of see an image... but not really. And while I DO have an old external monitor... I had no idea how to hook it up to my laptop. Fortunately, I have a good warenty. It covers everything hardare related and I got it for a very long time.

I should be around being all lazy for a while, though I'm going to probably head out later. I'll shoot you an e-mail if I don't see you before then.

[hooloovoo_42]

If I had a huge wad of disposable income, I'd really fancy something like this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Archos-AV700TV-Mobile-Digital-Recorder/dp/B000FNNYS2/ref=pd_sbs_ce_4/026-5066605-0030033

Unfortunately, there are no customer reviews.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Yeah... sadly I don't have that kind of dosh. Oh well...

[gatsbyfan.livejournal.com]

Hey, I picked the same icon. I LOVE it and echo your sentiments.

As to your question... I can't really help you. I have a 30g iPod a little over a year ago. I talked myself out of getting the 60 because I didn't think I needed that much space. I was wrong. I'm already at 22g and I don't have all my CDs loaded on it.

Honestly, I love my iPod. The only complaint I have so far is that when I watched an hr drama on it it sucked the life out of the battery. But they apparently fixed that problem on the latest release.

I also use it a lot at home. I bought one of those sound docks and the quality is great. I can now listen to all the music I like and skip the songs I don't.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

I read something about the battery life not being that good actually... I also have concerns about it not being compatible with the regular stuff I use, and I'm so technically-challenged, I like to stick with what I know!

(And look! I've been icon shopping today! *sigh*)

[gatsbyfan.livejournal.com]

Very nice... I added too.

For what its worth, my friend is in IT and he bought one of the new ones. He said he read the battery life problem has been fixed. He's a bit of a tech geek and bought one for him and his daughter. He's who I go to with my tech questions. He told me iPod.

[gatsbyfan.livejournal.com]

Oh but I should add... you don't need to be an apple person to use iTunes. I'm a windows person and I use iTunes. Its easy and convenient. I will say this, my friend will not download music from iTunes because you can only use it on up to 5 machines because its protected. Yes, there are ways to "fix" that but that is more time consuming.

[kirjava.livejournal.com]

I have a 60g iPod and the only thing wrong with it is that it isn't 80g. I don't have a ton of music but since I started watching tv on it, it's filling up fast. I can watch half a season of the office (a real season) on one battery. I do do everything on itunes but it's really easy, I wouldn't know how else to do it.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

I've not used any Apple stuff, which is why I asked about the iTunes thing etc. I tend to use Windows based things, and the Creative mp3 player I have works fine with that. I wouldn't want to spend a couple of hundred pounds on something that wouldn't hook up with what I already use. I'm still thinking... but thanks!

[hooloovoo_42]

I do not own an iPod, nor have I ever used one. But they use a different format from other mp3 players, so I suppose that you need to use iTunes to convert existing mp3s to the correct format. Stuff downloaded from iTunes is not in mp3 format and there's some limit to how many devices you can transfer downloaded tunes to. I only use iTunes for podcasting, as it will happily go and find the latest versions of all the R4 progs I think I ought to listen to but never get round to.

Personally, I'd avoid iPods like the plague, but that's my personal opinion, as I prefer things to be compatible with as many other devices as possible and don't like having to have loads of different formats. However, SiL got a 30Mb video iPod for Christmas and I can make enquiries about it if you like.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's all the converting stuff which makes me nervous! I just use the "listen again" feature for Radio 4 stuff! When I get time to listen at all, that is!

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd avoid iPods like the plague, but that's my personal opinion, as I prefer things to be compatible with as many other devices as possible

That's exactly my concern. Looking at the tech specs for the other one, it supports mpeg4, WMA, WMV, WAV, divx and xVid, and although its 60GB as opposed to 80, and the battery life is 5 hours as opposed to 6.5, it's a bit cheaper and I wouldn't need to get any more software. I've yet to be convinced about iPod, to be honest.

[truecat.livejournal.com]

Personally I HATE iPods, they are not user friendly they don't like configuring with non Mac hard or software.

I have a 60GB iRiver and I have never had problems with it, the extra space would be good, cause I use it as a backup.

I know to many people that have had endless problems with iPods, that said, you aren't in Australia where if you have a problem with your iPod they best advise they give you is to buy a new one!

[caz963.livejournal.com]

That's my concern exactly - I don't use anything else from Apple, and want something that'll fit in with what I use - which is normally Windows stuff. And the Zen mp3 player works fine with that...

[phla.livejournal.com]

I've been going berserk lately. I've had iPods on the mind for a while year, and I still haven't gotten one. And I am an instant gratification kinda gal, so to go this long without giving in is tremendously difficult. Before I just couldn't afford it, flat out. Now I *almost* can't afford it, so it's driving me even crazier. And since it's more or less payday, I buy it right now, pay my bills with my fingers crossed and try to not eat for a month.

I'm even trying to not leave the house right now, because if I do, there's a good chance I'd drive straight to Target and use my $50 gift card towards it.

I have an iRiver, but I think it's a 1GB. Which is pretty ancient by our standards now adays. And I'd been focused on iPods, but now you've got me looking at the CZen one and I'm really going crazy now.

I suppose I have nothing productive to say other than I'm going nuts. But I needed to share that and it seems like you're going through the same thing. So there you go.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

You're welcome - feel free to share stuff like that anytime! It's nice to know you're not alone sometimes... *g*

[digitalred93.livejournal.com]

I have a 30G Video Ipod and I love it. I've had it for about 1 1/2 years. Yes, you have to use ITUNES but there's plenty of great software that will convert things to the format you need to watch or listen to them on Ipod - no biggie. Email me off list and I can arrange to get them to you: dianab(AT)elysiumwebs(DOT)com.

My kid has a Sansa and loves it for music - you're supposed to be able to play videos on it but the screen is too small.

And to be honest, if money was nothing, I'd think about the new ZUNE because it's a bigger screen. I watch a great many tv shows and movies on my ipod so a bigger screen would definitely help. Still, the Ipod screen isn't bad. I've had many a night of snuggling under my pillow with a good episode of TWW or S60 or BSG or some other goody.

Good luck!

[digitalred93.livejournal.com]

PS - I have a PC with XP Home so the mac thing isn't anything to worry about.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Out of interest, what formats does the iPod use that are different to normal? I'm guessing it won't play WMA DRM protected music tracks, which I have a lot of, because that's the format used by the music sites I use. Although I can still use my mp3 player for that. The Creative one plays mp3, mpeg4, WMA, WMV and WAV and "supports" dVix and xVid. Battery life is 5 hours. I know the iPod is more, but I can't see me ever getting that sort of time to myself at one stretch!

[digitalred93.livejournal.com]

Ipod uses mp4 or mpv. But if you have ITUNES open and pop a CD in your computer, it'll do the conversions on its own. And of course, ITUNES store has a tone of stuff to download video wise - both film and tv. In fact, they now have the 1st two seasons of West Wing available.

But there's software, like IMTOO, which converts DVDs to Itunes format; and TuneBites, which will convert a ton of music to and from the ipod format. There's also the JODIX Free video convertor which is great for taking avi, mpg and wma/f files and converting them to the ipod format.

Battery-wise, I have the old video ipod so I only get 3 hours video - but tons of hours of audio. OH and here's one more biggie. Do you have a car? i have a transmitter thingy in my car so I can list to my ipod while driving. I love it but if I had the money, I'd spend it on a hardwired jack so I don't have to fight radio transmissions.

That's the one I have!

[bgwng.livejournal.com]

But I do have some caveats. I'm on my 3rd one. My very first one was an original, which I accidentally and very unwillingly bought at a charity auction, lasted forever with years of abuse and dropping. My 2nd one (4th Gen) went 2 years and then went kaput. The apple tech guy told me that he thought the new ones (because everyone wants tiny and thin) are a little more fragile than my original tank because there is very little material shielding the drive. So he gave me a 10% discount for my broken one and suggested I use the savings to buy a case. I got an 80gb video ipod and stuck it in the iskin claro case to protect it from scratches and the dropping. You MIGHT want to consider getting the extended warranty for 3yrs. Standard warranty is one year. So long as you don't run over it with your car, they'll replace the thing for you if something goes wrong.

The battery life is crazy good. I watched half of season 6 in one day with no problem. As for compatibility, mp3 files and CDs are no problem. If you have WMA files, you would probably have to dig around for a converter. For video, you have to convert to mp4. On the Mac, I use Instant Handbrake for DVDs which works very nicely.

I'm not usually this supportive of a company, but I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy toward Apple this week. On Monday I spilled a full glass of yogurt smoothie all over my laptop. I was convinced it was fried. But with the help of some IT friends, I opened it up, washed the yogurt out, dried it, put it back together and IT'S ALIVE! They said that one of the things that saved me was the fact that Apple had apparently redesigned the laptop to try to protect the logic board from idiot spillers like me.

Re: That's the one I have!

[caz963.livejournal.com]

People either seem to love or loathe Apple! I don't use anything of theirs (yet) which is why I was wondering whether I'd need extra software and/or converters to be able to use stuff I already have. The Creative player will play mp4, dVix and xVid as well as WMA, WMV and WAV (according to the tech specs) - and the battery life is about 5 hours. But I'd never get that sort of time to myself in one go, so that's not really an issue! But thanks for commenting! I really must make up my mind this week!

[(Anonymous)]

I bought an iPod about 6 months ago and use it just about every day. I'm a simple gal though, so I just have the Nano that holds 1,000 songs (can't remember what gig that is). I'm strictly a Windows user, but never have any problems using iTunes. I have more reason during the day, like at work, to listen to songs rather than watch videos, which is why I just bought the Nano. Anyway, I love it! Haven't had a problem yet.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've heard so much negative stuff about Apple though (not just here) ... which is why I'm still trying to make up my mind. At this rate it's going to come down to "Ip, dip, doo...".