iPods...help
 

Can anyone explain to me which iPod to get? I heard from a friend to actually look at Sears bc they have two different ones and they have really good deals and shipping deals etc. But what is the difference? Do I need 20 GB or 40 GB?

It depends on how much music you have to store. If you're trying to decide between 20GB and 40GB, I'd say go for 40GB, especially if you have a big music library you want to load onto it. According to the Apple website, the 20GB model holds 5,000 songs and the 40GB model holds 10,000. The 40GB model is $100 more than the 20GB model at the Apple store - I don't know what Sears sells them for.

Apple just came out with the 40 and 60 gig (I think) photo iPods. These hold music, photos, etc. and have a REALLY nice color screen. They cost more, but I hear they're worth it. I'm just mad they came out 2 weeks after I got mine!

If you don't have a MASSIVE mp3 library, just go for the smaller iPod. By the time you actually manage to fill it, there will be a dozen newer versions that you wish you had and you'll regret dropping the extra $100.

Now this is probably something I should know, but I'm asking! Do you have to download songs from your computer to the iPod, or can you take them off cds you already have?? I never understood how it worked.

You can take the mp3s/CDs you already have and put them on there. I've yet to ever pay for an MP3 thanks to Kazaa (which I've stopped using due to the viruses/spyware). I just use the iTunes software that comes with it to get all my songs off my CDs. It's really quick and easy.

And as for space, you might need more than you think. I got the mini because I only have about 1000 mp3s. I've filled it up now, though, and kind of wish I'd gone for at least the 20 gig. They're also good for storing other types of media, not just mp3s.

Thanks!! Now I think I want one!

Like Xylochick said, it's pretty easy. You load iTunes onto your computer (which you can get even without owning an iPod). Then you can browse their store and buy what you want (most songs are 99 cents) and/or load a CD into your CD drive and pull songs off - either individually or all at once. From there, you can load the songs into your iPod or burn a CD, or just play them on your computer from iTunes.

thanks -- this was really helpful. I was so clueless. i'm still undecided about which to get but this helps a ton. sears has the 20 GB for $299.99 and the 40 GB for 399.99 BUT they'll apparently also match any price and there's a shipping deal. I'm basically trying to find the best possible deal for my parents since I'm asking them. This seems like a good deal I think?

The 20 gig is always $299 and the 40 is always $399 from what I've seen. I don't know if Apple is really strict about their products going on sale or what. I'd recommend finding the place that gives you the most free iTunes downloads. I know awhile ago if you bought it at Target, you got about $20 in free music downloads. They might be having some good sales now.

I'd also avoid buying the accessories direct from Apple. Target has some great car chargers, armbands, etc. that aren't Apple brand but work just as well for a LOT cheaper ($15 for the car charger vs. about $40).

And if you want to dress your iPod up, HP now has printable iPod skins or something I've seen advertised on TV. It looks like a decent way to spruce up the plain white iPod.

hey nice call on the iPod skins! great idea

The ipod photo was one of the biggest disappointments ever. It is thicker than a regular ipod and heavier and shows tiny, tiny photos on its little lcd screen. And it is priced much higher.

I think the 20 gb is sufficient for most people. If you've got a massive collection and also want to store more than music on your ipod, than a 40 or above is better. There are 60 gb models on the photo but 20 and 40 on the regular.

Toshiba recently announced that it was producing 80 gb drives and while it won't say for what vendor, the specs match only Apple.

The picture ability is stupid because it's as if they wanted to put in video abilities but dropped it. The whole idea of watching anything on that tiny screen is stupid unless it can link to a bigger screen. Anyway, the rumors are that the 80 gb will allow for video playback. I personally think some sort of wifi capability will be built in before then to allow for streaming through the airport express.

Check out www.ipodhacks.com

Also I know citibank is offering free ipod minis to people who open a checking account with them...

-Rudey

I have a mini ipod. It works fine for me. I don't need to have ALL my songs on it. You can always change your playlists and upload them. What I don't like about itunes, is tht you can only use the songs on like 3 computers or something like that because of copyrights.

What's the point of the photo ipods? Can you take a picture with the ipod or just have pictures on it?

I bought the 20Gig last week, and so far I have downloaded approx. 500 songs into it, and still have more than 16Gig left. I just trusted what Rudey has suggested me, and I am glad with what I had.

BTW, does anybody know how long the 20Gig battery would last playing songs once it is fully charged? It seems that nobody knows the answer.

The 20 and 40 for the most recent ones since the summer offer these battery specs:

Power and battery (3)
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Playtime: Up to 12 hours when fully charged
Standby time: 1 month when fully charged
Charging via FireWire to computer system or power adapter
Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity)
Full-charge time: about 4 hours
Charging via USB 2.0 to computer system or power adapter
Full-charge time: about 4 hours

I doubt you'll see that time though...

-Rudey

ok, so random question...kinda related to ipods...

i have a nike/phillips MP3 player, which i adore because less bulky than ipods and also splash proof. can i still download from itunes without an ipod?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can. I know you can download from iTunes to your computer, and you should be able to transfer the songs from your computer to your mp3 player with no problem. The thing you'll want to check out that maybe Rudey knows more about is the format of the songs downloaded from iTunes. I heard they were going to the m4a format, and I'm not sure that all other mp3 players read those.

Itunes downloads songs in the AAC format.

The ipod is the only device capable of playing AAC files from what I know. It plays other files as well, but Apple has not let others license the technology.

I may be wrong though...but anyway if you want you can download the song, burn it to an audio cd, and then rip it out as an mp3.

-Rudey

OMG! I can't believe I managed to order one online! ipod minis are sold out everywhere! I'm getting a silver one.

Question: How do you adjust the volume on a mini? I can't seem to find a volume adjust anywhere. Thanks.

While the song is playing you run your finger clockwise on the clickwheel to raise the volume, couter-clockwise to lower it.

I am so excited because today I got an auxilary input installed in my car that connects my ipod directly to my stereo. It is SOO cool.

Makes me want to drive everywhere.

Thanks, bruinaphi! :)

I am a dork..but I just have to share...going to the apple store tonight as i got an xmas bonus and am going to treat myself!

i realize this is an old thread, but just wanted to let everyone know that you can save $30 w/ the "student discount" -- either show your student ID at the apple store or buy it through the student section on the apple site :)

p.s. my bf has been requesting CDs from the local public library and putting them on his ipod... great way to get free music :) (and they can get almost anything)

Here's another iPod question for anyone that can help:

Is there a way to load DVDs that you own onto your iPod? I've done CDs but didn't see a way to do a DVD. We have some older ones that my daughter would like on her iPod.

There is a way, but (if i'm not mistaken) you would have to change the DVD into an mp4 format....you can check on the apple website to see, but i doubt that you can pop in the DVD and upload it though :(

Thanks - you know, I figured it wouldn't be that easy. :( :( :(

I have a 30 mini and a 60 photo/video one. Tell ya the truth, I never use the 60. I know some people do watch videos on it, and I suppose if I travelled more or had a kid, it'd be worthwhile, but if I have the time to watch a video, I much prefer to do it on a television. As far as the pics go, who cares. If wanted to carry my pics around, I could just use a memory card on my camera... that's just me though.

You need to buy some conversion software which will reformat the dvd to a manageable and playable file for the ipod.

Try googling dvd+ipod+conversion and see what comes up.

Thanks - the software doesn't seem to be terribly expensive. I saw some freeware/shareware but I won't be doing that.