iPod blues
I've got a new job and a very long journey. It's too far, certainly at this time of year at least, to go by bike as I have done for many years.
So I find myself on public transport and my ears are constantly assaulted by the noise spillage emanating from other peoples iPods and MP3 players. I can't beat them, there are just too many to ask them to turn it down, so I'm going to join them having resisted for many years.
I thought that it was a fairly simple process to rip CDs and add them to your iPod but when looking at prices and specs I found this comment in a user's review on Amazon:
"Firstly, my biggest hate for the IPOD is Itunes, I rip my music and already had thousand of tracks and really don't want to have to give a credit card to Itunes so that I can start transferring my music but you have to."
Is that right or not?
I also recall many years ago Word published "Apple's Dirty Secret" about iPod batteries not being replaceable at the end of their life and your only option is to go out and buy a new one. Is this still the case?
Of course I'm open to recommendations for other players from The Massive.
And at least I'll be able to join in the Randomiser thread at some point.
- More from Carl Parker.
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I have a little mp3 player
It cost £30 and holds 2GB. It has no moving parts and is recharged via its retractable USB connector. I just sling a load of files on and listen to it on shuffle.
You don't need to shell out for a white one with a fruit logo.
Also, you can rip you CDs using any of a number of software tools - you don't need iTunes. Even if you do use iTunes to rip your CDs, it doesn't cost you anything.
Eh?
That comment is puzzling, you don't need an iTunes store account to rip your own CDs, you do need one to access the free podcast directory or download music. I gave them my card number years back but haven't given them a proverbial red cent nor have they troubled me for payment (I buy my downloads through an eMusic subscription)
I believe there are companies that will swap out your iPod battery for less than Apple inc.
Not necessary for me so far (2 years and going strong *crosses fingers*)
P.S. "Genius" is pony though...
Genius....
Don't get me started...on firing up Genius, it lost all the MP3 files I hadn't converted to AAC's (including a good 200 tracks purchased from eMusic) and doesn't seem to want to recover them. Apple's customer support helpline is a contradiction in words too...
On that subject
can someone tell me how do get rid of genius please? I presume its straightforward but can't see how to do it.
iTunes toolbar>
Store>Turn Off Genius
Archos
I'm happy with my Archos Gmini which works on WMA. The battery life is still fine after about 3 years heavy use.
One caveat - it wasn't future proofed in that it doesn't work with Windows Media Player 10, though I guess newer Archos products will.
I agree that iTunes is a slow and horrible programme.
Creative Zen
Have loads of different products and it's all drag & drop files whether it be mp3, WMA, WMD or WAV and so on.
They're usually ahead of the game with new technology releases. Mine's four years old with 20GB and still going strong.
I had a pre-release Archos recordable Jukebox almost ten years ago. Revolutionary at the time as it did "live" mp3 encoding so you could record directly from a desk into a mp3 file format. And dead handy in a dust up at the local pub.
Like you I resisted for ages
But then succumbed to an iPod classic. It is wonderful. Have spent the last 10 months downloading my CDs. I am in love. It is the best radio station you have ever heard - if you have a reasonable collection, you will encounter old friends and songs you never knew you owned. Have also taken line of least resistance on iTunes - think of a song and seconds later you own it!
It's not so much about the iPod as the headphones.
The player is fantastic but the earbuds are rubbish. Invest in some sound-isolating in-ears, which block the ear canal and stop outside sound from leaking in (they also stop you from having to turn the volume up so loud that it damages your ears).
These are only eighteen quid on Amazon. These here Boses are really good but £74. I've used these Shure pro jobs and they're fantastic if you want to go mad and spend £150.
In response to your worries: no, you don't have to give Apple your credit card details to use iTunes, and the battery inside an iPod is NOT easily replaceable. But battery lives, as well as charge periods, had improved hugely. My 80Gb iPod is now two years old, gets used every day, and still holds a good 8-9 hours of charge. I think we can probably say that battery life is no longer a real worry for iPod use.
'Easily' is probably debatable
it's not that hard either.
Check http://www.ipoddoctor.co.uk/service_gen1.php - find your model, and select the self fit kit for instructions. Whole kit, including battery is just over a tenner.
Endorsement
I've used iPod Doctor and they are quick and efficient. Since using them to replace the battery in my 40gig Classic a couple of years ago, I have had absolutely no problems. Recommended ***** (Oops, sorry, I forgot that we don't do star ratings)
Anybody moaning about iTunes
Has clearly not used Sony's Sonic Stage. This takes over all the available memory in your PC and then may or may not allow you to download tunes to your Sony Walkman. Until my Walkman died a few weeks ago (after several years use), I was very happy with it but the software to interact with it was awful.
I am now the temporary owner of my wife's 8Gb iPod Nano (she now has a iPhone) and am a convert to Apple. It's all so intuitive and I can download stuff from eMusic without any bother.
I'm reasonably confidently expecting to receive the 120Gb version around Dec 25th. Can't wait. But if anybody has any tips on how we can best manage to keep our rather different musical tastes on separate iPods while using the same PC, I'd aprreciate hearing them.
Just
turn off automatic synchronisation of the iSpod.
It means you have to manually add new stuff, but if you've got more in iTunes than space on your iPod (or the issue you face) it's the only way to go. I can't say I've ever found it a chore.
Manual Mode
Info from apple website:-
Using iPod with multiple computers
Summary
You can manage your iPod with different computers as long as the computers are running the same operating system (Mac OS X or Windows) and you have set the iPod to "Manually manage music." If you're not using iTunes 7 or later, click here.
Modes
By default iPod is set to "Automatically sync songs to my iPod" sometimes called automatic mode. In order to transfer music from multiple computers iPod must be set to "Manually manage music" sometimes referred to as manual mode.
Automatic Mode
When iPod is set to automatic mode iTunes automatically updates iPod's music library whenever you connect iPod to your computer. iTunes transfers new songs you've added, and erases songs you've removed. However, the first computer you connect iPod to is its "home" computer, and the music library from that computer is copied to iPod. When you connect iPod to another computer, an alert box appears with this message:
"The iPod "iPod" is synced with another iTunes library. Do you want to erase this iPod and sync with this iTunes library?"
"An iPod can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replaces the contents of this iPod with the contents of this iTunes library."
If you want to delete the music library on iPod and make the second computer iPod's "home" computer, click Erase and Sync. iTunes will delete all songs and playlists on the iPod, and then will copy the music library and playlists from the new home computer to iPod.
Manual Mode
If you want to keep the music library on iPod, but copy songs or playlists from the music library on the second computer, click Cancel to this dialog box, and then set iPod to manual mode.
You change the iPod synchronization mode to manual mode in iTunes:
Open iTunes, if necessary.
Select iPod in the Source pane.
Click the Summary tab.
Click "Manually manage music and videos" to enable that option.
Click OK in the resulting dialog box.
Click Apply.
It is normal for iPod to take a few seconds to change from automatic mode to manual mode.
When in manual mode, to add songs or playlists drag them from iTunes to the iPod icon in the sidebar. To remove songs or playlists select them on the iPod in iTunes and hit the delete key. You can also create playlists directly on the iPod.
It's even simpler than that, isn't it?
Why do they say these things? The truth is much simpler. You don't need to transfer anything to your iTunes library at all, if it's already on your computer in mp3 or mp4 format.
Once you're in manual mode - a once-in-a-lifetime must-do; auto syncing is a disaster waiting to happen - all you have to do is open your Windows Explorer, select all the songs on your PC you want to copy to your iPod, drag them over to the iTunes window and drop them onto the iPod icon. Then sit back in amazement.
Somebody else also said that you have to register an iTunes account to access the free content, including podcasts. In my experience, that's not true at all.
I'm with Andrew - mine's also a couple of years old and I've never had battery problems. (Although it also helps to have a dock for it to sit in when not in use so you can recharge it without fiddling about with USB cables - mine sounds crap, true, but it cost less than the Apple mains adapter, which inexplicably isn't included when you buy an iPod.)
Summary: If you think of iTunes as, at its simplest, just an interface between your computer and your iPod and, at its most complex, a digital music shop like any other, you'll save yourself a lot of unnecessary - and Apple-encouraged - head-scratching, complications and possibly even files lost for ever.
Archie is correct
I use iTunes to get, and sometimes to listen to, the Word (and a select few other) podcasts, and I have never given Apple even a hint that I have a credit card, let alone opened any 'account' with them.
I have iTunes locked down so it can't index, synchronise, playlist or otherwise bu66er about with ANY of the files on my laptop, unless I tell it to.
I use a Ceative Zen Vision M 60 Gb, and it's bloody brilliant. I want a player that's as codec agnostic as possible, and that means I wouldn't buy an iPod.
Real Player
Ha - I was an early adopted with a teeny Panasonic MP3 player about the size of a 50p which used Real Player as software - which introduced random clicks, pops and track truncation into the tracks willy nilly. Compared to that piece of crap iTunes is a joy to use.
There are things about iTunes that annoy me, and yes I upgraded the earbuds (Senheiser CX200s) - but the big advantage of our fruity friend is there are so many add on components which are available for it like my fantastic Logitec MM50 speakers which at 50 quid these days are a steal.
i'm sure that you can
i'm sure that you can replace your batteries now, althoth i've got a 5th gen iPod 3 years old ,used eveyday, and fell asleep listerning to the grateful dead last night, and still ran for the whole day, to work and back 45 min journey each way, and still had at least 1/3 batt left.
I would surgest getting a Itunes account if only for the podcasts,ie the word, Andrew collins and richard herring, Blog fresh, Smodcast etc that keep me entertained for most of the week all for free
It's ok, Carl
Join us!
As many have noted, you do have to use iTunes but not the store. You can consolidate your library so that iTunes finds all your music and puts it into the same place; also I would set the import setting to MP3 rather than AAC. I think you'll find that it'll be the hard drive that goes before the battery does, and then it's time for an upgrade.
Have fun.
Another question
I've probably got to do a full destructive restore on my PC some time fairly soon. All the music files are backed up, but what else do I need to back up from the iTunes directory to retain the play count ? (so that the 'zero plays' playlist doesn't have to start all over again...)
Backup
iTunes' backup function preserves play counts and playlists.
I have a Sony 20Gb player,
I have a Sony 20Gb player, but found Sonic Stage unusable. I'd already been and still do use ripping software to convert my CDs to mp3s and then play them on my computer through Winamp. I was about ready to take my Sony player back as it would be no use if I couldn't get music onto it, then I found a Winamp plugin that let me move music back and forth to my Sony player no problem at all from playlists or the Media library.
I'd grumbled about 20Gb not being enough so my then fiancee, now wife got me a 160Gb iPod classic last Christmas. I didn't even try iTunes, as there are iPod plugin for Winamp too. Winamp lets me just right-click on a song or songs and choose send to iPod and it does the transfer. If it doesn't cover all the ipod features, then it's no great loss.
So far, no problems with batteries at all, touch wood. I hope the battery is easy to replace if it dies, as the latest range has dropped the largest capacity so I want to keep my 160Gb for as long as possible.
Media Monkey ...
... is a viable alternative to iTunes. Takes a bit of getting used to but handles pretty much any file format you throw at it.
IPOD to new IPOD
New problem:
My music has been downloaded/CDs burnt over years on many different PCs, some of which are not within my grasp anymore.
Can I do an IPOD to IPOD transfer directly? (yes I know that Apple would not necessarily condone it). Getting a bit worried that it will fall apart soon.
This worked for me
Although you'd have to go iPod-computer-iPod...
http://www.softpedia.com/get/IPOD-TOOLS/Other-IPOD-tools-Updates/PodUtil...
I paid ten quid for it about three years ago. Best money I've ever spent.
Righto...
Thanks very much...one new IPOD touch coming up (well maybe I'll wait till Apple halve the price after credit crunch crimbo)
i would confirm the above
loving the i pod classic which i purchased to replace an i pod mini i think it was called. i would however ask if anyone knows how you can sort out the problem of some of the songs not downloading to the i pod. for instance, downloaded three free tracks from the Eels website but only one will go on the i pod and there seems to be about one hundred songs that wont download. any suggestions gratefully received.
Try converting them
In the 'Advanced' option, there's 'Create mp3 version' and also 'Create iPod or iPhone version'. Worth a try.
while we seem to have
some itunes knowledge around. Does anyone know why I have some songs many times on itunes? I may have the same song ten times,but there only seems to be one source file. If I delete one of them, they all go.
Try deleting all of them
then re-import it. It sounds like a corruption in the file system.
Check your settings
Itunes may be making a copy so you end up with double everything. If its really messy, I recommend Media Monkey to tidy up files (it shows the file location on screen). Its also good for updating track details and album art (better than itunes anyway). The free version does all this.
Thanks for those tips
will try them
I only use apple for crumbles
well almost I subscribe to podcasts on itunes for every thing else I use microsoft media player (on vista) and use my nokia n95 8gb phone and some seinnheiser cx 500 for music so you don't need a Ipod plus I get a really good camera, a web browser, amini office thing, a step counter, a torch oh and a radio.
Any Advance On...
Though not everything in the ipod garden is always wonderful (transferring library from one pc to another for example) my faithful 3G 40gb is still going strong on its orginal battery after over four years of regular use. Any 1 or 2Gers still on theirs?
Another very quick way of not completely auto-syncing is to specify the playlists to transfer when syncing - I use zero played and one for my new emusic. This auto-updates new songs each time you sync without sending everything..
Ipod and Itunes..
..is no better or worse than any player, software interface.
I myself wouldn't touch Windows Media Player with a bargepole, so that closes off a bunch of (probably) decent players.
I agree
Having always disliked Windows Media Player I was pleased to get hold of iTunes back when all it did was help me organise my collection and transfer it to a 2G ipod. In those days (iTunes 3 or 4) there was no iTunes Store to get in the way. As a result, I've always seen iTunes store as an add on that is best avoided (I'm at a loss to understand how so many people can pay so much money for crippled low quality downloads).
The things I like are the search, the fact that it behaves the same on under Windows and OSX, the ease of accessing podcasts.
With this apple vs pc thing
I'm not sure there's much difference nowadays I use both from time time and I can't see any major problems with either. both let you find things I'm always amazed how passionate people are one way or the other it's as if we've all swallowed the advertising.
All the players/programmes are a compromise in some shape or form.
MusicMatch
MusicMatch has been my music-manager of choice for a long time. In fact, I've just looked it up - they stopped updating it properly in 2004. It's getting a bit creaky now, but I still haven't found anything else with all the features I like: it'll randomly select tracks with a given rating, year etc and then export the mp3s for me to put on my little player. It also has lots of nice search and slice options that just don't seem to be there on iTunes , Windows Media Player or WinAmp.
Maybe I'll have a go with MediaMonkey - see how I get on.
iRiver H340 - 4 years old, still going strong
I haven't used MusicMatch since about 2004, but I did find a few features handy as I remember.
Winamp is my fall back program for almost everything, I recently found you can convert FLAC to MP3 using it which has come in handy a few times.
As for my MP3 player - or Multi Codec Jukebox as it says on the screen - I'm still on my iRiver H340 (40gb) it's running opensource firmware alongside the original and not only can you change the battery, I've just bought a new hard drive to upgrade it to 120gb. If you want flexibility it is your man.
ok, it's not pretty and every so often I feel a twinge of jealousy at my girlfriend's iPod Classic's good looks, but as a true geek at heart, I wouldn't switch.
Must also mention www.mp3tag.de/en/ - fantastic for tidying track/album titles and adding artwork.
iPods - they won't last, but so what?
I'm onto my 4th iPod in 6 or 7 years, though my previous one was stolen in France so let's say 3. In my experience the hard drive will start skipping, and fail altogether after about 18-24months.
But as I use mine for at least 2 hours every single day, I calculate it costs me about £0.50 a day.
It's comfortably the best money I've ever spent on anything.
So my advice...
1) don't expect it to last all that long, just plan for it to break at some point and buy another. They have 1year full manufacturer's warranty, which I have used, and is worthwhile.
2) invest in a decent PC backup solution, it's the music/video/data that's on the iPod/PC that really matters.
Iffy maffs?
I've had my telly, a bog-standard Panasonic 21", for nine years, with nary a blip of discontent out of it over that time, which has included five house moves. It cost me £150. That works out per day at 4.5p - not even a tenth of what you've been paying for your iPods.
I love my iPod, don't get me wrong. But let's not kid ourselves that they're cheap technology.
Gentlemen, I thank you.
I've been torn between the Creative ZEN X-Fi 16GB and the new iPod classic. More Gb on the iPod but the Creative has better sound quality according to reviews and a radio. I can listen to The Archers on my way home if I've been working late or even Today on the way in. And it's a few quid cheaper. So I guess I'm sold on that basis. Only space for 4,000 songs (a bit less if I load all my Roy Harper on to it), but I guess I'll get by.
So thanks for pointing Creative out Collibosher. I'll be the guy sitting back on the train with the contented smile rather than the one looking up from my book with a scowl on my face.
Radio
Can't you still get an ipod remote that adds (admittedly only FM) radio to any ipod with a standard docking connector?
Gentlemen & Ladies?
Is there an iPod radio remote? I still haven't ordered having wondered at the last moment will the capacity of Creative Zen be enough.
Another question. If I rip a CD and add it to my player and at a later date ripped say a compilation / best of that had a track from the other album, is the duplicate track recognised and not copied or does it take up more memory than necessary?
Remote
Look here for the apple remote
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MA070G/D
it's very neat as it uses the ipod display.
I just realised you can get a DAB one from Roberts as well now.
As far as the duplication. As far as iPod/iTunes is concerened, the answer is no, it doesn't recognise the tracks as the same tracks. The only way of handling that is to manually make up the albums as playlists which share the same track. In practice though you'll find that different albums have the tracks at different volumes so it is actually a bit of a pain at times. I notice this when I download albums when I already have one or two of the tracks from a different source and make them into a whole album.
One of the things I like about the ipod is that you do all the organisation within iTunes on the host PC which is really easy and once you drag what you want onto your ipod it's instantly organised in exacatly the same way and you can do the same with all the ipods in the house. I don't know if that's the same with creative players.
iPods
Never had one go wrong. I have a 40gb photo (3rd Gen?) which gets a lot of use. Battery and hard drive fine after 4 1/2 years. I am careful with it though and have only had to reset it once. Have a 4gb Nano as well which I tend to grab and go with more. It was a gift but actually the 4gb means I load up this months eMusic purchases and rotate older stuff. 40gb goes on long car journeys now. I thin k the
4gb just isn't big enough for me.
I had a 4gb nano as well but as a 90 a month (at least) Emusic downloader I found that I was for ever moving things around, no room for classics. Even though after nearly 3 years the battery seems as good as new even with daily use I have nice new shiny new 16gb nano and it just seems to be swimming in space and there's room for 3 Word CDs, 3 Paste cds and 3 Uncut cds. Trouble is that I now have room for video podcasts which is a bound to be a downward space spiral!
I pod a go go
Itunes is free it just sorts all the tracks from CD's ( or tape and vinyl should you have the conversion equipment) into a library. You then load it to your ipod, Maplins are selling ipod batteries and there is a guide how to do it on the Apple web-site, Don't go dismantling the ipod in the first 12 month's as you will invalidate the warranty. You give credit card details in case you need to download the odd track or album, otherwise you do not pay. I've had mine about 4 years, Its still going strong.
I highly recommend iTunes/iPod
I used Creative Zen, it died after 2 years
went to iPod/iTunes -excellent design
so far the possibilities seem limitless re:making playlists. within 20 seconds you can create a playlist of exactly what you what based on e.g. genre/year/artist name/song name/songwriter.
Additionally, there are variable shuffle options -v.good
Avoid iLike, Genius etc. - you are best at organising your music
I recommend Manually Manage, create a dozen or so (or 1200 or so) playlists that you always sync to your ipod. Add and subtract songs depending on your ipod size.
e.g. I have 7 playlists for eras, 5 more for genres that are not "rock", a spoken word one,etc.
the "search" option in iTunes is a key function - finds what you want quickly, minimal stress
No, you need not visit the iTunes store, though i recommend the podcasts
No, iTunes might never know you have a credit card account, they are happy you are in the store
I don't work for Apple, I just wish I left PC land sooner than I did
P.S. Vinyl is Best
Get Creative
My first player was a 15gb 3rd gen iPod. Loved it to bits but it died around 2 months out of warranty - actually sold it on ebay for around £30 despite it being kaputt but I digress...
Have had a Creative Zen Vision M for around 3 years now and would never go back to the Ipod now. It can do all your ipod can but also has an FM radio - I can record any live radio show with the touch of a button. I can connect it to my TV to watch videos (almost any format supported), great sound quality, plus it has a microphone. Also, don't forget that with ipods, you can't transfer music back from your ipod to your PC, which can be incredibly annoying at times, even when you're not "sharing" your music.
Okay so the Vision M is now a bit old, chunky and undoubtledy less fashionable than the ipod but I recently won a brand new Ipod Touch in a competition yet I don't use it to play mp3s at all. Nice little gadget and everything but Mp3 playing seems to be a low priority among its list of features. 8gb of storage is miserly these day too.
No need to use itunes - Creative software is included but there are loads of 3rd party programs, some free. Get creative my friend!
No sound on play in iTunes...Help please!!
I have had a first gen i-pod and the battery life is just going now and it gets regular use so I have been lucky I guess.I have a problem with playback on iTunes as there is no sound.This is most annoying but does not happen to my sons in their "sections" on the same computer in their iTunes. I have got the most recent version download and am at a loss as to why this happens...any ideas from The Massive would be much appreciated,
Thanks
to all who offered advice.
In the end I went with the Creative Zen X-Fi 32Gb. And I'm happy with it so far.
I'm just waiting for the next Randomiser now, so I can join in.