Hi Nanna!

Pops

 

I agree with you, iPods are generally very overpriced. Someone who pays money for an 'iPod' isnt just paying for the functionality; they're also paying for the brand name.

I've never owned an iPod as there are much better alternatives. iRiver is one of them which is actually worth the money. There are numerous other alternatives which do the same thing, are well priced and are a great alternative to carrying around a discman, MD player, or a stack of CD's.

The word iPod has become somewhat synonymous with mp3 players in general. I have an 'iPod adapter' which I use to route audio from my carputers soundcard to the cars sound system.

 

Okay, I'll bite. Name me a 60gb player that plays audible.com files and costs significantly less than the 60gb iPod.

Hint: iRiver doesn't offer such a thing.

 

You have indicated to mee that you have not been to China lately

 

Why did you feel the need to restrict me to only naming 60gb players when you (probably) clearly know there arent many reliable, feature packed 60gb players atm? Or is it because you were scared to get owned in other storage categories? lol j/k :P

Because I've owned, recommended, given out several 'iRivers', I'll use that to enlighten you.

If you've actually been following the industry, you WOULD know that iRiver has several discontinued lines, including the H100/H300 lines. Its not that other companies cannot offer that much storage space, its just that more than 95% of consumers dont feel the need to have 60gb (approx 15,000 4megabyte songs) with them 24/7.

Heres two prices for you, both are for the most popular mp3 storage rage, i.e 6-20gb.

FYI, 20gb - approx 5000 - , 4megabyte songs)

iPod 20gb - $449.00 AUD (link)

iRiver 20gb - $300 AUD (link)

Both are almost identical in specs.

The comparisons:

iPod = DRM ridden, restrictive, requires software to transfer (iTunes), VERY overhyped, fashion accessory crap and looks pretty.

iRiver = no DRM to worry about, non-restrictive, supports mass storage (ie, acts as a hdd in XP so NO software needed and can be used with any XP installation, packed with features and cheap.

There you go, and if a saving of $150 isnt good enough for you amongst the other benefits, then I dont know what is =)

 

I use a few cheapie 1gb usb keys on my audiolink..... different themes. the only drawback, is to wrap them in cloth when I put them in the glovebox so they don't rattle...

who needs 15000 songs anyway? I'll just stick to my tragic 80's, spice girls, and elvis songs!

 

The reason is that I need that functionality. Ultimately the reason I bought an iPod is that it had the capacity and the format compatibility that I needed... Which was my point, saying that people only buy them because of the name isn't accurate (which, I know, wasn't LITERALLY what you said but the tone sure did suggest it). I didn't really want an iPod specifically, it's just what I had available to me at the time... And to this day, for that matter.

I am fully aware that there are other fine players out there in smaller capacities, but when I go away from home, I go away from home, for 7-18 days at a time, and I DO want to have my entire music collection with me. The music alone wouldn't fit on a single 20gb player (I have about 23.6gb of music files), and EVERYTHING I have on my iPod is, as of today, at 41.8gb (13.4gb of audible.com files, and the remaining is assorted non-music audio files)... So I wasn't giving you some outlandish requirement, just MY requirements.

 

Actually I was there only last month. Wasn't doing any "shopping" this time, however.

 

Hmm, I'm just thinking about how long it would take me to listen to 15,000 songs and how much time I actually spend listening to music (reading is my default downtime leisure option and my work doesn't allow music to be played).

Fark, my maths isn't that flash but I reckon it'd take me about 3 years!

Yep, think I'll stick to CD's for the moment.

 

Hmm...well...at last, eh? A year's wait would have been ok...I could have even stretched to 2 years...but the fact is that 3rd parties had iPod solutions around in mid-04, and other mfrs from 05, so Mazda has really dragged their feet on this. Expect Bluetooth phone connectivity in....er....09 or later!

As to iPod vs others, well, I wonder what the reaction would be if SsangYong did an identical looking, but cheap and nasty knock-off copy of the 8. The howls of derision from this place would be unbelievable. Apple got the design of the iPod right, and have backed it up with marketing and a supply chain others will find hard to match. Their success proves this! (...but I am kinda mindful of what Microsoft is gonna do )

 

So my question to all you educated forward moving mP3 peoples is this:

When are you going to upgrade to the "chip" so you can download your songs into your head?

I mean really why the hell do you need 15,000 songs? I might be a nana but I'm $400 better off for mods for the car just using my cd's!! Now whose a clever girl then!

If nothing else this thread has razzed the place up a tad!!

 

While I enjoy having a go at the techno-diminished Revolver , I have to agree that iPod does nothing for me either... When we go on our long trips, 18 CDs is plenty to take with us...12 in the carry case and 6 in the changer at any time...

 

Too much choice = stress.

 

Hey, if you're happy with a smaller selection of songs than can fit on a meager 2gb player while swapping discs left and right, good for you.

 

Sorry, but this was never meant to be a discussion regarding YOUR requirements anyway.

We were discussing how over-rated the Apple iPOD (not mp3 players in general) really is. You fit in the top 5% of the stats that require more than 20gb to store your songs. To most of us, even a 20gb player (~5000 songs) is an overkill.

Each to their own, if you're an iPod fanboi, good for you.

 

Sorry, smart guy, then you shouldn't have answered my question. If you're going to flounder down the "you're a fanboi" road, you haven't read my posts(s) in any detail whatsoever and you just want to have an argument. Have fun with it, then. Argue away. I'm done with you. I'm glad you keep an iRiver under your pillow since you seem to think that everyone who has an iPod is a "fanboi", and at least we now know we all know you're too cool to have an Apple product, maaaaaan.

 

lol

Well, for starters, calm down.

The iPod range is the only Apple product I dislike (with a passion) - my reasons are in my previous posts.

iMacs are cool, I've had a couple of the Gx-range desktop's as well so this attitude of mine isnt towards Apple products in general. In fact, I'm actually getting a Macbook pro soon (tired of the D410).

I know several people who have iPods. That doesnt automatically make them "fanboi's", just slightly ill-informed. If they are persistant (like you) in defending iPods (in general) regardless of trying to justify themselves appropriately, then they become "fanboi's"

 

Hmm, wonder which would hurt more if thrown hard?

Maybe Russell would know.

 

I own my ipod because I am not aware of other reliable adaptors that plug directly into the factory mazda head unit giving me CD quality sound and retaining all the factory controls, as well as providing regular software updates and excellent product support.

This ipod is used purely for the car. I use a JNC iAudio M3 for personal listening, and find the sound quality, sound shaping & tuning features, as well as the ease of loading songs to be far superior to my 5th Gen ipod video.

Why am i saying this? Because I don't fit into any of the above categories discussed. I didn't buy it because I am a fan boi, I didn't buy it for it's brand name and I did not buy it because I was ill informed and thought it was the best player on the market (and after owning one, it has confirmed I would never buy one for personal use as there are many far superior players out there that can be had for less money).

However, as previously mentioned, the ipod's strength is in it's aftermarket support for accessories (such as a good link to the RX-8's factory head unit). In that aspect, there is no denying that the ipod wins hands down over any other Mp3 player out there.

Some of you don't mind not having a large selection of music available. Some of you don't mind idling half your car's petrol away while u reload another 6 discs. That's fine, each to their own. But for those who don't fit those two categories, I don't believe (on the current market anyway) there is a simpler and more reliable solution than to hook up an ipod to the factory sound system.

And anyone who claim they can tell the difference between a real CD and a well encoded MP3 on the mazda factory system...well I will reserve my comments.

 

Easier solution is to purchase the Mazda cassette deck and play your ipod through it.

Sounds fantastic and you retain control of the ipod.

Also completes the look of the dashboard, and you can still use your satellite radio.

 

OMG.. I have succumbed to the IPOD....OMG I am a hypocrite!

Anyway, I bought one and then got the i trip and then the f%#kin ipod speaker.... All of a sudden I wanted one. I was in bridezilla mode at the time. Anyway I made a wedding portfolio and then a wedding night portfolio worked a treat!!

Timbo will PM you about the Audiolink thingy...

 

Argghhh! No No-o-o-o! Not the iTrip!

You should have just gone to the shop and spent that money on Tim Tams. Much more satisfying AND better value

No, a direct connection to the head unit is the way to go. Then you can control your iPod via the steering wheel controls. Much easier...and safer...and you can put the iPod in the glovebox, away from prying eyes

 

YES I AM AFRAID SO

Seems like I have wasted a bit of money on that one, but hey it will come in handy for the Alfa....

 

Does the Alfa have a tape deck? If so, I'm afraid to say one of those tape adapters will work better that the iTrip

 

Nope only a radio, it;s a60's car and so has 60's audio it;s quite cute really...I will store the itrip for prosterity then!!