iPod versus Sony ?

scheming_gypsy

^^^ why i won't get an Ipod. Why complicate things when you can just copy and paste.

Little_John

I own a sony HD3 and my sister has an a3000.

the connect software isnt brilliant but it works drag the track to the software and it transfers what else do you want, jsut make sure the TAG details are in your mp3's the older Sonic stage allows you to specifiy how the albums/tracks are stored. I used the Itunes a feww weeks ago after a freind bought an ipod and couldnt get it to work, what a pain in the !!!!!! unplug the ipod and the software crashes if you buy an ipod and have a windows PC dont take it to the apple store as they will set it up for use on a mac and you then have to format it before you can use it on a PC whihc is easier said than done.

scheming_gypsy

point taken, for me though i only use mp3 players on holiday or at the gym and artist list etc isn't a big issue.

Omertron

I think we've got a little lost in iPOD vs Everyone else (I'm in the everyone else section).

Perhaps it would be useful to the OP to break it down into what they would use it for. If you have a large collection of CD's and are unlikely to buy music online, then iTunes vs any other download service doesn't matter.
If you're comfortable with using a computer to copy files (i.e. you don't need your hand held to copy the music to the player), again the software that comes with the player can be changed as you see fit. Most players will work with windows media player and this is what I use to sync my Creative Micro and daughter's 1Gb no-name player automatically.
If you want to plug your player into an ever increasing range of gadgets, then an iPod may well be the best option.

So if none of those matter to you, go for the one that looks the best (in your opinion) and fits your budget

Omertron

alexjohnson wrote:

In fact I put my CDs on eBay a couple of years ago as once they were all in iTunes, what was I ever going to use them for again?

1) I hope that you've bought the songs on iTunes as you no longer own the original CDs
2) Let's hope that you never have a hard-disk crash with no-backup :eek:
Not that you would'nt have a backup after investing all that money in iTunes, now would you?

Omertron

alexjohnson wrote:

1. My conscience is clear...
2. I have several back ups, including the last-but-one set that always lives at work, just in case! (If something takes out home plus work and I'm still around, I expect I'll have bigger fish to fry than caring about what has happened to my unparalleled collection of 80s synth duos!)

I wonder how long it is before someone writes an itunes virus and deletes millions of itunes' user's songs.... Probably sometime after Apple's profits dip

SiMaster

ok back to the original question about the battery.

the bottom line is they are rubbish, your battery will go maybe a year or two down the line if your lucky. while this isn't a problem because you can replace them - BUT apple will charge close to £100 to change it for you. plus it is well known they rarely send your ipod back but someone elses who needed a new battery.

you can change the battery yourself but there is always a risk of frying your hard drive and chips.

personally i would never own an ipod because of itunes plus i hate being a sheep. i own an Archos Gmini400 but i did want a higher spec mp3 player form my money than ipod could ever provide.

YBNB

Just for the sake of balance. I know several people who've had an iPod for over two years without any battery problems.

Fact: people with axes to grind/complaints make more noise than satisfied customers.

I'm not a sheep either - my instinct is to rebel against all ovine tendancies but after seeing a friend's iPod and how excellent it was, I yielded, and was left wondering why I'd waited so long to try one out.

Omertron

The original question was what was the best MP3 play available with the OP's boots points.... I don't think the Archos (as good as it is) was in there

wolfman

Omertron wrote:

1) I hope that you've bought the songs on iTunes as you no longer own the original CDs
2) Let's hope that you never have a hard-disk crash with no-backup :eek:
Not that you would'nt have a backup after investing all that money in iTunes, now would you?

I never understand people that buy from iTunes. It's still too expensive. You can own the cd for about the equivalent price, and that comes with a case and packaging. Not to mention it'll be superior in quality. All you have to do then is spend 15 minutes converting it into your own mp3 (which you'll be able to choose the settings for, and not have protection). And converting yourself is something which doesn't take much longer than downloading.

Plus you always have a natural backup being the original cd's. The only time I would buy online would be from one of the legally grey area, russian sites, because otherwise the prices are still too high.