Is an Ipod Similar To an MP3 Player?

Lady_K

Is an mp3 player much like an ipod or are there similar products but in a cheaper make that do the same things?

superscaper

Ipod is just the name of Apple's MP3 player. Many others tend to be compatible with MP3 and WMA (windows media audio) whereas Ipods specifically can only play MP3 and AAC (apple's proprietary audio format, i.e. mostly Itunes store etc).

sarah84

I could be wrong but I always thought an ipod was an mp3 player, its just a brand name, like a walkman is a brand of cd player?
I'm pretty sure they all do the same thing, but cheaper ones might hold less music and have less screen functions.

Lady_K

Thanx its just I was looking at the price of ipods and they are a lot more than just regular mp3 players so it's prob better to get an mp3 player but not apple then, even more so if there are some restrictions on what type they can play.

Any suggestions on mp3 players? It doesnt have to hold a massive amount of music

amcluesent

>the price of ipods and they are a lot more than just regular mp3 players<

Because Ipods are a lot better than the other players. "Buy cheap, buy twice"

magyar

Firstly Lady_K, MP3 is just a type of music file (there are others, but because MP3 was first, this is a term used for any music file held on a computer).

To use any MP3 player (including an iPod) you have to get the music from either
- an online store like iTunes, Napster, or
- 'rip' or copy music from a CD.

What's best for you depends very much on what you want to do

- if you want to copy your CDs onto something to carry around with you, then any MP3 player will pretty much do the job. I like the Creative players, which are very good quality. They will all come with software which will let you synchronise your CD library with your MP3 player.

- if you want to download music from the Internet, then you're probably best off with an iPod since iTunes, although it has its faults, is very, very easy to use. The downside is that you can only listen to that music on an iPod. Downloading music is expensive if you normally buy whole CDs. If you only want the occasional song, it's quite cheap.

In terms of music quality, all MP3 players are much the same. The most important thing is that it does what you want it to.

One additional thing; almost without exception, the headphones that come with MP3 players are rubbish. Spending a few quid on some better ones is money well spent.

spud17

Agree about the Creative Zen.
Personally I can't be bothered, but one of these was recommended for young nephew.
http://www.play.com/Search.aspx?searchtype=ELEC&searchstring=zen&page=search&pa=search&go.x=0&go.y=0

Lady_K

With the creative zen ones it's still possible to use itunes though isn't it?

magyar

Lady_K wrote: »

With the creative zen ones it's still possible to use itunes though isn't it?

No, songs on iTunes can only be played on iPods.

If you get the Creative Zen, then you can still use hundreds of download sites. Instead of using iTunes, you would use Windows Media Player. It's no different really, but perhaps slightly less intuitive. If you're not that computer-literate, you'll find the iPod a lot easier.

By the way, I'm assuming you use a Windows PC, rather than a Mac. If you use a Mac, go with the iPod, without question.