Tell me how wonderful an IPod would be. I'm thinking of getting one.

[Lex]

My partner and I have lots and lots of CDs (bought over many years) that we'd like to transfer to an IPod so when we travel, we'd have access to our CD collection.

If you have an IPod, what accessories do you have? Do you use your IPod a lot?

[LSK]

1. I just got one a month ago

The iPod 20gb. I got the itrip thing that allows you to transmit it to a radio station.

I wish I would have gotten the car charger, Target sells both as a package deal.

Im still learning how to transfer and organize my mp3s to it.

It also works as a portable usb hard drive.

[Lex]

2. Thanks LSK. I'll look at Target

because I like to buy from them because they are "blue."

Thanks for the tip on the car charger too.

[XemaSab]

3. For keeping bird songs handy

you can't go wrong.

It's terrific for car trips too... nice to have everything at hand like that...

[faithnotgreed]

4. how do you transfer your cds to the ipod

i am so out of the technology loop

mostly intentionally but of late i discovered itunes and have really enjoyed it
now maybe i need to take another step
i dont know that i would get to the point that i buy an ipod but i do love my mac

[Lex]

6. Burn your CD songs to your computer, then load the music files

into your IPod.

[faithnotgreed]

26. thank you lex - i had no idea (clearly)

[gmoney]

7. You use your iTunes software to import CDs

...to your computer hard drive. Once they're in your iTunes library, you can load them onto your iPod very easily.

PM me if you need more info. :)

[faithnotgreed]

24. ~

i can transfer my cds to my itunes
for real

oh yeah ill pm you

[SKKY]

5. I think they're crap...

The Rio Karma sounds much, much better

[Lex]

8. And the reasons would be . . . ?

Info is helpful.

[Placebo]

9. They're not crap.

And no it doesn't. :)

[babylonsister]

10. I'm lacking in the info on IPods also; are they only to

be listened to through ear plugs, or is there a way to use them so everyone can hear tunes?

[Lautremont]

12. You can get the cassette thing

which you then stick into a cassette player and bob's your uncle. Or a pin jack-to-RCA adaptor.

[Lex]

13. I did a little research and found you can hook them to your stereo

in your house, and take them in the car and have them play through your FM radio.

I'd like to buy one with my SO and load up bunches of our CDs so we can travel with them in the car or even listen to them through our stereo at home.

Hopefully, it would be easier to deal with the IPod than stacks of CDs that I never organized!


I'm hoping some DU'ers have some practical info on how they actually use their IPods!

[Placebo]

14. They've got a standard audio jack for headphones...

so you can easily hook them up to external speakers, to your home stereo, or even your car. :)

[babylonsister]

21. Thanks for the info. Will bookmark and chat w/ Santa. :o) nt

[SkipNewarkDE]

31. Good selection of external speakers...

... which are suitable for parties or picnics. Or you can cable it to your stereo pretty easily.

[Placebo]

11. It will change your life, seriously.

The most beautiful, best designed, and easiest to use MP3 player on the market at your fingertips. All of your music just a few finger clicks away. With you all the time. The option to use the most popular best organized digital download service available, the iTunes Music Store. Oh, I forgot to mention iTunes didn't I. It's only the best digital jukebox available. Makes ripping & organizing your music a breeze.

Accept no substitute. iPod all the way.

www.apple.com/ipod

[Lex]

15. Thank you, Placebo.

If it will be as nice to use as my Tivo, then I'd be happy!

[Placebo]

16. Oh it is.

Best of luck! :)

If you buy a full-size iPod, I'd suggest getting a carrying case of some type. They tend to get scratched easily. At any rate, all the best!

[kanrok]

17. I L O V E my ipod

I got one for Christmas two years ago. I'm technologically ignorant, and I learned how to burn and download music pretty easily. The sound is pretty darned good, and can be better if you purchase better ear phones. I love to listen on "shuffle." Got one for my wife as well and she loves hers as well. My brother-in-law had the Rio and he switched to the ipod and likes it better. Don't know why, but he does. Go here for more info: http://www.ipodlounge.com/ it's fairly comprehensive and easy to navigate. Have fun.

[Lex]

18. Hey, thanks for the link, kanrok!

My SO hates listening to regular ol' FM radio programming, and much prefers our CD collection but it stays so disorganized it's frustrating.

Now, if we just load up the good stuff in an IPod that might make life easier!

[gmoney]

19. Go to a dealer and try one for yourself...

I prefer the Shuffle because it's so light, and it's cheap enough that I won't be devastated if it gets lost, stolen or broken. Some people don't like not having a display though. But it's barely larger than a pack of gum and weighs almost nothing. Fits in your pocket without weighing it down.

The iPod Mini doesn't cost much more, and has an LCD display and holds more music, but weighs a little more and is a little bigger... about the size of a small cell phone.

The standard iPods offer a LOT of storage, and are a little smaller than a deck of cards. This is a little bulky for my tastes, but many people swear by them. Great for taking TONS of music around with you.

There are several capacity variations on each, but I'd suggest holding one in your hand and playing with it for a few minutes before you take the plunge.

You can also use them as external hard drives if you like... very handy for taking files from work to home, etc.

I think CompUSA and Best Buy both carry them, as well as Target, and of course Apple Stores. Probably lots of other places, too. Check 'em out... I bet you'll love them.

[Lilyhoney]

20. Since I wanted a small unit

I bought an ipod shuffle. Holds 1gig of memory, so about 200 average length songs. I have the tape adapter so I can play it in my car. I love it. I personally did'nt need my player to have alot of options. I use mine every day. The software is easy to use and helpful.

[taught_me_patience]

22. Crap...

Archos is much better. The best thing is the drag and drop feature w/ no licensing issues. Other things are color screen, mini-harddrive, standard USB2 cable hookup (good when you are at friend's house and want to download music), photo capability, movie capability, 20gig hd. All while being cheaper than Ipod.

Ipod is ALL marketing.

[youspeakmylanguage]

33. Apple is all marketing...(n/t)

[LoZoccolo]

23. I use mine at work a lot, plus on the bus.

I have a little stereo in my cube that I used to play CDs on...but then I'd end up bringing little CD case to work and would have to pick which CDs to bring. Now I can bring a bunch of them just by bringing the iPod. Plus I live in the city and take public transportation, so it's kind of like my "car stereo".

[Deja Q]

25. I got mine 6 months ago!

It's got a bitg color LCD screen! It holds over 450 songs! Playback time is near-instantaneous! It reminds me of important appointments! I can take notes on it! And it's got a 1600mAh battery so it lasts a LONG time between recharges! It's got security so a thief can't break into it! It even holds lots of pictures so I can feel better on those cold lonely nights! Or movies!

Whoops. That's my PDA with a 1GB SD card. Screw the ipod; you don't need an overpriced percy purple package containing a 20GB hard drive with a battery that'll konk out in a few months where they take the old batteries and chuck 'em into some 3rd world country's backyard... No environmentalist would like that...

[fricasseed_gourmet_rat]

27. I love mine!

My musical tastes have really, really broadened. I credit the 'Pod.

[Initech]

28. Forget what everyone else says, Ipods are great!

I've used the iPod, the iRiver, and the Zen Touch. The iRiver and the Zen Touch are pieces of crap compared to the iPod.

[Lex]

29. Thanks everybody!

I appreciate all your comments and links! :toast:

[Bzzzz]

30. Ahhhh Man...

I couldn't live without my pod. It goes everywhere with me. I've got around 2500 songs, listening to 2 audio books currently(audio.com is great) and Podcast are an awesome feature. Do it, Do it, Do it...you won't regret it.

[youspeakmylanguage]

32. No Ogg Vorbis support...

I would recommend iRiver instead. Like a lot of Apple's competitors, you get more features for less money.

http://www.iriver.com/

[youspeakmylanguage]

35. edit

[Taverner]

34. They stay crunchy in milk

Seriously, I like mine - but the battery does run out quite quickly

[youspeakmylanguage]

36. Also, solid evidence that the INTERNAL battery dies in 18 months...

...and Apple charges $60 bucks to replace it. The newer batteres are supposed to last longer, but no one knows that for sure.