Ipod or psp

[Sapphiron]

Wow - factually almost completely wrong - I cant judge what it does to IE as I refuse to use it. I wont judge you on your dislike of itunes but there is other software - hell - you can even load linux on it.

A quick google revealed this if you're not a fan of itunes - iPod without iTunes: The self-sustaining iPod and there's plenty more to be found at www.ilounge.com

I know about those, but modifying your Ipod is tipically beyond the reach of most users and there are some risks involved. I have a problem with the way it is designed by default and not what it can do after you finished hacking the thing to fix all the problems. I would rather stay away from it all together.

It's like saying: You can buy this car from us, but you can only buy fuel from us. Then having to take it to a workshop to modify it to run on any fuel.

Why go through all the effort when you can buy something else?

 

[bwana]

I know about those, but modifying your Ipod is tipically beyond the reach of most users and there are some risks involved. I have a problem with the way it is designed by default and not what it can do after you finished hacking the thing to fix all the problems. I would rather stay away from it all together.

It's like saying: You can buy this car from us, but you can only buy fuel from us. Then having to take it to a workshop to modify it to run on any fuel.

Why go through all the effort when you can buy something else?

What effort. What problems? Most people don't have an issue with the way the iPod and iTunes work - if they did - and there weren't simple alternatives to iTunes - then Apple wouldn't enjoy the impressive market-share that they have. Its not a case of if they did such and such then they would 'really take over the market' as you put it. Its theirs.

I like iTunes - never had a problem with it. Used it for years before I ever go an iPod.

I also use my device as a hdd. I plug it in and bingo its mounted on my desktop just like any other hard drive. No hacks involved. I can even boot from it so the hdd feature has nothing to do with iTunes.

BTW - I really dont get your car analogy - what's the fuel supposed to be??

Personally, I would buy a DS Lite and an Ipod though, if that was my request!

So would I

 

[mooK]

bwana, itunes is used by ppl to buy mp3's, so I guess that's what he's alluding to by saying 'fuel'.

 

[bwana]

bwana, itunes is used by ppl to buy mp3's, so I guess that's what he's alluding to by saying 'fuel'.

But you dont have to - you can get your music from anywhere. Besides - 99¢ for a song isnt bad and there are far greater villains out there. The DRM is also laughable - the first time you burn a cd its gone.

BTW - the more accurate analogy would be that you need to buy the car in order to easily take advantage of the special fuel you've purchased via iTMS.

 

[Andre]

An almost alternative for iTunes is MediaMonkey. It doesn't handle syncing photos as far as I can figure out yet. Like others have mentioned I use my iPod mostly as a glorified memory stick.

You will need to get some kind of cover for the new iPods, they scratch REALLY easily.

 

[mooK]

99c for a song works out to the same amount to buying the actual CD, so how can you say it's anything but a rip-off?

 

[adsl3g]

What effort. What problems? Most people don't have an issue with the way the iPod and iTunes work - if they did - and there weren't simple alternatives to iTunes - then Apple wouldn't enjoy the impressive market-share that they have. Its not a case of if they did such and such then they would 'really take over the market' as you put it. Its theirs.

I like iTunes - never had a problem with it. Used it for years before I ever go an iPod.

I also use my device as a hdd. I plug it in and bingo its mounted on my desktop just like any other hard drive. No hacks involved. I can even boot from it so the hdd feature has nothing to do with iTunes.

BTW - I really dont get your car analogy - what's the fuel supposed to be??So would I

As said by Bwana - what hacks - I installed the progs on the links and they work...... as for iTunes - I use it to index my music files - no problem - works fine. I don't use their music shop as I cannot buy from them in SA.
I also had the PSP for a week - its a gaming machine and that's it. Memory is too limited so I got an Ipodvideo 30G. The PSP screen is the only + point above the iPod when watching movies but then it is bigger than the iPod.

 

[bwana]

The PSP screen is the only + point above the iPod when watching movies but then it is bigger than the iPod.

I dont have the newer ipod video (yet?) but I'm assuming you can still connect it up to a tv like you can with the ipod photo - is that right?

99c for a song works out to the same amount to buying the actual CD, so how can you say it's anything but a rip-off?

I think the bonus is not having to pay for the entire album. Often there are just a few songs I'd like to own.

EDIT - Also just had a look and you can often purchase the entire album at a discount and with extra content included - example - RHCP's Stadium Arcadium - 28 songs + a video and the booklet for $19.90.

 

[Kneebough]

I dont have the newer ipod video (yet?) but I'm assuming you can still connect it up to a tv like you can with the ipod photo - is that right?

Yes you can if you purchase the AV kit which connect to the tv using RCA on the one end and a dock plug on the other.

Playing videos on the tv is a whole 'nother story as I encode my videos to suit my iPod, not my tv. Hence they are in a smaller resolution and would look crap on the tv.

I personally will probably never watch movies from the iPod on the tv. Sorta defeats the point IMO.

 

[bwana]

Yes you can if you purchase the AV kit which connect to the tv using RCA on the one end and a dock plug on the other.

Playing videos on the tv is a whole 'nother story as I encode my videos to suit my iPod, not my tv. Hence they are in a smaller resolution and would look crap on the tv.

I personally will probably never watch movies from the iPod on the tv. Sorta defeats the point IMO.

Agreed but I think it might be a nice facility to have at times. Travelling or for kids.

A/V can still come out of the headset jack right? I never buy those Apple or Monster AV kits - they're way over priced. The generic RCA ones work just fine provided you hook it up correctly - video comes out the red plug, left audio comes out the yellow plug and right audio comes out the white plug.

 

[Kneebough]

Nope. Only audio is outputted by the audio (stereo) jack. Video output is done with the dock connector on the bottom of the iPod. So you'll have to buy the Apple cabling to do that. They really want you to only buy Apple products which is very clever but seriously irritating. If only the iPod was more compatible with other devices without the need to spend upwards of R400 on a piece of wire. *sigh*

 

[bwana]

Nope. Only audio is outputted by the audio (stereo) jack. Video output is done with the dock connector on the bottom of the iPod. So you'll have to buy the Apple cabling to do that. They really want you to only buy Apple products which is very clever but seriously irritating. If only the iPod was more compatible with other devices without the need to spend upwards of R400 on a piece of wire. *sigh*

I'm only quoting what I've read but

iPod Ports
Dock connector, stereo minijack, composite video and audio through minijack

Have you tried video out of the headset jack (minijack)? I know you can get dock connector kits so I'm thinking it might be able to be done both ways?

 

[Kneebough]

Well, I havent tried it (will try this evening) but AFAIK (from being involved with electronics most of my life) a stereo audio jack is incapable of outputing a video feed. Only stereo sound. Like if you have a 6 channel sound card, you will have 3 stereo line out ports. If the stereo jack on the iPod was sending video out through that port then it probably conflict with the audio.

Also, the standard stereo jack only has two contact points (left and right channels) negating only audio throughput.

Will test tonight but I doubt it.

 

[bwana]

Well, I havent tried it (will try this evening) but AFAIK (from being involved with electronics most of my life) a stereo audio jack is incapable of outputing a video feed. Only stereo sound. Like if you have a 6 channel sound card, you will have 3 stereo line out ports. If the stereo jack on the iPod was sending video out through that port then it probably conflict with the audio.

Also, the standard stereo jack only has two contact points (left and right channels) negating only audio throughput.

Will test tonight but I doubt it.

Try it and lemme know - I know it works for my ipod photo - if you use the generic red/white/yellow cable you'll need to wire it as I mentioned above.

Have a look at p37 of the iPod Features Guide They show connecting both via the minijack and the dock.

EDIT - in case my description of the connecting of the generic cable wasnt clear - http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/11/18/video-ipod.html

 

[Kneebough]

Hmm. I see. Well, if the headphone jack on the iPod (its very small to see down the little black hole ) has three contacts then it is possible. You learn something new everyday

Will test it tonight and get back to you.

 

[bwana]

Hmm. I see. Well, if the headphone jack on the iPod (its very small to see down the little black hole ) has three contacts then it is possible. You learn something new everyday

Will test it tonight and get back to you.

So, did it work?

 

[BeVonk!]

My big gripe with the iPod Nano I have is that it has no FM radio as standard. One is forced to buy an extra radio for R500! that adds bulk - and I hate the idea of the radio dangling on the device. I thus bough me a 512MB Samsung YP-U2 MP3 player too - for its radio - for just R90 more than the iPod radio accessory only - and the Samsung's sound quality is excellent (to my surprise).

 

[bwana]

My big gripe with the iPod Nano I have is that it has no FM radio as standard. One is forced to buy an extra radio for R500! that adds bulk - and I hate the idea of the radio dangling on the device. I thus bough me a 512MB Samsung YP-U2 MP3 player too - for its radio - for just R90 more than the iPod radio accessory only - and the Samsung's sound quality is excellent (to my surprise).

Never really considered FM radio - I bought an iPod because I was fed up with the crap on these days. Had I been overseas at the time it would have been a consideration however. The remote control/FM radio doesnt look all that big though - did you get a good look at it?

 

[BeVonk!]

Never really considered FM radio - I bought an iPod because I was fed up with the crap on these days. Had I been overseas at the time it would have been a consideration however. The remote control/FM radio doesnt look all that big though - did you get a good look at it?

I had a good look at it yes but I don't like the extra thing hanging on the device. The the price is ridiculous and in the Samsung (for just R90 or so more) I now have an extra 512MB of music too. The Samsung also has what they call DNSe and it really works great - making the music more "real" and "punchy" - compared to my Nano. The radio on the Samsung provides me with crystal clear reception of Highveld 94.7. I get bored with my loaded music too quickly and I want to have a radio near during broadcasted sporting events - so the FM radio is important to me.

 

[BeVonk!]

If I have the money for an iPod Video (30/60GB) and I then have to choose between the iPod and a PSP I will go for the PSP plus a more affordable MP3 player (like the Samsung YP-U2 that is available in sizes up to 2G). I have an iPod Nano myself but believe the iPod is more hype than fact - and one gets screwed on the accessories.

BTW Creative has a new player called the Zen V that is awesome - and iRiver has the E10 that's IMO better than the equiv iPod. Then there is the Creative Vision:M - also a great mobile media player to consider.