To iPod or not to iPod that is the question

[altecsole]

Right my old faith 4Gb first generation iPod Nano has died so I'm in the market for a replacement but I'm unsure whether to get another ipod or go for something different this time as I'm getting a bit fed up with iTunes and its bloated and sluggish behaviour. So I was wondering what are your recommendations for an MP3 player that has a 4 - 8Gb capacity and ideally charges from USB.

If you've bought music off the iTunes store you're not going to be able to convert to MP3. The only way I've found to do this is to burn to CD and then convert to MP3.

If I was you I'd pickup an iPod off eBay, or have a look on the Apple site at refurbished ones.

[jamesb]

If you've bought music off the iTunes store you're not going to be able to convert to MP3. The only way I've found to do this is to burn to CD and then convert to MP3.

If I was you I'd pickup an iPod off eBay, or have a look on the Apple site at refurbished ones.

There are ways to do the conversion. Fight the lock-in!

MediaMonkey allows you to I believe, though that may be the premium version, and there are other tools out there.

[Jamo]

Or get a prog to create a virtual CD to which you can write a virtual ISO and then convert the tracks back to MP3. Saves on CDsthen! Bit of a long winded method though!
Does Daemon tools offer that?

[richard_s]

I don't have to worry about my music being in

[bossman]

@richard_s:

Have just bought a device which will play Mp3s plus video several formats, one which is divx, has 8Gb internal memory with the option to increase by 8Gb micro sd cards. All this and touchscreen.

The cost you ask was only £48.00 and has a 3 year warranty.
Where did I buy it Aldi and yes have already watched movies in avi format on it and very good quality along with sound.

I have been looking for a device like this for ages and had looked at both the ipod touch 32Gb £265 and the Zen version at £192 of which have no more advantages over the device I have gone for.
In fact it has an advantage over the other 2 in cost and warranty.

Will try and find the link and post.

http://www.fascin8.co.uk/f8/index.ph...gb-touch-71939

Found it

[richard_s]

@ bossman - Thanks for that. I saw these a few weeks ago when my iPod was still working and thought they looked pretty good. Hopefully my local store will still have a couple left when I get paid on Friday.

By the way what are the headphones / audio quality like?

[OllieC]

I own a nano and I'm not much a fan of it... I do rather like my 30gb Zune though, will be getting the new one when it comes out here in September (at least I think it's coming out then).

[enjay]

If you've bought music off the iTunes store you're not going to be able to convert to MP3. The only way I've found to do this is to burn to CD and then convert to MP3.

What about iTunes Plus? Allows you to buy DRM-free versions of any tracks you've previously bought - cost is 20p/track, so more expensive than the CD option, but a lot less hassle. Depends how many tracks you've bought as to whether this is viable of course!

[deceptivex]

Get your self the latest Ipod Touch and be done with it.

[bossman]

@richard_s:

I would invest in some quality headphones such as Bose as the headphones that come with the unit are just standard but the audio quality matches that of the Ipod and Creative.

The biggest thing you will notice about the unit is its size and weight nowhere as heavy as the others so you don't feel it in your pocket.

I like mine and have saved myself a fortune to boot.