h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am giving real thought to getting an iPod.

However some questions I have are:-

are they any good?
are you better off getting a generic copy like the creative labs model?
I store all my music in MP3 format on my PC with all my CDs stored away. I have heard that with an iPod you have to save the music straight from CD is this correct?

If anybody has either an answer or opinion on any of these things I would love to hear it. Thanks

There ok, but not the best. There are others on the market that are not only cheaper, but have a larger capacity and better sound quality than the iPod. The only thing that really has going for it is it's distinctive look, and as it's got so much publicity recently you'd run a greater risk of being mugged for it.

You don't have to save the music straight from the CD to use the iPod, but I gather you do have to import your existing mp3 music files into iTunes first to use them on the device. Other devices allow you to just drag and drop the music onto the device like it were just another hard drive (which essentially it is).

When thinking about iPods etc etc, I am always asking myself, "why?"

Do I really need to carry around 10,000 or 5,000 or 1,000 songs? Do I need to pay ££££'s for the privilege.

Are they really that useful? Really? No I don't think so.

I'm off to buy a personal digital radio..........yes I know.

PP

hmmmmm.....

I'd also thought the iPod was an unnecessary toy for most people, but my brother justified buying one when he was getting divorced. The cost of replacing half of the CDs in the joint collection would have come close to the cost of the iPod, it gives him a huge range of music to choose from when he's doing surgery, and it's great for the five-hour roadtrips he makes several times monthly. He loves it.

Last weekend I drove to see my sister - 5.5 hours drive each way. My husband kindly let me take his iPod. I played it on random the whole time and I didn't hear the same piece of music twice. Can't wait to get my own for my birthday in August ( I am waiting to get the mini coloured one!)

Maz

I came up with a good thought as regards holiday use. If your away on holiday its a great idea as your not carting around CDs everywhere, and if you add up the cost of a CD walkman and even a small number of albums they equal about an iPod, but you get more songs on the iPod, so your getting more music for about the same financial risk.

Researcher PSG

just a small issue for me....the battery life REALLY hasnt lasted well at all. Theyre supposed to last over 8 hours...mine has started dying after 2 hours now....anyone know what i can do about it? Im already recharging it dispite it saying fully charged...

The new ones last 12 hours apparently

Researcher PSG

iv found a generic mp3/digi radio 512mb usb connec, voice record
for 110 plus vat called 'my new style mp3' but i dont know who sells them(straigt out of a trade mag)

or a pa28 mp3/voice
15hrs
for 47.50 plus vat.

As for existing iPod owners I believe you can get an external AA battery pack which might help battery life.

Researcher PSG

*wrinkles nose*

is it the actual battery itself thats the issue or is it the ipod draining energy? If its the battery reckon I can take it apart and replace the battery?

Kat, it depends on your initial charging and usage. if the battery was not conditioned properly then you can limit it's life. Is it still under guarantee? If it is leave it alone. If it isn't then you can replace the battery but it is very fiddly. It also depends whether it is the origainal series I type, or the now-discontinued series II ( about to be replaced with serie III) If you know anyone locally who uses MacUser magazine, and has the recent back Catalogue with the details, ask them. Alternatively go to my PS and contact me, and I'll send you a Photocopy. I would e-mail, but haven't a clue how to compress, so it would come out full-blown, which could take ages......



As for iPods? Good or Bad? They are no better or worse in terms of battery life to anything with rechargeable batteries. In my occupation, I have found most rechargeables last about a year. The downside is replacability..... BT did this with the first FreeLance cordless phones that wheree all back to base. Hopefully soon the newer iPods will be user-friendly.
From feedback I've had from Customers and staff, the iPod is better. It is more robust, the hard-drive is unlikely to corrupt, and it can take hard knocks, more than cheaper imitations. Also, and this may be a selling-point, or over-egging, it comes with a number of add-ons, with more coming as software upgrades. However most are for Mac Users only (Hey it is a Mac product, and what has M*cr*s*ft ever given us, so don't complain!!!). The other downside is it uses Firewire which PC's don't generally have, for some obscure insane rweason, so you will need an adaptor to use the slower USB connection....Oh and only the 20Gb comes with Full accessories...You have been warned....

* A contented virus-free firewire-connected MacUser......*

I wouldn't know unfortunately. It was given to me as a present and so I haven't a clue. I got it...around September.

Initially I generally charged it and used it until the battery completely ran out. Occassionally I would just charge it regardless though. Im surprised its run out quite so fast though.
When I charge it it doesnt appear to be fully charged as I can reconnect the lead and it will carry on charging. Unfortunately this really isnt a way of telling anything as it can do this indefinately.

Kat, what is the Memory size. I'm guessing you have series I, and if you have a 5Gb or 30Gb that would confirm it. If it is a 15 or 40Gb then it is series II. If it is a 20 it could be either. That can only be determined by thickness, as far as I am aware, unless someone knows of identifying marks, which I don't. It does sound as though you didn't condition it fully, and that you are getting a 'Fale Memory' reading.
Please advise, and I'll try and help, although maybe not this evening. If the worst comes to the worst, I can bring the details to the Croydon meet.....just remind me nearer the time....Brain like a slotted spoon. Leaks more than a sieve...

What would have been the correct way to condition it?
Its 40Gb

My daughter has a 20Gb iPod and she plays it for 1-2 hours each day travelling on the train for work. It usually lasts her for the week, So, probably 6-10 hours.

I have a series 1 - its about two years old now. To get the best out of the battery you need to double charge it (that goes for all iPods). It might say it is charged but if you unplug it and plug it in again it will charge for another few hours. iPods have traditionally been very bad about knowing how much juice they have yet.

I will not be buying another one btw, I am going for an iRiver next time round. None of the DRM problems.

I've got a Phillips Mp3 player, not had too many problems with it. It's got about 8 hours life on it and i've got about 16 albums on it with a teeny bit of memory left. Cost about £180 I think...