MP3 player / portable storage...?

[az]

The iPod is surely the most stylish option, and will give you the most satisfaction in using it. You can store other data than just music on it, you can use it as a primitive PIM, it has a few games built-in, the docking station looks nice, etc. (All talking about the newest model - the smallest one doesn't come with docking station and remote, which cost 45 EUR each!)

The Archos is even more expensive, but does come with lots of other features, including image tank, video player, etc. (though I don't think you really need that kind of stuff, just get one more CF card if you run out of space). It looks ugly IMHO, is a little bigger than the iPod AFAIK, and generally won't feel as smooth in operation.

The Nex IIe is the cheapest, but apart from that, it doesn't have any advantages over an iPod IMHO.

AZ

[VJ]

Originally posted by az
[B]The iPod is surely the most stylish option, and will give you the most satisfaction in using it. You can store other data than just music on it, you can use it as a primitive PIM, it has a few games built-in, the docking station looks nice, etc. (All talking about the newest model - the smallest one doesn't come with docking station and remote, which cost 45 EUR each!)

Yes, I am debating between such a new iPod or the Deltron Cinema Disk... The latter offers more features (CF-card + videoplayback), but I think the support for the Apple will be better (both in repair - if needed - and updates wrt audio-standards - the website states it can be updated to suit new audio standards), as will its audio quality. So currently, the Apple has my preference...

The Archos is even more expensive, but does come with lots of other features, including image tank, video player, etc. (though I don't think you really need that kind of stuff, just get one more CF card if you run out of space).

Well, this is my opinion for now as well. I still wouldn't really trust a harddisk with my (holiday-)pictures. Currently, I have 3 512 MB cards, but prices have dropped so much, that I can now buy a 512 MB card for less than €100; and probabely by the time I make a big trip, I'll take a laptop with me, thus solving the photo-problem. I need quite a lot of space: 1 RAW image is just under 12 MB, the camera does have a compressed RAW which results in 5 MB images (but it takes a lot longer to write, and thus to empty the buffer)...

The Nex IIe is the cheapest, but apart from that, it doesn't have any advantages over an iPod IMHO.

Well, it would act as a cardreader... []

About the iPod, I read over on the Apple site that the USB2.0 support is not yet there (will be in June). However, I am a bit unclear about certain details:
- the dock: does it have USB, firewire and line out, or just some of those ?
- the wired remote, can one use it without using headphones (e.g. can one disconnect the headphones from the remote and connect an aux in from e.g. an amp) ? On one of the images on the website, it looks as if the remote does have a 3.5mm female jack on top, but I'm not sure...


Jörg

[az]

The dock has one combination USB/FireWire port (you plug in either Apple's USB or FireWire wire), and one Line out, AFAIK.
I think the remote has a standard 3.5mm jack, yes.

AZ

[Lucid]

az, how is the sound on your Nex IIe ? I have a Nex II, and even with good headphones there is quite a bit of added background noise (hiss) when playing.

[az]

No noise as far as I can tell - I'll check later tonight with my Sennheiser HD497 just to be sure

The problem I have with its audio is that it clicks loudly when starting a song. This can really hurt your ears if you have turned the volume up.

AZ

[Topha]

If I were rich, I would have the new iPod already

using an old MiniDisc Player at the moment

[VJ]

Originally posted by az
The dock has one combination USB/FireWire port (you plug in either Apple's USB or FireWire wire), and one Line out, AFAIK.
I think the remote has a standard 3.5mm jack, yes.

I'll have to go back to the store to ask for such details, I just found on the website however that USB2 is possible through the dock with an optional cable. One disadvantage though: the USB2 support isn't there yet, the exect it to work somewhere in June...

Well, it now purely is a price issue...
Deltron (20 GB model): €383, including shipping
+ MP3, ir remote control (probabely not suitable for incar use), photo use, videoplayback, car DC adapter
- support, audio quality (?), external battery, needs AC adapter for recharging

Ipod (15 GB model): €499 (no shipping needed) + €54.99 (car adapter) = €553.99
+ USB+firewire, dock, charge through firewire, wired remote (probabely suitable for in car use), design, quality (both audio and built), support (new file formats), some pda use (contacts, calendar, tekstviewer, games)
- no photo use, price

Man this is though...


Jörg

[Topha]

If you can in any way afford it take the iPod, my bet is you will regret it if you dont. who needs those low quality video & photo features anyway

[VJ]

One letdown for now: currently there is no USB2 support (got confirmation in the mac-store over here), it is said to arrive somewhere in June - but one of the store-guys was joking 'probabely this means August or so'... I could buy a firewire-card, but it would limit the usage for me to only one computer (out of 3 between which I'd like to share data).

This Friday however is the ipod launch-party in that store. The give additional accessories: 1 2m jack to cinch cable, 1 3m cinch cable, 1 headphone adapter (to connect 2 headphones); claimed value is €19.99. They also offer a €5 discount on the Griffin DC car-adapter (not as nice as the Belkin model though).

So I'll need to make my mind up fast if I want to buy this and have some benefits...
Would the price drop in a month's time ?

Jörg

[az]

I think he want it as an image tank device. Wether an image tank is actually NEEDED is another question

The Cinema Disk obviously has a better price/performance ratio, and if you think you can use the photo/video features, I'd say go for it. It doesn't look good and is too big to be used as an mp3 walkman (should be OK for car use though, if you have a place to put it in your car so that it won't fall - I see no car kit).

The iPod is smaller and I think just gives more satisfaction.

My advice is to take both into your hands and then let your guts decide. After all, feeling is the most important factor when buying toys

AZ

[VJ]

Originally posted by az
I think he want it as an image tank device. Wether an image tank is actually NEEDED is another question

You've hit the nail on the head. An image tank would be a plus, but I'm not sure I need it... As for the video-features, I somehow have a feeling that it is a nice gimmick, but I don't really see me using it (allthough... my computer is very noisy, this way I could watch movies without computer, but I don't think I'll go through the hassle of copying/ripping to an mpeg file just to watch a movie).

(should be OK for car use though, if you have a place to put it in your car so that it won't fall - I see no car kit).

That would not be a problem (and the car-kit is supplied).

My advice is to take both into your hands and then let your guts decide. After all, feeling is the most important factor when buying toys

Problem is that I can't get my hands on the cinema-disk; only way for me to obtain it, is to order it.

But I do "feel" a preference towards the iPod . Question remains: buy now (despite the current lack of USB2 - would limit me severely - but profit from the €20+€5 discount), or wait (in case the USB2 turns out not to function as it should + hoping that prices will drop in the next month or so). Still remains the question: 15 GB or 30 GB (is €100 difference)...

Also, there appears to be a student discount of 6%, I'm guessing this will not be combined with the launch-discount, in which case the purchase "now" would yield few benefits...


Jörg

[az]

The launch discount is laughable, IMHO - these are no special cables, you can get them anywhere and with a higher quality, too, I guess (except when they're white, those aren't quite as easy to get).

You might want to wait till the USB cable is available, as you can't fully use the iPod until then anyway - it won't get more expensive, and although the apple store won't get cheaper in that timeframe, some stores on the net might. There might even arise an opportunity to test the cinema disk in a photo store. Who knows, maybe you even decide you don't need an mp3 player and spend the money on somethign useful

AZ

[VJ]

Originally posted by az
Who knows, maybe you even decide you don't need an mp3 player and spend the money on somethign useful

Hmm, that sounds like an argument to buy it now !

But joking aside: this is of course something one doesn't *need*, but I would like to be able to play music in my car (hence this route: blaupunkt CD changer is too big (IMO), blaupunkt MP3 player is too expensive for what it is), and exchanging files between computers is often needed (not all have a writer; currently I manage with a SCSI-ZIP250, but that is hardly convenient (AC/DC adapter, 6 zipdisk - so I have to span my data, bulky, ...).

Thanks for the info (and the help in straightening my thoughts ): most likely I will by the iPod, but only when the USB2 support is operational.


Jörg

[Topha]

Originally posted by VJ

Would the price drop in a month's time ?

Jörg

I waited for ever, hoping the price of the iPod would drop. And now they introduced the new one, and I dont want the old one anymre

If you get it, tell me what you think, because as soon as I can afford it (about 3 more months ) I will get it.

[az]

IF you buy it, I'd like to see a user review of it here on the MURC

AZ