The111 1 #1 July 17, 2005 I wanted an mp3 player but wanted to avoid the iPod trend, so I got a Creative Zen Touch from Best Buy (knowing full well I could return it if I was unhappy) to see if I liked it. I have a few problems with it. While it does allow storage of data files, it is not a true external hard drive (it required Creative drivers to even be recognized by the PC, and then it still is only viewable through the Creative software, not through Windows Explorer). For this same reason, I cannot simply drag and drop directories of mp3's onto the player. It actually has no directory structure (sorts solely by ID3) and for this reason ran into some problems when I tried to upload two albums which both had a "track 01 - intro.mp3" filename on them (which is obviously fixable but still bugs me a lot). It also sorts only by ID3 tags, which is something I was under the impression most players did, but I'm still not sure. So, iPod owners (or anyone else... I think my decision is currently down to iPod or iRiver): 1) Does your player truly double as an external hard drive? I.e. you can plug it into anybody's PC and it will pop right up like a USB memory stick or something. 2) Can you drag/drop directories of music without using any iPod-specific software? I.e. using Windows Explorer. 3) When using the player, can you browse through the directory structure the same way you would on your PC, or can you only access the music through ID3 tag sorting? 4) One last question... I've always been under the impression the iPod has some sort of proprietary file format (m4a or some other nonsense). If I transfer my mp3's to the iPod, does it re-encode them in a proprietary format? Or is it possible to use mp3's and mp3's only? I think this may be true, that m4a's only enter the picture when you buy them from iTunes or something, right? Thanks for any assistance anyone can give! www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #2 July 17, 2005 It'll play MP3,AAC or any number of other file's and it does not re encode them... it can be used as an external hard drive..but mine is too full of music(40gigsworth).. it will display as an external hard drive just like a thumb drive depending on how it is formated...winblows or mac.. as far as I know only iTunes can be used to dump music on there...but actualy I know there is one otehr way but can't remember where I saw that.. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #3 July 17, 2005 Quoteas far as I know only iTunes can be used to dump music on there...but actualy I know there is one otehr way but can't remember where I saw that.. In the past couple days I came across a freeware/shareware program that allowed full ipod management without iTunes. It may, however, have been Mac only. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #4 July 17, 2005 IPOD: 1) You can have root access to the ipod drive through explorer, but sometimes it can be slightly tricky because apple does take some minimal approaches to hide it. A little know how and Im sure you wont have a problem. 2) yes and no. technically you could. But the music wouldnt be playable. You have to do it through an interface program. but there are several itune alteratives. I have tried several (PC) but in the end I just use itunes, cause damn its a well designed program. (Try it you dont have to have an ipod to use it.) When using the player you can access the sons through titles, artist, genre and you can build playlists. Like most people I have a fuckload of songs, so I just build playlists on itunes. I sort of wish they would put in a basic file search where you can scroll in letters and search... maybe in a later update. The ipod has no real proprietary file format. But itunes downloaded uses AAC file format. But if your just putting it on your ipod then its no biggy. I download (illegally) or burn from cd most of my music. I have never bought anything off itunes. Over all I love my ipod, despite it being grossly over priced. But my ex bought it for me... Damn whyd I let her get away? Dbo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #5 July 17, 2005 Quotein the end I just use itunes, cause damn its a well designed program. I agree, but it is still missing some functionality, IMO. Or, maybe I just haven't found the features. I would like to be able to classify songs into multiple genres, instead of just one. I don't like the one size fits all crossfade. I would like to be able to easily cluster songs so that they are always played together in a specific order, even on random play. Overall, I think iTunes pretty much kicks ass. For Great Deals on Gear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #6 July 17, 2005 I just came across a linux program you can put on your iPod to run things...it can make your iPod Dual bootable...both to linux and then also to the regular iPod music app. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #7 July 17, 2005 Smart playlists can help you with that Chris...have you toyed with those? it has helped me immensely.. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #8 July 17, 2005 QuoteSmart playlists can help you with that Chris...have you toyed with those? Not too much. I'll have to try. Thanks for the tip. For Great Deals on Gear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #9 July 17, 2005 I use my iPod at work as an external drive all the time with no issues. Plug it in and it shows up. Your own MP3 files are stored as MP3 format. They're just copied to the iPod. As for iTunes, it sucks worse than anything that has ever sucked before! I use EphPod to manage my iPod. It's free, it's fast, and doing playlists is incredibly simplified.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sen.Blutarsky 0 #10 July 17, 2005 A question for the pro's: how do you manage to keep the earphone covers _on_ the earphones? My earphone covers fly off and get lost almost as soon as I buy new ones and remove the phones once or twice Blutarsky 2008. No Prisoners! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman32 0 #11 July 17, 2005 Earphone covers? I've never used them and have never seen anybody use it The earphones are the only problem with the ipod. I've gone through about 2 or 3, so now I got some Sony earphones that are much better and actually block out most ambient sound. Inveniam Viam aut Faciam I'm back biatches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #12 July 17, 2005 I use Apples IN EAR headphones...much more comfy and block out much of the ambient noise. i just used them when I mowed the lawn and heard my music perfectly. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #13 July 17, 2005 Break down and buy a set of the $100 (retail) shure (E2C) ear buds. You can get them off amazon for $75. The stock ones suck. You all know about the 1-3rd generation battery replacement deal right? Apple just sent me the paperwork out of the blue. Must not find the damn receipt. Dbo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #14 July 18, 2005 I found the shures to just not have enough base for my taste...What I really want are the custom molded ultimate ears...but thats like 500 bucks. no way am I ever gonna have that... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #15 July 18, 2005 No? I havent actually bought the shures yet- my friend has them and he says the bass reponse is great. Ill snag them from him, throw on some trance and see how they hold up - Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #16 July 18, 2005 ok I lied - IPODS suck ass. They are to damn small... I just lost mine. Where the hell are you... ugh. This blows. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivadee 0 #17 July 18, 2005 i got the ishuffle..... now this kicks ass..... just the lack of an interface sucks a bit, but you get used to it....... oh and they double up as a nice clitoris massager, and you can listen to music whilst doing it!!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outlawphx 1 #18 July 18, 2005 Yep. I've got a set of Beyerdynamic DT250-80's I use at work, and I use some cheaper ($30) Sony MDR-EX71's on the move. The Sony's are nice because they act like an ear plug as well, so they lower the noise floor and raise the bass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,682 #19 July 18, 2005 I have a converted MuVo, and the answers are: >1) Does your player truly double as an external hard drive? Yes >2) Can you drag/drop directories of music without using any iPod-specific software? Yes >3) When using the player, can you browse through the directory > structure the same way you would on your PC, or can you only > access the music through ID3 tag sorting? You can do it either way. >4) One last question... I've always been under the impression the > iPod has some sort of proprietary file format (m4a or some other > nonsense). If I transfer my mp3's to the iPod, does it re-encode > them in a proprietary format? MuVo will play any MP3. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
