IPOD/MP3 player Advice

[Hitman23]

I am on the verge of purchasing an Ipod or a comparable MP3 player and was hoping for some reviews. Now that they've been out for quite some time and people have had time for issues and problems. reading online reviews I have seen the following negative feedback with the Ipod:
- hard drive crashes/locks up/lags
- computer has trouble with Itunes software
- battery cannot be replaced by user, needs to be brought to manufacturer or 3rd party
- screen scratches very easily
- EXTREMELY poor customer service

Can anyone share any issues they have with theirs? Or make me feel better by saying you've never had a problem? It seems to me that at first people love it, and after the 90 warranty runs out problems happen. I know that it's wise to purchase an extended warantee on something like this, but it doesn't mean I want to rely on using it.

Right now I'm looking at the 30GB color display model.

Thanks!!

[wexy]

I recently got to 20gb Ipod.The first one crashed on me while recharging it. I'd ordered it online and went to the Ipod store on Prince Street where they replaced it without a receipt or box when the troubleshooting didn't work.

The new one is fine. I protect it with an Ipod skin which is sorta like a condom for my Ipod . I've had no problem with Itunes and have dowloaded my Cds and bought a bunch of songs as well.

Now its like an insulin pump medicating me with tunes throughout the day.

[yanksrule69]

I am on the verge of purchasing an Ipod or a comparable MP3 player and was hoping for some reviews. Now that they've been out for quite some time and people have had time for issues and problems. reading online reviews I have seen the following negative feedback with the Ipod:
- hard drive crashes/locks up/lags
- computer has trouble with Itunes software
- battery cannot be replaced by user, needs to be brought to manufacturer or 3rd party
- screen scratches very easily
- EXTREMELY poor customer service
Thanks!!

I have the 20GB model that I got last Christmas.

I have never had any problems with the iTunes software and my computer.

For now, my battery seems to be holding up as well as it did when I first got it.

My screen is all banged up. I wish I had either kept the plastic cover thing they package it with on (this has worked for a few of my friends) or gotten a case for it right from the beginning.

I haven't ever had to deal with their customer service so I can't help you there.

I have had two different problems with it. I was using it on a plane one day and it just stopped playing music. The screen was still on and it looked like I had paused it but I hadn't and I couldn't get it to do anything. It was completely frozen. Obviously, I couldn't call customer service right then so I just kept it on and let the battery completely drain. After I recharged it fully it worked fine. Not the brightest idea but on another day I left it in my car when it was like 100 degrees out. When I went to turn it on all I could see was the apple logo. I had to cool it down in the AC before it started working again.

The scratches all over it is the thing I would say is my biggest complaint but that can easily be avoided with a case.

[Hitman23]

I recently got to 20gb Ipod.The first one crashed on me while recharging it. I'd ordered it online and went to the Ipod store on Prince Street where they replaced it without a receipt or box when the troubleshooting didn't work.

The new one is fine. I protect it with an Ipod skin which is sorta like a condom for my Ipod . I've had no problem with Itunes and have dowloaded my Cds and bought a bunch of songs as well.

Now its like an insulin pump medicating me with tunes throughout the day.

I'm considering going to Best Buy instead of buying online so i can avoid the hassle of shipping back and forth for any problems. Luckily you have a store near you, I wish I did. Best Buy has great warantee contracts, I've actually used them and never had any issue.

The banging up problem seems fairly simple, you mentioned a skin. Are they relatively cheap?

[Hitman23]

I have the 20GB model that I got last Christmas.

For now, my battery seems to be holding up as well as it did when I first got it.

You've had it for quite some time, this is the review I was most concerned with. The battery life. I've read it's costly to get it replaced, especially out of warantee. I'm happy to see you've had it for so long without a major issue.

[BronxByTheBay]

I'm considering going to Best Buy instead of buying online so i can avoid the hassle of shipping back and forth for any problems. Luckily you have a store near you, I wish I did. Best Buy has great warantee contracts, I've actually used them and never had any issue.

I bought my fiancee an IPod last Christmas and the thing is humming along just fine. Zero problems with software on the pc, zero problems with the unit. I know that there have been complaints with the Nano as far as the screen, but I wasn't aware it was an issue with the other models. My fiancee uses hers to go on walks/jogs and the thing has taken a good beating.

Sidenote on Best Buy: I know everyone has their fav, but mine has always been Circuit City. I've found that Best Buy's CS after you actually own the product sucks, warrenty or no.

You're right about buying electronics in-store, by the way. If I'm making that kind of purchase, I want something I can carry out of a place and inspect rather than playing the waiting game via shipping.

Also, is there anything better than walking into an electronics store with the intention of buying something?

[JDPNYY]

I'm considering going to Best Buy instead of buying online so i can avoid the hassle of shipping back and forth for any problems. Luckily you have a store near you, I wish I did. Best Buy has great warantee contracts, I've actually used them and never had any issue.

The banging up problem seems fairly simple, you mentioned a skin. Are they relatively cheap?

I bought my 3 kids the 20gb IPods last Christmas and they bought me one for my birthday in May.

The ISkins are pretty expensive - about $35.00 but well worth it. I couldn't find any ISkins in any retail store. I had to buy them online.

My youngest son did without an ISkin for a while and his is all scratched up. The rest are all in good shape. Pretty much all 4 have been problem free.

[dabomb2045]

I've had a 20GB IPod since March....and I've never had one problem with it

[SuperMario66]

30GB and I love it. I could have easily gotten a smaller one, but I love the one I have.

I have had absolutely no problems. I do, however reccomend the iSkins. As someome who drops there cell phone constantly, I knew it would be a good thing to have.

[Hitman23]

Sidenote on Best Buy: I know everyone has their fav, but mine has always been Circuit City. I've found that Best Buy's CS after you actually own the product sucks, warrenty or no.

Well my experience with BB is that if you push back enough, they do what you want. I had cracked my cell phone's display a few years ago. I went back and (within warantee) told them i wanted a new one, per our agreement. They said they can't cover mis-use, I said you told me "no questions asked". So they gave me a $275 store credit to get any new phone I wanted.

Otherwise I've had zero issues. I walk in, say I need a new one and it's given to me.

You're right about buying electronics in-store, by the way. If I'm making that kind of purchase, I want something I can carry out of a place and inspect rather than playing the waiting game via shipping.

Also, is there anything better than walking into an electronics store with the intention of buying something?

I can't stand the shipping thing with electronics. It's not the waiting for it to get to me, it's the shipping it back for issues.

Yeah, I love going into electronic stores intending to buy something. It's just too bad the commission programs with the salespeople at BB and CC are different now. I remember back when I used to go to The Wiz or PC Richards I could haggle. Now they don't break price unless you have a competitor price. This isn't something I'd try to get the price down on since it'll probably be the same anywhere. But anything bigger, i really miss that.

[Hitman23]

I bought my 3 kids the 20gb IPods last Christmas and they bought me one for my birthday in May.

The ISkins are pretty expensive - about $35.00 but well worth it. I couldn't find any ISkins in any retail store. I had to buy them online.

My youngest son did without an ISkin for a while and his is all scratched up. The rest are all in good shape. Pretty much all 4 have been problem free.

I've had a 20GB IPod since March....and I've never had one problem with it

30GB and I love it. I could have easily gotten a smaller one, but I love the one I have.

I have had absolutely no problems. I do, however reccomend the iSkins. As someome who drops there cell phone constantly, I knew it would be a good thing to have.

all good reviews. I like this. I read so many bad ones. It's probably just the people who have problems making sure they let it be known.

[Evil Empire]

Don't get the Ipod. Get the Creative Zen Touch. http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10274

Ipod accessories are too expensive.

[Hitman23]

Don't get the Ipod. Get the Creative Zen Touch. http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10274

Ipod accessories are too expensive.

I was actually told about the Creative versions of the Ipod.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846

I considered this as well. I assume you have one. Any major difference?

[boo_427]

Don't get the Ipod. Get the Creative Zen Touch. http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10274

Ipod accessories are too expensive.

That thing is sweet. It play WAV files too!!

Are there any of these music players out there that play FLAC files?

[Evil Empire]

I was actually told about the Creative versions of the Ipod.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846

I considered this as well. I assume you have one. Any major difference?

I DON'T have one but one of my good friends does, and I feel it is much better than the Ipods everyone else has. I've had basically a head to head match, and the Zen Touch is more durable, a bit cheaper, as are it's accessories.

As for the Xtra that you linked, I don't like the design of it. Too bulky, but if size doesn't matter, then that's a good one.

If I were to get one, I'd get the Zen Touch. (But I have no money )

And btw, Ipods are a model of Mp3 players made by apple therefore these Creative ones are not "Ipods".

[Evil Empire]

That thing is sweet. It play WAV files too!!

Are there any of these music players out there that play FLAC files?

It's basically like an external, mobile hard drive; it can hold nearly anytype of file (IIRC) and can play a bunch of various different audio types too whereas Ipods can't(again IIRC)

[boo_427]

It's basically like an external, mobile hard drive; it can hold nearly anytype of file (IIRC) and can play a bunch of various different audio types too whereas Ipods can't(again IIRC)

Yeah, I was just wondering being I have a lot of music files stored in FLAC and it is a pain to convert them to MP3.

I also know that .wav files take up much more space than mp3 or flac or shn for that matter.

[Evil Empire]

Yeah, I was just wondering being I have a lot of music files stored in FLAC and it is a pain to convert them to MP3.

I also know that .wav files take up much more space than mp3 or flac or shn for that matter.

What are FLAC files btw? I've never heard of them.

Edit: Looked it up, nvm.

[SuperMario66]

Wanna enlighten me Josh?

[Evil Empire]

Wanna enlighten me Josh?

About?

[SuperMario66]

About?

FLAC... ahh what the hel, I'll google it.

[Evil Empire]

FLAC... ahh what the hel, I'll google it.

It's just another type of compression used for audio files.

[CptCrunch]

Don't get the Ipod. Get the Creative Zen Touch. http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10274

Ipod accessories are too expensive.

I'd recommend this as well. Cheaper than an ipod, longer battery life, and the battery is replaceable.

[Hitman23]

I DON'T have one but one of my good friends does, and I feel it is much better than the Ipods everyone else has. I've had basically a head to head match, and the Zen Touch is more durable, a bit cheaper, as are it's accessories.

As for the Xtra that you linked, I don't like the design of it. Too bulky, but if size doesn't matter, then that's a good one.

If I were to get one, I'd get the Zen Touch. (But I have no money )

And btw, Ipods are a model of Mp3 players made by apple therefore these Creative ones are not "Ipods".

very nice. I'm going to check into it. Are they sold at Best Buy or Circuit City?

[IronCaballo4]

I just purchased a 20GB MP3 player from Dell for $180, shipping included. It's great

[Hitman23]

The negatives regarding the Creative Zen Touch is the software.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...ding=UTF8&s=pc

Any experience with this?

[AMC]

I received an iPod shuffle for free after opening a bank account with Chase but it's the small skinny plastic one without the screen that only holds about 130 songs. The problem I have with the iPod and my computer (Windows XP) is that after downloading the iTunes software and restarting my computer, my E and F drives "disappear". To get around that, I installed the software without restarting, uploaded the music to my iPod and then had to restore my computer to an earlier date so I could use my DVD/CD drives. That's not the best way to do things but I don't know how to fix it and haven't been able to get much help online.

[chanman7483]

Just bought a Nano last week... I've heard they're very fragile and scratch easily, etc, etc... so I've kept the plastic sticker-like cover on it for now. On friday or early next week, my Agent18 hard plastic case will be arriving - - it covers your screen and everything except for the wheel, and has openings for your headphones and dock. Can't wait to get it.

The only complaint I hvae about the whole thing is iTunes. Why the hell can't I maintain my folders after I've uploaded them to iTunes? If you add, for instance, 2 folders of music, they don't stay in their 2 folders. Instead, all the songs from both folders are shoved into one pool and alphabetized. This pissed me off. Greatly. I resorted to adding my folders one at a time and creating playlists for each folder.

Other than that, it's great... I take the bus to NY in the morning(45 minutes), and it's been great. I also got it customized!
http://home.comcast.net/~andy.chan/o.../z10417905.jpg

[NYYfan24]

My stupid question of the day:

Do you have to purchase music from the I-tune site, or can music be copied from CD's, and other music sites to the I-pod? My son wants one for Christmas...don't want to buy one, if we can't use music he currently owns.

Thanks.

[Evil Empire]

very nice. I'm going to check into it. Are they sold at Best Buy or Circuit City?

I've seen them at Best Buy though I don't regularly shop at Circuit City. I know a bunch of people who work at BB and get me discounts

[Evil Empire]

The negatives regarding the Creative Zen Touch is the software.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...ding=UTF8&s=pc

Any experience with this?

I'll ask my friend.

[SuperMario66]

You can definitely use music you already have Nancy. You just upload it to your computer and then put it on your iPod.

[Evil Empire]

You can definitely use music you already have Nancy. You just upload it to your computer and then put it on your iPod.

Yeah, I sure you can. Otherwise, I don't think it would be as popular.

[Hitman23]

The only complaint I hvae about the whole thing is iTunes. Why the hell can't I maintain my folders after I've uploaded them to iTunes? If you add, for instance, 2 folders of music, they don't stay in their 2 folders. Instead, all the songs from both folders are shoved into one pool and alphabetized. This pissed me off. Greatly. I resorted to adding my folders one at a time and creating playlists for each folder.

this was one of the bigger complaints when researching the ipods. Being restricted to itunes. I'm not very fond of this myself. Which is why software will be one of the deciding factors in my purchase.

These things are way too much money to be effing around.

[Hitman23]

I've seen them at Best Buy though I don't regularly shop at Circuit City. I know a bunch of people who work at BB and get me discounts

I've really only seen Ipods there, but I actually haven't specifically looked for anything else. I'm glad you mentioned this. I will be out and about later, I may go look to see how I like it.

[Evil Empire]

I've really only seen Ipods there, but I actually haven't specifically looked for anything else. I'm glad you mentioned this. I will be out and about later, I may go look to see how I like it.

They probably focus on Ipods because they're the most popular, but I've definitley seen the Creative ones there also. Maybe they're hidden behind the Ipods.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1109233706463

That's the 40 GB one. The price has really come down comparativley. It used to be around 350.

[Buckeye Yank]

Steve - My $.02: Just bought my son the Creative Zen Micro:

http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10795

Got the 5GB model from Best Buy for $190? One thing that's probably not publicized is that when you open the box, there's a card from Napster that gives you a limited membership to Napster To Go for 30 days and you can download an unlimited amount of songs for free. The thing holds approximately 2500 songs. We've been downloading and "ripping" our butts off and STILL only have about 375 songs on it. Not sure why you'd want a 20 GB iPod if it's just for music. And with the free songs from Napster, it's worth it alone.

FWIW - Since I'm ignorant, I had to call Creative for help to get the Napster songs to download into the Zen. Apparently a firmware upgrade is required. Took about 5 minutes to do. They were EXTREMELY helpful and informative. Now, all I have to do is search Napster to find the songs, click to download (takes about 30 seconds per song?), then click and drag to load it. Piece of cake.

[chanman7483]

Now, all I have to do is search Napster to find the songs, click to download (takes about 30 seconds per song?), then click and drag to load it. Piece of cake.

That sounds beautiful
bloody Itunes

[SuperMario66]

My only complaint with the iPod is iTunes. I hate it. I was to be able to use my musicmatch.

[Hitman23]

Steve - My $.02: Just bought my son the Creative Zen Micro:

http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10795

Got the 5GB model from Best Buy for $190? One thing that's probably not publicized is that when you open the box, there's a card from Napster that gives you a limited membership to Napster To Go for 30 days and you can download an unlimited amount of songs for free. The thing holds approximately 2500 songs. We've been downloading and "ripping" our butts off and STILL only have about 375 songs on it. Not sure why you'd want a 20 GB iPod if it's just for music. And with the free songs from Napster, it's worth it alone.

My plan is to put about 75 % of my CD collection (just under 500 disks) on it. Plus whatever I have downloaded. So I actually do require the space.

[boo_427]

These things are way too much money to be effing around.

You aren't kidding. I have over 3,000 cds alone. Plus, include over 100 gigs more on an external hd. I want something I know is compatible with my current stuff.

This Creative thing has caught the eye.

[yanksrule69]

That sounds beautiful
bloody Itunes

How the heck does your iTunes work? Mine works just like BY said about Napster.

[chanman7483]

How the heck does your iTunes work? Mine works just like BY said about Napster.

I was just saying that b/c I'm very frustrated about how you can't drop/drag FOLDERS into your itunes. Can you do drag whole folders into your mp3 player BY?

As far as simply adding songs, mine can do that just fine.

[Hitman23]

You aren't kidding. I have over 3,000 cds alone. Plus, include over 100 gigs more on an external hd. I want something I know is compatible with my current stuff.

This Creative thing has caught the eye.

damn... that's alot of music!

it's caught my eye too. I may not be waiting as long as I thought. With everything I'm reading in here and on the customer reviews, I'm leaning towards it.

[Buckeye Yank]

My plan is to put about 75 % of my CD collection (just under 500 disks) on it. Plus whatever I have downloaded. So I actually do require the space.

A thought regarding this plan; no matter what device you use, it will be a major pain in the you-know-what to navigate through an MP3 player with all those songs. If I were you, I'd rip the CD collection into Windows Media Player to organize them and then periodically change the music that's stored on the MP3 player because you're NEVER going to sit and listen to THAT many songs. I think it would be a waste of your time. I think you'd force yourself to listen to more of a variety of music if you're periodically changing your available selection. But that's my opinion.

[Buckeye Yank]

I was just saying that b/c I'm very frustrated about how you can't drop/drag FOLDERS into your itunes. Can you do drag whole folders into your mp3 player BY?

As far as simply adding songs, mine can do that just fine.

By folders do you mean playlists or albums?

[chanman7483]

By folders do you mean playlists or albums?

Let's say you have 2 albums in 2 seperate folders on your computer. If you select both simulatenously, and go to drop them, do they appear on your MP3 device as seperate playlists or folders? Or are all of the songs pooled into one playlist and alphabetized like they do on itunes?

[yanksrule69]

I was just saying that b/c I'm very frustrated about how you can't drop/drag FOLDERS into your itunes. Can you do drag whole folders into your mp3 player BY?

Can't you just go to File > Add folder to library?

I'm probably missing your point...

[NYYfan24]

You can definitely use music you already have Nancy. You just upload it to your computer and then put it on your iPod.

Thanks!

[chanman7483]

Can't you just go to File > Add folder to library?

I'm probably missing your point...

Yeah... that's what I do.

What I want to do is add a folder and have it appear as a folder right off the bat. If I do what you say, the folder's contents are put into you ITunes library alphabetically by song. If you add another folder, those songs are mushed in with the other folder's songs, and they are listed alphabetically. This defeats the purpose of adding by folder, I think, because that's how I wanted it to appear - - as a folder.

I found out how to do this manually, but it's very time consuming.