About to buy an ipod but now worried
I ordered an ipod and was 100% happy with my purchase until i started reading around here , that people are only getting 4 to 5 hours best from the new gen 3 with the battery life. I would be a typical user of a hard disk mp3 player, i tend to listen to one or two tracks and then manually move to the next album two tracks later etc.. In other words i dont just hit play and leave it. I am worried though that i hear people saying that if i encode my music at high quality like vbr 192 etc... then i can cut that battery life down again to 3 hours.
The reason i am writing is that i hope someone can advise me as to the truth in this. My brother has a jukebox zen and in fairness to it (besides the great sound quality) it has really great battery life incomparison to an archos jukebox my other bro has. The zen would give me about 8 hours to 10 hours of use, including the odd shifting of tracks etc... and browsing about the place...
Will the new ipod be able to do this for me?
Also i heard that the original ipods had crap battery's until apple released a firmware that worked wonders and nearly doubled battery life. Is the same possible with the new gen 3 ipod?
Kind Regards,
i_wolf
P.S. I cancelled my order, but its already started shipping, So i doubt it would be a big deal to tell them that i want it afterall and to continue shipping. I really want to be wrong about the battery life.
[1433 byte] By [
i_wolf] at [2007-11-9 12:06:44]
# 1 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
I have a 15GB 3rd gen iPod.
I have the backlight timer set to 2 seconds, so anytime I touch any control at all, the backlights come on.
I can use my iPod throughout the day, including 3 hours' of commutes, and casual listening at work, breaks, and lunch. By the time I get home, it's almost out of batteries, sure, but it's gone from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM and played a LOT of music.
The 2nd and 3rd generation iPods were better for batteries, but, as another user that is constantly changing what I'm listening to, I'll say that I'm satisfied with the battery life throughout a normal day's usage, even with the backlight on.
c.c.r. at 2007-11-15 14:17:19 >
# 2 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
would i get better battery from another player?
Is it possible that apple could release a newer firmware that would double the ipod's battery life like they did when the first ipod was released?
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:18:20 >
# 3 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Yeah, you'd probably get better battery life from another player. I dunno which, though.
Aye, it's possible that Apple can improve the life of the 3rd Gen iPods with a future firmware upgrade. They've done so in the past.
c.c.r. at 2007-11-15 14:19:29 >
# 4 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
C.C.R thanks for the very prompt responses. much appreciated. While you seam to be lingering around the forums can i ask you one or two more questions?
Do you reckon that the reason the gen3 pods seam to have a slightly lower battery is because they are using an inferior battery to the original battery , or is it a case that their firmware isn't as mature as say a gen 2 pod ?
You see i do long commutes every weekend. 4 to 5 hours easy on a train, and then a half hour taxi ride. Would an ipod leave me much juice left over after a trip like this. I know my bro's zen will be just under half batter or half battery bang on. (Its rated for 12 hours but from the use i give it, it would only really give me about 9 hours or 10 hours best case scenario.. regular usage).. it just worries me that apple only have their max battery usage at 8 hours.. .and when you consider that manufacturers usually inflate these sorts of figures .... its a bit of a worry especially when im spending 600 euro for something i want to be perfect and not a compromise. What do you reckon?
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:20:24 >
# 5 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
The new batteries are physically different from the old ones. They're smaller, and of a different shape. If you're going to be twitchy when riding the train (fiddling with what tracks to play every couple of minutes), I'd expect it to be near-dead when you're finished. But there have been reports of people getting about 7.5 hours of life out of their iPods, so I'm not personally worried about the battery life.
Why not invest some time with making some good playlists, and then you don't have to be messing around with the songs all the time? Surely you want to be reading a book or magazine or doing something other than staring at your iPod the entire 5 hours?
# 6 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
I think that your gen3 iPod would last through the trip that you described. Again, if you don't use the backlight like I do, you'll get even better battery life.
I think that (though don't quote me here) Apple changed the type of battery that they're using. I think they're using Li-Ion batteries in the gen3's where they used Li-Polymer batteries in the gen1 and gen2's. I could be wrong, though.
I know for a fact, however, that the gen3 battery is physically smaller than the gen1 and gen2. This could also be a contributing factor to the lessened life.
(Though the 2.0 firmware on gen3's is VERY inferior to 1.2.6 or 1.3 on gen1/2's... sooooo buggy! Neeeeed bugfixes sooooon!!)
c.c.r. at 2007-11-15 14:22:24 >
# 7 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
that doesn't sound too bad. Just do you think that its possible that future firware could improve the battery life somewhat?
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:23:28 >
# 8 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
I've run a 30 GB pod since May 5th and haven't had battery problems. I've used it for 6+ hours between charges several times and have not had it stop functioning due to the battery. This is with all songs encoded at 200+ Kbps, usually driving two sets of headphones, regularly changing songs, but not using the backlight.
At any rate, you can (or will soon be able to) buy an external battery pack that uses 4 AA's. You will then have unlimited play time on those rare occasions when you cannot plug in for 8+ hours.
Much complaining has been heard about the new battery but it seems like a tempest in a teapot. 8 vs 10 hours isn't that big of a difference and the change allows a significantly smaller and lighter product. Given that you can buy an external battery pack with replacable batteries that seems like a prudent trade-off.
Not to mention that you can charge your ipod anywhere you've got AC power around the world (50-60hz and 110-230v); using outlets in most trains, airplanes, and cars; or using apple laptops.
terry at 2007-11-15 14:24:32 >
# 9 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by i_wolf
that doesn't sound too bad. Just do you think that its possible that future firware could improve the battery life somewhat?
I don't think the firmware can do much to improve the battery life. It's amazing that the battery capacity of the new ipod is about half the gen 2 ipods and still get 8 hrs out of them. I use my ipod without backlight and EQ and most of my songs are 192 CBR. I haven't timed my ipod, but I know I get at least 5 hours easy.
doboy at 2007-11-15 14:25:29 >
# 10 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
you see thats my problem. I really want to justify that ?600 is worth my 5hours battery. I really really want the ipod. However for 330 i can get my hands on a new zen with a longer battery life!
Please give me more reasons guys! I know the ipod has better buildquality, looks nicer, smaller, lighter etc... better lcd, just i reckon for 600 i definately dont want to be disappointed with the battery life
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:26:33 >
# 11 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by terry
At any rate, you can (or will soon be able to) buy an external battery pack that uses 4 AA's. You will then have unlimited play time on those rare occasions when you cannot plug in for 8+ hours.
now THAT is interesting - i've not heard that one before. whats your source?
# 12 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by peterodda
now THAT is interesting - i've not heard that one before. whats your source?
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=T6714LL/A
It's kinda steep at $60 but I suspect that the price will come down dramatically when companies besides Belkin get into the market.
terry at 2007-11-15 14:28:30 >
# 13 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by i_wolf
you see thats my problem. I really want to justify that ?600 is worth my 5hours battery. I really really want the ipod. However for 330 i can get my hands on a new zen with a longer battery life!
Please give me more reasons guys! I know the ipod has better buildquality, looks nicer, smaller, lighter etc... better lcd, just i reckon for 600 i definately dont want to be disappointed with the battery life
I meant at least five hours. I also have the Zen 2.0, which I got 2 months before the new ipods came out. When the new ipod came out, I gave the 2 month old Zen to my sister and spent hundreds on the 15gb ipod. From the post, it seems u know why the ipod is better. If u don't mind the larger size of the player then Zen isn't a bad choice or just wait few more months until other players came out.
peterodda,
I think Belkin makes the battery pack that uses 4 AA batteries. The 4 AAs won't supply unlimited play time, but it's easier to get the AA when u can't get to an outlet.
doboy at 2007-11-15 14:29:35 >
# 14 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
doboy was the battery life on your zen noticeably better as in the 14 hours that creative claim for their zen with usb 2 or is this just bull? OR is it a case that at the end of the day the zen works out to be only half hour better battery than ipod. That i could live with !
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:30:41 >
# 15 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
The battery life is noticeably better on the Zen, but the unit is much bigger and heavier. Also Zen has longer standby time because it shuts off after 24 hrs on standby so it needs to boot up if not used within 24 hours of putting in standby, whereas the ipod is always on standby and drains battery constantly.
doboy at 2007-11-15 14:31:33 >
# 16 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
#### thats what i was afraid of hearing. I would prefer to trade weight and a bit more size for battery life. I think i will go and see if apple will sell me a refurb 20gig. if not, i guess the zen usb 2 with 14hours playback will do... but i HATE the screen on it... its so #### hard to make out whats stored on it. Are there any other players due out that are worth waiting for that would meet my requirements of good sound quality and battery life. I hope apple will release a firmware or something to relieve this. I really want an ipod!
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:32:38 >
# 17 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by i_wolf
#### thats what i was afraid of hearing. I would prefer to trade weight and a bit more size for battery life. I think i will go and see if apple will sell me a refurb 20gig. if not, i guess the zen usb 2 with 14hours playback will do... but i HATE the screen on it... its so #### hard to make out whats stored on it. Are there any other players due out that are worth waiting for that would meet my requirements of good sound quality and battery life. I hope apple will release a firmware or something to relieve this. I really want an ipod!
Ya, the screen is pretty small, but with the larger font, it's acceptable. There is a HD based Samsung player coming out soon (actually was suppose to be out already, but late) that has a built-in FM modulator for connecting to stereo systems, but only 10gb. Ck out the Cnet site.
The Archos movie/music player seems interesting.
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342420-8-20775862-1.html?tag=dir
doboy at 2007-11-15 14:33:35 >
# 18 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by i_wolf
thats what i was afraid of hearing. I would prefer to trade weight and a bit more size for battery life.
I am not sure I understand the problem. If you willing to trade size for battery life, just buy the external battery pack for the ipod. Although I doubt that many people will listen to more than 8hours of music at a pop without having an opportunity to recharge, each pack of 4 AA batteries adds about 12 hours. You get the best of both worlds: a pocket sized player for normal use and one that will play for days on end when your are trapped in a cave somewhere.
Frankly, I find it uncomfortable to listen to my ipod for 8 hours a day via headphones... and if I am playing through a car or home stereo, it is easy enough to plug in.
terry at 2007-11-15 14:34:43 >
# 19 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Halleluah! I just ordered the ipod.... and the extra battery pack. Il take the extra battery with me on fridays. Now i have the best jukebox / portable player in the world with the best battery playback (albeit with the battery pack (apple claim 20 hours !!! :O + 8 hours i get from li-ion internal batt.... = 28 hours!!!...il be one smilin mother~~~~~~ !!!!!))
THanks alot guys for all the friendly advice. Very good of y'all.
Now, i have ephpod downloaded and my pod is due to arrive on tuesday!
I might try MC9, but it doesn't seam as easy as the other two from what im gathering, here's hoping that itunes gets released quickly on pc.
Kind Regards,
i_wolf
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:35:42 >
# 20 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
Originally posted by i_wolf
Halleluah! I just ordered the ipod.... and the extra battery pack. Il take the extra battery with me on fridays. Now i have the best jukebox / portable player in the world with the best battery playback (albeit with the battery pack (apple claim 20 hours !!! :O + 8 hours i get from li-ion internal batt.... = 28 hours!!!...il be one smilin mother~~~~~~ !!!!!))
THanks alot guys for all the friendly advice. Very good of y'all.
Now, i have ephpod downloaded and my pod is due to arrive on tuesday!
I might try MC9, but it doesn't seam as easy as the other two from what im gathering, here's hoping that itunes gets released quickly on pc.
Kind Regards,
i_wolf
Congratulation on your expensive, but worthy purchase. U made the right decision. Be sure to let us know how well the battery pack performs.
doboy at 2007-11-15 14:36:44 >
# 21 Re: About to buy an ipod but now worried
#### straight i will. I have to wait 5 weeks for it. In the mean time i will just have to manage! ;)
According to someguy over at macrumors the battery pack actually gives closer to 19 hours on its own! but again that depends on battery type... use those super long life sony ones... and maybe 21 hours :O ... then you also have the advantage of already having 8 hours from the internal battery! 28 hours of excellent quality!
Can I ask you guys one last question, if i use ephpod, i dont have to install drivers for my ipod on a mates pc, if i want to upload using ephpod to his pc music files... ( i mix music the odd time at home)... also can i theoretically swap music with him (that we both own of cours ;) ) without needing any software installation other than ephpod??
i_wolf at 2007-11-15 14:37:39 >
