Some questions from a new iPod user
I just ordered a 10 GB iPod. This is my first portable MP3 player. While the model will work for both Macs and Windows PCs, I intend to use it exclusively with windows XP. I have a few questions for anyone who can help. Any help will be most apreciated.
I plan to connect the iPod to my home stereo system. Do I need the dock in order to do this?
When I learned that the iPod came with Musicmatch, I downloaded the basic version of it and started ripping all of my CDs into MP3s at a bitrate of 320 KBPS. Musicmatch seems fine for ripping, but I have heard from a veriety of people that it doesn't make great MP3s. The songs sound fine on my computer, but will they sound worse on my iPod? If so, what would you suggest doing? I'd rather not pay extra just to be able to rip my music, but I also would like something that sounds good on my iPod. I have also heard that Musicmatch is difficult to use with the iPod. It seems to work fine for ripping music, but I haven't used it for anything else, so any info would be apreciated. Again, I'd rather not shell out another $50 just to be able to transfer files, but I also want something that's easy to use.
Also, I've heard complaints about the AC adapter frying the iPod. Have any of you had this problem? Should I think about getting the battery pack that'll let me use regular AA batteries?
Lastly, I intend to use my iPod while working out. What's the best way to keep it undamaged. The case from apple says it only clips to a belt or a backpack, but that doesn't really solve my problem. Is there a way to velcrow it around your rist or a strap that'll go around a shoulder?
Thanks for any info you can give me.
[1776 byte] By [
esb9588] at [2007-11-9 12:25:21]
# 1 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
i can answer one and a half of your questions:
to hook up to my hifi i use the aux connections and a splitter cable that plugs into the 3.5mm jack on the ipod....very cheap and no need for a dock.
As for the strap or support whilst working out, i recently saw a post on this forum of a kind of 'bum bag' that goes round your waist, but i cant find it now!
Hope this little bit helps.
# 2 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
I've never heard of any complaints from people using the AC adapter.
For ripping I use EAC at http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/ and Lame 3.92. I've heard that EAC is possibly now including Lame 3.93 with it, so you will need to replace it with 3.92 which is located at http://freshmeat.net/releases/85937/. I use --alt-preset extreme which encodes at a vbr of around 256kps which works great.
For syncing you should use ephPOD which is located at http://www.ephpod.com/.
The total costs of the above will set you back about nothing. LoL!
Bill McNair
# 3 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
Thanks for the info, but where is the link to download EAC on their sight? Also, why would I want to replace Lame 3.93 with Lame 3.92?
# 4 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
i use CDex for ripping off of cds and ephpod. didnt even both with musicmatch after reading all the problems associated with it (it actually almost scared me out of the purchase). i have not had ANY problems with my pod (knock on wood) and hope that i dont have any in the future
bb_dg at 2007-11-15 17:09:37 >
# 5 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
There is a download button on the left menu that takes you to the page where you can download it. You want 3.92 because it handles the -alt-presets and is considered to be a better encoder than LAME 3.93. From what I understand the person who developed LAME left after 3.92 and there seemed to be some problems, or at least I had some problems, with 3.93.
# 6 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
--alt-preset standard rocks!
file sizes arent toooo big, and the quality kicks butt. Extreme @ 256 ABR is a bit much for me sinc emy collection is quite large and i only have 10gb.
# 7 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
Thanks for the info, guys. Sorry for not looking hard enough at the EAC websight. I downloaded EAC and LAME 3.93 (this was before I read your second reply), and I haven't had any problems. I instaled it and am now about to uninstal Musicmatch and start re-ripping all my CDs. My music colection isn't huge, so I like to use 320 KBPS for the best quality. I'll download 3.92 if I have any problems.
I tried using CDex once, but I didn't like how it couldn't look up my CDs on the internet for me, since labeling them all was a chore.
Again, thanks for all the info.
# 8 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
Well, at extreme I can get about 1500 songs onto my 10gb iPod which may not be alot to some, but if more than enough to me, plus, I really can hear a difference with the Grado headphones and my homemade amp.
Bill McNair
# 9 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
I use insane.
# 10 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
Originally posted by esb9588
I tried using CDex once, but I didn't like how it couldn't look up my CDs on the internet for me, since labeling them all was a chore.
You don't know how to use it then, because CDex DOES read from a remote CDDB. freedb.org to be exact.
# 11 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
That doesn't matter now, since I'm using LAME and EAC. However, would you mind telling me how to opperate CDex so it uses Freedb?
# 12 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
CDex Version 1.40
Load CD into drive
Hit the button that says 'CDDB' on it. It's above the Setup button.
# 13 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
If I were you I'd download Media Center 9. You get a thirty day trial...which should suffice for your ripping needs. You might end up forking out the forty dollars because this program is superior to all others in my opinion. It is by far the fastest in transferring to the ipod.
# 14 Re: Some questions from a new iPod user
I'll think about trying it.
