[HiFiRE]

The anti-ipod criticisms have left me a little confused. Let's settle the score once and for all. I'll update the original post of this thread with the pros and cons that you contribute in this thread. Maybe if this turns out well we could do the same for other DAP's as well. For the purpose of this thread let's focus on the current generation of hard drive based iPods. Please keep the pros and cons focused on technical and objective aspects of the DAP, this means it's popularity and (over)exposure will be ignored. Now, I've never owned an iPod so I won't add any claims, positive or negative. Let the truth be known!

[size=small]Pros:[/size]

1. Gapless Playback (disputed?)
2. Search Function
3. Lossless Support (ALAC, Wav, AIFF)
4. Large Storage Capacity (80GB)
5. Many Accessories (Including Lineout)
6. Smart Playlist
7. Pause on Headphone Unplug
8. Functions as an External HD
9. User-configurable maximum volume limit (US Only?)
10. Windows and Mac Support
11. Podcast Support
12. PIM functions (Calender, Notes, Contacts)
13. Games (Free and for Purchase)

[size=small]Cons:[/size]

1. 2.5-inch screen
2. 65,000 colors
3. No support for Open Source codecs (FLAC, OGG).
4. Little to no customization for interface.
5. No customizable EQ.
6. Non-replaceable battery

[size=small]Unique Features:[/size]

1. Click Wheel

[size=small]Misconceptions:[/size]

1. Must use iTunes
   1. Alternatives:
      1. Native Winamp Support
      2. Anapod
      3. Ephpod

[size=small]Rockbox Support:[/size]

1. Varies

 

[Digitalbath3737]

Pros:
Gapless
Search Function
Lossless support (ALAC, Wav, AIFF)
80gb model
Wide 3rd party support
When you pull the plug out of the jack the player automatically pauses (I just think that's so cool)
Smart playlist
External HD
20 hours for music (80gb)
6.5 hours for video (80gb)
User-configurable maximum volume limit (atleast for the US)
Supported on both Windows and Macs
Podcast Support
PIM functions (calender, notes, contacts)
Games: Come pre loaded (Solitare, Parachute, Music game) and others or available for sale on Apples site

Cons:
2.5-inch screen (viewing video) and only 65,000 colors (most other DAPs have better screens)
Only 3.5 hours for Video (30gb)
No support for Open source codecs (FLAC, OGG) atleast not out the box
Little to no customization for interface
No customizable eq

 

[Echopac]

Great line out capability.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

it scrathes easily. battery degrades a bit more than other players.

however, overall, it's a great player. less expensive than others with its harddrive capacity, overall a great shape and navigation for music, and definitely the most accessories and support. IIRC, rockbox support is being developed for it!

 

[HiFiRE]

Thanks for the input. Regarding scratches and battery life, is it any more prone to degrading batteries or scratches than most other players?

 

[EFN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echopac /img/forum/go_quote.gif Great line out capability.

X2, iPod sounds great from lineout through amp. very clean

 

[waterfrontmgmt]

Pro's

CLICK WHEEL

Cons

With the above...none that matter to me.

I wasted a lot of money on other players...once i got an ipod and got used to a click wheel, i could not go back to anything else. just tried the zune...not for me...

the more songs you have on an ipod, the more you appreciate the click wheel. i use mine for listening to music, so i could care less about what the screen LOOKS like. lossless rocks and with an amp i don't need any additional eq..at least outside of the presets.

one other MAJOR pro for me is that my kids use ipods too. all the music is on my hard drives. we can swap, share..etc. and i have an aux built into my car console, so my kids can get in and plug their own ipods in and listen to their music in my car. that's not always good for me...but it is a great bonding tool...me rocking out to their tunes

 

[m_memmory]

Just to offer up info on the ? queries.

I have a 5.5G iPod and gapless works flawlessly on it.
I also have a European iPod and the volume limiter works on this one as well.

 

[Digitalbath3737]

Con:
Lack of intergrated FM tuner (important to some, but not all)

Oh and for alternative to iTunes foobar also has a plug in that'll allow syncing to the iPod.

 

[MartinJ]

World wide warranty ^^

 

[zip22]

media monkey is another program with native support.

 

[ozshadow]

Pros: Can be Rockboxed, which adds an EQ and better interface without using iTunes.

 

[Chef Medeski]

Are there any other players that are supported for mac?

 

[PouncePony]

Pros:
Small form factor for HD player - very thin
Light weight
Click wheel when used with RockBox
Good line out
Millions of accessories available

Cons:
Headphone line quality subpar even with RockBox
Line out requires dock connector (but typical for the field)

 

[terrymx]

none of those cons even effect me i dont even see them as cons.

2.5-inch screen: good enough for me, more portable better.
65,000 colors: who cares, its portable good enough, i see the screen before its smooth.
No support for Open Source codecs (FLAC, OGG): flac is big and sucks battery life, ogg sucks battery life. its not widely supported.
Little to no customization for interface: who cares
No customizable EQ: i dont use eq, good recording and headphone is good enough
Non-replaceable battery: actaully it can if you open it up.

so therefor i declare ipod is the best player in the entire world! i'm going to the store and buy another ipod right now.

--
its just a good music player, and sound excellent with a lineout, it's simple not a feature filled palyer. dont have to dissect the crap out of it. buy or no buy.

the only thing that is keeping me from buying that ipod 60gb video is the fact that it doesnt play divx. when that is done, i'm definitely buying it.