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What to do now my iPod Nano has died
Cheeky_Chappie
18-03-2008
I think my iPod Nano has breathed its last, so it's time to find out what I can find as its replacement.

I'm thinking of moving away from Apple, as I've never been that fussed with the sound quality (no user-definable EQ) and other, cheaper, units appear to offer more for less.

A brief flick through the forum shows up the Samsung YP-P2 and a Sony NWZA818.

To be honest, I'm more taken by the Samsung at the moment, but I'm keeping an open mind at this stage.

One thing that I'm worried about is what to do with the music I already have on my PC at home imported using iTunes (I haven't bought anything from there except a couple of Audiobooks - Ricky Gervais things).

Can I just use the same files and copy them across to, say, the Samsung? Or am I going to have to rip them all again?

And what about Podcasts? I do listen to a few, and would like to continue to do so. I know most podcasts are available from places other than iTunes, but what about the older ones? Again, is it a case of copying them across to the new unit?

Grateful for any guidance here!
wavy-davy
18-03-2008
I've just bought the Sony and it's absolutely superb in terms of ease of use and sound quality.

I think to transfer your music you would have to burn the music to CD and then rip it back to your hard drive as MP3's
sancheeez
18-03-2008
Originally Posted by wavy-davy:
“I think to transfer your music you would have to burn the music to CD and then rip it back to your hard drive as MP3's”

Would that not depend how he'd encoded them?

If they're MP3 they should just go straight onto a new player. If they're AAC, might need to re-rip .... unless the new player supports AAC.

If it's stuff you've ripped yourself iTunes doesn't apply DRM to it does it? I hope not ......

(PS .... of the two listed, I'd go for the Sony. It's been getting some very good writeups ...)
bwoodhouse
18-03-2008
Originally Posted by sancheeez:
“If it's stuff you've ripped yourself iTunes doesn't apply DRM to it does it? I hope not ......”

No it doesn't - DRM only applied to music purchased from the iTunes Store (unless it's iTunes Plus music which is also DRM-free)

I haven't looked at the Sony that you linked to but Sony only recently started supporting formats other than their own proprietary ATRAC format so it's important that you check which format your music is in and that your new player can play it.

Also the Sony Soundstage software has a reputation for being buggy and unreliable - this may come as quite a shock after iTunes. I agree that other non-apple players look cheap but if the software that comes with them makes them almost unsuable and/or annoying to use then why not stick with what you know?
CoolboyA
18-03-2008
I would go for the P2.

It has features the Sony doesn't and although it is about £30 dearer for the 8GB version it is well worth it.

It is much more costomisable (menus system, backgrounds etc). Samsung are bringing updates out for it all the time (Last one included games and more new features). The P2 also has Bluetooth so you can send and receive files from a mobile and you can even answer your calls on it. You can also you wireless headphones with it.

The P2 also handles Podcasts (Datacasts they call them) and it does so very well.

As for transferring your music: You can just use drag and drop It also supports DRM music

My friend had the Sony and has had nothing but problems with it and says the software is rubbish. He now has a Nano.

http://pages.samsung.com/us/p2/index.html
http://chipchick.com/2007/11/samsung_p2_review_.html

It is only really criticised for its touch screen, but since these reviews a new firmware upgrade has come out and sorted this. Its top praise is sound quality - Much better than any Apple product.

But, at the end of the day it is up to you - I know which one i am going for
bwoodhouse
18-03-2008
Originally Posted by CoolboyA:
“It also supports DRM music ”

It's important to note that this is only Windows DRM (such as Napster etc) and NOT iTunes DRM (nothing but iPod/Apple TV supports iTunes DRM)
sancheeez
18-03-2008
Originally Posted by bwoodhouse:
“Also the Sony Soundstage software has a reputation for being buggy and unreliable - this may come as quite a shock after iTunes. I agree that other non-apple players look cheap but if the software that comes with them makes them almost unsuable and/or annoying to use then why not stick with what you know?”

Sony finally saw the light and got rid of SonicStage (a truly awful piece of software).

The one the OP linked to does not require any software to transfer file. You can just drag and drop or use something like MediaMonkey, WMP or WinAmp if you prefer to use syncing software.

As a result, it's more truly portable than any iPod. You want to play music on an iPod then you have to put it there through some sort of syncing software.

Just look at the reviews the Sony attracts on the Amazon site. You don't get such a high proportion of positive reviews if it's a bad player ....

I should add, I don't own one (the Sony player) but, if I was in the market for a player at this price point, the Sony would be right up at the top of my list.
Cheeky_Chappie
19-03-2008
Many thanks for all the advice.

I had a look at the files this morning and saw that all the stuff I've ripped from my own CDs into iTunes is in the (I'm assuming Apple's) AAC format, whereas the podcasts are generally MP3s.

So it looks like I'll have to re-rip all my CDs (if I went for the Samsung), but the podcasts should port across ok. Annoying, but do-able.

I'm still verging more on the Samsung...
Alex Duggan
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by Cheeky_Chappie:
“So it looks like I'll have to re-rip all my CDs (if I went for the Samsung), but the podcasts should port across ok. Annoying, but do-able.”

You can convert from AAC to MP3 from within iTunes - is no need to re-rip from CD's
sancheeez
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by Alex Duggan:
“You can convert from AAC to MP3 from within iTunes - is no need to re-rip from CD's”

Which is a lossy to lossy conversion and will result in a lower quality file.

If you're going to have to convert them anyway, you might as well do it properly, re-rip from the original CD's, and end up with the best quality end file.
Cheeky_Chappie
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by Alex Duggan:
“You can convert from AAC to MP3 from within iTunes - is no need to re-rip from CD's”

Handy to know for the future.
Thanks for that.

As it happens, I tried doing a proper reset on my iPod Nano earlier on (after finding out how to on the Apple website) and it seems to have sprung back into life! I wasn't expecting it to work, as it wouldn't even respond to a power supply being attached before the reset, let alone had any screen activity.

I must admit to being a bit gutted that it's working! This would have been the perfect excuse to get a new player. Sadly, I can't really justify the cost of buying a new unit just because I fancy one...

Oh well...maybe another time.

Thanks again everyone for your input.

Rhyan
CoolboyA
19-03-2008
For anyone wondering the Samsung P2 now supports AAC thanks to an update.

Aww, you missed out on getting a great player there... Stupid iPod
Cheeky_Chappie
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by CoolboyA:
“For anyone wondering the Samsung P2 now supports AAC thanks to an update.

Aww, you missed out on getting a great player there... Stupid iPod ”

Double gutted!

Maybe I should flog the Nano to someone and then get the Samsung

Or maybe the Nano will suffer an unfortunate accident at some point around my birthday
CoolboyA
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by Cheeky_Chappie:
“Double gutted!

Maybe I should flog the Nano to someone and then get the Samsung

Or maybe the Nano will suffer an unfortunate accident at some point around my birthday ”

Hahah, the last Bluewave update gave it AAC support as well as touch screen improvements and visual features. The 3rd Bluewave update is due out in about 2 weeks. This one is being compiled of things the public want (The most popular 4 things as well as software updates, added Samsung things etc).

It is a great time to be getting the P2 - Just "accidentaly" destroy the iPod, or you could just sell it (You'd get about £55).
Cheeky_Chappie
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by CoolboyA:
“It is a great time to be getting the P2 - Just "accidentaly" destroy the iPod, or you could just sell it (You'd get about £55).”

£55? Even for a 1st generation 4GB Nano? (It is in good nick - even still has the screen protector on it!)

I'll check out ebay at some point...I'm seriously tempted with the P2 now!
CoolboyA
19-03-2008
Originally Posted by Cheeky_Chappie:
“£55? Even for a 1st generation 4GB Nano? (It is in good nick - even still has the screen protector on it!)

I'll check out ebay at some point...I'm seriously tempted with the P2 now!”

Oh, i thought you meant a new one. You won't get much for an older one, but some folk might pay a bit for it as they are discontinued now and are "special".

I have been hooked on the P2 since last week but can't get it until next week! Aghhh....
CoolboyA
20-03-2008
Unfortunately Amazon.co.uk have put the price up to £130.

I thought it being cheaper here than in the US wouldn't last long...

I am still buying it though... £10 more or not.
Sprogg
24-03-2008
Originally Posted by CoolboyA:
“Oh, i thought you meant a new one. You won't get much for an older one, but some folk might pay a bit for it as they are discontinued now and are "special".

I have been hooked on the P2 since last week but can't get it until next week! Aghhh....”

I sold my old 2G Product Red nano for £60 im January plus postage so its worth selling if you can.
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