i pod or mp3 player (or is it the same)?

Question

what to look for?

how much?

can i load a cd to my computer then to ipod ? or do i need to upload it somewhere ..

anything ya'll can tell me about ipod would be fantastic :)
i really dont know much .. im looking for an easy way to handle music while out walking

Answer 1

iPods are the most popular portable digital music player (commonly called MP3 players because they all have the capability of playing the outdated MP3 format, even if they can also play a more advanced audio format). Depending on exactly what you're looking for, prices will range from under $50 for a bare-bones MP3-only player that will only hold the equivalent of a couple CDs at a time, to $350+ for high-end players that have enough capacity to rival many laptop computers (iPod has the highest capacity at 80GB, while a few comparable rivals top out at 60GB).

All MP3 players will allow you to rip the tracks from a store-bought CD into a compatible format, either through the free iTunes program (designed to be an effortless interface with the iPod lineup), Windows Media Player (the quasi-official program of most iPod rivals), or a few types of aftermarket music player software. The point is, if you already own a copy of the music, it's always possible to convert it for use on a portable player, in a format that uses a mere fraction of the amount of filespace that an original CD track uses (many low-end players couldn't even hold one the unmodified data from an original CD.

The three most common formats are:

MP3 - the oldest and only truly universal format, this is the single format that will play on any portable digital music player, but it tends to sound quite muffled in the high range.

WMA - Microsoft's answer to the problems with MP3, and used by many iPod rivals because it saves them the hassle of having to either develop their own format or interface software. Instead they can just let Windows Media Player serve that function with WMA compatibility.

AAC (M4A) - AAC is the audio format for Mpeg-4 files. As a standalone file, it will have the M4A file extension, and this is the default audio format of the entire iPod lineup. M4A files downloaded from the iTune store will have built-in Digital Rights Management that will allow you to use your licensed copy on up to five computers and/or iPods at the same time, but is intended to prevent you from handing out a free copy of your purchased music to every person you bump into on the street or posting it for free download to everyone who happens by your personal webpage.

Every player has a different set of features, but most of them (such as the ability to transmit stored music on a low-power FM signal, video capability, video games, or the ability to share temporary copies of your music with friends) really don't seem like they'd be worth paying extra for. Neither do large-capacity players, which tend to be at least as heavy as a portable casette player and about as big as a loose casette tape, and also use regular hard-drives which are less forgiving of jarring impact (walking is okay, and probably speed-walking as well, but jogging is best avoided with these). You'll probably want to get a reasonably-priced, light-weight, small capacity (1-4GB) player that uses flash memory. In the iPod family, the Shuffle is perfectly suited to your needs. It retails at $80, which is actually on the low end of the price spectrum, considering it gives you a full 1GB capacity instead of only 1/2 or 1/4 that amount. At 1GB, it has enough storage for about 240 songs using the default format, so unless you plan to walk upwards of 16 hours a day, you can play it straight through without hearing the same song twice. And most importantly, it's about the same size as a standard keychain used for automatic car doors, and lightweight enough that you'll barely notice it, especially if you've got it clipped to your clothing with the built-in clip. There's no need to buy any accessories at all. The Nano is also an option that I'd suggest, but the price goes up quite a bit ($150-250 for 2-8GB capacity), the size roughly doubles, and you'll either have to hold it in your hand, tuck it into a pocket, or buy some sort of case that either clips or straps to some part of you or your clothing.

Answer 2

An iPod is an mp3 player. So, you're looking for an mp3 player. Don't buy an iPod. Buy a mp3 player from either Sansa or Creative. The mp3 players they make have more features than an iPod and cost WAY less.

With mp3 players from Sansa, Creative, and Apple, you can transfer music from CDs to Computer to mp3 player. The best part about this with mp3 players from Sansa and Creative is that you can transfer or "rip" songs from your CDs to your computer into WMA format using Windows Media Player. This format makes the song half the size of what it would be if it were an mp3. The mp3 players from Sansa and Creative can play WMAs too, iPods can't. So a 1GB mp3 player from Sansa or Creative will be able to hold twice the amount of songs than a 1GB iPod.

They'll also already come with a holster or a case. With an iPod you'll have to buy it separately for about $10-$20. Probably around $20.

Mp3 players from Sansa and Creative also have radios and microphones.

IPods have been known to have many problems like not turning on, a screen that always gets scratched, turning off by itself, etc.

Answer 3

I got an ipod nano and it was about $189. I really liked the nano. Mp3's are not that different from ipods. ipods may have more options. You can load a cd to your computer and then your ipod. You can also download songs from "limewire" [free] or the "apple store" [you have to pay] and then transfer them to your ipod. Ipods are really easy to handle during your walk. There's even a timer, clock, schedule thing, games, etc. :]

Answer 4

yes u can download a cd to your computer and then to ur ipod. thats how it works. for an ipod you will need to download itunes! Ipod and mp3's are different. they use different formats. mp3 of course uses a mp3. an ipod uses a better sounding version...AAC. or mp4. you can only download music to an ipod with itunes though. but with an mp3 u can download from windows media player, roxio, rhapsody, realplayer. they all use mp3 formats. Ipods has restrictions like that, but i think it sounds better. its all preference though. email me if u want to know anything more [e-mail]

Answer 5

The iPod is a very conformist device, but it does have its ups... Like the better sound quality along with the 30 something Equalizer presets that allow you to make your music sound even better. Also the headphones you get with your iPod have much better acoustics and speaker settings than any other ive seen that come standard.