IPOD...One shiny Apple!
Written: Jan 11 '03
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Pros: All that Music!
Cons: Flimsy Fire Wire door, Pricey
The Bottom Line: This is one product that will spoil you and force a replacement if lost or stolen. The APPLE IPOD is a winner!
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| lllopez's Full Review: Apple iPod (20 GB, PC - M8741LL/A) MP3 Player |
Apple has done it again, With the introduction of their IPOD MP3 portable player, taking the popular MP3 technology to a higher plane and appeasing the technologically insatiable with amazing capacities, which literally make is possible to carry all of your music with you in your shirt pocket! Available in 5, 10 & 20 GB models, the Apple IPOD is available for use on both Apple and PC platforms. Transfers are blazingly fast via Fire Wire (ILINK, IEEE1394) connections, making it possible to download entire un- converted Cd’s in about 10 seconds!
The IPOD also doubles as a Scheduler, Clock, Alarm, and Calendar and address book interfacing easily with Palm & Entourage. I have yet to download audio books but look forward to that, and will report back with an update on that feature.
INCLUDED
· Included in the stylish packaging you will find (all models)
· Windows installation cd (all models)
· 6 pin to 4 pin FIREWIRE adapter (all PC models)
· Ear-bud headphones incorporating 18mm drivers and frequency response of 20- 20,000Hz (all models)
· Remote control support (5 GB model)
· Remote Control (10 & 20GB models) Clip on wired with one-handed fast forward, rewind, play, pause and volume adjust.
· Carry Case (10 & 20GB models) with belt clip
· AC adapter (10 & 20GB models)
· Rechargeable 1200mAh Lithium polymer battery for up to 10 hours continuous use (all models) IPOD charges when connected to Fire Wire port. Recharging times = 1 hour 80%/ full charge 3 hours
INSTALLATION
To get started you need to load the Windows software, which will load MUSICMATCH Jukebox 7 onto your computer making MP3 transfers automatically from your play lists when connected to your Fire Wire port. You can also opt to make those downloads manually. Windows platforms supported include Windows ME, XP Home/Professional, 2000, Home/Professional. PC requirements are 300 MHz or higher, 96 RAM, 128 for Windows XP.
PHYSICAL
The award winning design of the Apple IPOD is well deserved. At 7.2 oz. It is difficult to fathom the awesome capabilities of this little instrument that can literally fit in the palm of your hand. All models spec out slightly different weight and dimension but appear equal at a glance.
The simplified packaging is unique as the box opens, book-like to reveal the IPOD
Included accessories and manuals
OPERATION / FEATURES
Starting IPOD is as simple as pressing any button. You can disable this function by engaging the Hold switch to prevent unintended play of the IPOD. The IPOD will turn off automatically though if inactive for 2 minutes to save the battery. Using the scroll wheel, you can quickly navigate IPOD’s onscreen menus to get to any of your saved MP3 titles simply, as your music is catalogued by artist, album or alphabetical in order. You can play an entire album, if you choose, simply by selecting the artist and album folder and selecting it.
Among the customizable user settings it is possible to engage and adjust the following user settings:
· Shuffle Play
· Repeat one or all tracks
· Sound Check one or all tracks
· Equalizer on/off 20 presets
· Backlight timer
· Display Contrast
· Alarms On/Off/Silent
· Sleep Timer
· Date/Time
· Contact sort, display via first or last name
· Clicker on/off
· Language English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch Danish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
Once playing, you can adjust the volume by using the multifunction scroll wheel. Capacities for the 5 GB model are approximately 1000 songs and 2000 songs for the 10GB model. The 20GB model is capable of saving approximately 4000 songs @ 160kbps compression (approximately 400 cd’s) or a startling 5200 (520 cd’s) at 128kbps compression.
Among some of the Audio features the Apple IPOD offers:
· 20 minutes of skip protection
· 60 mW output power, 30 mW (milliwatt = to 1/1000 watt) per channel
· Frequency response 20- 20,000Hz
· Supports MP3 320kbps sec/variable bit rate
· Upgradeable firmware for future formats
In addition, you can keep track of appointments, birthdays and special events as the IPOD can double as a scheduler calendar and telephone/email contact directory. IPODs digital clock can keep you abreast of the time as you delve into the voluminous drive. Simplified address import from Palm Desktop, Microsoft Outlook and Eudora is supported.
PRACTICAL
Consider the drive space at 20 GB. Keep in mind the Operating System will occupy approximately 1.5 Gb leaving 18.5 for downloads; a considerable amount to be sure. I wanted to maximize that capacity and try to get as much loaded into the IPOD as possible so I chose to make my entire entries MP3 format. The difference being a WAV file will occupy between 35-50 MB whereas a MP3 takes up only 1.75 – 3 MB. You can see where I am headed with this. To complete the process you need to spend a little time converting your cd’s to Wav format. This is easily done with any number of freeware converters such as DC DA Xtractor. Of note here, not many extractors will read embedded text files, so you will have to enter content data i.e. names, artists to the file. Once ripped, you now take it to your Music Match software and convert them into MP3’s and they are ready to be dragged into the upload file, which will quickly upload all your Mp3’s contained into your IPOD. How long does it take? As a reference my last session resulted in a 519 MB (MP3’s) upload in just over 5 minutes. That was over 173 MP3 titles equivalent to 11 cd’s! Currently I have downloaded over 700 songs with still under 4 GB used.
While uploading, if you put your ear up to the IPOD you will hear the drive at work and feel a bit of warmth coming form this little wonder. Very cute! You can watch your progress on a moving taskbar, and always be informed of where you sit in the process. You will be cautioned not to disconnect your Fire Wire during uploads from Music Match or risk losing data. Connecting the unit to your computer essentially makes it a peripheral drive and it processes under the same constraints and rules of engagement as any other peripheral does. You will need to essentially log the IPOD off your computer, which is ridiculously easy. The IPOD will comply by using a caution Symbol and checkmark to confirm connectivity status. FYI Since you are dealing with a hard drive here, you really have to pay attention to all the cautions you would a computer, not the least of which is backing up your data. I found storing my MP3 files on empty CDR/W the best solution for cleaning the drive and quick uploads later.
The remote is a handy little feature, making the IPOD a very casual operator. The clipped remote can perform a number of necessary functions. Besides being attractive, the remote is an instrumental component of the IPOD experience. Atop the remote is a mini plug that will double as an audio output to connect to your stereo, PA system (with a Y mini to RCA cable) or car with appropriate conversion cable.
The Hold control is located atop the unit as well along with the Fire Wire door cover. This cover is my only complaint, as it is flimsy, by comparison to the exemplary construction of the unit. Apple apparently recognizes this and offers to replace the door, free of charge, if needed.
The top control is toggled and engages (l-r) Reverse Stop & Forward as well as navigation through menus. The center controls forward and reverse track and the bottom controls engage play and Pause functions.
The truly remarkable issue here is that I have charged the battery 1 time only for 1 hour since Christmas. I have downloaded all this music, played it for about 4 hours and have had it on for about another hour and a half, just noodling with it during downloads and it is still charged! Documentation indicates a 10-hour battery capacity. Is it possible I did all this within 10 hours? Apparently so!
The ear buds are better than average, but I found they sounded muffled when I plugged in a set of Sennheisers. Moral..experiment
CONCLUSION
Choosing the Apple IPOD was easy. It is far more convenient and user friendly than other MP3 players on the market such as the Creative Lab Nomad. Price is an issue, but from all that I have read before bobbing for this Apple, it offers the best user interface and it’s simplified controls and convenient size make it simple to carry around, along with your cell phone and PDA.
The ability to carry around all your best music is such a luxury and spoils you quickly. I have yet to pick up the Discman, and don’t see any reason to in the future. The Apple IPOD is here to stay.
The Apple website, www.apple.com would be a handy resource for additional information. FYI I am aware of the repair costs of the IPOD, and just as fair warning, they are considerable. A fall can cost you upwards to $250.00. I purchased an extended warranty for $60.00 that will cover the unit, replacement and all, for 5 full years. You be the judge.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499.00
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