iPod 40GB

jerry0davis

I thinking of buying an Apple 4th Generation iPod 40GB[^]. Does anyone have any experiences of one? At least now it plays WMA and MP3 files.

I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jerry Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.uk

Chris Maunder

Just think - if only the bits were perpendicular[^] it'd be a 400Gb iPod! (ow - my brain started hurting again) cheers, Chris Maunder

Lost User

I have a 3rg Generation 20bg model and I love it. When I got mine the 40gb was available but quite a bit thicker than the 20. I have about 2500 songs and about 1.5 gb free space. There are a few things about it that could be better but I have had a really good experiance with it. If I lost it I would go and buy another one straight away.

jerry0davis

It's quite hard to get a 40GB model now, as the iPod photo is being pushed. I may go for the 30GB iPod Photo, and just not use it for photos! :rolleyes:

I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jerry Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.uk

Lost User

I got a 20GB version for Christmas (thanks wife!) and it's fantastic. I wasn't sure about iTunes at first - WMP10 is a much better player IMHO - but for managing your songs, playlists, etc. it's perfectly adequate. However, you may want to check out Anapod Explorer[^], as it integrates your iPod in Windows Explorer, allowing you to, for example, copy files from your iPod to your PC (which iTunes doesn't allow). Now, people will tell you the battery life is pants and that rival players are better in this department. However, having used other players (Zen, MuVo, Archos, etc.) NOTHING beats the iPod in terms of usability - the scroll-wheel is an absolute marvel - this, coupled with the excellent iTMS, does it for me. I have done some extensive battery tests and found that, as you'd expect, the larger the song files, the more disk access there is and this does affect battery life. For example, if you're playing 320Kbps MP3s, then you'll be lucky to get 6 hours, but using a lower bitrate makes a BIG difference. I did a test with a playlist just consisting of 128/160Kbps files and got nearly 12 hours. Swings and roundabouts. In practise, I personally don't find the battery life an issue - I listen to my iPod at work and when I get home I stick it in the dock (a birthday present, thanks again wife!) and let it charge overnight. There is an excellent battery FAQ on the superb iPod Lounge[^] site. My entire music collection is in MP3 format, so no problems - but many music stores offer content as protected WMA, which won't play on an iPod. Not an issue for me, but it might be for some. I have made quite a few purchases from iTMS and haven't had any major problems (I did have a corrupt song once and Apple sorted the problem very quickly - their support forums are very good). Some people moan about the quality of the 128Kbps AAC format they use, but this is, depending on who you listen to, as good as 160/192Kbps MP3, which is fine for my needs. A true audiophile would have issues with this I'm sure. Of course, there is nothing to stop you buying CDs as normal and ripping them at whatever quality level suits. Purchases from iTMS will be protected with the FairPlay DRM - and as DRM goes, it's pretty flexible. You can authorise 5 diffe

Christian Graus

I have a 30 gig colour - I recommend getting a colour one for sure. Christian I have several lifelong friends that are New Yorkers but I have always gravitated toward the weirdo's. - Richard Stringer

jerry0davis

Yep, that's the one I'm thinking of getting. I've searched the internet for the best price and the cheapest one I can find is from a local shop as I don't have to pay postage!! Incidentally, why the colour one? Simply as it's the latest model?

I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jerry Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.uk

Maximilien

yes, go for it, very nice little gadget. don't let them tell you iTunes is not good, it works very well, and does a good ( better ) job at handling the iPod, and it's free.

Maximilien Lincourt Your Head A Splode - Strong Bad

Stuart Dootson

Jeremy Davis wrote: now it plays WMA ... files Out of interest...where have you seen something that says that? On the Apple website, it implies you have to convert WMA to something else (but that iTunes will do that for you). And on this page[^], it lists the following as supported audio formats: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF (Yes, all my music is ripped in WMA format :-) but I'm quite happy with my 60Gb Creative Zen Xtra). Stuart Dootson 'Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p'

jerry0davis

Correct, I was mistaken! :-O

I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jerry Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.uk

El Corazon

I have an iPod 4G, 40Gb purchased months before the photo was released. I bought it, not surprisingly, with the photo addon (blame me and others like me for apple releaseing the photo for those who don't like it). For me it is a 20gig iPod and 20gig file storage and photo wallet. I can't view the pictures like the iPhoto, but that was not what I intended (I can use the camera to view pictures as I take them). This allows me large photo downloads to the iPod during trips, so I can keep taking pictures (did this last august on trip to Yosemite, as well as providing iPod to FM in the middle of no-where -- like death valley). I have never regretted my decision to buy the 40g model even though my entire music collection fits in just over 13g still. I will agree with the battery vs song size, I keep most of mine at 320 as I can actually hear the difference in wooden flute sounds when compressed lower. I don't find it necessary to go to Apple lossless format as some I know have. All my collection was in CD form, so WMA/MP3 vs any other didn't really apply to me. I am glad they have expanded to allow more formats for others though. I think the best review is getting all the "5 ratings" above, so I won't say much more, other than if there is anything specific you want to know that hasn't been addressed, I am sure I or someone else can answer it. My iPod is used in Windows format Photo attachment (Belkin media reader) FM transmitter (Belkin tunecast, I hear others are better, they were not available before my vacation last august) iPod sportsuit (still got scratched, but then Monument Valley sand got in EVERYTHING including my camera) I think I would prefer a better FM transmitter, this one suffices except when I passed through Los Angeles. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

Brigg Thorp

My wonderful wife got me a 20 Gb 4th gen version for Christmas (thanks hon!). I love it. The click wheel is a very simple yet efficient way to move through your songs. However, it gets a little tedious if you have a lot of different artists. I think I have to make about 30 revolutions to get from the A's to the Z's. But with any player, the more music you have, the more of a pain in the arse it will be to move around. One thing I must mention. I use mine while running on the treadmill. I would say maybe 3 out of 5 times per week, the player will get stuck in a song, with no way to get out of it short of resetting the device (which you can do by holding the select and menu buttons at the same time for the 4th gen units). This really irritates me. I don't think they put enough ESD protection on their PC board, because if I go on a bike, or run outside, I don't have this problem. Besides the above, I think that it is definitely worth it. Investigate getting it mounted in your car (either FM, cassette adapter, or direct connection such as Alpine or BMW). Having all those songs on the road is great. Regards, Brigg Thorp Senior Software Engineer Timex Corporation

Christian Graus

No, because you can use it for photos as well. Christian I have several lifelong friends that are New Yorkers but I have always gravitated toward the weirdo's. - Richard Stringer