iPod vs. Sansa

[[AK]The Beast]

OK, so I'm flush with cash due to generous birthday/Christmas presents from family, and my MP3 player is in dire need of an upgrade (my 2GB Insignia has a nonfunctioning FF button, and you have to stick the blade of a flathead screwdriver into it and touch the contacts to turn up the volume.)

I'm torn between the 8GB SanDisk Sansa and the 4GB iPod Nano--they're both on sale for the same price this week. They both play video, they both have a "jog dial" function that'll save my fast forward button (I listen to talk show podcasts and often skip over big chunks). All else being equal, I'd choose the 8GB model,m but I have two big question categories:

1. Does anyone else have a Sansa? Have you ever hooked it up to a Mac if you do? About once every 3 times I hook up my other players to my iBook, its memory will be wiped when I disconnect it (after dismounting it properly).

2. For you iPod owners, can I drag and drop MP3 files to it? Or is iTunes the only way to get files onto an iPod? Do the new video iPods support DivX? How about Xvid?

Thanks for any insights.

[[AK]Swae]

Based on your specific questions, I can tell I'm probably not the best person to answer this, but my 2 cents anyway...

Kidd got me a 4GB iPod Nano for Christmas, and I absolutely love it. Keep in mind, this is my FIRST mp3 player ever. I had no clue how to use itunes, etc. But I plugged it in and itunes found every song on my computer and stuck them on my ipod, along with a few videos I had downloaded. I found the whole process quite easy.

This article might help you out..it appears that you must use iTunes for music and video. As far as I know, no third-party software has been developed to bypass itunes for the Nano. But, since it exists for previous generation ipods, chances are one will eventually pop up for the nano.

Have fun shopping!

[[AK]Azalyn]

I had a different Mp3 player before my Ipod, and all I can say is that Itunes makes it so easy, i'll never go back to any other mp3 player. Ipod's mostly require Itunes yes, but it is so easy to get and subscribe to podcasts, add music, video, etc.

as to DivX and other types of video encoding, the Ipod is very specific. It only plays H.264(no clue what this is), .m4v, .mp4, and .mov files. There are programs available out there that will convert other formats to these however, so if you really want DivX videos on an Ipod that would be the only way. I personally don't waste power on watching videos, except for my video podcasts.

[[AK]The Beast]

Thanks for the tips! That actually helps a lot. The shows I listen to aren't true "podcasts" in that they come from iTunes--they're MP3 files that I download on a daily basis. I don't envision using the video player much, although I'm now traveling by plane much more often than I used to. How is it in terms of syncing with multiple computers? Sometimes I sync to my home PC, sometimes with work, sometimes with my iBook....etc, etc.

[[AK]Squidly]

Drag any mp3 to iTunes and sync or drag it to your iPod. It's simple.

I wouldn't buy anything but Apple in this case.

[[AK]The Beast]

Word. Thanks for all the advice. I think I will buy the Apple--maybe even this afternoon. The extra 4 GB of storage would be nice, but as of right now, I only use about 1 GB of my current player's storage anyhow--and that's a lotta tunes!

[[AK]Swae]

If you go with the iPod, make sure to get it some socks.
Maybe it's a girl thing, but I enjoy the hell of of these and they look way better than most cases I've seen.

[[AK]Hylander]

I agree. Although I personally don't have an iPod, I've purchased two for my wife so far. The first was an iPod shuffle (the original stick of gum size) and now an iPod Video. They are both very easy to use and I love iTunes. Even though I don't have my own personal iPod, I'm usually the one helping my wife add new songs to her PC after I've downloaded them to my server, and backing up her library. Adding MP3s couldn't be easier. Also, Apple is selling alot more non-drm songs these days.

Apple FTW.

[[AK]Bribo]

Go with the iPod.

[[AK]Nuts]

If you go with the iPod, make sure to get it some socks.

Just make sure you get them big enough.

[[AK]The Beast]

@Swae: Socks?! Those are interesting-looking, but I want one I can strap to my arm when I hop on the NordicTrack.

@Hylander: all my music is DRM-free. I very seldom patronize the iTunes store.

I'm definitely running out in about an hour to purchase my silver nano.

[[AK]Swae]

Well, I definitely think the armband is useful for running or the like, but for times when it is in my purse/carry-on bag, I don't want it to get scratched. Most of the cases I saw were either way too overpriced or flat-out ugly. The socks (I think I paid 5 bucks for a pack of 6) are cheap, cute, and keep the screen safe when I am carrying my ipod around.

[[AK]Hylander]

@Hylander: all my music is DRM-free. I very seldom patronize the iTunes store.

Mine too.. but my wife purchases a song here and there plus I gave her a $25.00 gift card for Christmas.

[[AK]The Beast]

Well, I definitely think the armband is useful for running or the like, but for times when it is in my purse/carry-on bag, I don't want it to get scratched. Most of the cases I saw were either way too overpriced or flat-out ugly. The socks (I think I paid 5 bucks for a pack of 6) are cheap, cute, and keep the screen safe when I am carrying my ipod around.

I see the difference now. I bought a protective case w/ armband with my Nano, but I sure don't want to wear this around at the office. Where'd you find the 6-pack that cheap? The Apple site has them listed at $30 for 6. If they're cheaper than that, I may get some for day to day carrying.

My next step is to update the tags on my piecemeal MP3s so I can get a good cover flow going.

[[AK]Swae]

Where'd you find the 6-pack that cheap? The Apple site has them listed at $30 for 6. If they're cheaper than that, I may get some for day to day carrying.

I got mine at WalMart, although I don't see them on the website. I think they were $5.99. They are made by Samsonite, but look exactly like the iPod branded ones.