ipod

[echokilo]

I feel it's time I got an iPOD .......... what what should I look for in a basic one (not too expensive) how tdo I purchase music? Can I put exisiting CD tracks onto it? What are the best websites to use to download?

[VHG]

Well first you need to decide if you actually want an iPOD, or another make of MP3 player.

iPOD is the brand name for the MP3 players that are sold by Apple, but many other people make MP3 players so you first decision is if you buy an actual iPOD, or go with some other brand.

Note that some mp3 players can only play "music" but others can also show video, so you also need to decide if it is just music you are after, or if you want to watch videos as well.

[VHG]

The other thing to consider is the amount of memory on the player.

MP3 memory is measured a bit like computer memory or digital camera memory, in megabytes and gigabytes.

So an mp3 player that has 1Gb (gigabyte) of memory will hold about 200-250 songs (it is hard to be exact as it depends on length of song and quality of recording).

So 2Gb memory will hold twice that many (400-500) and 8Gb will hold 8 times as many (1600 - 2000).

Video tends to be quite large so if you plan to store video on it you will need a lot of memory.

[VHG]

To get music on to an MP3 player you need to plug it in to a "normal" computer (laptop or PC).

It is usually plugged into the USB socket.

MP3 players usually come with software that is installed on the laptop or PC and this can be used to manage the movement of music from the laptop to mp3 player, or from the mp3 player to the laptop.

[echokilo]

Thanks VHG .... and can I "copy" existing CDs to it?

[ChuckFickens]

yes!

[Prescott]

Yes -you certainly can and quite easily with an iPod. don't know about toher MP3 players but I'm sur eit must be just as easy.

[echokilo]

Thanks everyone ... you must think I am such a dumbo!! Have recently started running you see, so I thought an iPOD might be a good idea .............. what kind of price am I looking at? Doesn't need to have huge capacity, and is just for music....... do any of them have a display to show title of the track as you go through them or do they operate just as a CD player would and simply go from track to track with no visual display?

[Prescott]

an iPod will show you the album and the tracks as they are playing. IT WILL COST YOU AROUND �100 !!

[echokilo]

Thanks Prescott ....... think I will go shopping now .... your advice is much appreciated.

[Prescott]

Good luck echokilo !
I would try eBay, you should find a cheaper one there.

[4getmenot]

Can I recommend if you have a car to get an I-trip. Where you can play i-pod through car stereo saves putting any cds in car

[VHG]

Consider an ipod shuffle.

It is only about �30 and has 1Gb of memory. It is also VERY small.

Does not have a screen but does have a "clip" built in so you can clip it to your clothing while running.

This wold be ideal for anyone jogging.

More here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-iPod-Shuffle-1GB -Silver/dp/B000HZFBQQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=ele ctronics&qid=1237039705&sr=8-7

[fo3nix]

I would personally go for an iPod nano.

They fit the Nike+ kit, which you may want to buy in time (basically, a little pedometer that fits to your trainers, that lets you track how far you're running each day, and set goals, etc.).

Also, the nano has a screen and higher capacity than shuffle.

[echokilo]

Been shopping ... back now .... have an 8GB iPod NANO ...... It's the square-ish shape rather than the new long thin shape NANO (which is �106) and so they were reduced to �70 ... am very happy ... thanks everyon for your help, it's much appreciated. ;-)