Foo - IPOD Advice

I'm starting to think Christmas already and am thinking about getting someone an Ipod. I really don't know much about them other than the general principal. I want one that does video as well as audio. I also want one that is the most compatible with free services. IOW, i don't want to pay for every single thing i download.

Google and C-net are your friends here. I tend to head straight to C-Net when thinking of consumer electronics of any sort. That said, I use an I-River 528mb flash type player that suits my limited needs just fine. Flash players have lower capacity, but do not have a drive to break of skip, and can be had cheap cheap cheap.

Yeah, I'll do the online research. Just soliciting some fooster opinions.

I like my Nano 1gig. Holds more than enough music, Small size, has a nice simple display that is easy to navigate and they are under $150.00. Hard to beat. I had the cheaper shuffle but really missed the display.

I just got a new iPod. That one (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=2A9354F3&nclm=iPod). From iTunes you have to pay for most TV shows music and such but podcasts and video podcasts are primarily free.

I'd go with something from the Creative line. I think Apple's products are great, but the iPods just lack functionality for the money. I like how the Creative products come with shuffle, FM radio, and lots of other stuff.

Just my $0.02

Do you already own CD's. You can import those into iTunes and then transfer to the iPod. Other than that a peer to peer program I use is Limewire.

You could also wait until the new mircosoft product comes out. Its supposed to be WAY better than an ipod and cost less.

Yeah, I'll do the online research. Just soliciting some fooster opinions.
My Iriver uses a toggle to move between modes, has FM tuner, built in recorder, shuffle model, etc, was under $100 for 512mb. They change so often that I will not give a model number, because it is unavailable. Got decent reviews and is easy to use.

I'm starting to think Christmas already and am thinking about getting someone an Ipod. I really don't know much about them other than the general principal. I want one that does video as well as audio. I also want one that is the most compatible with free services. IOW, i don't want to pay for every single thing i download.
you dont have to pay for every single thing you download... muahahahaha:p

Creative is the shizzle.

Depending on how much music the person has or listens to, it might be better (for you I guess. $ wise) to get one of the smaller flash drives. I know people who were given IPODs and only have a few dozen songs on them, and quite happy the way it is.

If the person has a crap load of CD, forget what I just said and go big.

I went with the 2 gig ipod nano and I'm very glad I did. It is very easy to use and all that, just like most of them. What I really like is that I was able to buy an ipod adapter for my pioneer head unit in my truck. This allows me to control the ipod with my radio controls and listen to it while I am driving. I just hook it up and then put the ipod out of the way. This also charges it at the same time and only cost me $50.

Actually I just realized I never use my Ipod anymore...DUH. I have a Samsung Nexus that is the size of the ipod but I can record directly from XM radio....

Actually I just realized I never use my Ipod anymore...DUH. I have a Samsung Nexus that is the size of the ipod but I can record directly from XM radio....

Pay it forward to Portis.:D

Pay it forward to Portis.:D

That went over my head...LoL. What do you mean?

Wifes Ipod has over 22gb's of songs on it, depends on how big your collection is

That went over my head...LoL. What do you mean?

He means...give it to me. :) I'm sort of excited about the video abilities more than anything. I've got thousands of songs in mp3 on my PC so I am pretty good to go there.

I'm not into file sharing any more because of all the hassle. I would like to take advantage of the many free podcasts. Is there a good selection?

+1 on the iRiver. helluva lot more versatile, without the hype.

+1 on the iRiver. helluva lot more versatile, without the hype.

Is it compatible with iTunes? Just wondering, maybe I'll cheat on my iPod!

I would like to take advantage of the many free podcasts. Is there a good selection?
Huge selection. There were 5 pages of featured politics and news casts last time I looked.
Here (http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/) is the Mac site where you can download iTunes for PC. Download it and access the iTunes store and check out what they have before you get an iPod.

One thing I like about my iPod is I can download pics directly off my camera to it. It's nice to not have to lug around my laptop to be able to clear out a CF card.

--A