I should probably know this but I don't and I'm too lazy to look.

I'm looking for a portable mp3 player that I can stick in my overhead console, tie in to the Aux imput of my DVD player and play mp3s through my radio.

I do have an Itunes account and could convert to mp3 but that can be aggravation. Other than the ipod are their mp3 players that can play the itune native music files?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

I'm also lazy but I've seen players that are AAC-compatible.

Look for those letters - AAC compatibility - and you'll be good to go.

 

^ what he said

 

The AAC format is only compatible with the iPod.

 

That's not true at all.

The Compaq iPAQ PA-1 and the Toshiba MEA-110 are just two players that are AAC-compatible.

Dammit, I said I was too lazy to look them up...I've just expended needless energy...

 

Other players can play AAC, but only the iPod can play protected AAC files from iTunes.

 

See I told y'all I'm too lazy to check and now I have to.

Dang it....see now you got me cursin'


Jim

 

That's what I meant to say.

 

I know, I was just clarifying

ps - this could change if Apple decides to license "Fairplay" at some point, but that is not definite.

 

How many songs do yuo need at ones? The new iPod Shuffle looks pretty good and the $99 price for 512MB doesn't seem too bad compared to other 510MB MP3 Players. No display, though.

 

iPod shuffle is a nice deal and it works as a thumb drive too.

As for how many songs I need? I need all of them . I've had a 30GB iPod for 2 years now and I never have CDs in my car now. I use an adapter to listen to my iPod instead. I like having all the different playlists and options for listening. When I leave the car I pocket the iPod and it isn't there to be stolen. I currently have 4200 songs on my iPod. I can hit shuffle and probably not hear the same song twice for two weeks straight. Does everyone need that many? Probably not. I also have some other data on it as a backup from my home computer.

 

Does it have support for the AV outputs or just a headphone?

Thx

 

They have adapters for all your connection needs (so the answer to you question is yes).

I currently use a cupholder mount and cassette adapter along with an adapter for line-out and power (that the cassette adapter plugs into). I'm happy with it but if there is a more elegant way to hook it to the factory stereo I'd be all over that.

Now there is one other small point I'd like to clarify. There are two types of AAC files you'll deal with in iTunes. The Fairplay DRM'd ones, and unprotected ones you rip from your own CDs. The vast majority of my music is unprotected AAC ripped from my own collection and I have a few I purchased off of iTunes. If you have a device that can play AAC the only ones that will give you any trouble are the ones *purchased* off of iTunes.

In the end though it's all in what you want to spend. I have a large CD collection so I view the iPod as insurance for that collection against theft and damage. I paid $400 for the iPod out of pocket two years ago (I had some Best Buy giftcards to burn as well to make up te difference in the $499 price). It's been reliable and the battery has held up surprisingly well for me. Using it in the car though would work even with a dead battery so I don't even care about that eventuality (and batteries can now be replaced for less than $50 if you ever care to).

Sorry for the wordy reply. I get out of control at times...

 

Bancho,


Thanks for the info. 99% of my music is on my own CDs so I guess I could just convert the itunes to mp3s if necessary.

I'll try to find a reasonably cheap mp3 player with the AV support...those Ipods are pretty expensive.

Jim

 

Watch http://www.smalldog.com for refurbs. I bought my wife a 10GB refurbed iPod from them and it is absolutely inditinguishable from a new one and even carried the same warrantee. It was packaged exactly as my new one was and if not for my receipt stating it was refurb I would never have known.

The iPod is not cheap but what really makes it is the integration with iTunes. I've used other music programs for managing mp3's and iTunes wins hands down. Smart playlists and overall management of music is top notch. Having album art included is pretty cool as well (but you can only see the album art while listening on your computer or if you ante up for the iPod Photo)

ps - I picked up the refurb for $100 off the list for a new one.