So I cant believe that Im thinking about getting one of these things since I always make fun of the people with thier little music players and gigity gadgety phones and crap, but oh well

I absolutley hate changing CDs...Im just lazy actually. Ill listen to the same CD for 2 weeks just because I dont want to give myself a hernia pulling my huge **** CD case from behind the seat and then flipping through it.
Im starting to think some type of little iPod type thing would be great to have in the truck now.

I HATE compressed music, Im to into my music for that. Since these Ipods and what not are getting bigger and bigger I figure I should be able to fit all my music and then some on an Ipod, in a format that wont give me chit for sound. Something like Apple lossless format instead of 128K or something.

Anywho, I dont know the first thing about these, or what brands are good or anything. Im just looking for some suggestions from some of you guys that do.

Heres what I want:
Something big-
I love music and have lots of it, but I also love every ever loving bit of detail in my music, so it needs to be able to hold my music in a format that wont lose any detail, since, if Im not mistaken, these file formats are usually larger than your standard 128 or 256k files that many people use...?
Something that is easy to navigate and use-
Screens with bigger, easy to read text is a plus. I like simple to operate too. Ive used a couple Ipods and to be honest, Im not a fan of the whole "spin your finger on this little pad", simply because I end up clicking like 4 buttons at the same time and Im not very accurate with it, I suppose practice makes perfect though. I also assume that a lot of portable players use something like the ipod too, just because thats what the ipod uses.
And finally-,
something that I can hook up to RCA inputs on my head unit, and hardwire into my truck for power supply.
The device will probably never leave the truck unless I would bring it in the house to hook up every once in awhile.
I have seen cables for Ipods that you plug into the bottom of the Ipod and it has one cord running out of it, which splits into a pair of RCA outputs, and a cig. lighter plug on the other end, which I could just chop off and hardwire in. Something like this would be golden, Im not sure if I can get things like this for the 'not so popular' brands.


Those are pretty much my only requirements.
I really havent looked around much since I dont know what to look for really.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
Any and all welcome. Thanks guys!

 

I'll probably be one of the few that recommend this, but I would go with a Zune. I have a 30 GB Zune which is plenty of storage and I absolutely love this thing. I've got about 10 gigs of music. The screen is nice and big, easy to see (some people like the more compact nanos and stuff). For me, I love the big screen. I didn't notice any reduction in quality when I transferred all my music.

I use to DJ and I moved my entire CD collection onto my Zune. It wasn't that bad at all. Plus, I bought a piece of software that removes all the copyright protection, so I can load up anyone's Zune with my entire music collection in about 10 minutes, and it's on theirs permanently.

I also like the fact that it is Microsoft and not Apple. I purposely held off buying an Ipod until Microsoft came out with something. I just think the odds are better that it will be more compatable with newer technology down the road.

I was in the same boat as you, I lived by CDs and use to also make fun of people and their MP3 players. Now, I can't imagine going back to CDs ever again. I haven't listened to one in at least 6 months. My entire music collection fits into my pocket and I can play it ALMOST anywhere. I say almost because you will occasionally be in someone's car who doesn't have an Aux Input (like my wife's Mariner).

Whichever way you decide to go, I think you'll be extremely happy with the investment.

 

160gigs!!!! DAYUM...I thought 80 was the biggest

I like to think that I have a pretty nice stereo Im very picky about the quality of my music. People make fun of me for it.


Does anyone know if the big button in the middle of the Zune is actually a push button thing, or one of those dang touchpad things?

I see the Zune supports WMA Lossless. Ive never heard a WMA Lossless file, I wonder just how good it is....

 

I did notice that you could link up wireless to your computer, or to other Zunes, which seems like a nice feature.

Since I run Vista on my laptop I can see that being a plus too-although I do have iTunes on the laptop also.

 

Yes, it's all push button, at least all the 30GB ones are. I am pretty sure the 80GB ones are also. I don't like the touch / scroll thingy either.

 

Go with the 160 GB iPod Classic. I have had 2 iPods and I love them. I'm not a big fan of Apple, but they really did it right with the iPod. There's a reason they're number one, and it's not just the logo on the back.

I have mine connected to my Alpine deck with their FullSpeed cable and that it pretty much all I listen to. It only comes out of the truck to be updated or go on an airplane with me.

As for the file format, I believe Apple's AAC format is lossless, but I can't really tell much of a difference between that and most of my MP3s. I usually just import my CDs at 320Kbps. You'll be happy if you go with an iPod.

 

jk007....do you just use a 3.5mm jack from the Zune to inputs on a stereo?

My CD player does have a 3.5mm input which I have routed into the little pocket under the CD player, which I use for hooking up other people ipods and such if they are lucky enough to let me do so.

I would really like to use the RCA inputs on my stereo instead though.
Do you know if they make such a thing as I described with the ipod.
The single big connection at the bottom of the ipod that turns into a pair of RCAs and a charger?

I would prefer something like that, instead of two different cords, one for output, and one for charging.

Ive looked a little on ebay but havent found anything like it.

It seems like the Zune 80 is cheaper than the 80G iPod too...?

 

I am clueless when it comes to the Ipod and it's connections. But as far as the Zune goes, yes it's a 3.55mm jack. I just plug in the 3.55 on top of the zune and either plug the other end into a 3.55, or if it is RCA inputs, any radio shack makes a 3.55 connector that splits into 2 rca cables. Heck, they even make them so you can not only plug in the audio but they have a 3.55 jack with RCA cables on the end so you can view your album art on a monitor if you like.

The other thing I noticed when I was comparing these, is that the Zune came with a radio also. I am not sure if the Ipod does. It probably does but for some reason I thought that it didn't.

Anyway, as long as you have an Aux input on whatever stereo you want to hook up the zune to, you shouldn't have any trouble finding an adapter that will let you play it. I will tell you though that the FM transmitters as a way to listen to your music absolutely sucks. But I am sure this is the case for most MP3 players.

 

all i can tell you is DONT GET THE ZUNE.


the video (classic i think they call it now) ipod in 80 or 160 should be perfect for you!

 

Sorry, just reread your post. Unfortunately, you will have 2 cords. One for the output and the other for the charger. I don't think there is any way around this for the Zune. They stay charged for long time though, I want to say 6 hours of non-stop playing, at least the music anyway. That's all I use mine for.

 

I have the newer 80gb ipod. I can hold all of my music, tv shows, movies, etc. But i mainly use it for music. It has a cord that hooks right into the back of my pioneer deck (came with the deck) which charges it as well. I also navigate the ipod through the head unit, so all i need to do is hook the ipod up and toss it in the glove box. I have control of thousands of songs right through the head unit. Its sweet!!

 

i absolutely love my zune- when my ipod broke i didn't know what to do- took a chance on the new model zune about 8 mos ago and haven't looked back.

 

Well, after some further reading on the two, I think I would pick the ipod over the zune, one of the main reasongs being that the dock connection on the bottom of the ipod is a line out, not the regular headphone output which it seems is the only way to get output from the zune...also the same as the top 3.5mm out on the top of the ipod.

And with the cable I remember seeing, which connected to the dock on the bottom of the Ipod, line output straight into RCAs, its a big turn on for me to get the ipod over the zune. Nothing against running a mini jack from the headphones on an Ipod or Zune, but I just dont think that will cut it for me. I like to know Im getting the best sound possible...especially when its taken me over 3 years to consider even looking at an audio player just because Im usually CD quality or bust.

The end result? I should be able to get better sound quality with the ipod

Any other players to consider guys, or does the ipod just top the cake?

Thanks!

 

if you are looking for a "now" product, go ipod- i will say though that zune accessories should start rolling out relatively soon- market was skeptical to see if zune 2.0 would catch more than v1.0---it did... Kicker just came out with the first major digital connection/player (like bose soundDock) for the Zune lineup... which was a big move for zune--cause like you said, running a minijack can only take you so far. I cant wait for a full digital for my stereo.

 

I have a Creative Zen. (Not Spam, click for info ) I don't know much about the file quality or anything like that but I found it easier to use than my sister's Ipod. I hate that touch pad thing. I don't know about any others but the Zen has an SD card slot that allows for pretty much unlimited storage.