Am I the only one that thinks the Ipod sucks?

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
u coulda saved some time with the poll and all if u had decent reading comprehension. i didn't say u liked vinyl. and you know very well how skewed your poll is.. or maybe you don't. if your question is unecessarily vague and doesn't provide context it will be inaccurate. we are typing on an offtopic forum, not typing reports or professional texts.

your name is gurk for f*cksake.

You did infer that I only listen to vinyl. How is the poll skewed? I felt it was about as unbiased as possible. Context doesn't matter; whether it's AIM, an internet forum or a doctorate thesis, usage of the acronyms u and ur, and others like them, makes you look like a young and rather dull child.

My username is pronounced with a hard G and was my shaman's name in EQ; I thought it was funny and fit in well with his race. I fail to see what this has to do with anything, but then it's long been the fallback tactic of the young and the stupid to make personal attacks when unable to win an argument rather than conceding the point and apologizing. You can PM loic for pointers if you ever have trouble doing this, though you seem to have a pretty good handle on it here.

skikid, is that linkin park, or some other nupop band completely devoid of talent? I know it's easier to make fun of people with functional brains than to learn how to present yourself so as not to look like a neanderthal, but the latter definitely has its pros. Look into it.

 

[James3shin]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: James3shin
I admit if you listen to any ipod on the stock buds your in for a rude awakening. The sound quality is bad, but its not due to the source i.e. the ipod, the stock buds just suck...try a pod with something at the entry level like some Sony EX71's/EX51's, if you got a lil more cash, check the Shure e2c or Ety's...then if your going highend get some UE's and comeback saying the sound quality sucks.

Actually most players do indeed come with cheap phones, though I think some Rio players come with the less expensive Sennheiser earbuds, which is at least a step up. However, the ipod's sound quality through its headphone jack is indeed subpar. It tests at around 0.42% THD and attenuates bass to save on its already bad battery life. Its EQ is barebones as well. Its line-out doesn't suffer from these problems, but I'd assume you get lower battery life that way - and why buy a portable if not to use its headphone jack?

Interesting numbers there, do you have a source? Im not trying to doubt your credibility but I've checked sites for THD, SPL numbers and so on for any of the products numbers but got no luck, also if the ipod THD is ~0.42%, the Rio at best from my ears are not greatly superior, im guessing those senn buds help a bit, the iRivers (not sure which model) however, I believe have an amped line which is really cool but not fair in comparison i suppose. If you got a comparison or link with the numbers it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Skiguy411]

Originally posted by: Gurck

skikid, is that linkin park, or some other nupop band completely devoid of talent? I know it's easier to make fun of people with functional brains than to learn how to present yourself so as not to look like a neanderthal, but the latter definitely has its pros. Look into it.

Damn, chill out. I just thought I'd throw a little comedy into the mix. Obviously, it was not funny and I am sorry to bother you. Continue your flames and what not toward OrooOroo.

Enjoy the rest of your day here at Anandtech Off topic.

Oh its N.E.R.D. by the way...

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: SportSC4
The interface is much more intuitive than the clunky alternatives. I mean, would you rather drive a car that looks like the interior of a 747 or a car with a gearshift, steering wheel, and pedals: as long as they operate and perform the same way?
It's about ease of use. Most people don't want to have to read an 80 page manual to play music.

Don't forget to mention that, to use the same analogy, for the price of the gearshift car you could buy the first car, several 747s, and a small nuclear country of your choice.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: James3shin

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: James3shin
I admit if you listen to any ipod on the stock buds your in for a rude awakening. The sound quality is bad, but its not due to the source i.e. the ipod, the stock buds just suck...try a pod with something at the entry level like some Sony EX71's/EX51's, if you got a lil more cash, check the Shure e2c or Ety's...then if your going highend get some UE's and comeback saying the sound quality sucks.

Actually most players do indeed come with cheap phones, though I think some Rio players come with the less expensive Sennheiser earbuds, which is at least a step up. However, the ipod's sound quality through its headphone jack is indeed subpar. It tests at around 0.42% THD and attenuates bass to save on its already bad battery life. Its EQ is barebones as well. Its line-out doesn't suffer from these problems, but I'd assume you get lower battery life that way - and why buy a portable if not to use its headphone jack?

Interesting numbers there, do you have a source? Im not trying to doubt your credibility but I've checked sites for THD, SPL numbers and so on for any of the products numbers but got no luck, also if the ipod THD is ~0.42%, the Rio at best from my ears are not greatly superior, im guessing those senn buds help a bit, the iRivers (not sure which model) however, I believe have an amped line which is really cool but not fair in comparison i suppose. If you got a comparison or link with the numbers it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Here's a very popular ipod fan page, often referenced on ipodlounge and other tech sites when DAPs come up. Ordinarily I wouldn't link a fansite, but aside from a few giddy schoolgirl statements about it, the guy seems pretty thorough and relatively unbiased. It's my source for the 0.42% THD figure (I'm sure you're aware the generally accepted audible threshold for THD is 0.1%, barring tube amps which work differently). It also lists the iriver's at 0.04%...

As bad as the ipod sounds, the stock headphones it ships with are still bad enough to be the limiting factor. Sound quality should never be judged with the crap buds that most DAPs ship with; Apple is not alone in this. Even the Senns which some Rios ship with are only borderline acceptable. An excellent pair of headphones can be had for as little as $60-$70 new; Grado sr-60s, Shure ec2s, and Sennheiser 497s/280s are all excellent budget phones.

 

[0roo0roo]

your poll is skewed because its question was stated in a way meant to bring about the result you wanted. in otherwords it was biased, unless you pretend you made the thread in a vacumn...and not for the reasons stated in this thread. but then you'd be a moron and a liar. course you already know this.. you just aren't honest.

context matters quite a bit when dealing with language. whether something is going to affect you professionally, whether it is turned in for a grade, whether it is going to be published, whether it is just messaging between friends etc etc. i'd love to see you give yourself the title of gurk on your resume the fact that you nitpick over other peoples grammer in forum posts just shows u place way too much importance into the activity.

you are one to talk of personal attacks lol.. self aware are we? attacking my use of net slang for one.. sod off ipod hater, you just enjoy to bash apple in every thread. thats all there is to this.

 

[Gurck]

I simply can't take that post seriously... I'm getting a mental image of an 8-10 year old, eating a PB&J mommy made him with the crusts cut off just the way he likes it, getting crumbs all over the keyboard, the Power Rangers on a tv in the background... u r no wut i b meening d00d? roflolololo...

Edit: ok since you're trying (you said "your poll", not "ur poll"), I'll try as well. If I wanted a certain answer I'd have had answers along the lines of... "yes, u and ur are signs of immaturity" and "no, mommy sez u n ur r kewlz0rz". If you feel the poll is biased, perhaps you are projecting.

 

[loic2003]

Originally posted by: Gurck

name a single player + software package that is all round a superior alternative to the iPod + iTunes one

All of them. Apparently you didn't hear me the other 50 times I've said it. It's no wonder you have a thing against those with high IQs, considering what your arguing tactics and statements on sound quality say about your own.

Interesting. So still not daring to name names of a piece of hardware and software? How unexpected:roll:

 

[EmoHawk]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you are one to talk of personal attacks lol.. self aware are we? attacking my use of net slang for one.. sod off ipod hater, you just enjoy to bash apple in every thread. thats all there is to this.

:thumbsup:
I admire you for trying but fear your effort to show him the light may be futile, gurck never listens to others.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: EmoHawk

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you are one to talk of personal attacks lol.. self aware are we? attacking my use of net slang for one.. sod off ipod hater, you just enjoy to bash apple in every thread. thats all there is to this.

:thumbsup:
I admire you for trying but fear your effort to show him the light may be futile, gurck never listens to others.

I'll let your own username speak for itself

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: loic2003
Interesting. So still not daring to name names of a piece of hardware and software? How unexpected:roll:

I don't have to name them; all of them are superior in their own ways. We've gone over this, but since I know how difficult reading must be for you, a brief synopsis: Iriver and iaudio for features and UMSS support. File management is best done with *drumroll* a file manager. It offers the most control over your collection. Dell & Creative for price. Rio for sound quality. That about cover the major hdd players in the market?

 

[EmoHawk]

My username did not originate from Red Dwarf, if that is what you are referring to, sry to disappoint. Shame you had to resort to petty insults.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: EmoHawk

My username did not originate from Red Dwarf, if that is what you are referring to, sry to disappoint. Shame you had to resort to petty insults.

It's not a petty insult, it's a comment on the demographic which likes ipods and other stupid fads. Like emo.

 

[EmoHawk]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: EmoHawk

My username did not originate from Red Dwarf, if that is what you are referring to, sry to disappoint. Shame you had to resort to petty insults.

It's not a petty insult, it's a comment on the demographic which likes ipods and other stupid fads. Like emo.

I take it then that its not directed at me as I am not in the emo/ipod demographic you talk of.

 

[loic2003]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: loic2003
Interesting. So still not daring to name names of a piece of hardware and software? How unexpected:roll:

I don't have to name them; all of them are superior in their own ways. We've gone over this, but since I know how difficult reading must be for you, a brief synopsis: Iriver and iaudio for features and UMSS support. File management is best done with *drumroll* a file manager. It offers the most control over your collection. Dell & Creative for price. Rio for sound quality. That about cover the major hdd players in the market?

Like I said, the iPod + iTunes combo is the best all rounder. You still haven't come up with a suggestion. Name one player that is a better all rounder (don't name me one for price, one for features, one for quality, etc: that's not what I asked for) and one piece of software for organising a collection.


A file manager is the best for file mangement? oh dear. You'll notice than in the IT industry when there are large volumes of data to be organised, they are placed into a database where you can perform searches (eg SQL) upon this data. This allowed for much more efficient management and organisiation of data collections. The advantage of iTunes is that it treats your collection like a database thus giving you much more control:

What if I want to rename all the ID3 tags of an album?
What if i want to play my most/least played tracks?
What if I want to organise my music by the date it was created? (bear in mind that moving a track from one HD to another resets the created date in IE)
What about playlists?
Cross platform ability?
etc
etc

Are you seriously trying to blag that internet explorer offers the most control? where's your evidence backing this up?

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: loic2003
Like I said, the iPod + iTunes combo is the best all rounder.

It's the most expensive, installs malware on your PC, gives you no choice other than itunes, is the ugliest, has the worst sound quality, has no features, etc. - how is that the best all around player?

You still haven't come up with a suggestion. Name one player that is a better all rounder (don't name me one for price, one for features, one for quality, etc: that's not what I asked for) and one piece of software for organising a collection.

This new 'blatant denial' debate tactic looks interesting...

A file manager is the best for file mangement? oh dear. You'll notice than in the IT industry when there are large volumes of data to be organised, they are placed into a database where you can perform searches (eg SQL) upon this data. This allowed for much more efficient management and organisiation of data collections. The advantage of iTunes is that it treats your collection like a database thus giving you much more control:

If you don't know what music you have, perhaps you should stop pirating so much of it? Personally I can list probably 80-90% of my albums off the top of my head. I know exactly where they are and don't need an interface designed for stupid people to manage them.

Inserting numbers into your quote for ease of reply:

1) What if I want to rename all the ID3 tags of an album?
2) What if i want to play my most/least played tracks?
3) What if I want to organise my music by the date it was created? (bear in mind that moving a track from one HD to another resets the created date in IE)
4) What about playlists?
5) Cross platform ability?

1) :heart: foobar2000 :heart: Masstagging is just one of a million reasons
2) What's stopping you? Play it.
3) Why would you want to organize your music by the rip date? Not flaming, just curious, I see no possible reason. At any rate, I haven't looked into it but I'd assume one of the 3rd party file managers out there would do this.
4) Foobar & Winamp both do them, what about it?
5) Not a concern for me or for most people. I do find it laughable though that Apple comes up with their own standards, which makes everything more difficult, and then their fans claim support for said standards as a pro for their products :roll:

 

[EmoHawk]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: loic2003

Are you seriously trying to blag that internet explorer offers the most control? where's your evidence backing this up?

Brag? Where did this come from? I like control over my files and so use a file manager, and I'm bragging? What would your endless Apple advertising be then? Are you high? Seriously, are you high?

He said blag not brag

 

[nodoubts2k]

My ipod (1st gen) gets 30 mins of batt life now. So yes, it does suck.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

goddamnit, every 5 minutes someone drags Gurck into an anti-iPod fight, THE MAN HATES IPODS, GET OVER IT!
Personally, I love mine, I am not an audioidiot, my MDR-EX51's sound better than anything I've ever heard, my iPod does what I want it to, and I had to lecture my friends with Creative players on how to install/use them
and Gurck, don't you dare $hit us and say that QuickTime is malware, like someone above mentioned, if you tell it not to, it won't. The biggest piece of malware, I have EVER seen, is without a doubt, is Creative's Media$hit, and their Nomad Explorer. Asides from the fact that they are RAM hogs, they are riddiculously (sp?) difficult to use, they are mandatory in order to use Creative's garbage you just bought, and also change all your file associations without asking you (had to fix this for 3 friends, were wondering where the hell Windows Media Player went)
As far as Average Joe is concerned, the iPod+iTunes combination is the EASIEST to use, I don't care if anything is cheaper, I don't care if anything sounds better, I don't need a radio, I don't need line-in recording, I don't want a brick in my pocket (Creative anything, iRiver H320 <-- Look at the blatant imitation, iPod, iRiver), and I want a player that can play the 20 or so tracks I bought from the iTMS.

/rant

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: nodoubts2k
My ipod (1st gen) gets 30 mins of batt life now. So yes, it does suck.

1st gen, lets see, that makes the lithium ion battery inside it, what, 4 years old? Its a limitation of li-ion technology, get over it, get the battery replaced (if you have a 1st/2nd gen you can do it yourself for around 40 bucks) or send it to Apple, and move on.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: EmoHawk

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: loic2003
Are you seriously trying to blag that internet explorer offers the most control? where's your evidence backing this up?

Brag? Where did this come from? I like control over my files and so use a file manager, and I'm bragging? What would your endless Apple advertising be then? Are you high? Seriously, are you high?

He said blag not brag

My mistake. What does blag mean? Edited out of last post.

 

[intogamer]

expensive and no fm radio

 

[EmoHawk]

Link

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: sheik124
and Gurck, don't you dare $hit us and say that QuickTime is malware, like someone above mentioned, if you tell it not to, it won't.

Why does the poor soul installing itunes have no choice but to install it? In my experience it doesn't care about your settings; it resets associations either way. I personally haven't installed it in years, but recently had to fix & clean a family friend's Dell. Among many, many other pieces of malware (2500+ instances of ad/spy ware and 1300+ viruses & trojans), it had QT installed. Big surprise I tried resetting associations but, as in the past, it had commandeered the system.

The biggest piece of malware, I have EVER seen, is without a doubt, is Creative's Media$hit, and their Nomad Explorer. Asides from the fact that they are RAM hogs, they are riddiculously (sp?) difficult to use, they are mandatory in order to use Creative's garbage you just bought, and also change all your file associations without asking you (had to fix this for 3 friends, were wondering where the hell Windows Media Player went)

In other words it's as bad as itunes/quicktime? Personally haven't used Creative's DAP software, so can't comment on it. If it's anything like the software which comes with the Audigy 2 ZS, which I have used, it's not nearly as bad as you make it sound. It is indeed bloated, but doesn't take over your PC the way QT does.

As far as Average Joe is concerned, the iPod+iTunes combination is the EASIEST to use, I don't care if anything is cheaper, I don't care if anything sounds better, I don't need a radio, I don't need line-in recording, I don't want a brick in my pocket (Creative anything, iRiver H320 <-- Look at the blatant imitation, iPod, iRiver)

This is AT, we're far from average. If it were a Ditzney Spears forum or somesuch you'd have a point.

and I want a player that can play the 20 or so tracks I bought from the iTMS

You paid full price for lossy music? :laugh: Anyhow, if you want to play 20 tracks, a flash player might be a better option for you. I haven't been paying much attention since I'm not interested in flash players, but is the shuffle thing I'm hearing about $100 for 512mb of storage? That's actually not a bad deal at all in comparison to many flash players. I've seen some for as much as $200.

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
u coulda saved some time with the poll and all if u had decent reading comprehension. i didn't say u liked vinyl. and you know very well how skewed your poll is.. or maybe you don't. if your question is unecessarily vague and doesn't provide context it will be inaccurate. we are typing on an offtopic forum, not typing reports or professional texts.

your name is gurk for f*cksake.

You did infer that I only listen to vinyl. How is the poll skewed? I felt it was about as unbiased as possible. Context doesn't matter; whether it's AIM, an internet forum or a doctorate thesis, usage of the acronyms u and ur, and others like them, makes you look like a young and rather dull child.

My username is pronounced with a hard G and was my shaman's name in EQ; I thought it was funny and fit in well with his race. I fail to see what this has to do with anything, but then it's long been the fallback tactic of the young and the stupid to make personal attacks when unable to win an argument rather than conceding the point and apologizing. You can PM loic for pointers if you ever have trouble doing this, though you seem to have a pretty good handle on it here.

skikid, is that linkin park, or some other nupop band completely devoid of talent? I know it's easier to make fun of people with functional brains than to learn how to present yourself so as not to look like a neanderthal, but the latter definitely has its pros. Look into it.

And yes, I do consider the general public .. ahh .. a bit less than intelligent, this is backed up by my IQ in relation to the average. Sorry, that's just how it is.

Elitist much? You really need to pull the stick out of your ass Gurk, and take sh!t while you're at it so you won't be so full of yourself. I've never seen a person so dedicated to slamming someone else's choice of a music player, or software for that matter.

You know, you really are much better than everyone, in every single way. :roll: