iPod questions...

[zippy]

So I read some threads about the iPod, I want to get one for a vacation I'm going on in a week. Hate carrying around my CDs and CD player.

Anyway...I'm confused...

1) Is the new iPod a bit smaller? I read that in one post but see no mention of it anywhere else.
2) The Mac iPod can be used on a PC using xPlay...does it convert the drive to FAT32 or just have the ability to read HFS+ drives?
3) So I would have to get an "older" iPod since I want it sooner rather than later (which is when I would get a Windows iPod). Any differences between the two?
4) Does MacDrive (built into xplay) work with the iPod just as fast as a normal firewire drive or is it slower? Also, a non-xplay/macdrive equipped system PC cannot use the iPod for removeable storage I presume...not even access it?
5) Any other info I should know?

Thanks all!

 

[zippy]

Okay, so I see that the new iPod 10GB is slightly more svelt and they have a redesigned scroll wheel. What's so wonderful about this new scroll wheel?

Should I hold off because of a scroll wheel or get it anyway even though it's the old model? I'd be getting the 5GB model, can't afford the 10 or 20.

 

[kLezViruS]

Originally posted by: zippy
So I read some threads about the iPod, I want to get one for a vacation I'm going on in a week. Hate carrying around my CDs and CD player.

Anyway...I'm confused...

1) Is the new iPod a bit smaller? I read that in one post but see no mention of it anywhere else.
2) The Mac iPod can be used on a PC using xPlay...does it convert the drive to FAT32 or just have the ability to read HFS+ drives?
3) So I would have to get an "older" iPod since I want it sooner rather than later (which is when I would get a Windows iPod). Any differences between the two?
4) Does MacDrive (built into xplay) work with the iPod just as fast as a normal firewire drive or is it slower? Also, a non-xplay/macdrive equipped system PC cannot use the iPod for removeable storage I presume...not even access it?
5) Any other info I should know?

Thanks all!

I'm thinking about getting one and also interested in some of the questiosn you have.

Bump!

 

[cmdrdredd]

the new scroll wheel feels smoother and is a bit stiffer. the old one felt loose to me.

The drive is not formatted like a normal HD really. the macOS just has software built in to read it like a fireqire drive. you cannot do that with a PC...just use it to transfer Mp3.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
the new scroll wheel feels smoother and is a bit stiffer. the old one felt loose to me.

The drive is not formatted like a normal HD really. the macOS just has software built in to read it like a fireqire drive. you cannot do that with a PC...just use it to transfer Mp3.

Have you used both?

BTW, using xplay...

Thanks to built-in MacDrive technology, XPlay even makes your iPod appear as a normal hard drive, so its a great way to take your data files and documents with you anywhere--even a Macintosh!

Use your iPod just like any other hard drive. Drop documents and files of all kinds on your iPod. Your iPod always remains compatible with Mac OS as well as Windows.

So what I'm wondering is whether MacDrive is slow or not and if I can plug the iPod into another PC not outfitted with MacDrive and be able to use the files?

 

[MaillarD]

You can find a lot of the answers that you are looking for here http://www.ipoding.com/index.php

The new touch pad is supposed to feel like glass and has a much less chance of getting dirty. The size is just about the same as the original ipod.
I also hear that the mac only ipod will be able to convert to Windows use without third party software when the Windows version is released.

 

[Pennstate]

only the 10gb model is thinner by 10%. The 5gb model didn't change. The 20 model is biigger

 

[zippy]

Thanks.

Bump.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: zippy
So I read some threads about the iPod, I want to get one for a vacation I'm going on in a week. Hate carrying around my CDs and CD player.

Anyway...I'm confused...

1) Is the new iPod a bit smaller? I read that in one post but see no mention of it anywhere else.
2) The Mac iPod can be used on a PC using xPlay...does it convert the drive to FAT32 or just have the ability to read HFS+ drives?
3) So I would have to get an "older" iPod since I want it sooner rather than later (which is when I would get a Windows iPod). Any differences between the two?
4) Does MacDrive (built into xplay) work with the iPod just as fast as a normal firewire drive or is it slower? Also, a non-xplay/macdrive equipped system PC cannot use the iPod for removeable storage I presume...not even access it?
5) Any other info I should know?

Thanks all!

1. The 5 gig iPod is the same size. The 10 gig iPod is slightly smaller than the previous 10 gig. And the 20 gig is slightly larger than the 10 gig. By slightly, I mean one tenth to two tenths of an inch.
2. xPlay by Mediafour allows a Windows machine to read and write to HFS+ drives. They have another product called MacDrive which is just embedded in xPlay. The Windows version of the iPod will be FAT32.
3. The new Mac iPods are due in about 2-3 weeks. The Windows iPods are due in about 5 weeks. The only difference is the internal file format (HFS+ vs FAT32) and the software used to access (iTunes/xPlay or Musicmatch).
4. No idea. Check out the Mediafour forums.
5. Yeah: LINK.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
the new scroll wheel feels smoother and is a bit stiffer. the old one felt loose to me.

The new scroll wheel is completely solid state. It doesn't move. The old one is more like a jog wheel is that it does move and spin. The new one is supposed to be cleaner and last longer, no moving parts.

 

[ViRGE]

nord1899, where did you hear about the file format change? I've never seen it mentioned anywhere, and have always assumed that Musicmatch had just gotten their software to read HFS+.

 

[Soccerman]

I guess he says that because Apple IS actually making a 'for windows' version. I don't know if it's true or not though, but whatever..

 

[nord1899]

I think I heard about it here and at the Mediafour forums.

I really doubt MusicMatch is able to read/write to HFS+.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: nord1899
I think I heard about it here and at the Mediafour forums.

I really doubt MusicMatch is able to read/write to HFS+.

I thought that too, but this is Apple we're speaking about. I doubt they'd want to break compatibility with their own computers; the iPod is supposed to be another device to convince people to switch, and it won't do that job if it won't work on a Mac.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: nord1899
I think I heard about it here and at the Mediafour forums.

I really doubt MusicMatch is able to read/write to HFS+.

I thought that too, but this is Apple we're speaking about. I doubt they'd want to break compatibility with their own computers; the iPod is supposed to be another device to convince people to switch, and it won't do that job if it won't work on a Mac.

True, but there are two points to be made here.

1. Apple has always been able to deal with FAT32 drives. Its Windows that can't deal with HFS+ (thus things like MacDrive).
2. People who buy the Windows version most likely do not have a Mac and won't get one. So no problem with compatibility there.

 

[zippy]

Yeah, I read that the Windows iPod will be FAT32. The macs can read FAT32, it's the PCs that can't read from HSF+.

This is my main remaining question...

4) Does MacDrive (built into xplay) work with the iPod just as fast as a normal firewire drive or is it slower? Also, a non-xplay/macdrive equipped system PC cannot use the iPod for removeable storage I presume...not even access it?

So, since I would only be getting the 5GB version (not spending $400 on an MP3 player) I might as well just get it now since there are no changes in the "new" edition right?

 

[Gunbuster]

You could also get a Toshiba Gigabeat

 

[kLezViruS]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
You could also get a Toshiba Gigabeat

But where can i find one online?

 

[zippy]

So I'm also going to need a firewire card for my PC. What's the deal with the 6->4 pin stuff?

Do some firewire cards connect with the 4 pin cables and others with 6 pin? What is the use of the 4pin kind? I presume I should a 6 pin one? Kinda confused between the two because I know the iPod needs 6pins on its end, but why would there be two different ways of connecting to the firewire card itself? The extra 2 pins are for power right? So if I got a 4 pin card it wouldn't power the iPod?

/me is confused

 

[nord1899]

Yes, the 6 pin ones transfer power to the firewire device. And the iPod recharges this way. Some firewire cards are 4 pin only, so you need an adapter to use it with a 6 pin device.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: zippy
So I'm also going to need a firewire card for my PC. What's the deal with the 6->4 pin stuff?

Do some firewire cards connect with the 4 pin cables and others with 6 pin? What is the use of the 4pin kind? I presume I should a 6 pin one? Kinda confused between the two because I know the iPod needs 6pins on its end, but why would there be two different ways of connecting to the firewire card itself? The extra 2 pins are for power right? So if I got a 4 pin card it wouldn't power the iPod?

/me is confused

I've never seen a 4-pin FW card. 4-pinto 4-pin cables are used to connect 2 devices that don't need power via FW (like 2 DV cameras).


Lethal