Looking for some help, plz

[MetalQueen]

Hey All!!!!

Just dropped my MP-3 player for the last time (may it rest in peace). I had a Dell DJ which was great (Dell doesn't make MP-3's anymore). When I originally got it I knew NOTHING about Ipods, etc. I learn as I go.

It had a huge memory capacity which I thought was great. I also knew nothing about Itunes, Napster, etc. When I got the DJ it came with like a 3-month trial of Napster. I got hooked and have a ton of work put into my Napster playlists (Spinning and otherwise) and enough music that I have also had to purchase.

So I started doing some research today saying to myself, I'm finally gonna get me a spanking new Ipod only to find out that Ipod is not compatible with Napster. You gotta be kidding me.

The only MP-3 I saw that looked kinda cool and is Napster compatible is the Sony Walkman A818. It has good reviews.

Here are my requirements:
AT LEAST 8 GIG Memory (Is that even enough?)
Ability to hook into car with the set-up I already have (without having to spend more money), I listen to the MP-3 ALOT in the car, unbelievably, NY radio is pathetic.
The ability to hook it up at the Club. The other Instructor and I both use the same hook-up and she has an Ipod.
This is probably a given...the ability to run with it, i.e., it can take some jarring and me occasionally dropping it or crashing on my rollerblades with it (been there, done that).
And of course, Napster compatible.

The reviews said that the sound quality on this player is awesome so that is a bonus.

Any suggestions?

[SpinBob]

If you like the Dell DJ, you could probably buy one on eBay or Craiglist or some other used merchandise site.

My personal preference is with an iPod. When you say Napster isn't compatible with an iPod, what do you mean? Do you mean their software or their music files? It might seem like a pain but you can always download from Napster's software and export files to iTunes.

Haven't heard anything about the Sony, but if reputable publications give it a good rating then it is worth looking into, but I suggest you go to a store and give it a trial listen (bring your own headphones)

[MetalQueen]

If you like the Dell DJ, you could probably buy one on eBay or Craiglist or some other used merchandise site.

My personal preference is with an iPod. When you say Napster isn't compatible with an iPod, what do you mean? Do you mean their software or their music files? It might seem like a pain but you can always download from Napster's software and export files to iTunes.

Haven't heard anything about the Sony, but if reputable publications give it a good rating then it is worth looking into, but I suggest you go to a store and give it a trial listen (bring your own headphones)

I did like the DJ...I mean I had to drop it at least a dozen times and it kept on ticking, until yesterday, that is.

I'm pretty sure their music files, i.e., if I were to hook up my NEW Ipod and open Napster, I wouldn't be able to download my playlists to it, would I? Or would I only be able to download the music I have purchased? I pay a monthly fee for unlimited downloads but if I want to BURN something I have to pay for it.

Sorry if I seem unknowledgeable on the subject, bcz well, I am unknowledgeable. Like I said, learn as I go. Now if you were to ask me about rocket science, there's a subject I could go on all night about!!!!!!!

[SpinBob]

I didn't find anything importing Napster playlist into iTunes, but I know iTunes has the ability to import playlists. I would just be a matter of figuring out if Napster exports its playlists in a compatible format. Otherwise Napster and iPods are compatible, here's an article to read:

iPod - Moving Files from Napster to iTunes Guest Author - Lisa Shea

If you've used Napster and have bought an iPod, you're out of luck. Napster does not support the iPod. Here's how to get all your songs - INCLUDING paid in Napster songs - to iTunes.

First, start out by pointing iTunes at your Napster music directory and telling it to import all of the files there. MP3 files will be brought in as is, with no conversion at all. WMA files are not supported by iTunes and will be converted on the fly as they are brought in. That should take care of any music you did NOT buy through the Napster service.

Now you are down to the paid-for songs which are in a special, copy-protected form. You can't just move them and open them. Some people think erroneously that this means that they have to keep using Napster forever to listen to those songs! Au contraire.

In essence you have to export the Napster songs to a "generic common format", and then import from that format into iTunes. If you think about it, the choice is obvious - a music CD! Every music software package under the sun knows how to deal with audio CDs.

So simply get yourself a pile of writeable CDs. They're very cheap. Now write out your Napster paid-for music onto a few CDs, being sure of course to label them properly. It's always good to have a backup of your paid-for music in any case, because as we know hard drives have this tendency to get corrupted or damaged when we least expect it.

Once you have your audio CDs all ready, simply import them into iTunes as you would any CD. You'll probably have to manually label the tracks, but that's really not a big deal. Just put down the artist, song name and original album, and you're all set!

[MetalQueen]

I didn't find anything importing Napster playlist into iTunes, but I know iTunes has the ability to import playlists. I would just be a matter of figuring out if Napster exports its playlists in a compatible format. Otherwise Napster and iPods are compatible, here's an article to read:

iPod - Moving Files from Napster to iTunes Guest Author - Lisa Shea

If you've used Napster and have bought an iPod, you're out of luck. Napster does not support the iPod. Here's how to get all your songs - INCLUDING paid in Napster songs - to iTunes.

First, start out by pointing iTunes at your Napster music directory and telling it to import all of the files there. MP3 files will be brought in as is, with no conversion at all. WMA files are not supported by iTunes and will be converted on the fly as they are brought in. That should take care of any music you did NOT buy through the Napster service.

Now you are down to the paid-for songs which are in a special, copy-protected form. You can't just move them and open them. Some people think erroneously that this means that they have to keep using Napster forever to listen to those songs! Au contraire.

In essence you have to export the Napster songs to a "generic common format", and then import from that format into iTunes. If you think about it, the choice is obvious - a music CD! Every music software package under the sun knows how to deal with audio CDs.

So simply get yourself a pile of writeable CDs. They're very cheap. Now write out your Napster paid-for music onto a few CDs, being sure of course to label them properly. It's always good to have a backup of your paid-for music in any case, because as we know hard drives have this tendency to get corrupted or damaged when we least expect it.

Once you have your audio CDs all ready, simply import them into iTunes as you would any CD. You'll probably have to manually label the tracks, but that's really not a big deal. Just put down the artist, song name and original album, and you're all set!

BOB.....DID YOU KNOW, YOU ROCK!!!!!!! WHOSE BETTER THAN YOU???

I did find a few Dell DJ's on e-bay, too. I could prob. snatch a 30-gigger for like $75, but I may want to conform with the masses and go for the Ipod. Sheesh, I deserve one and in a pretty color, too!!!!

I'll let ya know!!!!

Deb

[SpinBob]

BOB.....WHOSE BETTER THAN YOU???Lots of people, you really have Google to thank.

Btw, you could test out iTunes even before you buy an iPod to see if the playlist thing works. Just go to www.apple.com/itunes/download. It's a free download.

[AC]

Before you celebrate, if you subscribe to "Napster-to-Go", which enables you to transfer unlimited songs back and forth to specific mp3 compatible players, an Ipod will NOT be compatible.

You cannot burn CD's from Napster without buying them @ $.99 each, or whatever they might charge for them. From there, you can rip them back up into any program for filing, including ITunes.

If you have read any other threads about the Napster or Rhapsody pay music services for downloads, look into Replay-Music software.

[MetalQueen]

Before you celebrate, if you subscribe to "Napster-to-Go", which enables you to transfer unlimited songs back and forth to specific mp3 compatible players, an Ipod will NOT be compatible.

You cannot burn CD's from Napster without buying them @ $.99 each, or whatever they might charge for them. From there, you can rip them back up into any program for filing, including ITunes.

If you have read any other threads about the Napster or Rhapsody pay music services for downloads, look into Replay-Music software.

I AM a Napster-to-Go Subscriber. I may just buy what I had (the Dell) on e-bay with a 30 gig hard drive for $75 and then maybe Santa will get me a new Ipod for Christmas and I'll have 2 neato toys (and maybe a cool skull and cross bones tank top, too!!!)

[AC]

I AM a Napster-to-Go Subscriber. I may just buy what I had (the Dell) on e-bay with a 30 gig hard drive for $75 and then maybe Santa will get me a new Ipod for Christmas and I'll have 2 neato toys (and maybe a cool skull and cross bones tank top, too!!!)

You can also look on the Napster website for compatible devices. The Dell or Toshiba are the ones with the larger capacity. I owned a Toshiba Gigabeat 40G for a while and thought it was OK.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5707296-1.html?tag=more

[megale3]

I AM a Napster-to-Go Subscriber. I may just buy what I had (the Dell) on e-bay with a 30 gig hard drive for $75 and then maybe Santa will get me a new Ipod for Christmas and I'll have 2 neato toys (and maybe a cool skull and cross bones tank top, too!!!)
I have a Dell DJ 20 gig and it is still running fine but I use it more for a portable HD to back up my music which may not be big enough anymore. I may look for another soon too. I use an Ipod for the ease of "on the go" playlist and I can convert MP3's to play on it without having to go in reverse which takes a CD burning to accomplish. :mad: I think Dell has now hooked up with Sandisk http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=SANSAE&s=dhs
good stuff for a fraction of the price
M<

[MetalQueen]

You can also look on the Napster website for compatible devices. The Dell or Toshiba are the ones with the larger capacity. I owned a Toshiba Gigabeat 40G for a while and thought it was OK.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5707296-1.html?tag=more

Boy, none of those players get a really "great" review.

I think the Sony I was looking at is too new to be on that list.

Is 8-gig enough. I'm used to having 30 but who knows how much of that "power" I actually used.

Also, how does Itunes work. Can you get an unlimited monthly subscription or do you pay for every song you download to your player?

Sorry if I am asking obvious questions.

The only down side to getting the Dell again is it's size. When it first came out it was the ONLY MP-3 that had a hard-drive memory. Compare it to an Ipod and it looks like a monster (eek...did somebody say monster, is it Halloween?)

[SpinBob]

My iPod is 40 gigs and it's only 3/4 full. I suppose it depends on what you're actually using it for. If I was using it just for class, then it would be fine for me. If I was using it for more than just class, then I would want a bigger device.

[AC]

Boy, none of those players get a really "great" review.

I think the Sony I was looking at is too new to be on that list.

Is 8-gig enough. I'm used to having 30 but who knows how much of that "power" I actually used.

Also, how does Itunes work. Can you get an unlimited monthly subscription or do you pay for every song you download to your player?

Sorry if I am asking obvious questions.

The only down side to getting the Dell again is it's size. When it first came out it was the ONLY MP-3 that had a hard-drive memory. Compare it to an Ipod and it looks like a monster (eek...did somebody say monster, is it Halloween?)

ITunes, as a software program, is free. Nothing else about it is free. You pay no less than $.99 a song (sometimes averages cheaper if you buy an entire album), you pay for an IPod. There's no subscription, you pay as you buy. Podcasts are free and are a great feature. I also catch up on some TV episodes for $1.99, but that's just my shtick for travelling.

The benefit of ITunes is the easy interface between IPod and ITunes. The ease and availability of IPods and accessories for IPods. Better design, easy to use, lots of peripherals available.

The Napster-to-go players are limited. Right now, you can get a 30G Zune, on some sites for $99.00 because Microsoft is bring out a new model in a few weeks. IMO, 30G for $79-99 is a very good buy. There's accessories available for Zune. It's not compatible with Napster-to-go.

I have always recommended Podswap.com, as you can get refurbished Ipods reliable for very reasonable prices. I have purchased several from him (ask for Alex, tell him I recommended you) for gifts and personal use. I currently use a 30G Video Ipod for class mixes exclusively.

Again, research "replay-music" and subscribe to Napster and get the best of all worlds.

[MetalQueen]

I'll tell ya, the more I look at that Sony the better it looks. All the reviews rave about the sound quality and it seems like 8 gig is going to be enough.

Even if I only put the Spin Playlists on there as I need them...

Not making any rash decisions, yet.

I didn't realize how lost I'd feel without my MP3.

[megale3]

I have always recommended Podswap.com, as you can get refurbished Ipods reliable for very reasonable prices. I have purchased several from him (ask for Alex, tell him I recommended you) for gifts and personal use. I currently use a 30G Video Ipod for class mixes exclusively.

Again, research "replay-music" and subscribe to Napster and get the best of all worlds.

Anyone else have an Ipod Nano or other that just comes on with out being moved? I have left my ear plugs in it and I will be up late night for what ever reason and I hear music and it kind of spooks me out to find it in my day planner just running.:o
Meg a weirded out

[Pink]

Anyone else have an Ipod Nano or other that just comes on with out being moved? I have left my ear plugs in it and I will be up late night for what ever reason and I hear music and it kind of spooks me out to find it in my day planner just running.:o
Meg a weirded out

Maybe that's why my Nano is always out of batteries -- it turns on in the middle of the night & has itself a little party.

[megale3]

Maybe that's why my Nano is always out of batteries -- it turns on in the middle of the night & has itself a little party.
But then it could be ....possessed!:o

[SpinBob]

Maybe it's that Halloween playlist...

[AC]

My Ipods never go against the family. However, my influence over Ipods both in and around my sphere of influence is a power I have never measured.

[AC]

I'll tell ya, the more I look at that Sony the better it looks. All the reviews rave about the sound quality and it seems like 8 gig is going to be enough.

Even if I only put the Spin Playlists on there as I need them...

Not making any rash decisions, yet.

I didn't realize how lost I'd feel without my MP3.

This is the deal on the Zune I was talking about...30G for $99 is an excellent value.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203171424&adid=17653&dcaid=17653

[rindin' high]

Here's another to consider. The Zen(I have the 30g) I use this as my own personal music center,,,,and I have a Sansa 8g that I love and use for my classes/playlists/running.

I was tired of the Ipod/Itunes proprietary garbage(at least to me). With the Sansa, I can download pretty much anything from pretty much anywhere without a hassle,,,,not just itunes.

Give the sansa and zune a look! goodluck to you.

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1166)-SanDisk_Sansa_e200_Series_MP3_Players.aspx

link for sansa

[MetalQueen]

Here's another to consider. The Zen(I have the 30g) I use this as my own personal music center,,,,and I have a Sansa 8g that I love and use for my classes/playlists/running.

I was tired of the Ipod/Itunes proprietary garbage(at least to me). With the Sansa, I can download pretty much anything from pretty much anywhere without a hassle,,,,not just itunes.

Give the sansa and zune a look! goodluck to you.

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1166)-SanDisk_Sansa_e200_Series_MP3_Players.aspx

link for sansa

Thanks....I ordered the Sony. I AM LOST without my portable music. I'll let you know what I think.