MP3 players: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb
Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb
by TheArchitect - 12/25/05 5:04 PMI'm looking for help in deciding which mp3 player is for me. Before I get a flood of responses from ipod bashers, I have already decided to go with ipod (despite the fact that does not have the best features- I'll concede this) because I have been using itunes for 2 years, and it would be too difficult for me to switch to another download service.
I know that comparing the ipod video and ipod nano are like comparing apples to oranges, but I really have not found a good comparison anywhere (if anyone knows a good link, could you pass that along)
I hate to be a pessimist, but I'll present my concerns with each player:
NANO: I currently have 8 gb of mp3s, so one of my concerns about the nano is how easy would it be for me to rotate out the files? Secondly, is 4 gb really enough space? (this is my first mp3 player) My brother-in-law has been showing me the podcasts he downloads, and I feel like I'd run out of space entirely too quickly with the additional files I would find. Does anyone have personal experience with this? Finally, would I be missing out by not getting a video component to the player (I feel like this is the wave of the future-- I know this feature is limited by battery life in the 30 gb model, but it would be nice to have nonetheless). Another flaw I have heard is that the nano scratches very easily, but I'm not concerned with that because I would keep it in a case.
VIDEO/5G: My concerns with the 5G 30gb ipod video are its battery life and durability of a hard drive vs. flash drive. My main use of the mp3 player will be listening to mp3s as I study (I am a graduate student), so I don't want the player to die after only 2 hours of use. The facts say that it has 14 hrs of mp3 play and 2 of video, but it still bothers me. Does anyone have any experience with which player (nano vs. 5G) (each says 14 hrs of mp3 play) has a better battery life? Does a flash drive vs. hard drive make a difference in battery drain? Secondly, I'm no marathon runner or professional body builder, but I do work out a few times a week, and I am concerned that the hard drive may not hold up as easily as the flash drive during my workouts. Also, I've read that flash drives crash less than hard drives. Can anyone shed some light on these?
I know I asked quite a bit of questions, but I appreciate any help in response.
Toughy
by Glorybox3737 - 12/25/05 6:18 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectI really feel that the 5G would be better for you. If you have 8gb of music and expect it to grow. Working out with a hard drive isn't the best idea. Perhaps you could get a cheapo 215mbs mp3 player to work out with?
The nano is the best option for active lifestyle. It's pretty easy to swap out files. Perhaps put your top rated songs onto the nano? I know with podcast that after you listen to them on your ipod or computer you can have them automatically deleted upon syning your ipod to the computer, that would free up space.
I have the nano and I've gotten 13 hours out of it. That's with no eq on and the sound 50%. Of course I frequently change songs so that drains the battery quicker.
I think the nano might be a bit more of a hassle for you versus the 5G. The nano is really made for people with a small collection of music.
well there are some pros and cons
by babynemo13 - 1/1/06 11:36 AM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectit all depends on you because i am getting the ipod video not the nano, but i did consider it. Iprinted out all the video ipod fact and the nano facts. The nano is super super tiny so if you are messy then this isn't for you because you will step on it. The pro is that it is little and you can carry it anywhere. the bad thing about the video ipod is the batter life. but it has games can play you favorite tv show if they have it and awesome music videos. but it all comes down to you if you want small and slick or do you want videos and games and a bigger screen.
Go for the Nano Man!
by bokkieiom - 2/17/06 1:42 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectHey TheArchitect I would go for the nano.
Here are some reasons.
Good Features
Small Lightweight
Colour Display
I Personally have a white 2g nano and it is great if you get a silcone case with a screen protector.
I wouldn't recommend the Video as it is wide that big screen scratches a heck lot more than the nano.
Anyway it would be a waste of money as you can only watch few shows. There are rumours on cnet about the vpod which can play video has a virtual clickwheel on the screen. Supposed to released in the middle of 2006.
Slight answer
by Stephaniejk - 4/28/06 4:59 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectHey man im feelin what you are. About 3 months ago i bought myself an ipod video (5G-30gb). Well it was stolen three weeks later, but thats not the point. Anyway just because i only had it for three weeks doesnt mean i didnt use it. Its a great player, loads of memory for storing things (all the music you have plus tons more) as the memory copacity would suggest. Also the screen permits crystal clear video. My only problems with it were the battery (which lasts only about an hour and a half to two hours when looking at video), the size (couldnt bring it everywhere with ease), and the fact that it scratched when you rubbed velvet on it.
Now 3 months later im lookin to buy another mp3 player/media device. After looking very hard over the specs of the ipod nano i would say, unless you really really want video, its the player for you. Perfect for taking places, and not as bulky. The only problem it seems that you would have is memory. Here is my answer. 4 gb is a lot of memory for purely listening to music, and although it seems easier to keep all your songs on one player its not that much of a hasle to switch things out. Plus with the battery length of the nano you couldnt eaven listen to 4 gb worth of songs.
I hope this kinda helps you with your decision, although your choice really depends on preferation. If you really want to use a device for short lengths of video, then the 5g ipod is for you. Yet if you want music in a tiny player you can take anywhere, then the nano is for you.
Well I have both players
by daveworld - 4/30/06 3:13 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectWell sort off, I have the VIDEO/5G and my girl has the NANO (but my money spent so their both mines). 
They are definitely night and day.
NANO - Amazingly small player.
With your 8 gig of music it may not be the best choice for you though. You will only be able to carry about 1,000 of those songs. (Less if you won’t to load Podcast). If you don't mind that, then there's ways to have iTunes rotate your songs to the Nano. I haven’t tried it but I read how someone who has a Nano set up a (Smart Playlist) in iTunes so everytime he connects his iPod Nano, new songs (or podcast) would load while the ones he listened to would unload from the iPod. The Nano scratches yes, but Apple provides a case thanks to complaints.
iPod VIDEO/5G - Amazingly beautiful player that never leaves my side.
I had a (3G-touch buttons) iPod before this and it's definitely a big improvement especially with the larger color screen. I load all types of media on this, from my entire music collection (1,500) to movies, photos and podcasts. It's definitely better in my opinion to have more space and not worry about it running out soon. But you did say you had 8,000 songs; the 30 gig holds about 7,500 songs (at 128 kbts), the 60 gig 15,000.
As for durability, my (3G) held up quite well on my mountain biking adventures without skipping once, on very rocky paths. I am still amazed that it never skipped once during my sometimes a 40 minute bike ride. I haven’t tried the (5G) yet but would assume it would hold up the same. All the hard disk iPods have a 25 minute skip protection which means they hardly ever skip so yeah it will hold up just fine with your workout. Besides that, it's much lighter than previous iPods and much slimmer.
The iPod main purpose is for music with video as an added bonus. So don't expect for great battery life when watching videos.
Which ever one you choose, here is what I recommend:
Definitely a Case
Warranty protection (Stores sell them for as little as $25)
AC Adapter ($24 Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00024KDVA/002-0327825-6862417?v=glance&n=172282
And definitely thoroughly test the iPod immediately after purchase.
Try SyncTunes to Sync iTunes with non-Apple MP3 players
by Rickgil - 7/2/06 6:52 AM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectI am looking at a similar choice, but I am leaning towards some non-Apple players, despite the fact that I use iTunes on a Mac.
I recently found a program called SyncTunes, which does a great job in loading playlists of songs from iTunes into any MP3 device that will mount as a USB disk drive on your Mac.
http://www.nesfield.co.uk/synctunes/
You still organize your music in iTunes, but then SyncTunes does the updating alnd loading of your player.
It's worth a look, anyway, if for nothing else than the lower prices. If you have a digital camera with flash memory and USB reader, or if you have a USB flash memory device, you can test what it's like to load iTunes songs and playlists with SyncTunes, before you go and buy a non-Apple player...
did you know about the 8gb nano?
by marcelomdsc - 9/18/06 3:35 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectIt sound like you already know, the pro n cons of both products, so it s just a matter of deciding which one fits your needs.
Personally I was trying to decide the same thing, I did a lot of research but now with the new 8gb ipod, I'm completely sure that, that is what I need. Specially because after talking to people that have mp3 players that play video, they told me that you dont really want to watch video in such a small screen, even if you think you will, after the first days it s just to small!.
So you should probably do the same that I ll do get the 8gb nano.
Get the Ipod Video
by tvplas - 9/18/06 4:48 PM In reply to: did you know about the 8gb nano? by marcelomdscWhy would you get the 8GB nano when you can get the Video for the same price. Ipod just lowered the price to $250. You get 30GB instead of 8. The video is by far the better deal.
RE: did you know about the 8gb nano?
by terrifiedkiller - 10/27/06 2:19 AM In reply to: did you know about the 8gb nano? by marcelomdschas anyone noticed how the 8 gig nano costs the same as teh 30 gig full sized? i'd go for the 2 gig or the 4 gig or the 30+ gig version
go for the flash
by tubemonkey - 9/18/06 5:26 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectPersonally, I'd go for a flash player. I see no need for a large capacity hard drive. They're not as durable, not as portable, and there's no need to carry your entire music library around.
These are supposed to be music players, not video players or photo viewers. If I want the latter two, I'd get a device with a substantially larger screen and that would rule out anything with a screen under 5 inches.
FTR, any MP3 player I get, must have an FM radio, SD card slot, and use a AAA battery.
RE: go for the flash
by terrifiedkiller - 10/27/06 2:23 AM In reply to: go for the flash by tubemonkeyPersonally, I'd go for a flash player. I see no need for a large capacity hard drive. They're not as durable, not as portable, and there's no need to carry your entire music library around.
These are supposed to be music players, not video players or photo viewers. If I want the latter two, I'd get a device with a substantially larger screen and that would rule out anything with a screen under 5 inches.
FTR, any MP3 player I get, must have an FM radio, SD card slot, and use a AAA battery.
i know of one that fits all but the sd card slot but part of it goes apart to attach to the comp its fatter but not as wide as the ipod nano but small in size (just not as thin)
battery life is decent too
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=9771
iPod protection
by clarefied - 9/18/06 6:50 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitecthey i don't know what advise to give you with regards to which iPod to choose...i have a nano and i love it...it's easy to change the selection of songs on it from the vast collection on my computer, the battery lasts long, it's small and light and cute...
but i do have a word of advise about protecting it. get the invisible shield. it sticks right onto the iPod so it doesn't obscure the beauty of the devise, and is made from the same stuff the air force uses to protect helicoptor blades from getting scratched. the stuff is amazing and keeps your iPod looking brand new. it costs $20.00 and is totally worth it.
anyway, for what it's worth.
good luck in making your decision.
I'd go for the Video Ipod
by tkingny - 9/18/06 7:13 PM In reply to: Ipod 5G 30gb vs. Ipod nano 4gb by TheArchitectI have an Ipod mini and (until a month ago) a 4G Ipod. I am about to buy a 5G (haven't decided between refurbished or the new 5.5G). Anyway, I am not one for constantly re-syncing all that often, so for me, I like the 30G. I can have all of my music anytime with extra room for some podcasts and an occassional video! To be honest, I prefer running with my ipod mini, but I don't think that the newer 30G would feel terrribly cumbersome (though the 4G did, but the 30G is quite a bit smaller). As for the hard drive, I've never had any problems using either Ipod at the Gym or running outside. To me, I would go for the larger storage! Hope that helps.
I'm back and happy
by marcelomdsc - 10/27/06 8:26 AM In reply to: I'd go for the Video Ipod by tkingnynow it s about a month since i got the 8gb nano. To my surprise I had to get it replaced twice, so that means that this is the third that i have.
The first time the center button wasnt working well since i got it out of the box, and eventually it lost sync, but with out connecting it to a pc, i was listening to it, i tured it off, i turned back on and the songs would like like they were playing but they weren't also the artwork wouldnt display.
the second one was working perfectly fine till it literaly died, after i turned off it never turned back on again.
This is my third one, and so far i havent had any trouble, i hope it stays that way, i m glad i payed 40 for a 2 warranty replacement plan.
But dont panic, it looks like it is just bad luck, because this ipod its amazing, i listen to it all the time and I have to charge it 2 a week.
The quality is pretty good, i would have like better EQs and the worst about it is that, there is not good cases out there for it!!!!!!!
i m still waiting for a good cases for my nano
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