I have a large collection of cds/mp3's and have recently discovered how to record streaming radio stations to mp3 as well. I quite fancy a mini-iPod on an armband to use while out but it will be a bit pointless if i have to use that STUPID itunes piece of software and songs downloaded from apple.

I also quite like the idea of getting one of those iRoadTrip things or whatever they're called from the Apple site so i can use it in the car

Anyone know if i can use any old MP3's on one of these cool little devices then?

I think iPods only play AAC.....I think these are MP4s/ compressed MP3 or something like that.

You can convert from MP3 to AAC using iTunes....download it from the Apple site.

If I remember a conversation I had with another ipod toting friend of mine, he bought an MP3 cd, and could eve get it onto the ipod, but it wouldn't play it.

IIRC, the ipods use AAC or Apple lossless, which is dfferent from Mp3

Ipods play MP3s fine I've encoded all my music as MP3s so that I'm not restricted to using an Ipod at a later date.

In common with many hard disk based MP3 players you can't just drop the music onto the Ipod when it appears as a hard disk you have to add it through Apple iTunes or an equivalent so that the Ipod library knows about the music.

Defintely agree with Gizmo on this one. Apple Lossless and AAC are just two of the formats supported. Apple Lossless is what it says -- no compression (and therefore huge files). AAC is used by Apple on the iTunes Music Store. If you are copying your own CDs, you can decide which format to use. You can also decide what bit rate to use. For example, I use a higher bit rate to record on my hard disk than I do to record for the iPod (on the basis that I can't tell the difference on the earphones or when playing through the car stereo).

The iPod mini supports MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store, M4A, M4B, M4P), Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4) and WAV.

The other iPods support AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF.

Excellent thanks guys, that's what i wanted to hear! That'll be another gadget on the way then

Dave - Let us know if you find a cheap one as someone has asked me to look out for one.

Don,t buy an ipod check out the iriver H320

We have an Iriver - great bit of kit. Unfortunatly not the fashion statement that the kid i know wants.

We have an Iriver - great bit of kit. Unfortunatly not the fashion statement that the kid i know wants.

Just scratch out the river and replace with pod and stick some white headphones on,none the wiser;) .

Hey - you're preaching to the converted mate.

So easy - just appears as another dirve, drop the tunes on and yor away. No sly copy protection and all that stuff.

Ipods play MP3s fine I've encoded all my music as MP3s so that I'm not restricted to using an Ipod at a later date.

In common with many hard disk based MP3 players you can't just drop the music onto the Ipod when it appears as a hard disk you have to add it through Apple iTunes or an equivalent so that the Ipod library knows about the music.

He speaks the truth, and I-tunes lets you convert any supported format to MP3, my 40GB 3rd Gen is all stored in MP3 format, and I don't have any prob's importing MP3's from CD' in Itunes.

I got a good deal in Halfords of all places on a new Alpine head unit with Ipod control unit, paid

Dave - Let us know if you find a cheap one as someone has asked me to look out for one.

go on Holiday to the states ... go to Best Buy .... and grab a handfull I got my 40GB earlier in the year on a business trip for around

August - can't wait that long

I've got a 20gb mp3 played called Odysse or something which is great but i just fancy an iPod that's all I though when i was down the gym (cough) i could stick an iPod mini on an armband so i could run with it rather than some other great big thing clipped to my belt dragging my shorts down!

The other thing is that i can get one of the FM transmitter thingies so i can listen to all sorts of stuff in the Jaguar that i wouldn't otherwise be able to listen to...

sly copy protection and all that stuff.

So copyright owners protecting their material from copying is "sly". Outrageous of them, isn't it!

The other thing is that i can get one of the FM transmitter thingies so i can listen to all sorts of stuff in the Jaguar that i wouldn't otherwise be able to listen to...

Which at last check are still illegal to actually use in the UK (though not to buy or sell...... :confused: )

HTH