i need advice about getting ipod or something similar. i was not sold on ipod because you have to buy music from only their site at their prices? any help is appreciated. also, which unit has the best software for downloads and compatibility with a computer. thanks

 

If you want to buy music via Itunes it has to be from their site. However you can load any MP3's you already have (whether purchased or ripped yourself) or you can load on any CD's you already have. Most of the pay sites are restricted in one way or another.

 

so is ipod the best product for ease of use. i have downloaded songs from walmart music site. are these compatible with ipod? thanks

 

It just plays Mp3 files like anything else.

Best advantage of iPod is that Mercedes makes kit for some cars that brings the iPod menu to the Command screen and/or the multifunction display.

 

I have a high end Pioneer head unit:

Head Unit

the hard-wired Sirius satellite kit, and a Dell Axim51v PDA (12GB mp3 with secure digital and compact flash cards at the same time). The PDA hooks in through an aux. I can't control the tunes from the head unit like you can with an iPod, but it's easier to just switch songs from the PDA. When I'm parked in traffic I can fire up Pocket Nester (Nintendo emulator) and shoot some Golf! I didn't go with the iPod because it's not flexible enough. The PDA does all sorts of happy things. It's much more flexible and useful than an iPod. Not to mention the fact that unlike the iPod, you can replace the battery in the PDA when it eventually dies.

The PDA is very compatible with a computer and will play a lot of different types of music. It comes with Windows Media Player, but I use GSPlayer: Link

This head unit also works with my bluetooth phone...

(I don't work for Dell or Pioneer!)

 

I like the iPod. Its design, relative ease of operation, and flexibility are the reasons for its commanding lead in market share. The video iPods are tops in flexibility and allow playback of some TV programs. I like the full-size iPods because of their storage capacity (mine is a 40GB G4 non-video model).

iTunes software is easy, both Mac and Windows friendly, and the music selection is tremendous. Plus, you own your download - it's not a license simply to play back for as long as you maintain membership in the service. With iTunes you can also burn your CDs as well as load your iPod (though I prefer Roxio Toast with Jam for burning CDs and mp3 DVDs - personal preference). iTunes makes updating your iPod a snap. Despite the often-discussed Apple digital rights management (DRM), there is software that lets you download music from your iPod as well.

The iPod itself handles a large number of music formats, not simply mp3. The Apple Lossless format provides better sound quality than mp3 (though takes up more memory), and iPod can handle AIFF files - the original, full-size CD file, with no quality loss. Big memory hit there, but some music is worth it in my view.

And, the devices for using your iPod in the home, at work, or in your car (the latter comes with with some caveats) are extensive. At home mine is plugged into my Bose home theater system, and is far easier to use than the Bose music storage and access device built into the system.

I am extremely frustrated at the lack of ability to integrate the iPod (or any other mp3 player) into my '05 S500 COMAND; however, both older and newer Mercedes models than the '05 provide some workarounds; lots has been written about this on the forums. Some newer models provide for iPod integration units developed by MB and Apple. 3rd party units are available for older models.

 

I love the iPod! It's one of my favorite things in the world. Simple, and does what it's supposed to well.

About the whole iTunes thing, if you buy music from them it is a protected file. However you can "launder" it by burning it to a disc and then re importing it giving you a clean copy. From my view that's not too much trouble and then the music is just a file that I own and can do with whatever I want.

Go with the iPod, you won't be sorry. If you are thinking of getting a new video version, wait a month or so. There are some strong rumors that they are coming out with a new version that is a 3.5 in screen with the touch wheel on the screen. Sounds cool.