I need iPod help!!

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Yes I admit it I am ipod impaired. About 2 years ago I purchased a RCA Lyra MP3 player for little grumpy. She loved it and it still works great but now she wants an iPod for her birthday so she can use some of teh cool accessories that you can buy for it. Since I have issues with anything with an Apple logo on it, I am lost about which iPod I should get her.

Here is some info about the mp3 player she has if that helps

RCA Lyra

512 meg expandable up to 1 gig witha SD card

She currently has about 100 songs on her player with lots of room left.


I think she wants an Ipod that has video capabilies on it.


Is there an iPod with a decent amount of memory and video for under $150?
Whats the difference in a shuffle, Nano, and Micro?
What is the major diferences between the different generations of each of the types of iPods?
Will songs that i have downloaded and stored on my PC be able to be transfered to an iPod even if they didnt come from iTunes?
What kind of video format does an iPod use?
ARe there any "must have accessories " besides an iDog that a 11 year would like?
Are there any other brands that are compatible with the iPod accessories?

Thanks in advance for any help with this

Grumpy

 

[VMK_MagicalLadee]

Yes I admit it I am ipod impaired. About 2 years ago I purchased a RCA Lyra MP3 player for little grumpy. She loved it and it still works great but now she wants an iPod for her birthday so she can use some of teh cool accessories that you can buy for it. Since I have issues with anything with an Apple logo on it, I am lost about which iPod I should get her.

Here is some info about the mp3 player she has if that helps

RCA Lyra

512 meg expandable up to 1 gig witha SD card

She currently has about 100 songs on her player with lots of room left.


I think she wants an Ipod that has video capabilies on it.


Is there an iPod with a decent amount of memory and video for under $150?
Unless you buy a broken one.. or a used one, don't think so.
Whats the difference in a shuffle, Nano, and Micro? A shuffle has no screen, it just randomly shuffles the songs for you and the others have screens, but the best one out of the 3 in my opinion is the nano.
What is the major diferences between the different generations of each of the types of iPods? The new ones are thinner, don't have as many bugs.
Will songs that i have downloaded and stored on my PC be able to be transfered to an iPod even if they didnt come from iTunes? Sure can, just click "Import File" from file menu. If they are windows media type, it will convert it for you.
What kind of video format does an iPod use?MP4
ARe there any "must have accessories " besides an iDog that a 11 year would like?You could get her different iPod skins. There are a million things for ipods.
Are there any other brands that are compatible with the iPod accessories?
Dont think so >_<

Thanks in advance for any help with this

Grumpy

 

[Iris]

A 2GB IPod Nana which holds approximately 500 songs retails for $149.00 at the Apple website and shipping is free. They also offer free laser engraving on the back so if they have a favorite phrase or nickname, they will engrave it on the back for free.

My two girls recently upgraded from their IPod Minis (no longer available) to Ipod Nanos with 4GB of storage and holds about 1000 songs. Plenty of room and comes in various colors (silver, green, blue, pink, and special order Product Red) and retails for $199.00. Twice the amount of songs and only an additional $50.

We have not had any issues with these Ipods. They work well and it is easy for them to get songs from the ITunes Store. It also makes it easier on relatives because any time we have a birthday, they ask for ITunes Gift Cards so they can purchase music.

Video Ipods are more expensive. A 30 GB Video Ipod retails for $249.00 and comes in black or white only. I have one of these and if she wants to download shows or movies, this might be a great item for her. I have a few shows (mostly SNL shows) and a couple of movies on my Ipod and I still have plenty of room. This Ipod holds about 7500 songs. It is great for extended rode trips and for Christmas I got an ITrip so I can plug my Ipod into the car and everyone can see the movie with the sound coming out of the radio.

I don't think I will ever get close to 7500 songs however. Also, you can always remove the movies from the Ipod if you wish as they are also held on your computer from the download.

The best accessory my girls have is an IHome which serves as a docking station and plays their songs in their room but also serves as an alarm clock. But there are so many accessories it is not even funny.

Have fun with it.

 

[goldengourd]

Cost wise, I don't think your going to find the video one in the price you mentioned. My daughter's (13yr), mine and my husband's (getting for father's day), have the nano. 2gb is plenty room for me, never even gotten close to using up my space. I'm not ready to let my daughter have the video one, as the girls her age tend to use them mostly for music videos, which I like to have a little more awareness of what she is watching. Accessories my daughter has: the 'perfect' case (trust me, she'll need to pick out her own, lol), iHome, iDog, noise cancelling headphones (that she uses when traveling in the car) as the ear buds can get uncomfortable for her after awhile sometimes. The headphone jack on the iPod is standard, she also uses them for the portable dvd player, etc.

 

[valeriesunshine]

Yeah I would say about a 2GB Video Ipod. I think they hold over 500 songs and movies, music videos, TV Shows yadda yadda.

 

[CapEldano2]

ARe there any "must have accessories " besides an iDog that a 11 year would like?

I would say an iHome is the perfect accessory for an iPod owner.There are many different kinds, but they all share the capability of putting your iPod on a dock and playing your music through speakers (the speakers I find have very good sound quality, much better than the non-apple brand iPod speakers at least). The iHome I have is also an alarm clock and a radio and comes with different attachments for different kinds of iPods. I don't really know how expensive they are because i got mine as a gift. Hope that helps!

 

[Shaymojack]

Yeah I would say about a 2GB Video Ipod. I think they hold over 500 songs and movies, music videos, TV Shows yadda yadda.

Uh... There is no 2 gig video. Most movies take up over one gig, anyways.

 

[HeDiedxILive]

The nanos do not support video.
If she wants video then you will have to buy a regular iPod, the lowest 30G at around $250.

To give you an idea for space (if it helps), my iPod currently has 2,273 songs, 160 videos (mainly under 10 minutes), and 552 photos. I've used 14G of my 30G.

Basically,
A: Your price range will stick you with a nano, and
B: You won't get video in the price range (unless you buy used.)



Songs are very easily converted to iPod format. You won't have a problem!

 

[punkskateboarder]

if she wants a ipod with video u have to spend 250 dollars (like i did.....and there went my bday money) and i like mine ive also had a nano (i got it for christmas) and it was good too. if she wants more memory and a screen get her a nano if she wants a small light weight and with a 1GB capasity (240 songs) get her a shuffle is she wants a HUGE capasity and a video compatable ipod get her a video but videos are $250 there is a 30GB(7500 songs) and a 80GB (20,000 songs and its $330 i think) i have a 30GB and my nano (now its my moms nano i gave it to her after i got my new ipod) as 2GB they were blth black now the nanos come in silver for 2gb pink, green, blue and silver for the 4gb also they have a red 4gb and 8gb limited edition ipod and for the 8gb is only comes in black unless you buy limited edition for the same price (rember the limited edition is red) also the shuffles only come in 1gb and the colors are silver, pink, blue, green or orange. i have never had a shuffle but i have heard from online sites that the shuffle is very nice. some helpful sites for ipod buyers are:
www.apple.com
www.ilounge.com
www.cnet.com (for reviews)
www.everythingipod.com

also for the ipod nano there are thrid party risk ful hacks to make the ipod nano video compatible if i were you i would not do this it can destory your ipod. and when u do get her the ipod always rember buy a case. i recomend the jam jacket. i hope this helps

 

[punkskateboarder]

also the thing i wote up was wrotten by a 11 year old and yes i am 11

 

[Melp]

As many have said in the price you are looking at the Nano will be the best option. The Video iPods are awesome (I have the 30gb) though I really don't use the video part too much other than the video disney podcasts I download. I got the 30gb more so for having plenty of room for my music (which was good since I have managed to download over 4gb of disney park music over the past year and that would fill a nano completely) I don't like the shuffles at all because of there not being a screen. Without the screen you can't see what is playing or navigate to a particular song/cd you want to listen to, however the size is really nice.

My must have accessories are a case of some sort. I have used the sleeve type which was nice but did not protect the screen on mine so I bought a screen protector for it also. I now use a hard case which works well for more protection. The iTrip is nice but unless she is driving or you want to hear her music probably not needed at this time. Some sort of speakers is good also. I have a iSymphony which is alot like the iHome but cheaper (not sure on price as it was a Christmas gift). I also have the penguin version of the iDog which is pretty much a fun speaker, not the best quality sound but fun to use (I didn't get mine primarily for the iPod use lol) Other than that I recommend at least a AC adapter since with the iPods they only come with a USB adapter and then to charge it you have to hook it up to the computer.

No matter what you decide I'm sure she'll love it though and Happy Birthday to her when the time comes!

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Thanks for all the help. I think since she already has a portable DVD player and a VideoNow player, I might just skip the video ipod and go with a Nano. I know i am showing my age but i find it obscene to pay more for a glorified walkman than i did for my first car. If yall have any tips about which generation and size of Nano I should get i would apreciatte those comments too.
I am pretty sure if i get her he Nano then i will also get her the iHome since it sounds likea good option instead of getting another home stereo for her.

and Melp I will definately NOT be getting her the iTrip since the whole point of the iPod is so I dont have to listen to "Its A Small World" driving all the way through Georgia again

 

[punkskateboarder]

get her a 4gb nano

 

[Shaymojack]

and Melp I will definately NOT be getting her the iTrip since the whole point of the iPod is so I dont have to listen to "Its A Small World" driving all the way through Georgia again

I'd say if she already has 100 songs, the 4 gig would probably be good, plus there are several colors for it. Silver, blue, pink, lime green, and if you order it online from Apple (or go to an Apple store), Product(RED) version. It's about $200 for a 4 gig, but if you want cheaper there is the 2 gig for $150, about in your price range. You probably will want to get her a case of some sort, because although it can take a bit to break them, they scratch somewhat easily. And let's face it, she will probably drop it a few times.
I hope I helped.

 

[dizanimator]

If you haven't gotten her iPod yet, I do have a suggestion for picking size. Download iTunes before buying the iPod and get her music and any podcasts she might want to listen to added to it. Then you can see the amount of memory needed for what she'll want to have on it. If the number is close to the next size up iPod you may want to consider that one instead, since she will probably get more music in the future and want to have room for it on her iPod. Also, at least when my dad got his iPod, the 30GB video iPod was about the same price as the 8GB nano. I would say one of the first accessories for her iPod should be a case, and if it's a video iPod, it really needs to have some screen protection to prevent scratches. The only generation of iPod nano in stores is the second generation, which is made of metal. The first generation iPod nano looked much like a smaller version of the video iPod. Sorry I didn't post this before, but I only saw the thread today. Hope you feel better soon grumpy.

 

[Melp]

and Melp I will definately NOT be getting her the iTrip since the whole point of the iPod is so I dont have to listen to "Its A Small World" driving all the way through Georgia again

ROFL missed the response until now but can't say I blame you (Even though I have a few versions of Its a Small World loaded on my iPod lol)

Hope you are feeling better soon Grumpy!