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General discussion

ipod help...finally making the plunge

Apr 4, 2009 11:07AM PDT

I have been avoiding the mp3 revolution for quite some time. I love my CDs and hate the idea of anything "compressed". But I also see what's going on around me and at some point have to pull the plug. I have had mp3 players before but with minimal memory. I am finally thinking of transferring everything to an ipod and have a question.

Let's say I have a collection of 500 CDs and put them all on my PC then on my ipod.

Question #1 - If my PC crashes, will I be able to take the ipod and xfer the music to a new PC if I get one?

Ok so now let's say I purchase a bunch of music for my ipod through itunes and then my ipod crashes and I have to get another.

Question #2 - Will I be able to get all those songs back from my pc/itunes account and put them on a newly purchased ipod?


Thanks! I am worried about these things and wanted to get answers before making the switch.

Discussion is locked

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some answers
Apr 4, 2009 4:44PM PDT

Answer to question 1: you can, but it's not a simple drag and drop operation.
Here's a link to iLounge tutorials to show you how you can do this.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/tutorials/

I avoid this by backing up my ENTIRE iTunes library. When I mean entire, I mean all of my music, video, and data information that is contained in the iTunes folder. (note: it also help to maintain everything in the iTunes folder; it makes recreating your iTunes library with playlists, ratings, etc so much easier).

I back up on a weekly basis to several different sources (NAS, external hard drive, and DVDs). I also back up every song I purchase when I purchase them, either through iTunes or another source (I like Amazon's mp3 downloads) to an external hard drive. It's redundant but it makes my life easier should my computer crash.

My old laptop recently died so I had to buy a new one. When I got my new computer all I had to do was install iTunes, move the new iTunes folder that was created with this new installation (I later deleted it), then move my iTunes folder that I backed up into the "my music" folder. Opened up iTunes and it was as if I was still on the old computer. Even my iPod(s) didn't know the difference.

Answer to question 2: Yes

Actually, I have more than several iPods. There are no limits to how many iPods you can put your purchased content on. You do have a 5 computer limit for purchased content, but that is for DRM'ed stuff only. iTunes is going DRM free for music and you would be able to put these purchased tracks on as many computers as you want. I don't think their entire music library is DRM free yet. Most of the videos (movies, tv shows) will still have DRM so the 5 computer limit would apply.

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Apple not the only fruit
Apr 4, 2009 6:53PM PDT

iPod is a very nice player but as described above iTunes is a bit of a pig. Compared to players which allow simple drag and drop downloading and copying of tunes, with iPod you are entering a world of Apple control freakery.

Before committing, for heaven's sake have a look at some of the alternatives -- Sony make some very nice sounding players and are currently offering very good prices, Sandisk Sansa players are excellent value and allow memory expansion by SD card.

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Non-apple players
Apr 4, 2009 11:36PM PDT

I like non-ipod players but cannot find a non-confusing music service. I HATE (I am using HATE here) Rhapsody. What other services are there for non-apple other than Rhapsody?

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if you're talking about BUYING music
Apr 5, 2009 3:35AM PDT

I really like Amazon's MP3 Downloads. I rarely use the iTunes Store for purchasing music, even for my iPods.

http://www.amazon.com/MP3-Music-Download/b/ref=sa_menu_dmusic1_gw?ie=UTF8&node=163856011&pf_rd_p=328655101&pf_rd_s=left-nav-1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0V9K8MSPWX040MYFQGE5

The interface has a lot to be desired, but I like their pricing, especially some of their "MP3 Deals of the Day." I've purchased newly released (a couple of times, day of release) albums for as low as $2.99. I've also purchased some older (sometimes just months old) albums for as low as 99 cents! They also have a "Friday 5," five albums that they sell for $5 each until Monday.

There's minimal software. I just download their MP3 downloader and it only kicks in when I actually buy an mp3 from Amazon. Then it automatically brings it into my iTunes library. I also have iTunes set to place in the iTunes folder - this creates a second copy (Amazon creates an Amazon folder in "My Music). You can also have automatically go into your Windows Media Player library.

It's a shame you don't like Rhapsody. While I don't use it to buy, I use it as a tool to preview music. If I like an entire album enough, then I might buy it (Amazon, iTunes, physical cd). I have the "to go" plan and I use it on my non-iPods (I mainly use a Sony NWZ-E436 for this purpose) and I let my brother use my account to load up his Sony player. I gave him my NWZ-A816 late last year when his SanDisk Sansa Clip died (I also gave this one to him).

BTW, even if I wasn't using iPod/iTunes, I'd still back up everything the way that I currently do. I don't like to rely on my mp3 player as my primary means of back up. Too easily lost, stolen, and broken though I've never had these happen to any of my players.

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thx
Apr 5, 2009 8:32AM PDT

Thanks! For some reason I thought you couldn't back up purchased content. Thought it had protection on it so once it was stored on whatever directory via whatever tool (rhapsody for example) it could only live there.

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No prob
Apr 5, 2009 1:00PM PDT

iTunes actually nags you to back up purchased content every once in a while. They won't let you redownload purchased content once successfully downloaded. I have heard that if you talk to a customer service rep that they might let you, but it's really a case by case basis.

If you've purchased (as opposed to d/l through the subscription) stuff from Rhapsody, everything from around May 2008 (possibly earlier) and later will be DRM-free. But you can actually back up subscription content from Rhapsody if you downloaded it. I usually stream it or download directly to my mp3 player. You just find the Rhapsody folder in "My Music" and then copy it to an external HD. You should be able to burn a data cd/dvd. NOT an audio one, that's where the protection kicks in. You won't be able to play that content unless they go on an authorized computer.

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One other thing
Apr 5, 2009 12:23AM PDT

The benefit of ipod (as I see it) is also that the accessories are plentiful and unlimited. My wife has a sony right now and trying to find a base to plug it into to play music in our bedroom is ridiculous. about 100 out there are "ipod" compatible but about 2 are made for hers which was just purchased last year.

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You don't have to buy a base.
Apr 5, 2009 5:58AM PDT

A good sounding pair of computer speakers should do -- just connect via the headphone socket.