Quick Look at the Vaja iPod Case 667

[marlof]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.vajacases.com/pda_eng.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.vajacases.com/pda_eng.htm</a><br /><br /></div>Although a Pocket PC can be used as a portable MP3 player, I still went for an iPod since it gives me 30 GB of storage. I'm very pleased with the iPod and the only complaint I had was that it scratches very easily, both the metal back and the white front. The top of the line units do come with a slipcase, but you can't use the buttons when the iPod is in this case, so you'll have to take your iPod from the case all the time, adding to the scratching. Enter Vaja Cases.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/vaja_ipodcase1.jpg" /><!><br /><br />The quality of the Vaja iPod Case 667 is like we've come to expect and like from Vaja: good quality leather, nice finishing and a great fit. When the iPod is in the case, the scroll wheel and buttons are free, and the screen is protected with a plastic insert. The ports and buttons at the top and bottom are left free. There's a headphone cutout in the flip cover, so you can plug in the (remote and your) headphone, even when the flip cover is closed. You can also charge and sync the iPod using a cable when it's inside the case.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/vaja_ipodcase3.jpg" /><br /><br />My only complaint about this case would be that you can't dock the iPod when it's inside the case. I had the dock set up next to my stereo set, to use my iPod as my jukebox. Now I have to plug in the two cables manually into my iPod. Highly doable, but docking the device would be even easier. But all in all I'm very pleased with this case and I've used it on my iPod since I've received it. If you think you'd like it as well, you can get this case through <a href="http://www.vajacases.com/pda_eng.htm">Vaja Cases</a> starting at US$ 34,90.

[adamz]

As a Pocket PC fanatic I'm kinda offended by this post.
At least get something that plays WMAs.
http://www.samsung.com/Products/DigitalAudioPlayer/yepp/DigitalAudioPlayer_yepp_YP_910GS.htm

[marlof]

AdamZ: You think as a Pocket PC fan you should support the WMA format? I'm sorry, but even though I am a Pocket PC fan, I won't let anybody dictate let alone limit the way I use my gadgets. Not Microsoft, so I won't use WMA. Not Apple, so I won't use AAC. I'm using 128 kbps MP3 files, which suit me well enough, and which can be played by almost anything you throw them at. Even Pocket PCs....
Next to that, I'm not just into technology, but also into Industrial Design. The Yepp looks nice enough, but I'd choose an iPod over that. That's my personal choice, and feel free to differ from me. But I'm a bit amazed that you're "slightly offended" if someone doesn't share your views.

For what it's worth: please do note that this quick look is located in the Off Topic forum. If you don't like it, there's a lot to be seen elsewhere on this site. :)

[dh]

I'm a PPC fan as well but I have never played any type of Windows Media file. I've never had any reason to.

I use DivX for movies and .ogg or MP3 for music.

Am I right in thinking that the lpod will not play .ogg files? That's the only way I would want one.

[ChristopherTD]

At least get something that plays WMAs.


Marlof is talking about a case! It doesn't play anything. :?

[Andrew]

Marlof
Thanks for the post, I just recently (last week) bought the 40gb ipod and im quite happy with it too. Ive also noticed how 'sensitive' the casing is and so was looking for a case. Your recommendation seems to be a good one thanks.
Ive also ordered the usb/firewire cable for it too as Id also like to use it as a hard disk but my notebook doenst have firewire on it :(

[marlof]

dh: no, the iPod won't play .ogg files. But even our Janak (.ogg fan as well) couldn't resist the iPod. I don't know if he knows more about the oggability of the iPod.


Marlof is talking about a case!

Thank you for getting this back on topic. Yes, I'm talking about a case. And a nice case at that.

[ChristopherTD]

I bought an iGlove for my iPod (one of the original 10GB models) and it has lasted very well. There are many more cases available now, we are spoiled for choice. The VAJA looks very nice.

[qmrq]

Don't worry, Linux is being ported to the iPod ! Soon you will have ogg support one way or another. ;)

[slothdog]

iRiver has begun releasing Ogg Vorbis-supporting firmware for their portable players. Their 20GB iHP-120 (http://www.iriver.com/product/info.asp?p_name=iHP-120) and 10GB iHP-100 (http://www.iriver.com/product/info.asp?p_name=iHP-100) both support Ogg Vorbis, and supposedly the firmware for their mp3-cd players isn't far behind.

[Deslock]

Thanks for posting about the Vaja… a coworker just got an iPod and I’ll tell him about it.

I’m also thinking about getting an iPod (though I’ll probably forego a case). FYI, the 40GB model is on sale for $450 this week at Circuit City.

Re: Adamz:

The YP-910GS has its advantages: most notably an FM transceiver (though it transmits at low quality), line-in recording, and better battery life (10 hours vs 8 hours). But I prefer the iPod:

- The wheel-control on the iPod is simply the best interface ever designed for a consumer electronics device. It's fast, simple, and intuitive. Navigating through menus and scrolling through a list of 1000s of songs is painless.
- The iPod is smaller and lighter (not by much, but the difference is important to me).
- Audio-quality on the iPod is superb (I dunno how the YP-910GS compares).
- You can manage playlists on the device (can't do that with the YP-910GS).
- iTunes has an excellent interface. If they sold something higher than 128kbps AAC (roughly equivalent to 160kbps MP3) I’d consider buying music though it.

Anyway, here’s a comparison between the YP-910GS and the iPod:
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/technology/personal_technology/7021794.htm

[surur]

Possibly a controversial opinion, but if you buy an Ipod for the industrial design, doesn't it spoil things a bit to get a dark, large leather case that covers up the controls and make it undockable...


Just a thought, dont flame me :)

Surur

[marlof]

Possibly a controversial opinion, but if you buy an Ipod for the industrial design, doesn't it spoil things a bit to get a dark, large leather case that covers up the controls and make it undockable...

I love the design as is. But ID is more than just looking at the case. It's the ease of use of the buttons, the menu structure, the quality of what you get, etc. The Vaja case protects my iPod, while giving me the functionality of its design. I miss out on certain aspects of the iPod design, but get some other things (like a way to carry the iPod on my belt) in return. Choices choices. Since I also like the looks of this Vaja case since it's classic, and not intrusive, my choice is to use the iPod in this case. And at moments when I want to marvel the Apple design, I get the iPod out of the case. I can even dock it then. The inside of this case feels softer than the original case, so I wouldn't even be surprised if taking the iPod from the Vaja case would cause less scratches. I didn't perform any scientific tests to proof that suspicion though. :D

[ExtremeSIMS]

I got the Speck Skin, as well as the Lajo iSkin. The latter is very very nice.
http://www.lajo.biz

Too lazy right now to post pics, so just check out that link. ;)

I am a Mac user, and a Pocket PC user. I'll use what I damned well can make work together - that's part of being a hard-core geek. ;)

[Foo Fighter]

I'm sorry, but even though I am a Pocket PC fan, I won't let anybody dictate let alone limit the way I use my gadgets. Not Microsoft, so I won't use WMA. Not Apple, so I won't use AAC.

Hate to say this, Marlof, but in a not too distant future you won't have a choice. DRM is a fact of life, and it will rule the digital content world, like it or not. MP3 will die away. All music services are offering content in various DRM formats like WMA and AAC. Over time, the music industry will prevent CDs from being burned in any format other than the ones that support DRM. And honestly I see no problem with this. Piracy is a serious problem. As long as these DRM hooks don't interfere with my listening pleasure, I have no problem at all.

[Janak Parekh]

dh: no, the iPod won't play .ogg files. But even our Janak (.ogg fan as well) couldn't resist the iPod. I don't know if he knows more about the oggability of the iPod.
In short, it's not. :( I reripped my CDs into multiple formats: Ogg for my computer, and MP3 for my iPod, although now I'm starting to rerip it all to AAC. Of course, after I go out and by an iPod, several Ogg-compatible hard drive players are announced, including the iRiver and a Rio unit. Oh well. The iPod is still very nice, and its integration with iTunes is very convenient.

qmrq alludes to a Linux port, but it's not available in useful form for the average consumer yet.

Thank you for getting this back on topic. Yes, I'm talking about a case. And a nice case at that.
Indeed, it is very nice. My problem with it is that I want my iPod to be as small as possible so that it fits in my pocket, and cases increase the thickness of the device. So I'm living with scratches, which isn't too bad. Of course, its resale value goes down that way... :|

BTW, Marlof, did you consider getting the iVolution case for yours instead?

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

Hate to say this, Marlof, but in a not too distant future you won't have a choice. DRM is a fact of life, and it will rule the digital content world, like it or not.
Unfortunately, you're right. I don't mind the iTMS too much, though -- it's reasonably lenient -- unlimited use of the music on up to three computers, which can trivially be switched around, and unlimited iPods plus unlimited CD burns. Not like most WMA systems, like BuyMusic's, where you have a primary vs. secondary computer and a finite number of "moves" and burns, and a differing set of rules for each song. It'll be interesting to see how Napster's mechanisms work.

--janak

[surur]

I must agree, from an attractiveness POV, http://www.lajo.biz/maclear/zip/images/ipod_zip_03.gif This (http://www.lajo.biz/maclear/) is alot nicer.

As to DRM, there are now so many formats available currently (WMA, AAC, whatever Rhapsody uses etc) that the only common format amongst all the services is CD, which then has to be ripped to MP3 so that you can use it on all your players (e.g. you cant play your AAC's on your pocketpc..). I suspect this will turn into the same nightmare that competing cellular standard in america caused, which will limit the functionality one standard format could have provided, e.g play your purchased music on any new generation mobile phone and in car player (the kind of things one can now do with MP3)

Surur

[adamz]

AdamZ: You think as a Pocket PC fan you should support the WMA format?

I was only half-joking about the Napster player and WMA format, since I wouldn't get one of those either. But WMA does work with a larger number of players (and supports DRM)... including Pocket PCs. Yeah, you can use MP3, but you can't buy music from iTunes or Napster like that. By purchasing an iPOD your are restricted to using the iTunes service for purchasing downloadable music.
As a Pocket PC fan, I wouldn't buy any portable device whose job could already be done by my Pocket PC. Nor would I buy a portable device that could not communicate with or enhance my Pocket PC's functions.
The iPOD is in no way complimentary to a Pocket PC. The only way I could recommend anyone buying an iPOD would be if they only want to listen to music. If you want to do that as well as everything else... like talk on the phone, play movies, surf the net, navigate maps, etc. then a Pocket PC is the way to go.
A friend of mine has an iPOD, and he is not impressed by it at all. Nor was I while trying to use it in the passenger seat of his car. Yeah, you can store a couple days worth of music on it, but it doesn't have half the functionality or flexibility of my Pocket PC.

[Jonathan1]

I haven't gotten an iPod just yet. (Waiting for that 80GB iPod to come out.)

But if I was going for a case I would go with http://www.lajo.biz/iskin/

What's the point of a slick looking iPod if you are going to cover it in leather.

[Jonathan1]

AdamZ: You think as a Pocket PC fan you should support the WMA format?

A friend of mine has an iPOD, and he is not impressed by it at all. Nor was I while trying to use it in the passenger seat of his car. Yeah, you can store a couple days worth of music on it, but it doesn't have half the functionality or flexibility of my Pocket PC.


LOL I guess you aren't impressed by a television because it can't run windows apps right? An iPod wasn't intended as a PDA. Its never been intended as a PDA. Jobs and co have given it some REALLY basic PDA functionality but that is where they draw the line. This devices primary purpose is music which, IMHO, it does exceedingly well.

[Jonathan1]

dh: no, the iPod won't play .ogg files. But even our Janak (.ogg fan as well) couldn't resist the iPod. I don't know if he knows more about the oggability of the iPod.
In short, it's not. :( I reripped my CDs into multiple formats: Ogg for my computer, and MP3 for my iPod, although now I'm starting to rerip it all to AAC. Of course, after I go out and by an iPod, several Ogg-compatible hard drive players are announced, including the iRiver and a Rio unit. Oh well. The iPod is still very nice, and its integration with iTunes is very convenient.

--janak

I'm still in the dark as to why Apple doesn't support OGG. Its a free open standard right? It wouldn't cost them any lic fees to implement it. Am I missing something here?

[adamz]

LOL I guess you aren't impressed by a television because it can't run windows apps right?


I'm not impressed by a television because it's an extremely limited device although it is able to recieve communications from a variety of other devices.
A television should be able to interact with a 100 disk CD changer giving you a visual interface for playing music. It should let you browse photographs stored elsewhere on your home network. It should allow you to display other pertinent home related information such as which lights in the house are on, which doors are unlocked, etc. It should notify you with picture ID when some one is calling you.
Granted, Windows XP Media Center Edition is headed in that direction... and THAT is very impressive.


An iPod wasn't intended as a PDA. Its never been intended as a PDA. Jobs and co have given it some REALLY basic PDA functionality but that is where they draw the line. This devices primary purpose is music which, IMHO, it does exceedingly well.

Exactly! Then why do we care? It ONLY does music. A 30 year old walkman can play music through headphones, too. Sure the iPOD can store more music, but... essentially, it's still just a walkman.

[qmrq]

I'm still in the dark as to why Apple doesn't support OGG. Its a free open standard right? It wouldn't cost them any lic fees to implement it. Am I missing something here?
Totally free for commercial and non-commercial use.

[Janak Parekh]

The iPOD is in no way complimentary to a Pocket PC.
Sorry, I strongly disagree there. Both Marlof & I use iPods alongside our Pocket PCs all the time. A Pocket PC can't store 30 gigabytes of music. That's not a few days, that's a few weeks of music. Once you get used to the idea of carrying all your music all the time, it's very hard to go back.

The Pocket PC is a great solution for playing music; my 3870 had comparative audio quality and a better equalizer than my iPod. But the inconvenience factor of emptying my SD or CF card all the time was the key decision for me to get an iPod. Plus, I use it as a mobile hard drive to move information around.

Exactly! Then why do we care? It ONLY does music. A 30 year old walkman can play music through headphones, too. Sure the iPOD can store more music, but... essentially, it's still just a walkman.
Maybe you don't listen to as much music as I do, then. I find music invaluable, especially during my commute or during work in a server room. An iPod is hardly a Walkman. The equivalent analogy would be to say that a Pocket PC is the same thing as a Sharp Wizard. :?

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

I'm still in the dark as to why Apple doesn't support OGG. Its a free open standard right? It wouldn't cost them any lic fees to implement it. Am I missing something here?
Totally free for commercial and non-commercial use.
It has nothing to do with free. It has everything to do with Apple pushing AAC and iTunes. They're pulling a Microsoft in that regard -- less so, as MP4 and AAC are more industry-defined -- but I'd have been happier to see them push Ogg. However, that alone wasn't enough for me to abandon the idea of having all my music. :)

--janak

[ExtremeSIMS]

Maybe you don't listen to as much music as I do, then. I find music invaluable, especially during my commute or during work in a server room. An iPod is hardly a Walkman. The equivalent analogy would be to say that a Pocket PC is the same thing as a Sharp Wizard. :?

--janak


It's about choice. When I hit the road for a 4 hour drive, maybe I start out in the mood for classical, but once out of the Northern Virginia snarl, I am in the mood for AC/DC. With 30 GBs of music, I have the choice to switch. I don't have to plan ahead.

The iPod also has some limited PDA functionality. There are times when I don't want to cart my Pocket PC around - the iPod's ability to act as a retreival PDA works.

[klinux]

Notice many of the iPod defenders are all iPod (and PPC owners) and those who diss iPod and the ones without iPods. This may seem natural but trust me, once you get an iPod and find out how having just two hours of music available on your PPC is not enough, you won't go back!

I love both my iPod and PPC.

[adamz]

The iPOD is in no way complimentary to a Pocket PC.
Sorry, I strongly disagree there. Both Marlof & I use iPods alongside our Pocket PCs all the time.


If you disagree than tell me one way that an iPOD enhances the functions of a Pocket PC. It's not integrated, it's a separate device, it requires a separate charger... the iPOD has no way to communicate with a Pocket PC be it transferring files or allowing remote control...
The iPOD may be supplementary, but it is in no way complimentary.


Exactly! Then why do we care? It ONLY does music. A 30 year old walkman can play music through headphones, too. Sure the iPOD can store more music, but... essentially, it's still just a walkman.
Maybe you don't listen to as much music as I do, then. I find music invaluable, especially during my commute or during work in a server room.


I listen to music whenever I'm not sleeping. Having ALL my music on the iPOD would restrict my listening capabilities to a single limited device.You cannot control an iPOD remotely either with a Pocket PC or infrared remote control or desktop PC. Not to mention, it wouldn't play all my WMA files.


An iPod is hardly a Walkman. The equivalent analogy would be to say that a Pocket PC is the same thing as a Sharp Wizard. :?


What reasoning do you have to back that statement?
A Pocket PC has much more functionality than a Sharp Wizard.
A Pocket PC plays music, plays movies, plays video games, lets you read ebooks, communicate via internet, email, instant messaging, telephone, SMS, MMS, lets you connect to other devices and networks wirelessly or through wired connections. It recognizes handwriting recognition and voice commands. It tells you which way to go while communicating with a global positioning system. It takes digital photographs and lets you send them to other people instantly.

An iPOD does what?
Plays music.

A Walkman does what?
Plays music.

[Janak Parekh]

The iPOD may be supplementary, but it is in no way complimentary.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=complementary defines complementary as (among others) "Supplying mutual needs or offsetting mutual lacks."

I listen to music whenever I'm not sleeping. Having ALL my music on the iPOD would restrict my listening capabilities to a single limited device.
Why? You can have a copy of your music there. It's a hard drive. Just like the memory card on your Pocket PC. The difference is that it's much, much larger.

Not to mention, it wouldn't play all my WMA files.
Well, like AAC, WMA means lock-in. MP3 would work fine on the desktop, Pocket PC, and any other music player out there.

An iPOD does what?
Plays music.
Actually, a lot more than that. You can listen to Audible books, play games, read ebooks, make playlists on the fly, transfer digital photos, record voice notes, copy arbitrary files to the hard drive via USB or Firewire, etc. Oh, and try selecting an arbitrary song on your Walkman in 2 seconds or less. ;)

In any case, we're now completely off-topic in this thread, so I'm going to stop debating. You have to figure out the optimal way to listen to your own music. If you ever get an iPod, check out the case Marlof talks about. :)

--janak

[qmrq]

It has nothing to do with free. It has everything to do with Apple pushing AAC and iTunes. They're pulling a Microsoft in that regard -- less so, as MP4 and AAC are more industry-defined -- but I'd have been happier to see them push Ogg. However, that alone wasn't enough for me to abandon the idea of having all my music. :)
I was answering his question, not trying to say why / why not Apple supports / does not support X audio compression standard.

[CameronK]

I just thought I'd chime in here. First of all, WMA doesn't always equal DRM. Personally, I have around 1100 of my 1300 files in WMA, and not a single one has any DRM on it. Second, you can't compare hard drive mp3 players (be them ipods, nomads, etc) to a ppc. They allow you to carry most if not all of your music collection with you, and just like janak said, once you carry all your music with you, a HDD is something you'll never want to be without. That being said, I honestly don't think that the iPod is worth the money. Don't get me wrong, I would love to own one, but for the four hundred dollars that a 20 gig iPod costs, I could get a 60 gig mp3 player from another company. Personally, I like my Zen 2.0. It's not a stunning work of art like the iPod, but it can go through a beating without a scratch and it costs $100 or more less than an iPod. There's my outlook on WMA and the pod. iPod guys, feel free to bring on the flames.

[organon]

The iPOD may be supplementary, but it is in no way complimentary.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=complementary defines complementary as (among others) "Supplying mutual needs or offsetting mutual lacks."


No, no, Adamz said complimentary. In this sense I agree with him. I doubt that an iPod will be giving compliments to my PPC any time in the near future. :wink:

Seriously, I can't imagine being without both, now. My favorite thing about the iPod is being able to hold many entire audible books at one time. I used to use the PPC for this and the experience absolutely stunk. iPod rocks in this regard.

Paul

[DrtyBlvd]

I have one of the 'old' iPod cases from Vaja - it's probably still on the site - one of the reasons I like it is that it really doesn't bulk it out too much, and also, as it is 'flapless', it is still really user friendly.

Per earlier post, yes, it irks the hell out of me to posess something so obscenely fantastic and yet to have to hide it away on account of protection; it's a good [whats the word?Allegory???] of conflicted desires - mind you, a beautiful thing clad in leather is still a beautiful thing; some might argue it even smells better :lol:

I recently got one of the 'Habitat' desktop stands via ebay - good value and nice idea - however I have the same issue with having to remove it from the case for it to fit - and there is no way on earth any adjustment could be made to either to facilitate such... I did manage to get a vaja clad E125 into the stand once (Dremel to the rescue), but most other things, forget it - new 55 iPaq, with a vaja, no chance. And with a Silver Slider, I can't find a case to fit it, so I'm screwed both ways!! LOL (Any offers for the vaja 55? Hasn't been used twice...)

Summary of the 'why' question - because it's what the well dressed iPod wears, that's why :!: :lol: :wink:

[Janak Parekh]

I just thought I'd chime in here. First of all, WMA doesn't always equal DRM.
True, although it does amount to some level of lock-in, because you must use a WMA player.

Personally, I like my Zen 2.0. It's not a stunning work of art like the iPod, but it can go through a beating without a scratch and it costs $100 or more less than an iPod.
I think the Zen is a great player, too. I've heard its sound quality is excellent. The main reason I got my iPod was that I could get a dual firewire-USB unit (which I can't get with the new Zens) and because I want it to fit in one pocket along with a wallet, which I can't do with the Zen. Otherwise, I would have seriously considered it instead.

--janak

[marlof]

Hate to say this, Marlof, but in a not too distant future you won't have a choice. DRM is a fact of life, and it will rule the digital content world, like it or not.

I know, in future it will all be different. And by then, hopefully a DRM format that is widely accepted will be around. Until then, I keep using MP3 files. Having a Mac has a benefit: copy controlled discs can be ripped on my Mac, with the exception of the first song. We'll see where we'll go. Now the iTunes for Windows is around, may be I should change to AAC. All I need is an AAC compatible Pocket PC player, since I have an emergency collection of MP3s on a SD card.

@Janak: I'm not a big fan of the iVolution cases. I like the classic cases. Don't ask me why. May be using an iVolution for a longer time would change my point of view.

@AdamZ: I guess an MP3 player is not for you. No problem with that. Just accept that others like those devices, and might have good reasons to. For me, having over 350 CDs always with me, and a portable hard disk to go with that, all in one small package, is priceless. Adding the soon-to-be-released memory card reader will give this a benefit in my digital camera hobby as well. No need to keep buying memory cards this way.

@all: I never knew that writing a quick look on a good case would turn in a discussion on the advantages of dedicated MP3 players. :)

[Xyress]

Don't get me wrong, I would love to own one, but for the four hundred dollars that a 20 gig iPod costs, I could get a 60 gig mp3 player from another company.

60 gigs?! I just bought a 20gig iPod myself and am absolutely in love with it. It is absolutely essential with a programming job where I spend 6-8 hours at my computer each day (and have lots of background noise I need to drown out).

I'm just amazed that 20gigs isn't enough for some people. I currently have ... let me check ... 2.6gigs filled. Yeah, I don't have all of my old CDs converted yet, nor will I ever - I never had a huge collection and there's just some stuff I'm not interested in listening to anymore. But 60??? I can't imagine ever liking that much music. Maybe I'll accumulate that much in 20 years. Of course, in that time, I'm sure there are albums that I'll get tired of and want to remove from my iPod just to clean up the clutter.

Oh, and one thing to note if you're considering getting an iPod, the new 10gig & 20gig models are slimmer than the 30gig and 40gig.

One last comment - this discussion reminds me of a religious debate I've been involved with in recent months. You won't be able to convince either side ... you just have to come to your own conclusions :wink:

[Janak Parekh]

I'm just amazed that 20gigs isn't enough for some people. I currently have ... let me check ... 2.6gigs filled. Yeah, I don't have all of my old CDs converted yet, nor will I ever - I never had a huge collection and there's just some stuff I'm not interested in listening to anymore. But 60??? I can't imagine ever liking that much music.
It's not that hard. I have a couple of hundred CDs, and I expect to fill 20GB or so when I finally finish reripping.

Oh, and one thing to note if you're considering getting an iPod, the new 10gig & 20gig models are slimmer than the 30gig and 40gig.
Yes, but not that much so.

One last comment - this discussion reminds me of a religious debate I've been involved with in recent months. You won't be able to convince either side ... you just have to come to your own conclusions :wink:
Actually, I'd like to think we're much more civil here than the zealot discussions that pervade a lot of other webboards. :)

--janak

[marlof]

It's not that hard. I have a couple of hundred CDs, and I expect to fill 20GB or so when I finally finish reripping.

I'm done rerippping, and I've filled 17 GB so far. I need some space on my iPod to function as a portable hard disk (when shooting pictures on the road), so 20 just wouldn't cut it for me. I guess I just have bought a lot of CDs. But then again, I'm not the youngest, so I've been working on that collection for quite a while. ;)

[SubFuze]

...
I'm just amazed that 20gigs isn't enough for some people. I currently have ... let me check ... 2.6gigs filled. Yeah, I don't have all of my old CDs converted yet, nor will I ever - I never had a huge collection and there's just some stuff I'm not interested in listening to anymore. But 60??? I can't imagine ever liking that much music. Maybe I'll accumulate that much in 20 years. Of course, in that time, I'm sure there are albums that I'll get tired of and want to remove from my iPod just to clean up the clutter.
...


I've considered an iPod but I don't even think 40 gigs would be enough for me. Right now, I'm less than half way through ripping my CD collection (492 out of somewhere between 1200 and 1300 CDs), and I'm already over 40 gigs. Of course, I am ripping to very high quality VBR MP3 (LAME Extreme- works out to an average of about 224k for my collection). Even if I ripped to 128k AAC (which for me would be a significant drop in quality), a 40gig still wouldn't be big enough to hold all my music (and that's not even scratching the surface of all the DJ mixes, live shows, eMusic MP3s, etc. that I've downloaded). Wow- that's an average of about 10 CDs a month for the past 10 years or so that I've really been collecting. Not all of those CDs are full albums (I buy a lot of electronic music, and a lot are singles), but to put things into perspective, I could listen to my collection 24/7 for over 40 days and never hear the same song twice. I have a few things from a long time ago that I most likely won't ever listen to again, but that's a very small portion of my collection (if I had to make a guess, it would be somewhere around 25 CDs).

Anyway, this is all way off the topic of iPod cases, but there are people who could make use of a lot more storage than is currently available (ideally, I would like to have all of my music, both CD and downloaded with me at all times in a losslessly compressed format, but I'd probably need half a terabyte for that...).

[DrtyBlvd]

Interesting points; I have a 20G and want a 40 - I have just over the thousand mark and having 'paired' my selection down to fit on the 20, even at 128, I am still missing a shed-load. Also, although initially I had no perceived problem with 'quality', having been through a lot more of the 'Podded stuff, I am finding some things that are not acceptable - so I think the extra space would come in handy for that as well...