iPod vs. iRiver

Michael Hein · 07-18-2004, 11:44 AM

The more I read about the the ipod the more I realize I'm so much better off with the iRiver. The salesman said when I was browsing last month for a portable player that the iRiver would be the "ipod killer". I'm starting to understand why. Now, I'm not here to shit on the iPod, it has been a great portable player ( I have never owned one but have read all the wonderful things it does). But apple had better get with the times or sales are going to start dropping rapidly. And here are some reasons why.

Line in/out. ipod doesn't have any. What the hell were they thinking? iRiver has both and even optical when chosen.

Ipod - 8 hour battery life
iRiver - 16 hour battery life (but this just isn't true, closer to 10 - 12 hours)

ipod does not support WMA, obviously, being an apple product. But since I prefer WMA's over MP3's, I'm sure glad iRiver supports it. iRiver: MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV and OGG (yes, OGG Vorbis). ipod: AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, Apple lossless and WAV

From a review site:

Quote:

However, unless you're using the wired remote for the ipod, you will have to remove it from the case each time you want to change a setting because the holder covers up the iPod controls. You can always buy a 3rd party carrying case that will allows access to the iPod buttons.

You gotta be kidding me. The carrying case for the iRiver allows all controls to be handled and still does a good job of protecting the unit.

The iRiver also includes voice recording and a FM tuner. The ipod does not.

The iPod 40 GB model is $499.99 at amazon. The cheapest I could find the 40 GB iRiver was at pricegrabber for $359.00

When hooking up the iRiver to your pc, it basicly recognizes it as a external hard drive. Open up the folder and drag/drop songs into the folders you have made. It is just too easy. And, no software is needed although some plugins will soon be available.

The ipod remote, from the pics I have seen , does not include an LCD screen. The iRiver does and it lights up with 4 lines of text.

I'm just giving some food for thought for all you in the portable player market. I also found some decent forums reagarding these devices at

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=8

and here's a iRiver website with much info and forums.

http://www.misticriver.net/

Joseph S · 07-18-2004, 03:00 PM

I think you'll need to a look at a new review on the 4g.

Aside from the no WMA and LCD remote, all of the above and more including digi cam storage can be done with a 4g for $50 more prior to discounts/coupons. All of 4G - battery life can be done with a 3g obviously now at reduced prices.

Michael Hein · 07-18-2004, 04:11 PM

The link didn't say to much about what the 4G was about and the features. Good to know that apple is adjusting accordingly.

But, it IS only a 4 GB player right? Not enough room for my tastes

Edit: Just did a seach on the features of the iPod mini 4G. Your right when you say it has a line in, but it seems to be an option. And not only that, it also seems you need to buy an accessory kit to be able to plug into a home stereo through the "dock".

http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

http://www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html

Seems like after you spend on some accessories that it may not be such a good price afterall.

Neil S. Bulk · 07-18-2004, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Line in/out. ipod doesn't have any. What the hell were they thinking? iRiver has both and even optical when chosen.

The iPod comes with a dock that provides line out audio. It's an analog output, but when dealing with compressed audio formats, is a digital output really necessary?

Quote:

ipod does not support WMA, obviously, being an apple product. But since I prefer WMA's over MP3's, I'm sure glad iRiver supports it. iRiver: MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV and OGG (yes, OGG Vorbis). ipod: AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, Apple lossless and WAV

iTunes can now convert open WMA files to AAC. I've also found AAC to be a great codec and have my entire CD collection encoded in that format. I've never found Windows Media Player to be an easy to use player ("jack of all trades, master of none" comes to mind) so I have no use for WMA. Also, thanks for pointing out that the iPod does indeed play more formats.

Quote:

When hooking up the iRiver to your pc, it basicly recognizes it as a external hard drive. Open up the folder and drag/drop songs into the folders you have made. It is just too easy. And, no software is needed although some plugins will soon be available.

My iPod works seamlessly with my computer. I just plug it in, iTunes and iSync launch right away. That way I can keep my calendar and contacts entirely up to date and I can then add songs to my iPod. It's so simple that anyone can do it, and you don't have to know a thing about it just being another hard drive. I bet the majority of computer users wouldn't "get" that.

And obviously the iPod works at the number one on-line music store and that store is fully integrated into iTunes, which is fully integrated with the iPod. Everything works together, and that's a huge selling point. None of the other players have been able to get that kind of simplicty and ease of use. When the big selling feature is "it plays WMA files" people don't really seem to care. If they did Napster, BuyMusic and even Wal-Mart would have successful music stores.

Neil

Michael Hein · 07-18-2004, 05:54 PM

Quote:

When the big selling feature is "it plays WMA files" people don't really seem to care

Now your taking what I said out of context. I mentioned this along with many other features. Seems though this new iPod will have a lot more bases covered. But at the time of writing, I did not know about a iPod having a line out. And the point remains, one *shouldn't* have to spend extra on a accessory to aquire a line out. But as I don't have one I'm not going to say ...

**HTF Ads**

Michael St. Clair · 07-18-2004, 06:47 PM

Do either of these players fix the typical 'gaps between tracks that should segue' problems?

Joseph S · 07-18-2004, 06:59 PM

4G = 4th Generation

Paul McGowan · 07-18-2004, 08:48 PM

The real question, Michael... is what music service to use?

I just downloaded napster canada for the 30 day free trial and the selection is horrible, the usability is bad, and while playing of tracks (not buying, but just playing) it waits to buffer every little bit.

any news on when itunes will be available to us Canucks?

Angelo.M · 07-18-2004, 08:49 PM

Quote:

And the point remains, one *shouldn't* have to spend extra on a accessory to aquire a line out.

Well, DAPs are designed, first and foremost, to be portable music devices listened to with headphones, so it is not obvious to me at all that a line-level output ought to be a de rigeur feature of a DAP. At any rate, with regards to a line-out for the iPod, it's available and it's not expensive. The basics for the typical user to get up and running are included in the box of every iPod, however...

...As an iPod owner, I'd grant you that there are two items that ought to be shipped with all iPods: a USB cable and a protective case. I've never understood how a product can be at least in part targeted at the PC market and shipped (at least some models) without a cable for PC owners who aren't equipped with FireWire.

All in all I love my iPod (Pods, actually, I have 2). It's not perfect, but it's perfectly fun to use, it has a clean and intuitive interface, it sounds great, and it's terrific for active users (it's great for jogging). I'm glad that there's so much competition in the marketplace which will drive the improvement of these little toys.

At any rate, enjoy the iRiver; it seems like a great device. How about a review once it's up and running.