Tom said:
Bob
I believe most of Russ' music is "ripped" from CD to MP3 format using desktop software such as iTunes. Similar software is supplied by other MP3 player manufacturers such as Creative who makes my Jukebox3. iTunes is available for running on either Mac or PC and the resulting MP3 files can be transferred (using appropriate software) to any MP3 player, so that shouldn't be the deciding factor in choice of player.
If the Dell Jukebox plays MP3 and has software for loading MP3 files, it should read/play the MP3 files created/ripped by iTunes. I suspect that the Dell Jukebox comes with its own software for creating/ripping from CDs, so you shouldn't need iTunes. But I must admit that iTunes is a nice application, faster and easier to use than the software that came with my Creative Jukebox3.
Thanks, Tom. Yes, the farther I get into this, the more I see that the MP3 format at 192kbps is the best trade off format for a player. The WMA is not supported in iTunes and AAC is not supported in Windows Media Player or MusicMatch -- so if all of ones library is in MP3, they can go in either direction down the line. Having to re-rip is one of the things I would want to avoid -- tho I don't work much from CD's -- mostly downloaded stuff.
The Dell Jukeboxes use MusicMatch and their download store. One of things I am told about MusicMatch is that it will rip to WAV and then to MP3 in one pass so that is a nice feature. I downloaded a free copy from musicmatch.com and have been looking at it and also did the same with iTunes. In the meantime, I use Window Media Player as my music SW of choice. That has lead me to lean toward the Dell as it works well with both MM and WMP.
BOTOH, about 3 weeks ago, I chatted with a Dell sales person at the Galleria mall in Roseville. He demoed a smaller Jukebox than the 30g for me. He was a hacker sorta guy and shared w/me that he had both Dell computers and Apple computers and owned a Dell Jukebox AND an iPod. He confided that he liked the iPod better and suggested I go to Best Buys across the street and check out the new 60g Video model. My problem tho w/this young fellow was that it became obvious that he was an Apple geek -- and found a job of convenience with Dell. Once Apple snows someone, they become mesmerized against basic logic.
I "did" go to Best Buys and looked at the 60g unit and now understand your thoughts on the look and feel thing. The Dell "is" a bit larger. I found the rolling wheel a little more confusing than the separate controls on the Dell -- and looking at 2 inch TV does very little for me. ?
?However, the color display is otherwise very impressive and a tad bigger than the Dell display.
If I wound up getting an iPod -- you must promise not to tell anyone ?:-X ?
BTW, here's an interesting article on bit rates as compared to the original CD. Looks like required reading to those using lesser bit rates to get more on a player.
http://www.fliptech.net/bitrate.shtml