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Thread ID: 116925	2011-03-26 00:58:00	Advice needed on iPods and alternatives	tuiruru (12277)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1189434	2011-03-26 00:58:00	SWMBO's off to see her sons in England in May and wants to take something that will play "her music", especially on the plane and when she has the stopovers in Brunei (of all places) between legs. Neither of us has ever really got into "portable music" so have very little idea of the specs or capabilities (playing options etc) of what we are presuming are mp3 players. Basically she has got a whole load of CD's she has never really listened to so wants to "transfer these to the laptop", and hence to the player (or is there another way). At this stage she is not fussed about getting stuff from the net (but then she's "open to suggestions"). The only thing she's ever heard of is an iPod, but there's got to be (cheaper?) alternatives that would do the same job - right? (that's not to flagging the iPod option by the way) So, basically, what we'd like is a bit of a "heads up" on the whole concept - specs to look out for, features available, possible pitfalls, pros and cons, stuff we haven't thought of, actual recommendations ....... anything that would help before we start looking on line or, dare I say it?, go to a toaster shop! :horrified Also, she's a bit fussy about what she sticks in her ears (but that's enough about our sex life :o) so something about earphones would help. I know it's a bit of an ask, but since we're starting from a null hypothesis anything will help in steering us in the right direction. :thanks	tuiruru (12277)
1189435	2011-03-26 01:19:00	A quick look on sonys site, the B series is a nice looking little unit, not a bad price either. www.sony.co.nz You will have to import your music to the PC using something like windows media player, good chance the device comes with some software to do it too.	Alex B (15479)
1189436	2011-03-26 01:20:00	Creative make great mp3 players (in fact most of what they make is great). I'd get something like this www.creative.com	pine-o-cleen (2955)
1189437	2011-03-26 01:23:00	I just use my cellphone to listen to music (and just some Sony earphones I had for some yrs). One less item to pack (and the charger etc). I put mine into offline (flight mode) and I can play Tetris and Chess. I tend to take the no frills airlines so they don't have flight entertainment, but I gather you would have Brunei Airlines which offers full service. No software is required, just access the removable HDD. There are noise cancellation headphones but quite pricey and bulky, works with no music so you can get better silence I think. Not much to do in Brunei airport, quite small, no alcohol and pork .... food/drinks are seriously pricey, like a bottle of lemon tea might cost you $7 and a rice or noodle in a box for about $10 I gather ....	Nomad (952)
1189438	2011-03-26 01:39:00	Not much to do in Brunei airport, quite small, no alcohol and pork .... food/drinks are seriously pricey, like a bottle of lemon tea might cost you $7 and a rice or noodle in a box for about $10 I gather .... She's actually staying a number of nights in Brunei, both going and coming (there I go with our sex life again :groan:) Thanks for the links Alex and Pine-0 - I'll have a look now :)	tuiruru (12277)
1189439	2011-03-26 01:54:00	She's actually staying a number of nights in Brunei, both going and coming (there I go with our sex life again :groan:) There generally are 2 places to stay in Brunei . Gadong is the shopping area for the locals and the other is (cannot remember), that place is more central but it's run down, no malls, not that much big shops but closer to the waterfronts (Bruinese waterhouses and various mosques) . Gadong has the movie theatres, american fast foods etc . . Nicer hotels in Gadong . Centepoint isn't it calleD? After 4pm no more minibuses, cost about $20 or $30 taxi to the CBD . Ahh . . don't go to hostels seriously run down . They are safe, but you get wet bathroom floors, dusty staircase etc . . A good one might be Brunei Hotel, not flash but more decent .	Nomad (952)
1189440	2011-03-26 02:01:00	There generally are 2 places to stay in Brunei . Gadong is the shopping area for the locals and the other is (cannot remember), that place is more central but it's run down, no malls, not that much big shops but closer to the waterfronts (Bruinese waterhouses and various mosques) . Gadong has the movie theatres, american fast foods etc . . Nicer hotels in Gadong . Centepoint isn't it calleD? After 4pm no more minibuses, cost about $20 or $30 taxi to the CBD . Ahh . . don't go to hostels seriously run down . They are safe, but you get wet bathroom floors, dusty staircase etc . . A good one might be Brunei Hotel, not flash but more decent . Hi Nomad as far as I know she's already booked into Centre Point	tuiruru (12277)
1189441	2011-03-26 02:05:00	You see - I've already learn't something that hadn't occurred to me. So, you normally charge these players from a USB port, is that right? I guess that means, if she's not taking the laptop she has to buy a separate charger.	tuiruru (12277)
1189442	2011-03-26 02:47:00	I know about as much as you Tuiruru but I do object to Apple iPods etc because they force you to convert your music to mp4 (or whatever format Apple uses). I had the experience of watching a teenage daughter blithely copy some music using our work computer - and before my eyes, all music on the pc was converted to Apple format. Subsequently I couldn't copy and play this music in my car or stereo (oldie worldie I know). So I now insist my offspring use mp3s and life has been placid ever since. :D They don't have any Apple things. To be fair iPods, iPads etc may all play mp3 now but you are better to know there is a difference.	Winston001 (3612)
1189443	2011-03-26 02:51:00	They work fine with MP3, just not WMA which it converts to aac from memory. My 4 year old Pioneer headunit plays AAC....	Alex B (15479)
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