Ipod Bashing

[aeriyn]

Can we please not start threads with the intention of bashing iPods?

I mean, I really don't care if you think iPods suck. I don't want to hear about it though. This site is supposed to be a resource for people who are interested in learning more about MiniDisc, about its strengths and--most importantly--about its weaknesses. This isn't Slashdot, we aren't here to bitch and moan about the evils of Apple or Microsoft and about how obscure niche formats are superior even though we all know that we're only putting them down because they're popular.

I personally believe that if you are not going to record or need field recording capabilities, you are best off sticking to hard drive or flash based audio players. I know a lot of you folks like MD because of its perceived advantages, and they may be good advantages to you folks, but not everyone can deal with the massive deficiencies of the format just for those minor advantages.

I couldn't. I sold all my MiniDisc stuff to buy an iPod, and I'm much happier with it. That doesn't mean you would be, but someone else might be.

So, basically what I'm getting at is: If you do not want to hear me recommend iPods, do not post threads such as "Hi-MD vs. iPod."

Because if you do, you're definitely going to hear from me.

[olijones1984]

if you dont have a minidisc anymore and perceive ipods to be better, then why are you still in this forum?

[me]

Cause and effect.

ipod promoting promotes ipod demoting.

There are some ifs that need to be sorted, then HiMD is flying.

If iTunes supported HiMD we wouldn't have this argument, although I still don't trust their reliability.

I'm looking at the NW-HD3. It's not quite there yet.

Oh yeah, Ipod Sucks. (just teasing you)

[aeriyn]

if you dont have a minidisc anymore and perceive ipods to be better, then why are you still in this forum?

←

Obviously for better reasons than you are. I'm here because I have lots of experience with MD equipment.

iPods are not unilaterally better. An iPod cannot record (iTalk notwithstanding). But not everyone needs the ability to record, so not everyone needs an MD unit.

And me, I kind of agree with you about the HD3. Support a few more lossy codecs and a lossless one, put some real playlisting features in or at least an artist > album > song select mode, and bump up the headamp to at least 18mW, and yeah I'll buy it.

[Christopher]

I should go to Head-Fi and post a similiar thread, "ATRAC bashing".

[Rumz]

Eh. You don't come across as the most objective poster either.

Why is everyone so defensive and uptight about portable electronics? And I find it interesting that you view the most important aspect of this forum to learn about MD's weaknesses. I don't disagree that it's important to be able to learn the pro's and con's, and maybe you're just irritated at the ignorance a lot of people display, but that's the world for you. I don't find learning about MD's drawbacks to be the most important part of this site-- it's just about information and news to me, the pros are as important as the cons.

I wouldn't even say you need to need recording capabilities to find MD suitable for your needs-- for some people removable media + gapless are still selling points, just as an example. Of course that's just my opinion-- and it's ok to disagree. If I had to bet, most people are not as picky as either of us and could be happy either way.

I agree that lately iPod bashing threads are just that. But sometimes a Hi-MD vs. iPod thread is legitimate and people just want to know the pros and cons of both formats, everyone's perspective is different. It's not black and white to me when I consider what to recommend someone as far as a DAP goes.

I'll agree with you to the extent that there needs to be no bashing of any kind. Not iPod, not MD, etc. Sometimes it's fun, taken in the right context, but otherwise it's just immature and not helpful. I use a lot of different formats, some more than others-- I like objective comments from users, not biased comments. But alas-- there will always be fanboys and zealots, and this happens to be a MiniDisc focused board, and hence MD fanboys are likely to find their way here...

[Michael1980]

...It's not black and white...

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Good one.

[Fast Eddie]

I have to admit I'm starting to get a bit sick of reading about how much better the iPod is in every thread where somebody wants some advice on what MD player to get. This is a minidisc forum for Fracs sake! Not only that, I hate the iPod, it's my least favourite HDD jukebox.

It seems a bit odd that you still post on the forums after not even using MD anymore. Nothing against that in theory, but it would be in everyones benefit here if you were in favour of the format, and not use each thread as an excuse talk about how you think the iPod is the second coming. Because this is a minidsic forum, you aint helping by sending new posters off to buy an iPod (at least point them in the direction of the creative Zen or Iriver). I don't want to seem harsh as I've only started posting on this forum again recently, but I'm sure I'm not the only one to hold this opinion. Nothing against you personally, it just struck me as odd. I mean, I'm not going to post around iPod forums telling them how I prefer my Hi-MD am I? That coould be considered trolling to some.

I wouldn't have brought this up at all, but seeing a thread titled 'please stop the iPod bashing' in a Minidisc forum just seemed the ultimate lunacy. If you can't stand the heat...

Edited February 17, 2005 by Fast Eddie

[Fat Tires]

Fast Eddie has pretty much summed up my feelings on the issue.

Cori, you say that field recording is the only reason to choose MD over an iPod. That's not even close to true. A primary reason as to why I stick with MD is it's better battery life. I get many more hours of use out of my MD gear than I ever did out of my iPod. Another benefit to me is the removable battery, then there's the fact that the sound quality of an MD is superior to an iPod to me. When I caefully choose efficient headphones, I have no complaints about low volumes.

You're right Cori, there's no need to bash any format here at the MDCF, or any other site. I suggest to remove the log from your own eye before you comment on the twig in someone else's. You're guilty of more instances of format bashing than any other person I've seen at this forum. This isn't meant as an insult. At times your advice was well spoken and very helpful, other times it showed obvious bias.

That's just my two cents worth.

[Bananatree]

I agree with Cori in a sense. There is no need to bash the iPod. No one is going to benefit from bias bickering about the formats.

People seem to really want to either justify or put down their purchase to the death. They just dropped a lot of money on portable player and it makes sense for them to either be really mad it doesn't work, or defend spending money on something someone else thinks is stupid.

I think unless people start stating simple facts based on a user's wants and needs, I'm going to be a little harsher on people bashing either the iPod or Minidisc. Locks on topics and warnings will go to people who are going to just bash things without reason. It's a form of trolling.

[Damage]

Dogma 7 is now in play. Don't forget, ATRAC sucks, and therefore, everything even remotely associated with ATRAC must suck by extension. There are no if, ands, or buts.

Whenever Dogma 7 is in play, no facts may be used to obscure arguments. No defending of ATRAC may be used to obscure arguments. All opinions about iPods (positive ones only) will be taken as fact, and is fact for iPods. There will be no mention of MP3 playbacks for new HiMDs, as we all know, MDs can't play MP3, you silly billy. No other HD-DAPs will be recognized, since they are not iPod nor white (though minis are the obvious exception, along with iShuffles). No defending of other DAPs may be used to obscure the arguments.

Dogma 7 is now in play. All kneel before General Jobs!

[aeriyn]

Of course. This is an MD forum and if it's not MD, it sucks, right? Just kidding.

Right, right, I'll dispense with the sarcastic comments against MiniDisc if you folks are a little more tactful. But I'm not the only one on here who believes the only reason to own a MD recorder is to do just that--record. Personally, I find the hassles of using MD or Hi-MD to greatly outweigh the advantages. But that's just me. If you want to get an MD unit for portable listening and you don't mind the hassle, well I really hope that it works out for you and you feel you got your money's worth.

For the most part I try to stay objective about MD because when I used it, I liked it. Yeah, I hated SonicSludge, I didn't exactly enjoy recording in real-time, but I still liked it. However I like my Mini better, because to me it works better. Usability aside, there's not another DAP with the technical specifications of an iPod Mini that actually looks good. Yes, I'm female, I'm concerned about appearance, and I love pink. Sorry if that bothers you.

It's not about the fact that it's an "iPod" or that it's made by Apple. It's about the fact that the device fits my needs better than anything else out there. Is it perfect? No, I wouldn't mind some extra storage space, a real parametric EQ and longer battery life. But it's close enough to my ideal portable audio player that it's essentially the best I can get.

If another microdrive player is released that supports MP3/AAC and a lossless codec, has an aluminum chassis, has a high power 18mW or higher headphone output, has at least eight hours of battery life, holds at least 5GB, has an intuitive and easy to use interface that is usable one-handed, has a high-quality Wolfson (or better) integrated DAC, is rugged and fairly durable and comes in pink ... say goodbye to my Mini and hello to the new unit. That's how I am. I don't subscribe to a brand just because of the brand. I own no Apple computers or any Apple products except for my iPod Mini.

But like I said, if anyone asks for comparisons against the two, I'll definitely input because I've got experience with both formats, but I don't appreciate people getting nasty about iPods just because they are popular. If you've used one and didn't like it, say so. Explain what you didn't like about it, explain its weaknesses.

The primary purpose of researching a product is to discover its abilities, its strengths and its weaknesses, and to decide whether or not the pros outweigh the cons, or vice-versa.

[Fat Tires]

Now that everyone has had their say I can't this thread doing anything other but going downhill so I'm locking it.

Remember everyone, MD isn't for everyone, neither is the iPod. Fell free to discuss all audio formats, but play nice.