iAudio X5 60gb v Ipod Video 60gb

[birdman]

I feel ashamed. I'm actually considering buying an Ipod video 60gb.

I currently own a X5L 30gb and I love it. But I need more space. If the X5L 60gb existed then I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Unfortunately it doesn't.

That means whatever 60gb player I buy, I'm going to be back down to a 12-14 hour battery.

What do you think? I'm torn between the two.

[frankmulder]

Depends on what your requirements are.

• Do you want to be cool (if you have an iPod you are considered 'cool')?
• Do you mind using a special program to transfer your files (not UMS like the X5)?
• Do you want a device that won't scratch without using a case (the iPod scratches horribly)?
• Do you use it mainly for music or also for pictures/videos (the iPod's screen is way better)
• Is some of your music in another format than mp3?
• Do you ever use the recording capabilities of your X5?

Etc... See http://www.iaudiophile.net/content.php?content.36 for a complete list.

[Zephyron]

Depends actually, if you want hassle free portability, EQability and BBE Effects/Rockbox with long battery life, the X5 is for you, but if you don't use EQ, but plan to amp, then the iPod Video (With Rockbox ONLY) would be a good choice, but only with a good amp.

[tsayin]

It also depends on if you want to be able to find your music. I had to RMA my X5 recently and was using my wife's ipod while I waited to get it back. I really can't stand not having bookmarks, and the database sort really doesn't work all that well. I like knowing where everything is because I put it there.

[Zephyron]

True. I too like arranging my stuffs in a certain order, hence I also prefer file-tree browsing as opposed to the ID3 tagged browsing. Not a fan of the iPod wheel even though its faster than the iAudio joystick, but I don't like touch sensitive items in the first place (a bit skeptical on the iAudio 6's touch strip).

[HiMDforMe]

with Rockbox on the ipod it'll function similarly to the X5 on Rockbox, so that improves it a lot - it'll be UMS, file browsing, EQ, etc. I'm not too big a fan of touch sensitive controls either, but i think the click wheel is the best of those. they need an ipod-L to make it really tempting for me...and make it metal like the X5

[Zeus's Uncle]

Originally Posted by HiMDforMe

with Rockbox on the ipod it'll function similarly to the X5 on Rockbox, so that improves it a lot - it'll be UMS, file browsing, EQ, etc. I'm not too big a fan of touch sensitive controls either, but i think the click wheel is the best of those. they need an ipod-L to make it really tempting for me...and make it metal like the X5

I have a friend, that for some reason like ipod linux better than rockbox, but yeah, same thing. The ipod always was UMS (you could use it as a portable hard drive) but you couldn't sync music that was playable on the device via UMS, so this is definitely an added bonus.

In a way, the 60 gig version is the L version of the ipod. Its battery is larger than the 30 gig version.

[afruff23]

Also, the iPod 60 gig's battery rates higher than 20 hours when individuals tested it.

[dimatrod]

Originally Posted by afruff23

Also, the iPod 60 gig's battery rates higher than 20 hours when individuals tested it.

When I got that player from a friend of mine to install Rockbox on it, I "kept" it for Friday and the weekend and I let it play audio in the stereo at 1/4 volume for as long as it could go and it lasted 15 hours for me. It was 2 weeks old also, so it isn't battery wear.

Even with the big screen and clickwheel, stock iPod isn't my thing. After I installed Rockbox, I considered, went around with it, and really didn't like it more than I love my X5. Now that X5 has dual boot, I can play games, take it everywhere like a prostitute and always be able to transfer files, and then normal boot and watch videos. I also don't have to worry about scratches and someday eventually having the HD dying with the X5.

I'd say get the X5 60gb, but if you want the bigger screen and clickwheel, and a mm thinner device, go for the iPod.

[afruff23]

Rockbox uses more battery than the stock firmware...

[Smigit]

To be honest if I was buying a player today it'd be an iPod 60gig. The main reason for me is the size, its just so much smaller and Cowons lack of good updates has also bothered me. The iPod does have some build issues but I would use a case, exactly like I do now with the X5L.

The one thing I would seriously miss would be the battery life but I think I could manage.

I originally got the X5 due to my library being in wma and the battery and the iPod 4th gen at the time wasnt that appealing. Lately thats changed, my library has now been painfully converted to mp3 1 cd at a time and the new iPods are smaller than ever.

Saying that the X5 has served me well and I'm sure it would you too.

Also tags isnt an issue. I'm very particular about tagging my music so if I went down the artist > album >track path I would have the exact same struccture as I do now on the X5. I prefer ID3 databases though since as long as your tags are done right i think everythings easier to find and it allows for more options (browse by album, browse by artist, browse by music type ect)

I may consider the Nomaz Zen:M if it had a higher capacity but I've almost hit 30gigs on my X5 so I'd want more.

[dfkt]

Originally Posted by Smigit

... and Cowons lack of good updates has also bothered me.

I don't understand that argument. The X5 can do so much more than the iPod, it's the iPod that would need some serious updates to reach the X5's potential! (FM, record, EQ, BBE, FLAC, OGG, UMS, Folder navigation, ...)

[Smigit]

Originally Posted by dfkt

I don't understand that argument. The X5 can do so much more than the iPod, it's the iPod that would need some serious updates to reach the X5's potential! (FM, record, EQ, BBE, FLAC, OGG, UMS, Folder navigation, ...)

I dont use any of that bar folder navigation but the one feature I actually want is the ID3 tag database that was originally promised and then kind of put to the side. I personally see no use for a folder navigation as if you have your files tagged with the artist and album name you can then browse artist > album>track which im sure 95% of people use. The people that will have issues are those that dont tag files right or use one of the more odd structures such as a,b,c...z > artist > album > track. I'd rather loose those features you listed if it meant a player that was half the size.

that and their inability to deliver a fully functioning DRM firmware (it works for some people but many people such as me have been left in the lurch). This subsequently meant ID3 never got done.

As a note I dont use DRM, but the fact cowon couldnt get it working in over a year seems to me to be a big issue. They said it was probably an issue with the USB host controller which while meaning it wasnt an issue with their firmware does indicate they have issues with the hardware or didnt foreplan it enough to include hardware capable of doing what they needed.

Like I said in another part of the forum I have actually noticed that under some circumstances if you plug in the usb cable into the usbhost port while they are on you can notice the tiniest of static sparks. To me this seems awefully suss as it shouldnt be happening. Besides that the players build is fantastic, very sturdy, but it is still something I noticed. Also I never liked the joystick. It works fine but it can get a lil caught up inside a pocket and any mechanical parts in any device is succeptable to failure and as with video game controllers some people here have reported the joystick has come loose. It's not a deal killer but I would be weary of playing to much doom useing rockbox on an X5.

Anyway despite that I do think its a good player and I dont use usbhost either so that spark issue doesnt hurt but it makes me wonder about DRM.

I also personally feel both Cowon and Apple have pretty dodgy support so neither has that as a strong point. Apple have been known to delete topics asing questions about design flaws from their forums and cowon seem to take an age to respond to emails. I've experienced that 1st hand and some of them never got a reply.

Anyway back to my initial post. I still stand by both products are good products but for their own reasons .When I bought my X5 it was the ideal player "for me" but now I think an ipod would suit me. That may not be the case for you so you need to do a list of your needs and see which one is best.

Lastly understand this is all oppinion based from what I want and use. The usbhost problem seems to be one only I've mentioned, I havent heard anyone else getting these sparks (although the DRM issue is a common one). Basically the above is what I think and go for and if you disagree thats totally cool.

[Zeus's Uncle]

Originally Posted by Smigit

I dont use any of that bar folder navigation but the one feature I actually want is the ID3 tag database that was originally promised and then kind of put to the side.

Except that id3 browsing wasn't ever promised. When you bought your player, it was said that folder browsing is how you'd find your music. Never on Cowon's website or in any press release did they every promise it, despite the many claims that they did.

Originally Posted by Smigit

Lastly understand this is all oppinion based from what I want and use.

Oh, okay, I thought you were saying they really did promise it. But yes, some people are under the impression of have the opinion that it was promised due to a couple forum posts by one individual that they were working on it. Far from a promise by company that it would happen.

[lolos]

None of the above posts compared sound quality.
There is one post mentioned you better listen to ipod without adjusting the equalizer. Okay, at this preset, what should sound better, ipod 5g video or iaudio X5?

Have you tried both?

Regarding BBE, I think it creates an "artifical sound" especially in the vocals! Is it just me who feels that?!!

I am about to buy HDD player, and I am after the best sound quality unamped.