Video iPod vs Axim x51v video functionality. - Page 2

aloysius241 · 10-13-05, 07:50 PM

I used to have the Nano during the first week that the player was released. It was really cool, but I needed a player that was less about being pretty/trendy and more about being functionl. I hated that it didn't have a longer battery life for a flash player, or that it didn't have an FM radio tuner because sometimes, even a huge music collection can get boring. There was also the price point; I would not get a PSP, but considering all the things that it could do for the same amount of money, sealed the deal for me. I did not feel like I got my money's worth for the ipod Nano so I sent it back. The fact that you can get a 30GB 5th gen Ipod makes me wonder if anyone could see a reason to get a nano other than that it's smaller.

Love my Axim x50v; got mobysync, got my automatic podcast updates, Have tcmp; all I need is a high capacity memory card (and maybe methenol battert cell) and I'll be a happy. The Axim cannot be beat.

magnolia · 10-13-05, 08:04 PM

I am one of those who said that video iPod was a stupid idea. I still think it is. Keep in mind, this is not a video iPod - it's an iPod that can play videos. Big difference. The core functionality is still about ease of use and music. It happens to also have a hardware mpeg-4 decoder so it can play video. That's it.

I think video on a pocket device is just D.U.M.B. regardless of 2.5" screen or 3.7".

The iPod was a better audio device than the Axim yesterday. And it's a better audio device today. This iPod will succeed because it still does what the iPod does best very well, not because people are sheep or because it does videos. I don't want to continue to rehash this, but the iPod is the best audio player out there, bar none. And that's because of the whole package - iPod + iTunes.

The Axim for music is for geeks. (Remember, I've got an Axim and an iPod). Different tasks, different tools.

Puppy · 10-13-05, 08:05 PM

IMO getting an MP3 player makes no sense anymore. Not since PDAs have been able to handle media. I've got an iPod (from 2003), and I do have to hand it to Apple for making it reliable, and it has good sound quality. They even upgraded it this year with more features. But it just can't compare to with having a real computer in your hand.

Even just for audio it's a pain because you can't bookmark stuff, you can't delete or rename stuff on the unit, etc.

Right now if I *was* going to by a media player, it would probably be a Portable Media Center, since at least it handles a lot more formats and has a larger screen...but I'd still rather just have a straight Palm or Axim.

magnolia · 10-13-05, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Puppy

IMO getting an MP3 player makes no sense anymore. Not since PDAs have been able to handle media. I've got an iPod (from 2003), and I do have to hand it to Apple for making it reliable, and it has good sound quality. They even upgraded it this year with more features. But it just can't compare to with having a real computer in your hand.

Even just for audio it's a pain because you can't bookmark stuff, you can't delete or rename stuff on the unit, etc.

Right now if I *was* going to by a media player, it would probably be a Portable Media Center, since at least it handles a lot more formats and has a larger screen...but I'd still rather just have a straight Palm or Axim.

Some times I don't *want* to carry a computer. I just want something I can throw in my pocket. Why is that so hard for you Axim fanbois to understand?

aloysius241 · 10-13-05, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by magnolia

Some times I don't *want* to carry a computer. I just want something I can throw in my pocket. Why is that so hard for you Axim fanbois to understand?

Easy there killer, I don't recall anyone attacking you or your opinions...except maybe me because I think that your wrong in believeing that the ipod is the best audio player. I had the 4th gen and ended up taking it back because the audio and features just isn't there like other players. Believe it or not, the Creative Zen Micro had much better sound quality than the ipod did and it also had an FM tuner, user replaceable battery, holster, and a much longer battery life. The Ipod isn't the best by far, and with each new model they just rehash the old abilities like it was some great achievment, and then add a function that players have been capable long before they enabled it in thier player. They hardly deserve the credit for having the best DMP. I'm not saying the Axim does, I just know that the ipod isn't the best, and I can make the opinion having owned the 4th gen ipod and the nano having both sent back knowing that there is better for a better price as well.

magnolia · 10-13-05, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Easy there killer, I don't recall anyone attacking you or your opinions

The word "sheep" was thrown around. "trendy" isn't a compliment in this context. "people's ignorance" is the reason the iPod is popular. The insinuation that anyone who likes the iPod does so because it's "cool" and that Apple told us to get one.

Those don't exactly sound like compliments.

How is calling some of you "fanbois" any worse?

And you didn't respond to my comment about the whole PACKAGE of the iPod being better than the rest. Is there software out there better than iTunes for ease of use? I'd like to see it. And you're certainly no audiophile if listening to music on an Axim is your idea of a good experience, so the Zen's (questionably) marginal audio advantage doesn't hold much weight at all.

Oh and are you referring to this:

?

That's funny.

Puppy · 10-13-05, 08:57 PM

Last thing I heard the iPod and Axim x5x use the same audio hardware.

Personally I much prefer a PDA as an audio player because:

-they have built-in speakers-useful for podcasts
-better interface (IMO-the third gen iPod I have is impossible to use by touch, and has a fairly clunky menu system)
-ability to manage media on the device

And that's just the audio capabilities, ignoring everything else it can do.

Quote:

Some times I don't *want* to carry a computer. I just want something I can throw in my pocket. Why is that so hard for you Axim fanbois to understand?

How is a PDA less pocketable than an iPod?

magnolia · 10-13-05, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by puppy

better interface (IMO-the third gen iPod I have is impossible to use by touch, and has a fairly clunky menu system)

You can't possibly be comparing a modern interface to the one on an iPod from 2 years ago, can you? How about you compare the X3's audio capabilities and battery life to the current iPod then? That's a ridiculous comparison.

edit: and what about one-handed, while in your pocket operation of the device? Is this possible with the Axim? That's a big deal for me.

Quote:

How is a PDA less pocketable than an iPod?

I don't know about you, but there's something about a WIDE OPEN TOUCH SCREEN being in my pocket that makes me nervous. And my nano? I could fit 5 of them in my pocket before feeling like my Axim does. Besides, I won't take a PDA to the gym. I've got client information on my Axim and I would hate to lose that. My iPod is completely replaceable.

xunda · 10-13-05, 09:40 PM

Hey stop arguing, this is the best compact mp3 player (and a lot more beautiful than iPod): mobiBLU 1500i. :approve:

aximxp · 10-13-05, 09:51 PM

I think Axim vs. iPod should be a no-brainer here. You really can't beat the battery life on iPods, PocketPc's in general get killed here because of they are effectively computers.

And interface-wise the Axim is lacking as well. No remote is a big thing, and even then the X30 had the jog wheel I could tweak while it was in the leather case in my pocket. Not an option with the X50v.

Don't get me wrong my X50V is my primary mp3 player and it works great, but I use it like a shuffle.. one button opens GSplayer, hit play and turn the display off. When companies clue in and make a PPC that is geared towards music/gaming as well as regular use their market will finally open up.

darkdestroyer · 10-13-05, 10:19 PM

Music/Gaming...
Try the Zodiac!

cnycompguy · 10-13-05, 11:04 PM

Get back on topic, this thread is about video function, not audio. and yes that one dude was right, the X50/v uses the exact same sound chip that the ipod uses.

SevenNine · 10-13-05, 11:29 PM

How long does the iPod battery last when watching video? I can only get 2 hours of video on my x50v with the default battery and only a little more than 3 hours listening to music with the screen off.

The axim vs iPod comparison is very interesting to me because I was thinking about getting a nano to carry around for music. I want to use the axim for all mp3 but there are some niggling problems:

1) Takes like 30 seconds to hook it up in my car (I have a mount that came with a gps system and a cable that goes to the car stereo).

2) *BAD* interfaces when driving. I use GSPlayer and I can't easily do simple things like forward/back, or choose a new album or anything really. This is partly because my Dell GPS case blocks access to my buttons which SUCKS for music.

3) How do I wear an axim while jogging or just walking around? I end up either carrying it with one of my hands or putting it in a jacket pockets with wires going everywhere.

4) Axim as a wireless entertainment hub ... I've given this some thought and think it would be really awesome. Maybe have a dock, vga out to tv and sound cable go into the home theater sound system. You could theoretically stream music/video from web, watch movies on your CF Card - is there a way to use a remote (like say apple's remote) to control your axim in this situation? That could be pretty cool.

Maybe some of you have already solved these problems but I STILL think a lot of the possibilities of the x50v are going un-tapped - but maybe I have just been to short on time to find out what they are.

magnolia · 10-13-05, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by cnycompguy

Get back on topic, this thread is about video function, not audio. and yes that one dude was right, the X50/v uses the exact same sound chip that the ipod uses.

Link?

Keep in mind that the quality of the audio isn't only affected by the sound chips, but the "leakiness" of the electronics around the chip. For instance, the large, bright screen of the Axim could cause interference. The quality of the connectors, the wires, etc, all have an impact on the quality of the audio.

From personal experience, my x50v is inferior to my iPod in sound quality. I've used my Shure e3's on my Axim when I forgot my iPod at home. There was noticeable static, even with no music playing at all. But, yes, this is about the video features. The Axim wins only because the iPod's video is a tacked on extra.

That said, I'd rather have my iPod's battery die than my Axim's. No data loss is always better than full data loss, if you know what I mean. And I use my Axim for work, so I try to minimize the impact of my play on my productivity. But that's just me...

magnolia · 10-13-05, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by 7,9

How do I wear an axim while jogging or just walking around? I end up either carrying it with one of my hands or putting it in a jacket pockets with wires going everywhere.

Don't be silly. If you're going to be jogging, smaller is better. Why carry around an expensive 3.7" touch screen when you can get away with a 2" screen covered in lucite? If it rains, you drop it, etc, etc. you Axim is toast.