IPOD or Creative Lab ZEN ?

[Ritter197]

I have been looking at many files in this newsgroup and see that IPOD uses a
very limited amount of file formats.

Is it better then to not get an IPOD and go with a ZEN which seems to
support many more formats?

 

[Galley]

It all depends on your own tastes. I personally feel that AAC has an
advantage over MP3, which is why it is my digital audio file of choice.
Of course, MP3 is the "safe bet" since it is supported by nearly every
player on the market. AAC will certainly surpass MP3 in the near future
since it's part of the MP4 spec.
I owned an iRiver iHP-120, and it was certainly loaded with features
and had great codec support, but it's interface was clunky. I now own
a 40GB 4G iPod. The interface is superb, but the sound quality is
lacking. Using iTunes to sync with the iPod is a literally
a"hands-off" operation.
My advice is to go to a store like Best Buy or Circuit City and try
each one. Bring your favorite pair of headphones, as well.

 

[Galley]

It all depends on your own tastes. I personally feel that AAC has an
advantage over MP3, which is why it is my digital audio file of choice.
Of course, MP3 is the "safe bet" since it is supported by nearly every
player on the market. AAC will certainly surpass MP3 in the near future
since it's part of the MP4 spec.
I owned an iRiver iHP-120, and it was certainly loaded with features
and had great codec support, but it's interface was clunky. I now own
a 40GB 4G iPod. The interface is superb, but the sound quality is
lacking. Using iTunes to sync with the iPod is a literally
a"hands-off" operation.
My advice is to go to a store like Best Buy or Circuit City and try
each one. Bring your favorite pair of headphones, as well.

 

[Ritter197]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have also been to stores but in the area here you cannot hear the sound of
these units, since they sell them in the box.

Why is the IPOD poor in sound quality? Is that only for the 40GB unit?
I guess with an IPOD one is limited to their file formats only.