Originally Posted By ecdc >>But there was one dangerous announcement. iTunes music purchases over 3G. Man, Im gonna go broke.<< Not to mention DRM free purchases, at that. I haven't read much about that yet, but it seems pretty big. I know they've had some DRM free stuff for a while, but it sounds like everything's going that way.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut I think you will be waiting quite a long time. Apple got us hooked on the iTunes store with DRM, now they are letting the reigns loose a bit because we are already vested in the iPod and iTunes. But until the iPod (their intended player) can support lossless, there will not be a large call for it. We already have seen that HQ audio isnt the main focuse of the listening public. Look how DVD-A and SACD failed when if you ever heard them, their sound was 10x that of a regular CD and just about as good as a fresh pressed vinyl on a prefectly tuned tube amp.
Originally Posted By mawnck PS - I have DVD-As, SACDs and lots and lots of LPs. Phooey on the listening public. What about MY needs?
Originally Posted By peeaanuut <<The iPod does support lossless. At least mine does.>> it supports it, but does no output it. You can load the lossless file, but the audio produced from the headphone jack is not lossless.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>it supports it, but does no output it. You can load the lossless file, but the audio produced from the headphone jack is not lossless.<< Seriously? Why would they do that? And what does it support - is it better than normal AAC or MP3 at 320kbs?
Originally Posted By peeaanuut 128 is usually what its encoded at from iTunes and other MP3 dealers. There are 2 reasons, one the equipment and 2 file size. File size effects a few things. HDD Space, transfer speed and bandwidth usage. 320 is higher than you can pull froma CD. 256 is right about where cd sits. Now if you have an original source that was higher than 256 than 320 makes sense. But making a 320 file from a CD doesnt make much sense as the information simply isnt there to be a true 320 recording. Now the lossless surpport was only recently added to the newest iPods if I remember correctly (Classic, New Nano and Touch). That was more to appease the FLAC guys. The problem here is that most music listeners would not be able to tell the difference between a 128, 256 or 320 recording on standard auto equipment. Especially when played through a set of ear buds or regular headphones. Lossless is really for purists and for people that want what they percieve to the best but dont know why (and the latter really bugs me too).
Originally Posted By Cotton Pikin Redneck My vote is to catch an iMac refurb 20" online from the Apple Store. I say use Bootcamp to add XP, it's free in the OS. Use a copy of XP that came with your PC and activate it over the phone explaining that it's replacing the prior OEM install. That's then free. Get Apple Care if the refurb gives you pause.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>320 is higher than you can pull froma CD. 256 is right about where cd sits.<< Not sure where you're getting this. CD is exactly 1411 kbps. 44.1 khz x 16 bit x 2 channels = 1411 kbps
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<My vote is to catch an iMac refurb 20" online from the Apple Store.>> Thanks for the suggestion. That would generally be a great idea. But I can buy a new iMac 20" through the University contract with Apple for U employees at less cost than a refurb at the Apple Store. I just need to make sure I get it done before I retire next June!
Originally Posted By peeaanuut I was talking about compressed music. The point is that 99.9999% of the people cannot tell the difference between a lossless cd and a 256kbps encoded MP3 file and I dont believe anyone that says they can.
Originally Posted By Cotton Pikin Redneck sounds like you've made yur mind up already. Can you get PC's cheaper too thata way?
Originally Posted By peeaanuut PCs tend to go out dated quicker because most of the time pre built PCs are not 100% up to date. So usually if you buy a used PC, you are out at least 1 generation off the bat and maybe 2. As far as educator discounts, its up to each vendor. Alot do not offer educator discounts, which is just sad really.
