Anyone want to help a technology idiot?

rach&jay

What is the difference between an mp3 player and an Ipod.  I thought they were the same.  Don't they both download music to play? 

I want to get a Wii for DH for Christmas.  Where do I start?  Does the system include a game and a controller? 

Anything else that you'd like to add or additional insight is appreciated.

 

amiamish

It's like saying whats the diff between Valveeta (IPOD) and American Cheese (MP3 player)... they are the same, except Valveeta(IPOD) is the Brand.

HTH!

Katherine

ipod is an mp3 player.  it's apples version.  other companies make other versions as well. 

 

eshaffer

Oh good, I'm glad someone answered   I had no idea either!

 And one more question if someone sees this....if I get one for Xmas, I would want to be able to use it in my car. I checked my manual, and it says "car may be retrofitted with an AUX outlet to use mp3 player or similar device."  Is that expensive?  Or worth it?

rach&jay

amiamish:

It's like saying whats the diff between Valveeta (IPOD) and American Cheese (MP3 player)... they are the same, except Valveeta(IPOD) is the Brand.

HTH!

LOL... is Velveeta even cheese? 

amiamish

I hit reply to fast---

 Yes, you "upload" music to the MP3 players... they usually come with software and a USB connection.

Wii: My parents got theirs from TRU-- came with one controller and everything else you need.

amiamish

rach&jay:

amiamish:

It's like saying whats the diff between Valveeta (IPOD) and American Cheese (MP3 player)... they are the same, except Valveeta(IPOD) is the Brand.

HTH!

LOL... is Velveeta even cheese? 

Hahaha!! You know what I mean! LAMO!

rach&jay

Okay, so to play my own music I want an mp3 player.  Then I download music from my computer to the player, right?  Do I need speakers?  Do they come with headphones?  Can I play it in my car?

Katherine

newer cars are made with a jack to plug ipods and other mp3 players into.  older cars have options too though.  probably the most common is to use a radio frequency transmitter.  they plug the mp3 into the cig lighter and use an unoccupied radio frequency to transmit the sound into your car's stereo system.  they work pretty well i use one in my car as does my dh.

Katherine

the transmitters are cheap enough.  mine was like $30 and they sell them online or at best buy or circut city (while it's still around) targe pobably has them too.

august06mom

Important to know -- with an iPod, the only way to get music on it is with iTunes. This doesn't mean you have to buy music from iTunes. You can download the  music you already have, or buy music from somewhere else, but you must use iTunes to get it in on your iPod.

 Most other players, like Sansa, the second most-popular MP3 player, let you drag and drop music onto the player using just your computer. Frankly, I find this SO much easier than iTunes. I hate iTunes. I love iPods, but I hate that I can't just drag and drop the music on there.

rach&jay

Katherine:

newer cars are made with a jack to plug ipods and other mp3 players into.  older cars have options too though.  probably the most common is to use a radio frequency transmitter.  they plug the mp3 into the cig lighter and use an unoccupied radio frequency to transmit the sound into your car's stereo system.  they work pretty well i use one in my car as does my dh.

Holy crap!  I'm an idiot, remember.  LOL... okay, so I recognized cig lighter, LOL

amiamish

rach&jay:

Okay, so to play my own music I want an mp3 player.  Then I download music from my computer to the player, right?  Do I need speakers?  Do they come with headphones?  Can I play it in my car?

You best option is to go into the store... it'll all make sense then. You will need headphones, some docking stations are compatible with MP3's- you'll have to see which ones fit- it looks like a big radio/boom box and the MP3 hooks to it. You can play them in your car-if you have the AUX jack in there...

Katherine

lol.  it's just a cord that plugs the mp3 player into the cig lighter.  there's a little box on it that transmits the sound into your car radio.  all you have to do is plug it in to the car and the mp3 and then tune the dial on your car radio to the same number on the transmitter.

amiamish

august06mom:

Important to know -- with an iPod, the only way to get music on it is with iTunes. This doesn't mean you have to buy music from iTunes. You can download the  music you already have, or buy music from somewhere else, but you must use iTunes to get it in on your iPod.

 Most other players, like Sansa, the second most-popular MP3 player, let you drag and drop music onto the player using just your computer. Frankly, I find this SO much easier than iTunes. I hate iTunes. I love iPods, but I hate that I can't just drag and drop the music on there.

OH! Good point!! I hate Ipods for that reason-- we have one that does the drag and drop too.. LOVE it! 

 

r9stedt

amiamish:

It's like saying whats the diff between Valveeta (IPOD)?and American Cheese (MP3 player)... they are the same, except Valveeta(IPOD) is the Brand.

HTH!

?

Um.....?

vElveeta is a processed cheese, therefore not even real cheese.

?:) ? ?

And I have often wondered the same question as the OP. ?This helps. ?