n00b questions about ipods and linux (fedora 6 and 7)

[Richard Shaw]

Dean S. Messing wrote:
> Michael A. Peters wrote:
>   
>> Dean S. Messing wrote:
>>     
>>> I am thinking about buying a 160 GB iPod for my daughter for her
>>> approaching golden birthday (she's turning 18).
>>>
>>> I know _zero_ about iPods (or any other external device toys).
>>>       
>> I've had excellent luck with gtkpod - but with brand new models, it 
>> sometimes takes some time.
>>     
>
> Would you elaborate this, please?
>
>   
>> With respect to AAC - my experience is that Apple's AAC encoder is 
>> better than faac (linux encoder) but it's been awhile.
>>     
>
> How does one use Apple's AAC encoder?  Can it be used under Linux?  We
> do not own an Apple or a M$-based PC though I have a minimal
> installation of XP running in VMware---just enough to be able to use
> Word and PowerPoint when I must.
>
>   
>> I myself just use lame to encode to mp3 -  I use preset-standard and the 
>> quality is fine, but if she has an excellent musical ear, she may want a 
>> higher bitrate. I prefer to use mp3 because mp3 works with everything 
>> out there.
>>
>> As far as how it compares with AAC - that's something audiophiles argue 
>> about all the time.
>> I can't tell the difference between a 192VBR lame encoded MP3 and a 
>> 192VBR quicktime (iTunes) encoded AAC. But I don't have a good musical 
>> ear, let alone a trained good ear.
>>     
>
> I have a fair "musical ear", but not a good physical one: I can't hear
> very well above about 17KHz and I have a bad case of tinitus.  But my
> daughter says she hears "funny stuff" in 192 Kbs MP3 so I now rip to
> .wav.
>
> Dean
>
>   
Hmm.. If you were not stuck using the native iPod/iTunes you'd almost be 
better off with FLAC...

Richard