Subject: [Tweeters] iPods for birdsong: the promised summary
Date: Nov 7 14:00:38 2008
From: Rachel - RachelWL at msn.com


Tweeters love their iPods! Thanks very much to the 28 Tweeters that
responded to my query about iPods for birdsong. I also had a few
conversations with iPod-owning friends. Here is a long summary of all
the information and suggestions, often contradictory, that I received.
This has been very helpful for me, and I hope it will be for you, too.



MP3 Player models:

Almost everyone uses iPods. Though some have iPods with up to 20GB (and
one person even had 80GB) of storage capacity, most people seem to think
that 4GB is plenty for the birdsong any of us need. A 4 GB iPod will
hold 5-6,000 songs. If all you want is the Stokes CDs, 2GB may even be
enough. Unless you plan to use the iPod for both birdsong and lots of
music, you probably don't need 8GB.

The 4GB iPod Nano (about $140) seems to be the most popular model among
those who responded, and several people own the 8GB Nano. Most users
find the Nano display easy to read, and pictures can be viewed on the
1.5" x 2" screen. Many like the size and feel of this small device,
compared to larger models. One person finds the Nano too small for his
large hands to operate easily, but no one else reports problems with the
controls. One user finds the relatively tiny displays on newer iPod
models to be hard for aging eyes to read, but others have no problem,
and, with a bit of squinting, can even read the display without their
reading glasses. Other people like the 8GB iPod Touch (about $150-240,
also available with 16GB, around $200). The iPod Touch has many nice
features like internet access (where there is Wi-Fi), a sector for
personal voice recording and notes, and room for a movie to watch at the
airport. The iPod Shuffle, with 1 or 2GB has no display screen, so you
can't see your selections. This model probably is not ideal for
birdsong. The 20 GB iPod Classic has a black-and-white screen and more
capacity than anyone is likely to need for birdsong alone, but, as
mentioned above, may be easier to read for those of us with aging eyes.
Because this is an older model, it also is cheaper to buy. iPods can be
bought on eBay and Amazon, and cheaper, refurbished iPods can be found
on sites like Buy.com.

If you plan to use your MP3 Player for music as well as birdsong, iPods
are a good choice because they link directly to iTunes. (See below for
more information on iTunes.) A few Tweeters also use other MP3 Players,
the Zune and one the ZEN. The 8GB ZEN from Creative Labs has good
controls, but the screen can be hard to see. The 4GB Zune of one user
currently holds 10 CDs, with room for more. The 8GB Zune is better for
viewing pictures. The 120GB Zune holds 200+ CDs, plus 20+ hours of
podcasts. Zunes are available on Amazon. However, a Tweeter who works
at an electronics store recommends against the Zune, and says that many
of these are returned to the store.

One Tweeter mentioned that she finds her light-colored iPod too visible
when owling, and wishes she had bought a dark-colored one.


Downloading software and source material:

The majority of iPod owners that responded used birdJam for downloading
birdsong from the Stokes CDs of North American birdsong, and recommend
it highly. Many have bought a full set-up online from birdJam, that
includes an iPod and speakers with the Stokes CDs already loaded.
According to the BirdJam website, the iPod comes loaded with the Stokes
CDs (with the voice narration deleted) and other features added. More
CDs are available as extras, and other accessories are for sale. This
is a very convenient approach, especially for those of us who are less
tech-savvy. Some users say not to try to do the download yourself, as
it is difficult and can take many hours or days. However, others say it
is better to buy the birdJam software and Stokes CDs and download them
from a home computer. If the iPod crashes later (and this has
happened), everything can be downloaded again from your computer.
Also, an iPod can only be registered on one computer at a time, so a
pre-loaded iPod is registered to the birdJam computer, and the user
loses some control. If you do the download at home, quality can be
adjusted, too.

Some users say birdJam is a waste of money, because all of the birdsong
anyone needs is available for free on the internet. Songs can be
downloaded from Thayer and from the xeno-canto website. Xeno-canto has
free songs for 331 North American species and songs for almost half of
the birds of the world.

Some Tweeters find birdJam convenient to use, and really like the Stokes
North American birdsong CDs. The Stokes CDs mostly have only one
species per track, which makes songs easy to access. Others don't think
the Stokes CDs are the best birdsong CDs. They recommend CDs from the
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. The CD included with the new
Smithsonian field guide has no audible voice announcements and includes
pictures, but may require further organizing after download. Martyn
Stewart's CD has unobtrusive voice announcements.

If you don't want to use birdJam, iTunes, which can be downloaded from
the internet for free, is great for managing both music and birdsong CD
libraries. With iTunes, any birdsong CD can be slipped into your
computer port and it will download automatically. Once you know how,
you can edit all the Stokes CD tracks to begin 2 seconds after the
start, to delete the voice narration, and you can split tracks
containing more than one species. You also can make playlists with
various species groups (marsh birds, warblers, etc.). This useful in
the field, but, if you set the iPod to shuffle, you also can create fun
quizzes for yourself.

One Tweeter says not put birdsong and music on the same iPod, because
this scrambles them up, but others apparently use their iPods for both
without problems.


Speakers:

There are many, many speakers available for iPods, for sale online and
in stores. Most of the Tweeters that responded use the iMainGo
speakers, which cost about $39 and are sold at the Seattle Audubon
Nature Shop. These have good sound quality and volume. The iPod goes
inside the water-resistant speaker case, which measures 2" x 3" x 4",
and the case must be unzipped to turn the iPod on and off. Some find
the iMainGo to be too big to fit into a pocket, but most think the size
is fine. It can be worn on a belt.

One user thinks the Tivoli AM/FM speaker has good volume and quality,
but it is too bulky and expensive. A tiny, cylindrical speaker that
fits on top of the iPod is not loud enough for field use. The
TravelSound from Creative labs has good sound and works well with the
iPod Nano; the iPod my friend bought from birdJam came with this
speaker, and it sounded good to me. Another Tweeter likes the
Splash-proof speaker case that works with both iPods and Zunes. This
comes in the shape of a 7" x 4" x 3" sunglasses case, weighs one pound,
and holds the speakers, the iPod, and sunglasses, and has room for money
and credit cards. It has external controls, takes two AAA batteries,
and is on sale from Amazon for $40. Other speaker models can be
modified to work in the field. One Tweeter uses NXT flat panel
speakers, two-part Sony speakers on sale on the website for $29. The
user rigged them up with Velcro and plastic from a CD case to clip onto
a belt. The Tweeter who uses NexxTech speakers, on sale at Circuit City
for $35, uses suction cups, wire, and glue to make a combination that
hangs the speakers, still in their small case, on a belt. Another user
found a pair of cheap battery-powered speakers at Radio Shack, and one
Tweeter mentioned Fry's.


Other stuff:

Be kind to the environment and use rechargeable batteries. Get a car
charger. Radio Shack sells them.

Finally, use your iPod responsibly. You know what I mean.


That about covers it. I have told you everything I know, so if you have
questions or corrections, please post them to Tweeters. Good luck!

Rachel Lawson
Seattle
RachelWL at msn.com