Im getting a 20GB iPod, what exactly will i need under accesories?

[uberoreo]

i dont have a firewire card, but i do have USB 2.0 ports. I dont want anything i wont need to just listen to music on my ipod. im confused though about why they wouldn't sell the cables with the ipod itself..

[ashawley]

The firewire cable does come with the iPod--the USB cable doesn't.

Sorry, that's just the way it is. Apple is all about firewire so that's what they support.

So, you can either spend $18US on the USB cable or get a firewire card for about the same.

Me, I suggest firewire over USB.

Adam

[jhansman]

Apple sells the firewire/USB cable separately because they provide the firewire only cable to work with the dock. In other words, if you use firewire, you can transfer files and charge your iPod with just one cable (provided with the dock). If, however, you lack firewire on your system and must use USB to transfer files, you need the optional cable. It uses USB for transfers, and the firewire connector through the AC adapter for charging.

I started out using USB, and got too many connection errors and dropouts from it; I found a VIA based firewire card for $12 that installed in XP without even so much as a burp and works flawlessly. In hindsight, I should have done a bit more homework and waited. The firewire card was the better (and easier) investment, so I'll just give the USB /Firewire cable as a gift to the next person I know who gets and iPod.

[uberoreo]

does the usb/firewire cable work with the charger? or does the charger have a built in firewire cable?

[ashawley]

The was the USB cable works it this:

You plug one end into your iPod or Dock

The other end has two plugs on it. One is a standard USB--this plugs into your computer. The second plug is a firewire plug--this goes into the iPod's AC adaptor. You then plug that into an outlet.

If you don't use the AC adaptor, you won't get power to the iPod when syncing--something you'll want.

This is another reason to go w/firewire in my opinion: few plugs to mess with.

Adam

[uberoreo]

okay so if the 20gb ipod comes with

AC Adapter
FireWire cable
PC FireWire adapter
Wired remote
Carrying case w/ belt clip
iPod Dock

the PC Firewire adapter connects to the dock, and on the other end the USB connects to my PC.
The AC Adapter also connects to the dock, which then goes to my outlet.

is that right?
and whats the difference between the PC FireWire Adapter and the USB 2.0 + Firewire Cable ?

[bluntman]

the PC Firewire adapter connects to the dock, and on the other end the USB connects to my PC.

OK, someone is just little too excited...

One end of the firewire cable connects either to the dock or through the connector at the bottom of your iPod. While the other end of the firewire cable can either connect to the firewire port on your PC or the AC adapter to allow for charging while away from your computer.

whats the difference between the PC FireWire Adapter and the USB 2.0 + Firewire Cable ?

This cable basically has three ends, one end is the dock connector which then splits to a firewire connector and a USB connector. You'll have to buy this cable if your computer doesn't have any firewire connector.

I have this cable eventhough my computer has both USB 2.0 and firewire ports. I've connected my dock to the USB 2.0 end to transfer music and then I've connected the firewire end to the AC adapter (which is plugged into a power bar). This setup allows for music transfers and charging while my computer is OFF.

[ClarkInNwAustin]

Well, you ask which accessories you need, but without knowing exactly how you plan on using your iPod, it is hard to give advice. For simply using with your PC, I recommend just purchasing a FireWire card. Mainly because it allows you the least fuss in getting your iPod to transfer music from the PC and charging.

For my uses (listening at work and playing through my home stereo), I also purchased the stereo connection kit and an extra firewire dock connector. This allows me to keep an AC adaptor and firewire cable in my backpack, for emergency use at work or other places, and to use the stereo connection kit to have an easy setup for connecting my iPod to my home stereo. The stereo connection kit is really not a bad deal when compared to the a la carte pricing of the same components. The included Monster Cable seems of lower quality than the lowest end Monster Cables you can get at BestBuy, but at the time of my purchase a spare AC adaptor was US$49 and the stereo connection kit was US$79 and added the Monster Cable plus an extra firewire cable (for charging while hooked to home stereo).

-Clark