iPod alternatives for AAC audio Video

iPod alternatives for AAC audio Video Transcript

^B00:00:00

>> Hey, I'm Donald Bell, senior editor for digital audio and MP3. On today's Insider's Secret, I'm gonna show you five alternatives to the iPod that support the AAC music files you've been in iTunes. ^M00:00:11 [ Music ] ^M00:00:25

>> If you've been ripping your CD collection into iTunes, chances are you've been encoding to iTunes default AAC music format without even knowing. AAC encoded music files are great. They work with all iPod models, and compared to MP3 files ripped to the same resolution, AAC files typically sound better and take up less space. But like most gadgets, iPods don't last forever, and though it may be hard to believe now, as you spend your day shopping for iPod Nano cases like you're picking out a prom dress, your love of iTunes and Apple may someday fade, or even turn bitter. Fortunately, if you're an iPod expatriate with a computer full of AAC music files, there's a handful of excellent iPod alternatives that support them. These players won't play your DRM protected iTunes store purchases, or Apple Lossless tracks. But any CD you've ripped into iTunes using the AAC or MP3 setting will work just fine on the following portable audio players. First up, the Zune, which accepts MP3, AAC, WMA, and WMA Lossless music formats. It also supports MPEG4 and H.264 video files, so some video you've converted for the iPod may work for the Zune as well. Next we have the Creative Zen, which supports MP3, AAC, WMA, WAVE, and audible audio boat formats, making it a great choice for ex iPod users with substantial audible audio boat collections. Then we have the Sony Walkman NWZS710F series, an editor's choice award winner, and one of my current favorites because it includes active noise canceling headphones that are integrated into the player. The Walkman supports MP3, AAC, WMA, and WAVE files. For movie fans, there is the ARCO 605 Wi-Fi, which doesn't include AAC support out of the box, but can be upgraded with AAC for an extra 20 bucks. Finally, if you really want to make your old iPod jealous, the Evisa Rhapsody player looks like the iPod classic's evil twin. It supports MP3, AAC, WMA, and WAVE files, and includes Rhapsody subscription music integration that updates itself directly over Wi-Fi. So there you go. If you've been looking for a reason to break up with your iPod, but thought your AAC music collection was keeping you chained down, you can now go out there and start playing the field. ^M00:02:31 [ Music ]