iAudio X5: Got it!
 

Guys, I can't tell you how glad I am that I didn't get the new ipod. Gresch, you were right; this thing is fantastic. I have the 30gb version. The user interface is just great. There are so many extra features.

It plays video like the ipod, but then it does voice recording, line in recording, usb host, fm tuner! :) , all this built-in. Those are just the main extras. Then it has minor extras like having programable buttons, it shows you all the important info on the now playing screen (which equlizer prog., bitrate, etc). There's even more little niceties I am not mentioning.

To transfer files, you just plug it in, and it mounts as a drive. Just drag your files to it. No itunes, no drivers.

As far as size goes, thinness does matter, but Apple has made the new ipod thin by increasing other dimensions, which basically reneg that dimension. The X5 is overall, more compact in my opinion: a better balance.

I got it at ecost.com for $275 (30gb). There are also 20gb and 60gb available. Of each hd capacity, there is also an X5L that has a battery life of 35hrs; it's 4mm thicker and costs a little more.

To those of you who are looking at the ipod or anything else, look at the iAudio x5 and you won't regret it.

Wow. I was waiting to hear how much you liked it. I think Im sold! :thumbup:

I forgot to mention one of the most important observations I made: the build quality is unfathomable. The whole thing is aluminum. It's built soooo tightly. I remember reading that it also has hard drive shock protection. The pictures don't do it any justice. It's an absolute beauty. It's also much more compact than the pictures indicate.

To those who think an fm tuner built-into an mp3 player doesn't get good reception...dead wrong.

Reliability has been great among iaudio users.

Wow, i keep editing my post to add more: this is the third time. Sound quality is leagues ahead of the ipod. Clarity, depth and power.

:hijack: OK, I have to ask this question, I feel stupid but bit I wanna know how do you hook up the I AUDIO X5 the the X5. R U using the Icelink or another way? I'm in the market for an ipod, as a matter of fact, i was just at local apple store today but decided to wait for the new ipod they're getting in two weeks.
So if you like in your X, let me know pls. :sorry:

Icelink is only for the ipod. For this or any other player, you'll have to use aux input.

For those of you who end up getting the Ipod, you should be able to get the student discount. I don't think they actually verify if you attend a particular college, etc. After the student discount the price of the 30gb version drops to $269 from $299. Something to consider if you want to "make use" of the system.

Anyone know how to speak Japanese? My friend who is there says they have an integrator for BMW to i-Audio products....

Also, how about the navigation on it? Is it easy?

Congradulations. Just a question.I understand that it does not support online music services; must convert videos; requires an adapter for use. So how does one get the music into this player??

that's not Japanese, but Korean :D - did you know iAudio was a korea brand?
well, from that picture/booklet, it seems like they had free X5 leasing program to their selected 5 customers for 2 days, since that iAudio model name is X5.
I don't think there is an intergrator for BMW to iAudio yet.

I should be shot for not noticing that, since I lived in both places for over a year each...:tsk::tsk: And yeah, I just learned recently they were hangook...The Koreans are really stepping up their game, Hyundai, Samsung, etc...They're exporting a lot more too...