Verizon data plan

[aanderud]

I stream Pandora or a couple of different radio stations 8-10 hours / day, about 25 days / month. That's where I end up at the 8-10 gb / month on my phone alone.

The 64 or 32kb would NOT sound like FM radio, IMO. It sounds like a strong AM radio signal when you're listening with quality headphones with apps with decent EQs.

[Kyhl]

I think with all of the limited data plans out, Google is going to have to figure out how to offer some type of low-fi quality option on their streaming. There's no reason they couldn't offer a 64 kbps or even a 32 kbps option. I'm pretty sure that in 32 kbps you can get FM-Radio-Quality music easily enough (which would be plenty for me).

[Kyhl]

The 64 or 32kb would NOT sound like FM radio, IMO. It sounds like a strong AM radio signal when you're listening with quality headphones with apps with decent EQs.

Agreed. I'm ok listening to 320k mp3's. I have no interest in listening to less than 256k for anything less than short bursts or talk radio.

I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure most of the streaming radio services are going to be less than 256k.

Example, XM on DirecTV is fine played through the TV speakers but is a letdown when played through a decent stereo. I don't even bother turning on the stereo to listen to XM at home because it the sounds isn't significantly enough better than when played through the TV.

[LwnmwnMan2]

aanderud -

You're right. It's one of the main things I look at when downloading music, is the bits.

However, I also know that I don't use TuneInRadio to listen to 1500 ESPN, but rather MediaU because they stream at a higher rate.

The TuneIn Radio, everyone sounds like they have a lisp, everything slurs together.

[Scott K]

Couldnt you just down load a bunch of songs onto a Micro Sd card? You can pick up a 64gb Sd card now for ~$50.

You could fit a ton of songs on that, and you could just set it to play random, and have a huge playlist, without even hearing the same song all day long.

You can fit about 200 songs per gig, so your looking at well over 10,000 songs on a SD card, then no need for all the internet.

[LwnmwnMan2]

I stream talk radio most of the day.

[aanderud]

There is an option in the settings to force it to "Always steam music at the highest quality". A assume that if you uncheck that option that Google will down convert the stream.

It might be a nice option to be able to force it to selected settings when you are getting close to hitting your cap. I like that idea.

[Kyhl]

Couldnt you just down load a bunch of songs onto a Micro Sd card? You can pick up a 64gb Sd card now for ~$50.

You could fit a ton of songs on that, and you could just set it to play random, and have a huge playlist, without even hearing the same song all day long.

You can fit about 200 songs per gig, so your looking at well over 10,000 songs on a SD card, then no need for all the internet.

You get about 140 songs per gig at 320k.

Do phones even use 64gig chips? I think my razr will only accept a 32gig.

At that rate, I don't want to manage music on a memory chip. My music collection is over 50gig. So at 64g of memory (32g chip + 32g in phone) it would have no room left after adding pictures and apps.

[Kyhl]

Looked it up. The razr only accepts up to 16gig + 16gig on the phone for a total of 32.

I guess one could load up a memory stick and get another player that would play it . Now you are talking about hauling around three devices when one should suffice.

Streaming seems like the best option.

[Scott K]

Or just load the rest of the songs on other chips, and swap out, every few days?? Just a thought. I have the iphone, and I have all my sings on it, then just play them randomly, when in the boat, truck, or whereever. If I have wifi, then I will listen to Pandora, or mix Pandora in other times. I use maybe 2-3 gigs a month, but I also tether, and work off of my phone.

[delcecchi]

Looked it up. The razr only accepts up to 16gig + 16gig on the phone for a total of 32.

I guess one could load up a memory stick and get another player that would play it . Now you are talking about hauling around three devices when one should suffice.

Streaming seems like the best option.

IPOD classic holds 160GB. That's a lot of music even for the golden ears. Personally, listening through earbuds 128k aac or even mp3 sounds fine to me. You could use FLAC if you are picky. Lots of good podcasts too. But for real time talk, you need streaming obviously.

[Kyhl]

Yep, had an mp3 player. It died. Seems most of them die after a few years. My wife is on her second and it is still going after three years, knock on wood.

Again, shouldn't need a second piece of equipment. $75-$100 a year to listen on a mp3 player seems excessive expecially when one piece can function as two. Ineffecient allocation of resources.

[delcecchi]

You are absolutely right, if your data plan covers your usage without an upcharge. Me, I have no data plan and listen to an ipod. Save 50 bucks a month.