iPod photo file size and the best iPod for me

[nbs2]

I noticed that the specs on the two full size iPods mention that the machine is limited to 25k photos. I was wondering if anybody knows about how big each scaled down image is.

The reason I ask is that I have about 15GB of music (and I don't buy much music anymore), 1300 pictures, and no movies. I plan on having my purchase last until at least the 7G iPod. I figure in the next several years, I will add maybe 5GB music and triple the pictures (my wife and I want to start having kids soon). I would probably put movies on there, but nothing more than one or two full length movies and a few clips at a time. Would I be better served by the 30 or 60 GB? If I can get an answer to the first question, I think this second will answer itself...

 

[DaftUnion]

It's all about how much money you have to spend...if you have the money get the 60gb...you can't have TOO much space...you could always use part of it as an external hard drive too if it was too much space. The decision has to be by you...short on money...30gb...have the money to blow...60gb. I'd personally go with the 60gb though.

 

[kainjow]

I'm not sure how big the images are, but if you want to store the high resolution image on your iPod too, that'll take up a lot more space. When you put images onto your iPod, iTunes puts 4 different versions on there, one for a thumbnail, one for on screen, one for video out, and I forget the last one. If you're planning on cutting your music down to 5GB, then the 30GB will do it for you. If you want to keep your 15GB, the 30GB will probably still be fine, but 60GB would be safer.. it really depends on how much music you want to store on there, and if you'll eventually want to use it for file backups (in which the 60GB would be better).

 

[puckhead193]

i plan on getting a 60 i have about 15gigs of music and 5 gigs of music, i have a 30 gig ipod now so as an upgrade get i plan on getting a 60. plus when formated you'll loose about 2-3 gigs of space

 

[nbs2]

I'm not sure how big the images are, but if you want to store the high resolution image on your iPod too, that'll take up a lot more space. When you put images onto your iPod, iTunes puts 4 different versions on there, one for a thumbnail, one for on screen, one for video out, and I forget the last one. If you're planning on cutting your music down to 5GB, then the 30GB will do it for you. If you want to keep your 15GB, the 30GB will probably still be fine, but 60GB would be safer.. it really depends on how much music you want to store on there, and if you'll eventually want to use it for file backups (in which the 60GB would be better).

To clarify a few things, the photos currently take up 1.5GB on my HD. I already have an external that I use to back up my machine. I plan on holding on to the 15 of music and adding another 5. I figure I buy an average of 1GB worth of 128AAC music a year, so I am planning on a bit of buffer there.

Here is a breakdown of what I plan on using:
20GB Music
3GB Movies
??GB Photos
negligible amount of space for contacts/calendars/etc/a few word documents

When I have space, I tend to back some things up on it - usually photos, since you can't have too many backups. But, I use the external as the standard for backups, with the occasional burn to DVD.

Obviously the 60 gives me more room to expand, and the marginal cost is incredibly low, but the thinness of the 30 is somewhat tempting and I don't want to be the guy buying the Quad to use Google - I'd like to buy for my planned needs. I know that my wife and I are going to have kids, but in the mean time, we have a Civic and not a minivan or wagon.