I-pod file types

Hi, got an I-pod Nano from Santa and am interested to hear what settings you all use for ripping music from CDs.

I want to be able to use any ripped music files on my Sony phone, so from what I understand that rules out AAC and Apple Lossless. Is this correct? So using I-tunes to rip CDs means I have the choice between Aiff encoder, whatever that is, MP3 encoder, or WAV encoder. Is the MP3 encoder the way to go? What settings give a good balance between quality and file size, 160kbs?

P.S. What format does I-tunes use when you buy online to download? Can you choose MP3?

Thanks in advance!

MP3 at 160kbs should be fine for any player. It does depend on your hearing. Mine is so bad from years of riding that I can happily listen to 128kbs MP3, though some people say that they need much higher bitrates.

I have a Nano also, and use music on my phone. I use Windows Media player to rip it at 320kbs (maximum) to MP3 format, then use itunes to put it onto my iPod, and when it prompts me to convert into AAC, I say FOOK OFF!

I use 192 kbs, used to use it as a back up when I did discos. It was clear as anything over amplified speakers and didn't need to up the bitrate

Thanks for the replies! Will bash at 160 on MP3 to start with I think.

Cheers!