MP3 player suggestions....

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hey gang, I need (want) to pick up an MP3 player for the gym. I am definitely not tied to the iPOD so I can go either way.

Aside from the 30gig video iPOD, I have been looking at the ZUNE 30gig, the Creative Zen M 30gig...etc. Any other models you highly recommend? Basically, I am looking to spend from $200-$300 dollars (more if its an absolute amazing piece of machinery)...

I guess what I am asking is what do you have and are you happy with it? I know APPLE uses all sorts of DPM music and I'm sure there are all sorts of compatibility issues in terms of codecs and video formats I am not even considering. So please, if there are specific pros and cons/concerns about the workflow of you unit, let me know. I'm anxious to pick something up ASAP!

So please, advise...

Thanks!
Rick
 
Doesn't the PSP store/play mp3's? Might be a good choice as you then can play games and watch movies also....just a thought (fits your suggested price range).
 
Apple DRM stuff is for the iTunes purchases music. Those songs will only play on iPods, but if purchasing music isnt a concern for you, then the iPod is perfect, it will play all MP3 files, AAC stuff and what not. ALso iTunes will automatically convert Video files ready to be played on your ipod and then transfer them. After using the ZUne and the iPod, id have the say the Zune looks, feels, and operates like a fisher price toy.

Its plastic is ugly the interface, while having all the graphics on it, makes it difficult to operate easily since the letters arent in great contrast with the background. Also, who are you going to squirt with on the Zune? The other 5 people in the world?

More Playforsure problems come up with the Creative Zen, a format that MS started, and then ditched when it couldnt beat the ipod, so MS left all the also-ran devices like the Zen out in the cold with play for sure. And if you EVER wanted to even think about purchasing a song for those devices, you cant, you CAN rent music for a monthly price and then when you stop paying, your music goes away.
 
Wait, you can't buy music for the ZEN? How does it hold songs then? You just rent them? I don't get it...then why offer 20gig, 30gig, 60gig? etc..

thanks for the input keep it coming...you have me worried about the ZEN. I was leaning that way. Everything I read is that iPOD is not a true video playback player. And, maybe I am just being stubborn but I don't want to give Apple my money. I think the iPODS were way too expensive when they first came out and have only gone down to save face because of the other companies. Also, I hate that whole DRM stuff...but...I'm still learning about them at this point...

Larry R....Id do that, Lord knows I could use a game console, but I want something portable......
 
Rick - If the player is just for music while at the gym, then an iPod Nano would be much cheaper, lighter than a video iPod and it uses solid state memory (no moving parts).
 
ya, if you dont need video, then the iPod Nano is the be all to end all players. I love mine.

What is it about DRM you are confused about? That should only be a concern if you want to PURCHASE music online.
 
thanks again guys...I was just about to add something and you've already come back with more info...

I was just going to say that I wanted to combine a fair price point to a strong feature set. My girlfriend has the 20 gig iPOD. I'll admit, its pretty slick with the wheel etc.

Heck, I'm not even sure I want, need or will ever use the video aspect of it. So, I guess the only feature I KNOW I will use is music. I get a kick out of the idea of getting a video on there. When and how often that feature will come in handy? I am not sure. But, if I was going to get a video player, I was leaning towards the ZEN because of the screen size...

Obviously, with respect to the MP3 arena, I'm a moron. I can't imagine needing anything else but good solid music performance. But, most all of us here on DVXuser.com are electronic whores. I don't like to buy something I dont need or wont use. But, I get seduced by features that MAY pertain to me someday. Make sense?

But, you guys have me thinking, maybe I should just decide what it is I need. Music? Music and Video? Because if I am getting just a music player, I can get a much smaller unit for a much smaller price.

Terry, I see what you are saying about the weight. But, I hate those arm bands. They never seem to stay on. So, I was just going to suck it up and get one of those ridiculous fanny packs to house the unit and run the headphone cable up from there. So, weight is not an issue.

Cynic821- As for DRM, I suppose its not an issue. My girlfriend was able to download some of the the music I uploaded from MP3 Rocket and she said it sounds fine. So, I guess DRM isn't that big of an issue...

Rick
 
my wife has a nano,,,perfect for the gym or out walking and running. I have a 80 Gig iPod. I take it but it's kind of big.
 
The Creative Labs Zen players support .wma in addition to .ac3. At a similar data rate, I find the .wma to be much less objectionable compression scheme (in terms of sound quality) than .ac3.

The 4 Gig Zen V Plus is a great little player and is well within your price range.
 
Just get a 30Gig iPod. Its sweet. Has a long battery life, plus every accessory manufacture is making ad ons for the iPod. So, if you need it, somebody makes it. and even though I hate it, it works flawlessly with iTunes.
 
.wma my have an objectively better compression rate, but compatibility is a problem (im on a Mac though) but i find iTunes the perfect application so MP3 and AAC is perfect for me. Encode at a higher rate around 192 and youll be fine. Or 256 if you are adventerous! :p
 
Thanks for the input gents. I just came back from the gym and an MP3 player of any sort would have been nice. I try to do cardio intense enough to not really be able to read. So, the time can be painfully slow...more ways than one.

Cynic821...I am on a PC so I think I wouldn't have the compatibility issues you might. But, I also trust that the iPOD is one of the more stable MP3 players out there.

Let me ask this for those in the know...if I were to get a creative labs whatever (leaning towards just music but might consider something bigger for vids...though doubtful...and thank you KHMUSE for the input) will I be able to upload her music onto my iPOD? I am talking from a compatability and technical standpoint. Not an ethical one.

Rick
 
If the music from her iPod is from the iTunes online Store, the answer is no. You would also have to , if you only have 1 computer, take over her computer with whatever kaka applications come in the creative labs box. It wont work with itunes to sync the music.
 
Cynic821 said:
If the music from her iPod is from the iTunes online Store, the answer is no. You would also have to , if you only have 1 computer, take over her computer with whatever kaka applications come in the creative labs box. It wont work with itunes to sync the music.
Click to expand...
Well, the downloads from the iTunes online store can be exported out to a CD then brought back in as an unprotected file. This is how you use them in FCP which doesn't like MP3 or iTunes protected files. iTunes will load on a PC as well as a Mac, my daughter uses it on her PC and I use it on my Mac. I've downloaded from iTunes as well as other locations AND of course, uploaded my CDs into iTunes.
 
I strongly recommend against buying the iPod. DRM issues with iTunes aside, the player itself has issues.

First, it uses a proprietary battery.

Second, it makes it difficult to transfer files back to your PC once they are on the player (it renames the files, etc)

Third, it requires iTunes to transfer songs -- while it shows up as a hard drive when plugged in, the player will only play songs that are transfered via iTunes (or another clone app).

And honestly, the fact that the player is made to promote iTunes (which uses DRM) is enough reason to boycott the product if you ask me.

I suggest a player that uses standard batteries, and does not require special software to use. I also suggest one that will play OGG Vorbis files. A list of players that can play OGG files can be found here: http://wiki.xiph.org/index.php/PortablePlayers

(not all of those players have standard batteries, however, so watch out).

Personally, I have an iRiver IFP-899 -- it takes a standard AA battery, and when flashed with the UMS firmware, you can transfer files using any OS (including Linux) without special software. The player is only 1gb, however, so you may want to do research on the newer players if you need more storage.
 
Blaine said:
Well, the downloads from the iTunes online store can be exported out to a CD then brought back in as an unprotected file.
Click to expand...

You took the words out of my mouth. I was wondering if the iTUNES export to CD then Import back in as unprotected trick would work! Well, that is a plus 1 for iPOD I suppose. A drag that I gotta export a ton of songs but, I could probably do it on 1 DVD and be done with it...

TwistedLincoln--if you don't mind me asking...what is the significance of OGG VORBIS files?

Rick
 
rlm7189 said:
You took the words out of my mouth. I was wondering if the iTUNES export to CD then Import back in as unprotected trick would work! Well, that is a plus 1 for iPOD I suppose. A drag that I gotta export a ton of songs but, I could probably do it on 1 DVD and be done with it...
Click to expand...
What happens is when you burn a disc from iTunes as an Audio CD, it sends it out as an AIFF file. Then when you reimport it, it will come in however you have your preferences set up, MP3, ACC or AIFF.
 
As much as i am agnostic, towards Apple, ( dont love em, but dont hate em) i have to admit; the Ipod is an AMAZING thing. i really cant figure out how i ever lived without it. When the iPhone comes out.... I will be in goddamn heaven.

30gig iPod Video is a GREAT machine, especially that the new ones are so thin. I have a 60gig iPhoto an its like as thick as a pack of cigarettes...
 
TwistedLincoln said:
I strongly recommend against buying the iPod. DRM issues with iTunes aside, the player itself has issues.

First, it uses a proprietary battery.

Second, it makes it difficult to transfer files back to your PC once they are on the player (it renames the files, etc)

Third, it requires iTunes to transfer songs -- while it shows up as a hard drive when plugged in, the player will only play songs that are transfered via iTunes (or another clone app).

And honestly, the fact that the player is made to promote iTunes (which uses DRM) is enough reason to boycott the product if you ask me.

I suggest a player that uses standard batteries, and does not require special software to use. I also suggest one that will play OGG Vorbis files. A list of players that can play OGG files can be found here: http://wiki.xiph.org/index.php/PortablePlayers

(not all of those players have standard batteries, however, so watch out).

Personally, I have an iRiver IFP-899 -- it takes a standard AA battery, and when flashed with the UMS firmware, you can transfer files using any OS (including Linux) without special software. The player is only 1gb, however, so you may want to do research on the newer players if you need more storage.
Click to expand...


Even though they use a propietary battery, it lasts forever. My dad still has a fist gen pod that he uses (dont ask me why). But, it works fine. And even though it may be made to promote iTunes and apple as a whole, syncing files, and sorting is such a breeze. What the iPod/iTunes lack in 3rd party software, it def makes up for in how well the two products work together. Just remember, if you decide to put video on your pod, it only accepts .mp4 files, which is kind of a pain.

My brother bought a 20 gig iRiver, and it syncs via WMP, and he has a hell of time getting ANYTHING on there. He bought it because it was cheap and has like a 4in screen, but says its not worth it. Hes going to buy my iPod from me when I upgrade to an 80GB.
 
Okay, right now we've got:

6 for iPOD and 3 for OTHER.

I was nearly creative Zen all the way. And I am still a big fan of it.

Now, I am vacillating between the iPOD Nano (per Terry's suggestion) and the 30gig (per the glowing review from TimerCivan)....

Its just puzzling to be. As a non-mp3 owner, I just don't understand the big buzz towards the official iPOD? I don't get it. I don't understand the loyalty. So, I am not sure if I am missing something and that it is truly a great product or that since they've exploded on the scene they have become the standard and people are loyal?

I know iPODS are more than just a hard drive. But, I just can't wrap my mind around the idea that they are charging so much for a hard drive and ridiculously simple interface. But hey, I'll bite. I'll go ahead and buy something sooner than later.

I'd like to swim in the mp3 player pool with the rest of you. But hey when I get there, nobody fart in the pool....

One more thing: This confuses me so I am going to ask. Why is the 4gig nano going for $199.00 retail when the 30gig video ipod is going for $249.00 retail? Why wouldn't you just spend the extra $50 bucks? And is the nano so expensive for its size because you are paying for sleek?

Signed, Konfused in Kingston.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top