VANITY - MP3 Players?

11/13/07 | bear_slayer

[Bear_Slayer]

I'm thinking about getting an MP3 player.

I know IPOD is the standard, but what other options exist? Which should I avoid?

What features should I look for, total storage size, &etc?

[uglybiker]

I got the exact same thing about a month ago! I put 300 songs on it whic was enough for the 1000 mile drive to San Antonio.

I haven't even bothered to use the other functions, yet. And frankly, have no plans to.

HINT: The local Wal Mart had the 1GB model for $80.

Radio Shack sold me the 2GB model for the same price.

[Grizzled Bear]

Do MP3 songs average a certain size?

---

You can “rip” songs from your CDs using your computer. The songs are still on your CD, that just the jargon.

The size of the mp3 file depends on how long the song is and what quality you choose when you “rip” it.

[Psycho_Bunny]

I like the Sansa

[Bosco]

I suggest taking a look at CNET's MP3 player reviews. They assess them pretty evenly and present pros and cons.

[RayChuang88]

I've played with the Creative MuVo V100 2GB. Two problems: 1) the sound quality with MP3's are a bit muffled compared with my 3G iPod nano, and 2) it goes through AAA batteries like crazy (Creative could have built a slightly larger player to accommodate an AA battery, which would have at least doubled the play time with a single battery).

I'm glad I have an iPod nano. It integrates extremely well with iTunes for media file management, and in-song navigation with the iPod is great with the Click Wheel controls.

[perfect stranger]

and I got her the Zen M for Christmas

If she didn't know before, she knows now. LOL

[Xenophon450]

Well a similarly sized Ipod (Storage wise) costs the same as a Zen Vision M. I am not quite sure if Ipods do have radio or not. Would you want video playback? If not Sony made a AWESOME MP3 player, because I like you, did not want any video or radio, just simply long battery life and great sound. I am not sure if it is still in production, it could go days on end without a charge and had impeccable sound quality. It was also so small it made a Ipod look bulky.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NW-HD5-Network-Walkman-Digital/dp/B0009GUDVQ/ref=dp_variations_1

I do believe they are discontinued however, to my disappointment.

[bamabound]

I have a Radio Your Way by POGO. It’s kinda expensive, has am and fm and you can program it like a TIVO. I don’t use those feeatures, but it is the only mp3 player I found that allows me to stop listening to podcasts and lets me pick back up where I left off. I have not found another mp3 palyer that does that. If anyone knows of one, let me know. I listen to Rush in 30 minute chunks as I drive to and from work.

[Incorrigible]

Microsoft just came out with a brand new line up of Zune MP3 and video players. Check ‘em out!

http://www.zune.net/

[Stoat]

I got the exact same thing about a month ago! I put 300 songs on it whic was enough for the 1000 mile drive to San Antonio.

I haven't even bothered to use the other functions, yet. And frankly, have no plans to.

I bought mine with the same intentions, but just as a lark I recorded a lecture with it and was surprised at how good the quality was considering the tiny built-in microphone.  And for uses like that it's great because the size is so unobtrusive you won't get sour looks from people if you set it near a podium.

HINT: The local Wal Mart had the 1GB model for $80.

Radio Shack sold me the 2GB model for the same price.

I got the 2 gig version also, and I think that it was for a similar price.  For my uses it's just the right size for keeping some fave albums on the hard drive and then I carry as many extra albums as I want on the microSD cards.  The unlimited storage capacity really makes it versatile and fun, and an outstanding value.

I got the exact same thing about a month ago! I put 300 songs on it whic was enough for the 1000 mile drive to San Antonio.

I haven't even bothered to use the other functions, yet. And frankly, have no plans to.

I bought mine with the same intentions, but just as a lark I recorded a lecture with it and was surprised at how good the quality was considering the tiny built-in microphone.  And for uses like that it's great because the size is so unobtrusive you won't get sour looks from people if you set it near a podium.

HINT: The local Wal Mart had the 1GB model for $80.

Radio Shack sold me the 2GB model for the same price.

[bmwcyle]

She does not read the FR.

[perfect stranger]

the sound quality with MP3's are a bit muffled compared with my 3G iPod nano

Considering the price difference you should expect as much. That player wasn't even $50.00 cash w/tax.

I took it home and loaded any mp3 file I had and some that I didn't, and did it without using Itunes or some of the other mentioned music services.

[bmwcyle]

I have played an IPOD and my Zen through my Vandersteen home speakers using my Rotel amp. The Zen is better.

[perfect stranger]

That much is her loss.

[RayChuang88]

Try plugging in the iPod to your stereo using the iPod data connector to the two-RCA stereo jack connector. I’ve tried this with my 3G iPod nano and it sounds really great through my home stereo. Don’t use the headphone output, because the sound quality is way inferior.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The iPhone and iPod Touch are now so far ahead of the competition as to render other players insignificant. The iPhone, while not yet perfect, is the single best-designed technology product I’ve ever seen.

[Stoat]

Would you happen to know whether the data connector on MP3 players is standardized in any way? So often I see interface accessories advertised as being “for the IPod” and I’m left to wonder if that’s just marketing and they actually use interchangeable interface connectors or whether the IPod accessories are actually different and can’t be used on other brands of players.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I recommend a Creative Labs Zen Micro in conjuction with the $25 Red Chair Software "Notmad Explorer". It's a winning combination. And much less dinero than an iPod.

Redchair Notmad Explorer

[mbraynard]

I use a device every day, sometimes for 7 hours.

What you want first and foremost is a device that works with playsforsure services. Yahoo has the best (Yahoo Music Jukebox - download it for free).

What is playsforsure? You pay a flat fee each month and have all the music, including classics and new releases, at your fingertips. All you can eat.

See the playsforsure players here.

Now, what player to get? Froogle around for the Sansa m200 series. Various sizes. Get a 4 gig player for $50. Great audio, FM reception, and voice recorder. Great little device.

[DesScorp]

The only....ONLY reason to get an Ipod is if you want to use the Itunes music store. If you’re not going to buy from Itunes, there’s no reason to get an Ipod. They’re more expensive and have fewer features. And I have a Macintosh, so I’m not an Apple basher. Other MP3 players have FM radios built in. And if you buy Windows Media Audio songs online, you’ll HAVE to use other MP3 players. The Ipod doesn’t support the WMA format. You’ll just get more bang for the buck with something from Creative. I haven’t used Microsoft’s Zune, but they seem overpriced.