MP3 player advice

Mr Unoriginal

Mr Unoriginal

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I kinda got the MP3 player bug and am thinking about buying one. I definately don't want to spend $300 for a toy that I won't use all the time though. Any advice one some moderately priced ones that are still quality etc? I don't necessarily need one that can hold 3000 songs either, anything that can hold 1000 or so would be fine. Thanks in advance.
 
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Nomad from Creative Labs is a great buy. You can find the Zen edition (40GB) on ebay for $150 shipped usually. It can be used for media store as well. I store all sorts of crap on mine from ripped movies to data files etc. The headphones suck so you might want to invest on new pair.
 
I use to use an Archos Multimedia Jukebox 20, which was awesome since it played MP3s, video, pictures and allowed me to download my pictures off my digital camera. It was a little bulky though and had only about 5-6 hours of battery life. I liked it though and used it for many years. I think its now $199 on Amazon.

I just switched to a Sony Network Walkman NW-HD1. It's 20GB, smaller and lighter than an iPod, 30 hours of battery life and for a limited time, you can send it in to Sony for a $20 upgrade that gives you better firmware, direct MP3 support (previously it didn't play MP3s without conversion) and 25 free song downloads. Pretty awesome, actually, as I got mine on ebay for about $140. So my net cost was about $165 (since I had to pay shipping to send it in) and I got 25 free song downloads.

My wife uses the new Sony Network Walkman NW-HD3BLUE, which is the new Sony player. It has direct support for MP3, a 30 minute buffer, 30 hours of battery life and comes in five stylish colors (for you fashion moguls). It's now $299 with 50 free song downloads on sonystyle.com. A little pricier, but you can probably get it cheaper online at other outlets, and she loves it.

Both Sony players actually also use ATRAC3plus format in addition to MP3. I prefer ATRAC3plus, as it's about 1/3 the size of MP3 at the same quality. I converted everything I have to ATRAC3plus and I now can carry 60 GB worth of MP3s around with me!!!

Here's the match up

MP3 Player = 4th Generation iPod // Sony HD1 // iPod Mini

Size = 4.1" x 2.4" x .57" // 3.5" x 2.4" x .6"// 3.6" x 2" x .5"

Weight = 5.6 oz. // 3.9 oz. // 3.7 oz.

Battery life = Rated at 12 hrs. // Rated at 30 hrs. // Rated at 8 hrs.

Hard drive Cap. = 20 GB // 20 GB // 4 GB
 
I would like some advice as well. I want a new MP3 player. My main priority is that I can use my MP3 player while I am running.

How are the hard drive-based players for use while running? (weight, durability, skipping)
Am I better off with a flash-based player? Any recommendations?

(Hope you don't mind my posting my question here, Mr. U. Doesn't seem worth a separate thread.)
 
[quote name='ransom456']I would like some advice as well. I want a new MP3 player. My main priority is that I can use my MP3 player while I am running.

How are the hard drive-based players for use while running? (weight, durability, skipping)
Am I better off with a flash-based player? Any recommendations?

(Hope you don't mind my posting my question here, Mr. U. Doesn't seem worth a separate thread.)[/QUOTE]

Not a problem, I'd like to get all the advice I can. Looks like my best bet might be buying one from ebay or from someone who is upgrading. Are you selling ransom?
 
The best way to get an mp3 is to think that you'll get roughly 1/4th the number of megs as songs. In other words, 1000 songs x4 = 4000 megs. So you need at the least a 4 gig player.

After that, I suggest just shopping around and finding the cheapeast model available. My guess is that anything not-iPod will be your best bet.

As far as brand goes, I prefer iRiver, but they tend to be somewhat expensive. but I'd rather buy something high quality than an offbrand that's questionable. Just research on cnet.com/epinions.com, and check places like dealnews.com/newegg.com. That's your best bet.

Good luck.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Not a problem, I'd like to get all the advice I can. Looks like my best bet might be buying one from ebay or from someone who is upgrading. Are you selling ransom?[/QUOTE]

Can't in good conscience. My current one is this crapnastic RCA Lyra. I got it cause it was cheap and I thought it would be a good excuse to put some extra MMC's I had lying around to good use. #-o

So from what I have been seeing, it looks like flash-based players are the way for me to go. The Cowon iAudio looks good from cnet's review.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Cowon_iAudio_U2_1GB_Platinum_Black/4505-6495_7-31129769.html?tag=pdtl-list

Thanks for your help, everyone.
 
[quote name='ransom456']I would like some advice as well. I want a new MP3 player. My main priority is that I can use my MP3 player while I am running.

How are the hard drive-based players for use while running? (weight, durability, skipping)
Am I better off with a flash-based player? Any recommendations?

(Hope you don't mind my posting my question here, Mr. U. Doesn't seem worth a separate thread.)[/QUOTE]


I've jogged with my NW-HD1 without any problems. It has a 30 minute buffer and only weighs 3.9 oz. (less than an iPod), plus it holds 20 GB, or 60 GB of MP3s if you use ATRAC3plus format (which I use for everything now).

On that note, the 1GB NW-E107SILVER is the Sony 1 GB flash player that runs $149 list (but cheaper online) and holds almost 700 songs if you use ATRAC3plus format. Plus it has 70 hours of battery life and its SUPER SMALL.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']I kinda got the MP3 player bug and am thinking about buying one. I definately don't want to spend $300 for a toy that I won't use all the time though. Any advice one some moderately priced ones that are still quality etc? I don't necessarily need one that can hold 3000 songs either, anything that can hold 1000 or so would be fine. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]


yea I was on the fence about this too ,tryin to find something cheaper than an IPOD for like 2 months . finally i made the plunge and got a 4GB Ipod mini ordered directly from apple so I could get my name put on it for free and pick the color. it totaled about $217.00 with CA tax and arrived in 4 days .ordered monday got it friday and Im 100% satisfied with it. great mp3 player easy to use too.

EDIT: I also use it to workout (weightlift and light cardio) and I dont think its possible for the unit to skip
 
I must give props to the IPOD. My uncle got me one last yr and I love it. I know it's steep but if i would suggest maybe hold on for a while then when you have the money, buy one. its great,sturdy,simple,and damn slick looking.
 
[quote name='stocker08']WOW! And i thought IPODS were overpriced! 180$ for a 1 GIG MP3 player? Not worth it, for 20$ more, you could get a 4GIG IPOD Mini.

Those IRivers are also very expensive, for 250$ you could get a 6GIG IPOD mini, thats 1 more GIG, NICE!!![/QUOTE]

http://www.getyourtech.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1604

hey, what you say about ipod mini? duh, hey look, its 1 more GIG, NICE!!!!!! FOR THE SAME PRICE!
 
iRivers are stylish, have lots of great features that all work (FM tuner, voice recorder, etc). The software running on the players is fully fleshed out and lets you customize a world of options. You can direct record from an external source - rip a CD without the need for a computer. The cases are very nicely designed with great ergonomics and incredible ease of use for navigation. They are generally small and compact, and the iRiver.com website has a lot of great accessories to choose from. They are very high quality and last. The software to run them is easy enough to figure out, although you can generally just use Windows Media Player. If you don't want to use it for MP3s anymore, you can convert it to a USB drive using some specific firmwares. Speaking of which, they do a good enough job keeping the firmware updated and upgraded. You get Sennheiser headphones with purchases generally also.

In short, iRiver is really one of the best mp3 companies out there, if not one of the best portable entertainment companies.

It's just everything a machine needs to be - reliable, stylish, highly functional, and customizable. Amazing stuff, really.
 
[quote name='Strell']iRivers are stylish, have lots of great features that all work (FM tuner, voice recorder, etc). The software running on the players is fully fleshed out and lets you customize a world of options. You can direct record from an external source - rip a CD without the need for a computer. The cases are very nicely designed with great ergonomics and incredible ease of use for navigation. They are generally small and compact, and the iRiver.com website has a lot of great accessories to choose from. They are very high quality and last. The software to run them is easy enough to figure out, although you can generally just use Windows Media Player. If you don't want to use it for MP3s anymore, you can convert it to a USB drive using some specific firmwares. Speaking of which, they do a good enough job keeping the firmware updated and upgraded. You get Sennheiser headphones with purchases generally also.

In short, iRiver is really one of the best mp3 companies out there, if not one of the best portable entertainment companies.

It's just everything a machine needs to be - reliable, stylish, highly functional, and customizable. Amazing stuff, really.[/QUOTE]

You are 100% correct sir, along with the fact that they dont need iTunes.

Also, if you go and get the iRiver H320 which displays photos like an ipod photo but cheaper, you can flash it with korean firmware to watch video on it
 
I know it's a stretch, but where's the best place to look for a 20gig player that's at or around $200?

Also, I've heard the more recent iRiver players (the H10s) start to flub a bit when you mess with the EQ settings. I'd most certainly be adjusting the EQ from time to time; anyone have any experience with them? I'm mostly going back and forth between a 20gb H10 and a 20gb Ipod, which are both $300 new.
 
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