iPod and other mp3 players

[DarkShadow]

Why is the iPod still considered the best mp3 player? It seems that whenever THG reviews an mp3 player they always have something about it not being an iPod killer.
I don't think that the iPod is the best mp3 player (anymore).
I think the iPod was first bested (killed) with the Rio Karma, and the iRiver iHP-120 will be out soon, and that looks like it will even be better than the Karma.
Both the Karma and the iHP are similar in size (and price) to the iPod, but have many more features. But if size isn't an issue, and price is; I think the Creative Zen MX is a good player.

Links:
(Rio Karma) http/www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=220&cat=56
(iRiver iHP) http/iriveramerica.com/products/iHP-120.asp
(Creative Zen MX)http/www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/

Just woundered what was up. =)

~DS

 

[gothitbycar]

I was thinking about getting an ipod but it lacks alot of the things I want. I need it to play wma files and not just mp3's plus i want a radio all in a hard drive mp3 player. I like the iRiver iHP, that looks like a nice device.

Another alternative I was thinking about was getting a pocket pc and getting a nice sized memory card(512 mb maybe) and just using that, it's a lot more useful as it can do alot more than just play music but it doesn't have the storage I am looking for.

-----------------------
Add witty comment here.

 

[DarkShadow]

Pocket PC's seem to be good for their price (I have one). But their shortcoming is memory. And for upgrading to more memory, flash memory doesn't really compare to HD for the size/price.

One on the reasons that I am not going to the the iPod is that it doesn't play wmp files (I also don't like a lot of other things; battery life, no fm, or any bonus features like recording) since Buymusic and Napster use Windows Media for their song singles, and iTunes is the only music store (that I know of) that works on the iPod. (I don't know what format MusicMatch uses.)

I'll probably buy the iHP soon.

~DS

 

[BunnyStroker]

Why is the iPod still considered the best mp3 player? It seems that whenever THG reviews an mp3 player they always have something about it not being an iPod killer.

The iPod is still (IMO, of course) unmatched in design - it's simple to use and has an elegant interface. I've had MP3 players from other manufacturers - specifically Rio and Creative, and in comparison they are kluge. The newer mp3 players you linked to all look decent, but in all honesty Apple's iPods are still a lot cleaner, and Apple got there first.

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[BunnyStroker]

Musicmatch is iPod compatible. It actually comes bundled with iPod.

WMP files...meh. I'm not impressed with Buymusic and Napster. iTunes still has a long way to go - specifically in the library of music offered - but it's interface, business model and usability are top notch.

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[DarkShadow]

Related Review: http/gear.ign.com/articles/457/457818p1.html?

~DS

 

[dichotomy]

I don't know it seems to me that the Ipod navigation is only okay. I have the Iriver 1mp-350 and the one thing I like is the extremely versitile navigation system they setup. The thing is very few reviews really go into the navigation systems of these players and that is really what makes or breaks them in my opinion.

 

[cdpage]

I have been concidering getting an iPod for some time now... even with its price tag, simply because of its mass storage and ease of use...and from what i understude, its ablility to carry any file,(good if you in I and need to install software and don't want to carry around a box of CDs all the time), and up load to any other computer. I could be wrong though(let me know if i am, also let me know the other player would be capable of this).

but i have since changed my mind about getting an iPod, for ONE reason The battery live. When the battery 'dies', which can happen any time after the one year warranty, Apple has no method of replacement... other then to referb it at a cost of $200+...might as well buy a new one... but wait... just have that happen again, screw them, ill buy the compition fisrt now (besides the battery on the second gen is cheaper now droping from 3.7 Volts 1200 mAh ohs to 3.7 Volts 850 mAh ... but now i got to wonder...do the compition have solutions?

i want something that i know will last me years. not a year.
PS. check this out... not to sure what to think of the music at the end though.. maybe its to cover something up? i dunno.
<A HREF="http/www.ipodsdirtysecret.com" target="_new">http/www.ipodsdirtysecret.com</A>

<b>on the verge of catastohy (y1.999...k)</b>
ASUS P4S8X - P4 2.4B - 2 x 512M DDR333 - ATI 9500 Pro - WD 80G HD(8M) - SAMSUNG SV0844D 8G HD - LG 16X DVD - Yamaha F1 CDRW<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by cdpage on 11/28/03 11:58 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Woodman]

Apple has since dropped it to about US$106 (w/ shipping) a few days ago. Still expensive, but better than $250:
<A HREF="http/www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html" target="_new">http/www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html</A>

Undeniable facts #45:
It's actually possible to screw yourself.

 

[DarkShadow]

Almost all of HD based mp3 players, and almost all flash (I wouldn't suggest a flash) mp3 players have the option to put files on it.

I'm not sure about how long the iPod's battery will last (life wise), it probably isn't really likely that it would fail; but the battery life of 8 hours is really bad. It is hard to find an mp3 player that is any lower than that.

Through the iHP, all you have to do is plug it in to the USB port, and if you have XP or ME, (and for Macs too) it just appears as a 20 GB hard drive.
I highly recommend the iHP, and I have yet to see an mp3 player that I would rather have.

~DS

 

[cdpage]

Glad to see they're clicked in...

too bad they think that that is a resonable price...

Im still not going to buy it now... they are looking to make a big profit.

If i Buy anything that is over priced, Car, Shoes, Apple product, ect, I expect a neer flawless product, and should something happen...the company should be more then willing to assist in the problem. ie fix or repear for free or for a very cheap price. hence why it is an over priced item.

You buy a pair of Tilly shoe's ($200+ CAN) or tilly anytihng for that matter, its a life time product, they fix it Free of charge, or replace it. If apple Did that, who would hesitate to buy one.



<b>on the verge of catastohy (y1.999...k)</b>
ASUS P4S8X - P4 2.4B - 2 x 512M DDR333 - ATI 9500 Pro - WD 80G HD(8M) - SAMSUNG SV0844D 8G HD - LG 16X DVD - Yamaha F1 CDRW

 

[BunnyStroker]

the battery life of 8 hours is really bad. It is hard to find an mp3 player that is any lower than that.

I'm sorry, but to hear so many people claim that 16 hours of battery life as being necessary is ridiculous. What possible situation has you listening to more than 8 continuous hours of music? Is it really <b>that</b> hard to dock the thing every couple of days?

More battery life is nice, of course, but comparing 16 to 8 hours of battery life is pretty insignificant IMO.

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[cdpage]

well for one camping doesn't exactly provide you with many outlets for power.

now i realize that going camping means you don;t generally bring along Tech stuff like that... but thats just it... people don't want to have to bring a Dock everywhere they go eather. its a hasske to carry around anytihng extra... the reason ppl are buying these new players is becuase they are so small and rassle free... well up untill having to charge it.

8 Hrs is good don't get me wrong... but 16 is not just a little better its alot better....IMO


<b>on the verge of catastohy (y1.999...k)</b>
ASUS P4S8X - P4 2.4B - 2 x 512M DDR333 - ATI 9500 Pro - WD 80G HD(8M) - SAMSUNG SV0844D 8G HD - LG 16X DVD - Yamaha F1 CDRW

 

[alltaken]

well my MD player runs for 90 hours on 1 AA battery.

so i cna say that more than 8 hours is really nice.


Alltaken

<A HREF="http/www.mud-puddle.co.nz" target="_new">http/www.mud-puddle.co.nz</A> its where its all going on, oh and its also all going on HERE <A HREF="http/doug.mud-puddle.co.nz/gallery/" target="_new">http/doug.mud-puddle.co.nz/gallery/</A>

 

[BunnyStroker]

Just curious, MD has been around for a while but it never captured the market (at least in the States, don't know about elsewhere) because it didn't offer enough advantages over, say, a discman.

Are the MD disc capacities still roughly 1 CD?
Can you still only record at 1x speed?

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[aziel]

With the new creative player clocking in at 60 GB is there any reason to pay almost 100 dollars more for a 20 GB iHP? I know it records, which the creative player is lacking. Still the extra storage space does seem worthwhile, especially if you use the unit as a data storage device.

One thing I want to know is whether any of these players can be directly conected to an external sound card through the usb. I want to set up a sound system with a creative soundblaster audigy/extigy and it would be handy if I didn't have to have a computer in the picture at all. If I can get some decent speakers, hook them up to an external decoder and run the sound in off the mp3 player without a desktop or laptop then I could save some serrious cash. Does anyone know if this would work?

 

[alltaken]

Just curious, MD has been around for a while but it never captured the market (at least in the States, don't know about elsewhere) because it didn't offer enough advantages over, say, a discman.

Are the MD disc capacities still roughly 1 CD?
Can you still only record at 1x speed?

ok your information.

MD recording speeds are now 64x

they can now play, MP3, WMA, and their native ATRAC.

advantages

they are jogable (no skipping or breaking really)
MD's are cheap

they hold up to 4 cd's worth (either 4x 74 mins, or 4x 80mins depending on the disk you buy)

recoradble on the fly.

and battery life.






i think that MD's will soon be out of fashion, but when they get RW DVD type MD players, e.g. hold a Gb or so rather than their current amount, then they will really take off.


i jsut really really like the ability to take whatever music i want on the fly. as for them not really taking off.

here in NZ, i know ZERO people with an IPOD or similar, and only one person with a MP3 player of any kind. MD players, i know about 10 people, and cd players i know about 20.

MD's are pretty popular over here.
we are an active nation, so jogging and stuff is important

Alltaken


<A HREF="http/www.mud-puddle.co.nz" target="_new">http/www.mud-puddle.co.nz</A> its where its all going on, oh and its also all going on HERE <A HREF="http/doug.mud-puddle.co.nz/gallery/" target="_new">http/doug.mud-puddle.co.nz/gallery/</A>

 

[bruin1970]

i think the battery life on an md player is astounding. i don't know how they do it.

but i'll take my nexII over all others.

1...the player without the compact flash card is $110
2...it employs simple drag and drop to load the player
3...you can also store other file types
4...it runs for 15 hours on two AA batteries

i like drag and drop. no need for some mp3 program. my player plus 512mg cf card cost me $217. i prefer batteries to rechargeable li ions, because all i have to do is pop in a new set of batteries, so i never have to worry about running out of juice.

i will probably get an ipod or something because of the storage, but what do i do,,,run back home and recharge for two hours?,,,,and for 8 hrs of playtime no less.

i might get an HD mp3 player, but it will never replace my nexII

 

[btvillarin]

At first, when I saw one of my friends with one, I thought it was nuts. It cost a lot, and...who needs that many songs on hand?

Now, I have an iPod. I don't carry CDs anymore. My cheezy MP3 CD player lost its job. And, I don't get sick of songs anymore. (Reason: <A HREF="http/www.musicex.com/mediacenter/" target="_new">Media Center</A>...best media organization software ever.) With a car adapter, power keeps it nearly topped off.

I'm not sure about the battery life, but if you cycle the battery completely through, it can only sustain that so many times. Keeping it frequently charged will enhance its battery life. And, the 8 hour statement of battery life is only if you keep a playlist going with songs ripped at 160kbps, around 3 minutes a song, over and over again. No backlight, no touching. So, there's tons of variances when it comes to how long it will actually last.

I didn't exactly look at other MP3 players, but from the looks of it, functionality is tops with the iPod. It's easy to navigate, and the latest generation scroll wheel is fantastic. I don't think I'd like all those buttons. Bottom line: They're just not as slick.

If you need a MP3 player to accompany you when running, solid state memory players are the only way to go. Unless you hold the iPod in your hand, it'll skip on you.

Oh yeah, a nifty site to check out tons of stuff iPod related is <A HREF="http/www.ipodlounge.com" target="_new">iPodlounge</A>. They're pretty cool.

Bryan

<A HREF="http/btvillarin.com/mojo/mojo.cgi?f=list&l=newslttr" target="_new">BTVillarin.com Newsletter</A> - Computing tips and stuff
<A HREF="http/forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=329" target="_new">My System</A>

 

[bruin1970]

one more thing,,,,aren't the li ion batteries permanently installed in the players? so they're not replaceable....