Recommend An Mp3 Player

[invincible]

Could anyone please recommend an mp3 player
1) Price is important, something not too pricey
2) I am not interested in photo, recording, and radio
3) The most important factor is sound quality
4) Ease of use is important, want to be able to easily transfer files from computer to mp3 player and vice versa
5) I want to be able to create playlists using the computer, and create/edit playlists while on the move
6) Player must be 5Gb or more (maximum of around 20Gb)
7) I do not want an Ipod
THANK YOU

[Auggie2k]

I was going to say iPod until number 7 popped up. Why the apple hating?

[crash4419]

creative zen

great player one of my girlfriends has it
i told her to get it over a mini

or you can go for a Rio player

look em up

[invincible]

I was going to say iPod until number 7 popped up. Why the apple hating?

Ipods have loads of features which i don't really need, such as photos, fm radio etc. With these extra features the prices are usually raised

creative zen

great player one of my girlfriends has it
i told her to get it over a mini

or you can go for a Rio player

look em up

Creative Zen, do you have a particular model in mind
I was thinking about the 'Rio Carbon Pearl (6GB)' which meet a lot of my criterias i believe. (Does it meet criteria 4 and 5)
Then there is also 'Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5' which has 20Gb space for only £60 extra than the Rio. But i am not sure if the Sony meets criterias 4 and 5

THANK YOU for the replies, further help would be really appreciated

[Auggie2k]

Ipods have loads of features which i don't really need, such as photos, fm radio etc. With these extra features the prices are usually raisedEm, sorry dude but there are only a few photo iPods and there is no such iPod with a radio. That's actually a quality I would like to see. All the things your looking for are found with the 20Gb iPod, and as for price - have you ever heard of ebay?

Ebay search for Apple iPod 20Gb New (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=apple+ipod+20gb+new&category0=)

[silentscream]

for my dream mp3 player

it has to be small
at least 20 gig
usb plug and play (no thirdparty software) removable drive
and good battery

and cheap

there is only one that fitted it all

the archos gmini xs 202 (202 has a newer screen than the 200)

look it up

it fits all ure criteria

Greg

[.:sp00ky:.]

creative zen 6gig 2nd edition in pink.

[knowitall]

The RIO Karma has 20 G of storage, no radio, no pics and great sound. It has pre-configured and custom EQ settings and sounds good whether I have it hooked to my home stereo, my car or my computer at work. It is virtually a 5,000 song jukebox that I use daily at work and home. It's a bit pricey but worth it. If you do a search for reviews you will see that it is considered a very good player.

[invincible]

for my dream mp3 player

it has to be small
at least 20 gig
usb plug and play (no thirdparty software) removable drive
and good battery

and cheap

there is only one that fitted it all

the archos gmini xs 202 (202 has a newer screen than the 200)

look it up

it fits all ure criteria

Greg

Looks very good, but does it work with Windows 98

creative zen 6gig 2nd edition in pink.

I do like the look of this player. What is the transferring of files like with this player, is it fast and easy?

The RIO Karma has 20 G of storage, no radio, no pics and great sound. It has pre-configured and custom EQ settings and sounds good whether I have it hooked to my home stereo, my car or my computer at work. It is virtually a 5,000 song jukebox that I use daily at work and home. It's a bit pricey but worth it. If you do a search for reviews you will see that it is considered a very good player.

What is the transferring of files like with this player, is it fast and easy? Is the software good?

THANK YOU for all the help

[muffenme]

portable DVD player that suports MP3's DVD. I know they can do pitcher, movies, normal CD, and MP3's but walmart up here in Canada has a portable DVD with 6.2" display for 100 CAD. That 4.5 GB of music on one DVD if it suports that.

Beside that and old Pentium II notebook, even I would have problem with this one, what the maxium you like to pay because that would either open doors for one brand or close the doors on others.
I wish there was one that supported the real audio V3 format either with a flash update or right away.

[.:sp00ky:.]

zen has 2.0 usb so ya its fast but if your using win98 im not sure if it has usb 2.0 soo umm their all gonna be the same for you,but on a good note the software works with win98 unlike alot of others so you will be fine.

[silentscream]

uhuh it will work with win 98 as u get the drivers with it for older systems

[broadwayrock]

The Zen Micro is the player that fits your criteria.

It has on the fly playlisting, good sound quality + drag and drop for files (with the play for sure firmware)

All mp3 players require XP as a standard to you should think about upgrading your os. In theory the Micro should work on 98 but i imagine you will face some problems with it.

Theres a new Zen Micro Photo being released that has a better battery life, colour screen and is slightly smaller than the Micro.

http://www.generationmp3.com/index.php/2005/09/29/1541-exclusif-gmp3-preview-du-creative-zen-micro-photo

It will cost about £180-£190. but seing you have not interest in photo you better go for the standard 5gb/6gb ones.

[maartendc]

Anything from creative, the Zen Micro for example. Beats the shit out of Ipods anyway!

[knowitall]

Looks very good, but does it work with Windows 98



I do like the look of this player. What is the transferring of files like with this player, is it fast and easy?



What is the transferring of files like with this player, is it fast and easy? Is the software good?

THANK YOU for all the help

While this player does use proprietary software it is very easy to load files to the player. It copies very fast with my old 933 meg machine and I suspect it would be even faster with a newer computer. Seriously, this player sounds great even with the earbuds that come with it. It also, according to one review I read on it, finds and plays songs faster than any other player out there, due mainly to superior file management software. When you hit the button to change it from a playing tune to another it changes like right now.
If you are looking for a large capacity great sounding player you can't go wrong with this one. If you haven't already, I encourage you to google reviews and see what the experts think of it.
Oh, and by the way, you're welcome.

[zarquon]

I cant believe no one has mentioned iriver. I highly recommend the h10.
20gb storage.
Mp3, wma,wav.
Fm radio,
Voice recorder, fm radio recording, direct to 128kbps mp3.
Photo color display.

Ohh ya and srs surriund and customizable equalizer. Very high quality audio, and top notch eq. presets.

Reasonably cheap too when compared with ipoo.

[silentscream]

i personaly would have loved an iriver

but my archos was smaller and alot cheaper (around £90 cheaper)

only thing it dont have is a colour screen

[invincible]

While this player does use proprietary software it is very easy to load files to the player. It copies very fast with my old 933 meg machine and I suspect it would be even faster with a newer computer. Seriously, this player sounds great even with the earbuds that come with it. It also, according to one review I read on it, finds and plays songs faster than any other player out there, due mainly to superior file management software. When you hit the button to change it from a playing tune to another it changes like right now.
If you are looking for a large capacity great sounding player you can't go wrong with this one. If you haven't already, I encourage you to google reviews and see what the experts think of it.
Oh, and by the way, you're welcome.

I have seen 1 review, this is what discouraged me from buying it, it only got 7/10. Whereas other players such as Sony, Ipod were getting reviews of 8+ out of 10. The new Rio Carbon Pearl got a score of 8/10. I will google to see further reviews
THANK YOU for the help

[invincible]

Why is nobody recommending a Sony Player? Are they no good? Is the software they provide no good?

[Christoph]

I-River by HP! Realy the best Mp3 Player

[.:sp00ky:.]

sony products are overpriced,you get very little for your money.

[broadwayrock]

The new sony players are very good in terms of sound quality and battery life, but the software they use is probably the worst on the market. It is a pain in the arse to transfer the tracks onto the player and Sony wont allow any other way of transfering the music.

[Auggie2k]

Thats why I like the iRiver and the iPods. The iRiver is just like a removable hard drive and the iPod works in seemlessly with Winamp so it's all good. Sony are good products, stupid restrictions (sonicstage, attrac3 ect) but the label will always be bought. Creative are also very good and user friendly, they're kinda like the anti ipod, the dopi if you will!

[invincible]

The new sony players are very good in terms of sound quality and battery life, but the software they use is probably the worst on the market. It is a pain in the arse to transfer the tracks onto the player and Sony wont allow any other way of transfering the music.

Thats why I like the iRiver and the iPods. The iRiver is just like a removable hard drive and the iPod works in seemlessly with Winamp so it's all good. Sony are good products, stupid restrictions (sonicstage, attrac3 ect) but the label will always be bought. Creative are also very good and user friendly, they're kinda like the anti ipod, the dopi if you will!

Thanks for the info. I had high expectations of the Sony models
So far i have to decide between 'Creative Zen Micro', 'Rio Karma', 'Rio Carbon Pearl' and 'Archos Gmini Xs 202'
I am not a big fan of the iRiver
I should mention that i am more concerned about how these models sound through headphones rather than speakers
Are these models better than the iPod
THANK YOU of all the help

[Auggie2k]

Asking are they better than the iPod is a question that can't be answered by any one person. It's choice of user preference. I have heard no bad things about the Zen Micro though so my recommendation is that.

[invincible]

Asking are they better than the iPod is a question that can't be answered by any one person. It's choice of user preference. I have heard no bad things about the Zen Micro though so my recommendation is that.

Thanks again Auggie2k. What about the batteries, some are removable and others are not, is this a big factor to consider or can i look past it?
Auggie2k, you said that "iPod works in seemlessly with Winamp so it's all good", what do you mean by that?
THANK YOU

[Auggie2k]

Thanks again Auggie2k. What about the batteries, some are removable and others are not, is this a big factor to consider or can i look past it?
Auggie2k, you said that "iPod works in seemlessly with Winamp so it's all good", what do you mean by that?
THANK YOU
There is a plugin you can download for free on the Winamp site called ml_iPod.

IPod plugin link: http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=138888

Once installed you simply connect your iPod without the need for iTunes and drag and drop you music within Winamp.

http://www.tweakers.net/ext/i.dsp/1117007032.jpg

You can also remove them easily and create you on the go playlists too. You can browse the iPod like browsing Winamp.

[silentscream]

batteries are replaceable in the zen micro and are pretty well priced (just work like a mobile phone battery)

its a nice little player

but its only a tiny bit smaller than mine and is 14 or 15 gig less storage and around the same price

so i made my choice and im very happy :)

[takki83]

i pod nano
2G just 199.99 in bestbuy if you buy in ebay may lower
bless u

[Signa]

RIO carbon is really good. $200 for 5 gigs. and when you plug it in, the PC sees it as an extra hard drive. many MP3 players make you install software and other bullshit. i.e. iTunes

[eivioolla]

I've been very happy with my iriver ifp895. Especially the sound quality is very good for a portable player, imo. It doesn't hold 5GB though. Personally I never understood why portable player should be able to hold that much music. I can only jog for so long... :D I just want it to be small and have great sound quality.

[invincible]

RIO carbon is really good. $200 for 5 gigs. and when you plug it in, the PC sees it as an extra hard drive. many MP3 players make you install software and other bullshit. i.e. iTunes

Thanks a lot, does it work on Windows 98?

[silentscream]

actualy the rio carbon is an ace player

played with one for a while

and have a look on their site to see if u can get drivers for 98

.

[zarquon]

T

I am not a big fan of the iRiver



What have you got against iriver? In my experience they're the best.

[invincible]

What have you got against iriver? In my experience they're the best.
Its mainly the way they are designed

[WE_DELIVER]

LOL, that doesnt explain anything....

[invincible]

Is it worth me considering the new video capable ipods. I mean to be able to play video would be a big advantage as I commute a lot. Is the size of the screen any good? Is the quality of the video and sound any good? Is it good value for money or is there something better out there?
THANK YOU

[broadwayrock]

Its good for music video length videos/videos purchased from itunes. With the battery being poor for video its not really worth buying it solely for the video. The quality of the video is good for the screen size of the iPod but not if you tried to play it back on tv or pc. The sound is reported to be of the same quality as the previous iPods but slightly less than the Shuffle.

I have a feeling Apple will release a proper iPod Video in a years time with widescreen display and a decent battery life. The current model seems to be testing the water for possible video sales.

Portable media players have not really reached maturity yet, with poor screens or poor battery life holding them back, and if the do have great screens and battery lifes, the price would be expensive compared to mp3 players.

[invincible]

Thanks a lot broadwayrock

[Globalist]

Archos Gmini 220.

I'll never recomend iPod's. (No functionality)

On the issue of someone recomending iRiver. They do offer the same resourceful functionality as Archos, yet they are second best to Archos, ie style, construction ect. Plus, Archos have had, and created the portable video market, and seem to be progressing in that market with quality handsets (in conjunction with a person commenting on iPod's effort of going into the portable video market).

I'll buy into iPod for a fasion accessory to pull out of my pocket and say ''oo, look at this''.

Apart from that, they offer no functionality, whatsoever.

Contradictory to 'looks', styles and construction, Archos, and sometimes iRiver, come out on top. Well, iRiver for construction, but Archos certainly has nice looking handsets, but has the construction as well.

[Auggie2k]

I'll never recomend iPod's. (No functionality)Elaborate?

[Globalist]

Elaborate, I shall.

They offer no functionality, in conjunction with resourceful functions. For example, one can't record form any audio source, other than PC. Card reader, mic, and the inability to play WMA.

However,they do offer 'looks', and style. But so do Archos. Absolutely. (I'm not fond of iRiver design, construction).

[ruvard]

Iaudio x5 is a sick player size of i pod with big color screen with video playback a nifty joystick control, fm radio voice recorder and u can control how to organize ur music. Better soudn quality than ipod. 20gb!

[zarquon]

Iaudio x5 is a sick player size of i pod with big color screen with video playback a nifty joystick control, fm radio voice recorder and u can control how to organize ur music. Better soudn quality than ipod. 20gb!

I agree, it is a great player.

[Pathtek24]

My wife uses Creative Zen..and I got a Trailaudio TR-256 from Highgear at Highgear.com....It small like a jumpdrive, but it has a great interface..

[tomars]

i cannot believe how crap every single portable audio player is.
I don't know if its the companies all being dumbasses, or if its just that I want different stuff from everybody else, but there is only one player that looks ok(ish): Sony NW-HD5
But I want more space and not tied down to software.
I have grown to hate my iPod. It is ugly, it has crap battery, stupid unnecesary colour screen and itunes (shudder).

Best player would be
60gig+
Looks like NW-HD5
No fancy extras just audio playback
Ogg vorbis and flac support
Good battery life
Software: explorer
Comes with sennheiser px200's

[broadwayrock]

Minus the looks, the new 60gb Cowon iAUDIO X5 fits most of your requirements.

Drag and drop for loading of music, 14 hour battery life, Ogg and Flac support and 60gb.

Im afaid that asking for an mp3 player with extras is like asking for a cell phone without a camera or a car without cd player: it wont exist becuase the general comsumer public demand extras (unless its a cheap as chips 512mb flash player).

[fleecy]

will be getting a free mp3 player from work. it's an rca lyra 1270, 256 mb,looks not too bad (and hey, the price is right). i've googled for product reviews, and it sounds not too bad for a non-techie like me. is anyone else familiar with this player?

[Luckygrl104]

IPOD #1 best MP3 player in my book!