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MP3 players: Clueless about MP3 players, need help!
- 12/12/08 4:12 PM
Zen will work with Rhapsody
by Marino013 - 12/20/08 10:37 AM In reply to: What's FM? (kidding) by juddrizzoJust an FYI....The Zen WILL work with Rhapsody and pretty much any MP3 song download site out there. It's even compatible with Apple Itunes files (ACC) without having to convert the file over to MP3 or WMA. That's one of the great features about the Zen, it's compatible with many more file types than the Ipod is.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with the Ipods, I do think their great players, but for the money the Zen is the way to go for me and many people (& kids) I know. Give them a try sometime, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I purchased a couple of 8MB SD cards for my nephew's Zen for Christmas. You can purchase SD cards fairly inexpensive these days and is a great way to add more storage to this MP3 player.
There are a couple places online that sell 128MB SD cards for around 30 bucks. (can't beat that!)
Have a great wknd everyone!
Zen w/Rhapsody
by juddrizzo - 12/21/08 9:11 AM In reply to: Zen will work with Rhapsody by Marino013Thank you for the info about the Creative Zen and Rhapsody. I love my Rhapsody subscription. I'll definitely have to check out the Zen.
I'll probably just start listening to Rhapsody on my phone.
I also really like the expansion card idea, for the Zen.
The main thing I don't like about my iPod, which I generally Love, is that Rhapsody-to-go feature doesn't play nice with iPods. (I believe, that's a licensing issue between Rhapsody and Apple, not a device issue.) Many other features of Rhapsody work great with the iPod.
Also, as much as I Love the huge capacity of my iPod, it does worry me that if I drop it, I may trash the hard-drive. However, that's why I have Best Buy's service/replacement plan. With a flash-based device, this wouldn't be an issue.
Btw - When I have had damaged iPods, Apple has handed me brand new ones, no questions asked, after a year of use each. Also, Best buy replaced my 4 year old 40 GB iPod with a beautiful 160 GB iPod, after my Monster FM car transmitter killed it.
Again, I'll definitely try the Zen. One of my friends is in the market for his first audio device now.
File Formats:
(I'm an audiophile/freak and I love my iPod. iTunes) When I first got into digital music, I ripped everything as 240-320 Kbps variable bit rate (vbr) wma files, and listened to 'em on Windows Media Player.
128 kbps aac files sound great and take up much less space than the vbr wma's or 192 Kbps mp3. (I'm very impressed by that.) So, I don't think of it as a limitation.
With your $34/quarter subscription, Rhapsody sells everything as DRM-free 256 Kbps mp3 now for $7.80/album. I can easily transfer them to the iPod, in Rhapsody. They play/sound great on iTunes/iPod. However, they take up more space than the equivalent 128 aac's would.
With a Creative Zen or a Sansa whatever, and many other devices, I could take advantage of the Rhapsody-to-go program and not have to purchase the albums. - Just load/re-load whatever I want. That would be a huge, awesome, feature, that I currently can not enjoy with my iPod. (That's my biggest issue with the iPod.)
However, most important to this whole debate is that, many people do not subscribe to Rhapsody and simply get their music by hook or crook and load it on their device, including the iPod.
Again, I'll probably just start listening to Rhapsody on my phone.
Thanks again for your helpful info. 
FM - IP HYPE
by wwwgjsnet - 12/20/08 11:02 AM In reply to: What's FM? (kidding) by juddrizzoDON'T UNDERSTAND THOSE DISCOUNTING VALUE OF FM.
Here in Madison, Wisconsin we have a lot of good stuff that appeals to those who think. AIR AMERICA and several NPR stations. Public sector FM radio in Germany is WONDERFUL. Deutschland Funk, etc. The new and cheap (mine cost $15) Sansa Clip MP3 player has good FM.
All the iPod stuff is very irritating. Granted these Apple gadgets may be OK for those having software installed on ONE computer. But for those of us who travel around a lot and use different computers, being held hostage to special Apple software is not practical. Although all major world cities such as Berlin give us ready access to computers - don't assume that APPLE software is installed on them or that it is permissible to do so. It is SO MUCH NICER to be able with a few keystrokes to transfer MP3 files back and forth between portable storage and ANY computer and ANY plug and play device such the line of Sansa players. I've several MP3 players (all with flash memory) that work without fuss. The "syncing" of my untold zillions of files in my primary home computers to any of my players is of no interest. When alone (I do a lot of "marathon" hikes throughout Europe) I load one or more players with spoken word content running at "normal" (100%) speed as well as quite often same content playing FAST (150% or 200%). 20 or 30 hours loaded on a player is ENOUGH.
Good point regarding the FM issue
by Marino013 - 12/20/08 1:09 PM In reply to: FM - IP HYPE by wwwgjsnetGood point regarding the FM issue. Don't discount it just because you may not have any use for it. There are a number are great FM stations in my area (East Idaho) as well as having access to local news and especially weather. I do alot of hiking, camping, snowmobiling and snowboarding and it's absolutely critical when you're out doing any outdoor activity, to be able to know when bad weather may be heading your way. Can't get that kind of information on an MP3 file.
And kids like to listen to their favorite FM stations as that's their main source for new music, which they can later download in mp3 format.
FM good / bad
by juddrizzo - 12/21/08 9:41 AM In reply to: FM - IP HYPE by wwwgjsnet(I was kidding/teasing about FM.)
Much congratulations to you, if you have great FM/AM, where you live.
I, actually, listen to C-SPAN, political/news radio, on 90.1 FM, Washington DC area only, all the time. I like it better than others because it's great programming, with no ads, and very respectful hosts.
However, if I wanted to listen to my beloved C-SPAN anywhere besides DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis, MD, I'd have to listen on Satellite-radio. The FM music stations we have around here (MD) play the same tired songs over and over again, until you wanna kill yourself, or have idiotic morning shows, endless ads, etc. I like music or intelligent conversation.
Another person mentioned having to have FM for the weather. That seems nuts today, when there's tons of devices you can get http://www.weather.com on, and get your weather faster, w/out having to listen to FM.
I appreciate the info about syncing your device, w/multiple computers, all over the world. For me, it hasn't been a limitation 'cause I have more music than anyone I know and keep my 160 GB iPod loaded w/tons of it. I love iTunes and the iPod, their intelligent play-lists, etc. I, honestly, don't understand what some think is so limiting about it.
Apple's 128 Kbps aac format is great. I sounds great and takes up less space than 240-320 Kbps vbr wma files or 192 Kbps mp3 files. (I think I'd stick w/it, even if I wasn't using an Apple device.)
I do plan on looking, w/an open mind, at other devices, for a friend, very soon.
Repetetive FM music
by CRod67 - 12/22/08 8:21 AM In reply to: FM good / bad by juddrizzoI completely agree with the comment about repetetive music on many FM channels. I grew up in South Florida where every channel was owned my Clear Channel and have found that most of Clear Channels radio stations across the country are this way. I was pleasantly surprised when I moved to the NorthWest part of the country where Clear Channel doesn't have their hooks into any FM stations (as of yet that is) and its a nice change to have a variety of music, news and weather stations that aren't so repetetive as what I was used to.
Most of the Eastern, Southern and midwest radio stations are owned by Clear Channel and they are the worst when it comes to non-stop advertising and repetetive playlists. But get away from Clear Channel stations and it's amazing to hear the difference in both the amount of ads played and the amount of times each song is played during the day.
I agree
by RobertK2of3 - 12/20/08 4:22 PM In reply to: What's FM? (kidding) by juddrizzoI second that! I'm surprised anyone cares as well.
We have one good station (Milwaukee, WI) and it didn't come into existence until after I got my ipod. I understand "good" is in the ear of the beholder, and that is even more reason to get an MP3 player. You get what you want.
MP3 players are really around because FM radio is too repetitive.
I had a friend who had an MP3 player with AM radio so he could listen to baseball games, but other than that, I don't get it.
The best would be to use the Belkin FM transmitter in my car to transmit the FM channel I'm picking up on my MP3 player over my car speakers. Genius.
I looked at Creative Zen reviews online (Walmart.com), as it was well regarded in this forum.
The Zen looks nice and is cheaper, but a lot of people had issues with freeze-ups and one guy could never get his email or phone calls to customer support answered.
It sounds about what I expected. Cheaper, and you'd better hope you get sick of it before it conks out.
That said, the Zen looks pretty sweet and if you get a device like this (with no moving parts), unless its just junk (or DOA), it will probably last a long long time.
firmware updates
by Marino013 - 12/20/08 4:51 PM In reply to: I agree by RobertK2of3Good comment. I've heard about the Zen's "freezing up", but haven't actually known anyone that has had the problem. From what I've read about the issue it's been corrected with their firmware update. (which I've done to my Zen player) Just go onto Creative's website and you can download the firmware update right to your player, which is also good to know in case any future updates may become available.
I know the Playstation 3 had certain issues as well which were corrected this way.
Zune, all the way
by Call_Me - 12/26/08 12:45 PM In reply to: I agree by RobertK2of3I never wanted an MP3 player, ever. That was 3 years ago. Ha! I received a surprise gift of a Zune (didn't ask for one, never heard of it) and I've never looked at another MP3 player since. I've also bought 3 other 30GB Zune's for my partner and two BF's and they love them as much as I do.
We're all in our 50's and use them for various reasons. I only listen to mine at home since my work environment is too noisy to hear any music. Also, I can't wear head phones so being able to have the music come out of a speaker is how I listen. My other friends use it for working out, walking to work, and are all headphone wearers.
I knew all the hype about iPod. Gave hundreds and hundreds of dollars of ipod gift cards to my friends...talk about a Black Hole that would never be filled! I could not fathom spending .99 cents for every song that I wanted to listen to, especially since I've never downloaded a single song in my life but only download entire albums.
With my Zune, I got a free month-long Zune Pass. THAT IS WHAT SOLD ME ON ZUNE AND WHAT CONTINUES TO SELL ME! No matter how much I like certain music, after a couple of dozen listens, I tire of it. Since I got the music for "free" ($15.00 bucks/month for unlimited downloads), I can dump that album and load up on more.
This weekend, I dumped over 160 albums that I haven't listended to in months to a couple of years and spent all of Christmas Eve downloading 113 new albums...again, for $15.00 bucks! Since that's the cost of an average CD, I consider it money well spent.
On the tech side, an ipod friend of mine is considering a Zune. She states, "I am SO sick of ipods constant and chronic 'updates' and new versions! Sometimes, I just want to go onto their site WITHOUT having to download a 'new' version before I look at my library."
From listening to the news, I remember that two large music sites went belly-up this past year and that rumors are always coming out about Apple price increases and fights with regards to their downloads. That makes me even more happy that I've got a Zune. It's a sturdy little bugger; I've had the same one for the past 3 years (since it came out) and dropped it numerous times; an ipod friend of mine is on her 3rd one...all died an early death. (she's one of the ones that I bought a Zune for; she uses that now, rather than get a 4th ipod.)
Poor Zune. It can't get "no respect" despite the sturdiness and fair pricing of it's Zune Pass. Oh well, more for me to enjoy.
not what a bunch of middle aged folk on a forum THINK they w
by Mickey - 12/21/08 11:29 AM In reply to: What kids REALLY want by Marino013"not what a bunch of middle aged folk on a forum THINK they want"
Excuse me?
So experience doesn't count for anything now, eh?
Besides which, I/m 56.....wayyyyyy past middle age, thank you very much.
Tongue-in-cheekedly yours,
Mickey
The MP3 Player Rundown
by MehStrongBadMeh - 12/5/08 8:04 PM In reply to: Clueless about MP3 players, need help! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There are many different types MP3 players out there and getting the right one can be confusing. Here are the main basic groups:
1. Workout/Mini Players
Identifiable for their small size and cheap price, thus making them well suited for a workout. Players of this type often have no screen, or a small one, making them unsuitable for videos. They usually have 1gb (240 songs) to 4gb (1000 songs) of storage space. Some have extra features like a radio or a voice recorder.
Some players from this category:
-iPod Shuffle $49.99-1gb, $69.99-2gb
-Sansa Clip $49.99-2gb, $69.99-4gb
-Creative Zen Stone $39.99-2gb
2. Flash Players
Probably your best choice if you have absolutely no idea what player to get. Usually have small (about 2 inches diagonally) a color screen suitable for watching short videos. Larger than Workout MP3 players, but still pretty small. Also suitable for workouts. They usually have 4gb (1000 songs) to 16gb (4000 songs) of storage space. The screen allows for easier selection of media. Some have extra features like games, a radio, or a voice recorder.
Some players from this category:
-iPod Nano $149.99-8gb, $199.99-16gb
-Zune 4/8/16 $99.99-4gb, $139.99-8gb, $179.99-16gb
-Sansa Fuze $69.99-2gb, $79.99-4gb, $99.99-8gb
-Many more...
3. Hard Drive Players
For those of us who need to have gratuitous amounts of music wherever we go 
. There is only a limited selection of these players available. They are medium in size but still will fit in pockets well. The screen sizes are medium (2.5" diagonal for iPod classic, 3.2" diagonal for Zune) and are suitable for watching long videos. They have a whopping 80gb (20,000 songs) or 120gb (30,000 songs) of storage space. The larger screens are easier to read text on. They both have games and the Zune has a radio.
The players from this category:
-iPod Classic $249.99-120gb
-Zune 80/120 $229.99-80gb, $249.99-120gb
4. Portable Video Players
You're probably not going to buy this type for your grandchildren. They have huge screens that are great for watching full movies. Also, they are large in size and probably won't fit in your pockets unless your are wearing cargo pants. But, most importantly are expensive starting at $349.99 for the Archos 5 with 60gb and going up to $549.99 for the Archos 7 with 320gb. They also have advanced features like a wifi web browser.
5. The iPod Touch
Yes, this player gets its own category. The iPod Touch features a Touch Sensitive screen that allows it to have an extremely long list of features. This includes things like address book, calendar, internet, calculator, games, email, etc., etc., etc. The screen is well suited for watching videos. The iPod touch is about the size of the Hard drive players although it uses flash memory. Its shortcoming is its expensive price for its smaller amount of memory.
iPod Touch $229.99-8gb, $299.99-16gb, $399.00-32gb
That's the end of my list. I hope this made your buying decisions easier. Keep in mind that if you buy one grandchild a better (more expensive) player then the other child may become pissed off.
Subscription vs. Download
by tlh523 - 12/15/08 9:11 AM In reply to: The MP3 Player Rundown by MehStrongBadMehOne item that seems to have been missed in all this is if users want to subscribe to an unlimited amount of music or to pay for each individual downloaded song. My preferance is to subscribe to music, which brings the user into a Zune player environment. As an added bonus with the subscription model, each user is eligible for a addtional 10 downloads per month, wireless network support, and the ability to listen to thier favorite FM music stations and add music direclty to their Zune device from selected songs that are played on the radio...Not appealing to everyone, but to some this is a major feature....
'Touch' category....
by the_eternal_dark - 12/20/08 9:38 PM In reply to: The MP3 Player Rundown by MehStrongBadMehIpod touch is not a category on its own. There are more players that fit in the touch category that are as good as or better than the touch.
1. Cowon S9 - cowonamerica.com
2. Onda vx787 - mp4nation.net
3. Nationite OS81 - mp4nation.net
4. Nationite S:Flo - mp4nation.net (this player is the size of the ipod nano with a full touch screen, beat that Apple)
5. Iriver Spinn - iriverinc.com
Research, its more rewarding.
iTouch category
by rdturner127 - 12/24/08 1:19 PM In reply to: 'Touch' category.... by the_eternal_darkYou might not consider the iTouch it's own catagory because there are other touch players that sound better. However, none do what an iTouch does (I can't believe I'm defending an Apple product because I love my Cowon D2). There is no other MP3 player out here with the range of games and other aps, OR the coolness factor. You might have lost sight of the original question: you're trying to help a Grandma look cool to her grandchildren, and right now, iPods win out in terms of coolness. Again, it's best to consult the grandkids to be sure your choice matches their desires, but you most likely can't go wrong with an iPod within budget.
lol....
by the_eternal_dark - 12/24/08 8:20 PM In reply to: iTouch category by rdturner127Like I said earlier, if you want games, get a psp. The touch has terrible games, btw.
The ipod touch is like the wii, a fad product, and once you get past the "coolness" of a "new" interface, it is way over hyped for what it actually is.
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