MP3 Player Showdown

[Sack of Chisels]

After the iPod discussion today I'm curious to see how many people actually like their iPod's, and what other portable devices people prefer. So beeee votin'! Also only including the heavy duty "hard drive" players, 20gb+ and not those wimpy 256mb ones.

My personal vote is the Creative Nomad Xtra, it's a little bigger than most players but really kicks ass in quality and durability. If you want a more sleeker iPod-like one the Zen Touch is a good option.



Apple iPod: http://www.flensburg-online.de/grafik/apple-ipod.jpg

Creative Nomad Zen Xtra: http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/05/46/51/05/0005465105896_215X215.jpg

Creative Nomad Zen Touch: http://www.pcself.com/primopiano/images/creative_zen_touch.jpg

iRiver H-series: http://www.shahine.com/omar/content/binary/iRiver_H320.jpg

Rio Karma: http://www.rioaudio.cz/images/rio-karma/rio-karma-big.jpg

Jet (i)Audio: http://photos1.flickr.com/2765361_fd61213ca6_m.jpg

Archos Gmini XS200: http://gadgets.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/archos.gif

Neuros II: http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/neuros.jpg


Dell Jukebox:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/D0ughB0y/dell.jpg

[Bob]

i rock out with the 20gb ipod great players, but not great software.

[Bach]

iPod is the only way to fly for me.

[Mommadeez4u]

I just got my iRiver H340 last week

http://www.iriveramerica.com/images/prod/hd/h340/h340-straight.jpg

and I love it. 40 gigs of mp3's in one shot? It's silly!

[chesters_liver]

Mines not on the list, I have a Dell DJ30....has a 30gig HD. I love mine

[Sack of Chisels]

Forgot about Dell's. Meant to add an "Other" option but forgot. If a mod can add it that'd be great.

[Sack of Chisels]

I just got my iRiver H340 last week

and I love it. 40 gigs of mp3's in one shot? It's silly!

I really wanted that one, but it was tough to find in stores. Have you changed the firmware so it can play video?

[kloraferm]

I had an ipod for a while but sold it. The controls were too sensitive. Every time I put in in my pocket, whatever I was listening to would change

[Mike H]

I had an ipod for a while but sold it. The controls were too sensitive. Every time I put in in my pocket, whatever I was listening to would change

That is what the HOLD button/switch is for.

[XMScott]

http://ployer.com/archives/psp-value-pack.jpg

+ 1gig card = Im good. Deadwood plays nice on there also, so does Hot Shots Golf

[XMScott]

To late to edit

XMOR + The Roady2 in the car = No need for such devices. The playlists and genre options XM has to offer are simply amazing and i love every second of it

[Mommadeez4u]

I really wanted that one, but it was tough to find in stores. Have you changed the firmware so it can play video?

I got it on amazon, no sweat. I was not aware you could switch out the firmware; I'm leery to try it but do you have a URL? :cool3:

[Sack of Chisels]

I got it on amazon, no sweat. I was not aware you could switch out the firmware; I'm leery to try it but do you have a URL?
List of firmwares here:
http://www.misticriver.net/boards/showthread.php?t=9019

Google, or look on that forum for instructions for the video one.

I probably wouldn't do it if you don't know what you're doing. It also voids the warranty.

[ADD Theater]

I've got the Dell Pocket DJ 5GB.

I like it a lot. My only complaint is that it uses MusicMatch as the interface. It blows. My wife has the 1GB iPOD Shuffle and iTunes is far superior.

As for the Dell, the sound is really good, the usability is fine, and the batteries seem to last quite a long time. I can easily get 10 hours out of it (low volume, continuous play).

[kloraferm]

That is what the HOLD button/switch is for.
really? oh well. :rolleyes:

[dog_liverbuster]

i like my i pod, but my skyfi, roadie2, or myfi are all i need. i use my ipod for working out or when I'm doing some roller blading. other than that, my skyfi is in my winter car, my roadie2 is in my 05 mustang and i take my myfi for business trips.

when i first got my ipod i didn't really like it. i was having trouble converting files and transferring. i also don't like the software they gave me. but i got used to it and i use it regularly. if i didn't get one as a present i probably wouldn't own one. :icon_evil

[Perch1019]

Got the 20Gig Ipod in November. Love the thing. Not one problem with it since I bought it.

[Lil'JimmysMule]

I,ve got a Dell DJ30. Best MP3 player Ive ever had.

[Chester'sLiver]

http://ployer.com/archives/psp-value-pack.jpg

+ 1gig card = Im good. Deadwood plays nice on there also, so does Hot Shots Golf

Same here, I got Family Guy and just about any DVD I want, but I got plenty of songs on mine and it works great for me.

[Skeet Slambone]

There is an empty MP3 player where you have to bring your own HD, it goes for about $100. Does anyone know the name of it?

[Sack of Chisels]

You could likely swap most hard drive player's drives. Try ebay for a player with a dead hard drive, they'll be cheap. Not sure about the one's you're talking about though. Try googling "driveless mp3 player" or something.

[Whore Bait]

fuck steve jobs and fuck ipod. the hardrive died after 1 1/2 years so i'm selling it to some tool on craig's list for $75, the battery life blew also.

I am getting a Creative Zen Touch. Its ugly as a mule and too bulky but the battery life is supposed to be good and it looks like it can take a fall.

[Mike H]

I just got a letter in the mail about a class action law suit against Apple regarding the battery on the iPod. Apparently, I stand to gain 50 bucks in Apple money in the deal. I had a problem with mine a while ago, but Apple was great with warranty, so I cannot really complain. They let me pay 30 bucks after the original warranty had expired to get the extended warranty and then replaced my unit free of any more charges.

[Whore Bait]

yea, $50 whole apple dollars.

I can buy $50 songs and then slash my wrists for wasting fake money on music files.

Too bad there isnt a class action suit for shitty ass toshiba mini-harddrives.

ugh

[Mommadeez4u]

List of firmwares here:
http://www.misticriver.net/boards/showthread.php?t=9019

Google, or look on that forum for instructions for the video one.

I probably wouldn't do it if you don't know what you're doing. It also voids the warranty.

I went ahead an upgraded the firmware to the latest non-USA version, which gives me the ability to store and play movies on the small color screen. Fucking brilliant. It doesn't void the warranty.

[Joe Orthex]

Also only including the heavy duty "hard drive" players, 20gb+ and not those wimpy 256mb ones.


I disagree with you on the light weight ones. I have the Samsung YP-MT6 player. it has 500megs of memory. I don't like having all my mp3s in one place, exspecialy on a player. I rather keep them on a PC hard drive. The YP-MT6 is a little bigger then a double-A battery, and takes a douple-A. Small enough to hide anywhere, plays nice and loud and clear and it has all the fetures those "heavy Hitters" have plus a few others, such as FM radio (which I don't listen to), built in recorder and a 1 or 2 other things I don't use. Not bad for an $80 investment.

[generoso]

To late to edit

XMOR + The Roady2 in the car = No need for such devices. The playlists and genre options XM has to offer are simply amazing and i love every second of it
I'm with dog on this one . Since last August my Archos and Nomad have been sitting gathering dust, as well as winmx on my system. I'm paying $13 for XM it had made go off the RIAA's wanted list MPAA is another story. I really have no need for a mass music storage. But when the boys went on there 2 week vac I did break out the archos for some WNEW shows....As Dog said even without OnA luv the XM music selections...

[Sack of Chisels]

I disagree with you on the light weight ones. I have the Samsung YP-MT6 player. it has 500megs of memory. I don't like having all my mp3s in one place, exspecialy on a player. I rather keep them on a PC hard drive. The YP-MT6 is a little bigger then a double-A battery, and takes a douple-A. Small enough to hide anywhere, plays nice and loud and clear and it has all the fetures those "heavy Hitters" have plus a few others, such as FM radio (which I don't listen to), built in recorder and a 1 or 2 other things I don't use. Not bad for an $80 investment.
Yea, those are nice, but not really in the league of the iPods and such. Especially when you can get 20+ gigs for the same price as the tiny *meg players. I was actually considering an "ultra portable" iRiver, but they're like $250 for 512m-1g. Just depends on your music collection and how far/often you travel.

[Joe Orthex]

best buy had the ipod for sale, 300 bucks. what turned me off to the ipod and made me get the samsung was the ipod did not come with a charger. the ipod with the charger was something like 450. that's when i learned the ipod has it's own power source. the clerk told me the charge (without the charger) will last up to 18months, and after it died you would have to send it in to get recharged. That little samsung can go a week, from sun up to sundown, on 1 AA battary. I rather spend 150 bucks (80 for the player, 70 on battaries) then 300 on something I'll have to ship back when the power dies. But as you said, depends on the person as well. Besides, I can fit 700 songs or a month of O&A shows on it. That works for me.

[Sack of Chisels]

I'm not an iPod fan by any means. They just seem to be leading the market right now so I used them as a point of reference. I wouldn't suggest buying one to anyone; they are notoriously faulty. Maybe this thread will open some eyes about the alternatives, But some people just gotta be trendy. :icon_wink

[JavaLogBoy]

I got an I-pod mini only 4 gigs but I only keep favorites
If you get it from APple.Com you can Get it pERsonalised
I got my name lasored on the back

[alt130]

I've got a Rio Carbon (the original silver 5 gb one). Works great, battery life is outstanding (somewhere around 15-20 hours, but I plug it in overnight so I've never run out), and the user interface is for the most part really good. I need tactile controls, and the iPod (among other things) is awful in that area. Meanwhile, I can control my mp3 player in my pocket by feel alone. It's also ridiculously small. If you don't need more than 5 gb, I highly recommend it. The Karma is a great player too, albeit getting dated and with some hard drive reliability problems. :/

[HummerTuesdays]

I love my Dell DJ (30G). I was listening to music stations on XM, but tired of hearing stuff I don't know or not in the mood for. Yes, I do listen occasionally to find new artists or songs, but right now I like having my music on demand. If a song comes up that I'm not in the mood to hear, I skip it. I don't have to flip stations, see what's on, do I want to hear it, etc.

I only have the Roady 2, so listening to XM when I run is out of the question. I use my DJ and play whatever fits my mood. Lately it's either the Arny cadences I got from my brother or whatever is in my Alternative genre.