choosing a hdd mp3 player

[Maezr]

I'd like to buy one, but I've got a few questions.

for the most part I like the ipod, but two things really make me want to reconsider... first off, there was that huge battery problem. did they ever do anything about it in newer models? second, are you STILL not able to use the ipod as a virtual drive on your PC (ie it'll show up in explorer)?

what happens if the HDD breaks? are they under warranty? if so, how long are they? is it different with different brands?

if you weren't going to get an ipod, what would you get?

 

[Maezr]

no replies?

 

[DaveSimmons]

search here and Off-Topic, it's already been asked and answered several times this month.

 

[Maezr]

sorry, I did search- and I found suggestion threads, but none covered the two questions I was asking..

 

[LtPage1]

ill answer it anyways. the big battery problem was only in that one revision- gen2, i think. its been fixed. everything is under warranty- comes with a one year warranty- you can buy more.

"if you weren't going to get an ipod, what would you get?"
^^^thats officially a stupid question. if youre not getting an ipod, you either already have one, or youre saving for one.

 

[DaveSimmons]

* there was that huge battery problem. did they ever do anything about it in newer models?
* second, are you STILL not able to use the ipod as a virtual drive on your PC
* if you weren't going to get an ipod, what would you get?

did you read ipod vs. iriver thread

Warranties vary by brand from 90 days to a year, but a platinum credit card can double these or you can buy extended warranties at some stores.

 

[Maezr]

so, to be clear, even the newer ipods won't act as a virtual drive when you plug it into your PC, right?

 

[DaveSimmons]

No, you need third-party software loaded on the PC to do that (ephpod), and it costs money.

That's also true of many MP3 players (software needed if even available) so be sure to read up on the specific models you're interested in (or you could get a separate external drive or enclosure of course).

 

[powerMarkymark]

I bought the Creative Jukebox Zen Xtra 40GB and I am very satisfied with it. The sound quality is awesome and battery life is around 13 hours. It also supports regular files for transferring between computers but you better bring along your setup CD as the unit is not automatically recognized by other computers.

Some have had problems with the earphone jack breaking with normal usage but I have not had that problem, even though I also use it to play MP3s on my home systems, therefor plugging and unplugging it often.

It only has a 3 month warranty so that is a negative.

HTH

Marc

 

[Lonyo]

The iRiver iHP series (1xx and 3xx) support the universal plug and play standard, I think, so can be used on any 2k//XP machine to transfer files without needing drivers, and this includes music files.
The iPod can be used to transfer files, AFAIK, and possibly without needing software, but any mp3's you put on it will be data files only, and not playable, unless you import them with iTunes or something.
It also has ~16hr vs ~12hr battery life for iPods, IIRC.
There are others that act as plug and play drives with no drivers, I think, the Rio Karma might be one, or the M3 iAudio Revolution (I think that's the name).

Both your questions have been answered in previous threads, multiple times, and both points have been discussed in said threads.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Maezr
so, to be clear, even the newer ipods won't act as a virtual drive when you plug it into your PC, right?

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
No, you need third-party software loaded on the PC to do that (ephpod), and it costs money.

That's also true of many MP3 players (software needed if even available) so be sure to read up on the specific models you're interested in (or you could get a separate external drive or enclosure of course).

iPods and iRivers (and as far as I know, no other hdd players) follow the universal mass storage standard, and so DO show up as a drive on any OS. However you can't just place mp3s on an iPod and then play them on the iPod - you have to use proprietary (and quite buggy) software, or unsupported 3rd party software, to do this. iPods also give trouble manipulating (copying, moving, etc) mp3 files, regardless of whether you've legitimately purchased them, due to piracy concerns. Btw - if using it as a hdd is a concern for you, know that in real world tests, firewire and usb2.0 are roughly equal in speed. The iPod has no advantage in transfer speed, though fanboys often tout this as one.

While the battery issue has improved, it's far from fixed. They still have the shortest battery life of any hdd player.

Read up in other threads to learn about the many other issues iPods suffer from, I won't go over them here.