MP3 PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS - Need advice choosing the best ;)

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SpAcE CoW

Member
Jul 18, 2005
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yeah, I really love the iPod mini.. if only that damn battery was replacable without scratching/breaking the pod I would get one in a flash.
 

The Pentium Guy

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2005
4,327
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Why are you so fussy about the battery? Just recharge it. Who cares if you break it open? It's not even that hard. I'd actually go with iRiver in this case, for sound quality. Their firmware updates have fixed the major bugs already.
 

imported_ArtVandalay

Senior member
Jul 19, 2005
694
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Originally posted by: SpAcE CoW
also, with the mini, can you tranfer mp3s from a computer to another?

Yes, but the directory & naming structures will be lost. I'd suggest a player which offers full plug & play hard drive support, such as iriver and iaudio products. This is just one of many complaints I have with the Ipod. My others are: It doesn't support many popular file formats*, the sound quality is poor*, the battery life is poor (though the 2nd gen mini's battery life is much, much better), it doesn't allow me to sort an artist's albums chronologically*, which is my preferred method of doing so, it doesn't have a line out, the clickwheel is too sensitive*, the batteries drain even when it's off*, it has no recording feature* and it has no radio tuner*.

* = applies to all ipods. Points without a * are specific to the mini or the 1st gen mini. These are my experiences based on a 1st gen mini I got for free.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
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I LOVE my Zen Micro.

FYI: you do NOT have to use the creative software. It does act as a HD based solution if you use the latest firmware. They have two different ones...one that uses the software, one that acts as a HD. I've never used the software on mine :)

The sound is awesome. I have no problems with the UI either.


EDIT: I got my wife the ipod mini for mothers day. She took it back after 2 days. The battery wouldn't hold the charge. After playing with it myself...the Micro is just a better MP3 player. Sounds better and I like the UI.
 

dwcal

Senior member
Jul 21, 2004
765
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Originally posted by: SpAcE CoW
also, with the mini, can you tranfer mp3s from a computer to another?

Not with itunes, but you can with ephpod. It's freeware too.
 

imported_ArtVandalay

Senior member
Jul 19, 2005
694
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Originally posted by: dwcal
Originally posted by: SpAcE CoW
also, with the mini, can you tranfer mp3s from a computer to another?

Not with itunes, but you can with ephpod. It's freeware too.

You can in any file manager. The problem is, as I already mentioned, you'll lose the directory & naming structures. Programs to load music onto the ipod, such as itunes, ephpod, anapod, etc. rename the files and possibly screw up the directory structure of what they put on the device. If you look at a hidden directory (folder, for you young'uns) on the ipod, you'll find the music there renamed to 01.mp3, 02.mp3, etc.
 

Trevelyan

Diamond Member
Dec 10, 2000
4,077
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Originally posted by: Excelsior
iAudio X5.

I agree. It's got everything the Ipod does and more. I used to be an ipod-only guy, but buying this player changed my mind. It is simply amazing.

One thing I love about it and couldn't live without is the fact that is just comes up as a hard drive in Windows... so I can get music from my friends and it also doubles as a portable hard drive.

20GB Iaudio X5 is $285 at Amazon.com.
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: Trevelyan
Originally posted by: Excelsior
iAudio X5.

I agree. It's got everything the Ipod does and more. I used to be an ipod-only guy, but buying this player changed my mind. It is simply amazing.

One thing I love about it and couldn't live without is the fact that is just comes up as a hard drive in Windows... so I can get music from my friends and it also doubles as a portable hard drive.

20GB Iaudio X5 is $285 at Amazon.com.

Noooo doubt my friend.
 

Joseph477

Junior Member
Aug 7, 2005
23
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Go with the Zen Micro 6 GB.

I have the 5 GB unit and it kicks ass. After a firmware flash I don't have to use the Creative software. Windows XP automatically recognizes it as a Plays for Sure device as long as you have WMP10 installed.