mp3 players with hard disks

AShadeOfClear

Banned
Jul 19, 2001
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How is it that a hard-disk based portable mp3 player can be shaken around and not skip a beat? I thought hard disks were very sensitive.
 

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
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Nov 27, 1999
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AShadeOfClear, that's a good question as I love my Creative Nomad Jukebox and have often wondered the same thing :confused:
 

StevenYoo

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Jul 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: AShadeOfClear
How is it that a hard-disk based portable mp3 player can be shaken around and not skip a beat? I thought hard disks were very sensitive.

don't the players buffer 60 seconds or so of music so that there's always at most that much music that's skip free?

that's why you see 60-second shock protection or stuff like that.

but i could be wrong.
 

Topher

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Oct 10, 1999
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Not only do they have buffers, but they also use laptop hard drives which are designed to take a little bit of jostling around. Your desktop hard drives won't survive that however.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
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Originally posted by: dwell
The iPod has 20 minutes shock protection. :)

aha, but with what kind of bitrate? The shock protection runs off of a buffer, so say that the standard is a 128kbps MP3, that'd mean about somewhere around 20MB RAM for just the buffer...don't mind me, I just got done with some basic calc homework, I'm in a 'numbers' kinda mood :)
 
Feb 10, 2000
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On bike trails?


damn

I imagine they are not illegal on most bike trails, especially MTB trails. I personally like to be able to hear what my bike is doing, but I could see how it might be nice to listen to music as well.

 

nord1899

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: genocide
Originally posted by: dwell
The iPod has 20 minutes shock protection. :)

aha, but with what kind of bitrate? The shock protection runs off of a buffer, so say that the standard is a 128kbps MP3, that'd mean about somewhere around 20MB RAM for just the buffer...don't mind me, I just got done with some basic calc homework, I'm in a 'numbers' kinda mood :)

The iPod has 32 megs of buffer. The Nomad 3 has 16 megs of buffer. I think the RioVolt has 8 or 16, can't remember. The Archos Jukebox 2.0 has 2 megs of buffer. I know this cuz I recently researched the hell out of these, and ended up getting the Nomad 3.

Of course, the buffer is only good if its full. If you tend to skip around the songs manually (as opposed to built-in random), it will have to flush the buffer and reload it. Meaning the anti-skip is gone, not to mention battery drain from spinning up the hdd.
 

Originally posted by: genocide

aha, but with what kind of bitrate? The shock protection runs off of a buffer, so say that the standard is a 128kbps MP3, that'd mean about somewhere around 20MB RAM for just the buffer...don't mind me, I just got done with some basic calc homework, I'm in a 'numbers' kinda mood :)

It's probably like 16 - 20M. I can only think of one thing that would keep me bouncing for ~20 minutes, and I ain't wearing my iPod then. ;)

 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
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Originally posted by: Don_Vito
On bike trails?


damn

I imagine they are not illegal on most bike trails, especially MTB trails. I personally like to be able to hear what my bike is doing, but I could see how it might be nice to listen to music as well.

On 20mile trips...especially on an incline or just a long stretch, music is a lifesaver...

Helps me keep my mind off the x/80lbs of bugs I am eating (inside)


I had a RioVOLT SP250(The best one) and it broke so now I want something solid yet shock proof...



anyone?


I have the Samsung-yp in mind ....


anyone?
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
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main problem with the yepp and the archos HD is that either
a) Samsung software sucks
b) HD fails over time




Anyone know where I can get a nomad ii MG or if MD is a viable alternative...thanks


minidisk?:D:confused:
 

bizmark

Banned
Feb 4, 2002
2,311
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Originally posted by: GoosemasterI had a RioVOLT SP250(The best one) and it broke so now I want something solid yet shock proof...



anyone?


I have the Samsung-yp in mind ....


anyone?

Apple is now selling the iPod for PCs. AT did a review of the iPod (pre-PC version) and said that it was the best portable MP3 player they've seen, esp. in terms of the user interface.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: bizmark
Originally posted by: GoosemasterI had a RioVOLT SP250(The best one) and it broke so now I want something solid yet shock proof...



anyone?


I have the Samsung-yp in mind ....


anyone?

Apple is now selling the iPod for PCs. AT did a review of the iPod (pre-PC version) and said that it was the best portable MP3 player they've seen, esp. in terms of the user interface.

SOunds good but out of my league price-wise...


Most-likely will not be getting an HD-based unit...too clunky