MP3/Video Players

[Raptor9]

So, I've been considering buying a HDD-based mp3 player for some time, and now I have a question: which mp3 players do you know of that will function simply as an external HDD, eliminating the need for special transfer software? My computer is stuck with Windows ME, so most new software that I've seen (itunes, etc.) won't work on this machine. I'm looking for about 20gb, and video is optional--in other words, I'd like to spend about 200 dollars (give or take 50), and I've seen video-compatible players such as the Iriver PMP on sale for this price, which would be nice, but straight mp3 players are fine too.

So, if you know of any mp3/video players that will work on this machine, feel free to list them and I'll be very grateful. It's a bonus if anyone knows any video players that are on sale in my pricerange (afterall, I hate paying full price for things when electronics are almost always on sale somewhere.)

 

[Cerb]

All Cowon iAudio players (sold in the US with JetAudio as the brand). However, they don't yet support DRM.

:heart: I5 1GB

 

[modedepe]

IAudio X5. Just picked mine up from Amazon last week for $245. Sweet little player, I definitely recommend it. And it does of course support USB mass storage.

Edit: Oh yeah, if you want to save a few dollars and really don't care about having video, a color screen and USB-OTG (let's you plug in a digital camera and copy stuff directly to the player, no PC needed) you could get the iAudio M5 instead.

 

[Raptor9]

How is the navigation on the iaudio M5/X5? I've read that there aren't any options to browse by artist, genre, or album--has there been any change to this with recent firmware upgrades?

 

[Cerb]

No. File tree browsing only. The X5 may get database browsing as an option via firmware (actually, it is supposedly working in internal firmwares), but there's no garuntee. Currently, that's pretty much the price you pay for not using special software.