Trying to find inexpensive MP3 player, advice welcome

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16 Feb 2005, 10:34 PM
GohanX

Trying to find inexpensive MP3 player, advice welcome

I was just thinking that with larger and larger music players coming out, I should be able to find something fairly cheap, as I don't need a terrabyte of info on the mp3 player. I have a few 64 meg players as well as an MP3-CD player, and although they work well, I'm looking for something more.

My MP3 folder on my computer is just 5 GB, and half of that is really unnecessary since I rip entire albums often for just two songs. I began looking for 4 and 5 gig players, but have found 20 and 30 gig players to be not too much more in price if I'm willing to sacrifice size. This thing will be mostly used in the car, so as long as it's no bigger than a standard CD player, that's alright by me.

So far, about the best I've been able to find are refurbished Creative Labs Nomads, the standard jukeboxes are in the 20-30 gb range for 130 bucks, and the smaller Zen models going for about 150.

Before getting one, however, I thought I'd chime in here and see if anyone had any input on the subject, or knew of better players for the price. Any thoughts?
16 Feb 2005, 10:43 PM
Brand X

Get an Ipod Shuffle :lol: :lol: :lol:
16 Feb 2005, 11:51 PM
Omni

Get the old-school Zen.
17 Feb 2005, 12:08 AM
Drewbacca

Get a better job.

Seriously, though, I'm interested in this too. I've been wanting to get an mp3 player for awhile now that's hotswap, that I can just transfer songs onto without a lot of hassle, and that's organized.
17 Feb 2005, 12:10 AM
sphere79

Here I go again.....
For around $215 total (including shipping), you can have a 20 Gig player that is also pretty small (the smallest HD player on the market) - the Archos Gmini XS200. It plays MP3's, WAV's and non-encrypted WMA's. It has a large backlit LCD screen, supports bookmarking (so you can listen where you left off next time you play the file) and lets you create playlists right on the player. It docks easily via USB 2.0 and needs no software or usually even drivers to work with even older PC's - you simply move files around with Explorer so the drive also doubles as a quick and easy mass storage device. Depending on usage expect 8-10 hours max. playback from the Lithium-Ion battery and the brushed aluminum case adds a quality feel to the unit. If there's any Comp USA's around you they sell it for $249+tax, but at least you can see it in person and then buy it cheap from Compuplus.com. I have the Gmini 400 (mp3/video player) and my wife has the 200, we both use them everyday at work, in the car, etc. and they both kick serious ass.

http://www.sphere79.com/XS200.jpg http://www.sphere79.com/XS200backlight.jpg http://www.sphere79.com/XS200side.jpg

To save you some time I'll briefly sum up what the iPod Nazi comments will be.... "It's not an iPod....bla bla bla", "The iPod's the most popular so it's the best....bla bla bla", "The iPod is "sexy"... bla bla bla", "You're a moron if you don't use iTunes...bla bla bla".......and last but not least "what about the click wheel?"
17 Feb 2005, 12:28 AM
Revoltor

Who the hell cares about functionality?

My advice, just buy a shitty MP3 cd player and a pair of pod headphones.
17 Feb 2005, 12:30 AM
GohanX

Heh, I wouldn't get an iPod anyway. Well, maybe if I found one really cheap, but in my research I've found no reason why it's worth anywhere near the amount of money it costs. The Archos would be the one I'd get if money was no concern, but to be blunt I'm not going to use this thing enough for it to be worth $200, I'd rather just stick to a wallet full of MP3 cds.

So far, this is the best I can seem to find:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...66924&tc=photo
18 Feb 2005, 11:22 PM
GohanX

Well, I ordered a Creative Nomad Zen Xtra 30 gig player today. I'll report back my findings when I get it. Whee!
19 Feb 2005, 02:00 PM
JefmcC

This is about to be the best on the market, IMO.

http://www.soniqcast.com/site/

Wireless downloads from any hotspot.
FM transmitter to play in the car without the mess of wires.

My brother has used the older version (bascially the same with less storage space) and it works fantasticly.
19 Feb 2005, 04:45 PM
Diff-chan

Creative players are built like garbage. If you dont believe me check the Creative support forums.
19 Feb 2005, 05:37 PM
Razor Ramon

I like my Creative Zen. Only thing that blows is the random freezing. Sometimes I'm stuck without something small enough to hit the reset button.
20 Feb 2005, 03:12 AM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefmcC

This is about to be the best on the market, IMO.

It does look interesting, definately unique - although the 20 Gigger isn't exactly "on the market" just yet. And I've got to wonder what browsing over WiFi is like with that screen......
20 Feb 2005, 03:19 AM
Omni

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

Creative players are built like garbage. If you dont believe me check the Creative support forums.

I'll believe the finely crafted mp3 player sitting right next to me.
20 Feb 2005, 11:10 AM
station82o

i'm thinking of getting a mini-disc player
20 Feb 2005, 11:55 AM
Rumpy

Sony is still pushing mini-discs? Jesus, give it up.
20 Feb 2005, 01:49 PM
bandit

I have a Creative Zen Micro (5GB, radio). I also got a BRAND NEW iRiver H10 (5GB, color screen, photo, radio) that I might be selling.
20 Feb 2005, 09:12 PM
GohanX

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

Creative players are built like garbage. If you dont believe me check the Creative support forums.

Heh, I've been there. For the most part, I see a lot of "OMG! I didn't put my HARD DRIVE-based player in the case and I dropped it...why doesn't it work?"

I'm used to Creative's random bugginess, that's part of the charm. Besides, the only thing that's likely to break on it is the hard drive, which as luck would have it can be replaced by a standard 9.5 mm laptop hard drive. This heavily influenced my decision to get the Zen, as I don't expect a hard drive-based unit to last a year in my hands, no matter who it's made by.
20 Feb 2005, 10:52 PM
Drewbacca

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphere79

Here I go again.....
For around $215 total (including shipping), you can have a 20 Gig player that is also pretty small (the smallest HD player on the market) - the Archos Gmini XS200. It plays MP3's, WAV's and non-encrypted WMA's. It has a large backlit LCD screen, supports bookmarking (so you can listen where you left off next time you play the file) and lets you create playlists right on the player. It docks easily via USB 2.0 and needs no software or usually even drivers to work with even older PC's - you simply move files around with Explorer so the drive also doubles as a quick and easy mass storage device. Depending on usage expect 8-10 hours max. playback from the Lithium-Ion battery and the brushed aluminum case adds a quality feel to the unit. If there's any Comp USA's around you they sell it for $249+tax, but at least you can see it in person and then buy it cheap from Compuplus.com. I have the Gmini 400 (mp3/video player) and my wife has the 200, we both use them everyday at work, in the car, etc. and they both kick serious ass.

http://www.sphere79.com/XS200.jpg http://www.sphere79.com/XS200backlight.jpg http://www.sphere79.com/XS200side.jpg

To save you some time I'll briefly sum up what the iPod Nazi comments will be.... "It's not an iPod....bla bla bla", "The iPod's the most popular so it's the best....bla bla bla", "The iPod is "sexy"... bla bla bla", "You're a moron if you don't use iTunes...bla bla bla".......and last but not least "what about the click wheel?"

Thanks. Good post.
21 Feb 2005, 01:10 PM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by GohanX

Heh, I've been there. For the most part, I see a lot of "OMG! I didn't put my HARD DRIVE-based player in the case and I dropped it...why doesn't it work?"

I've noticed in general people seem to forget about the HD inside spinning at thousands of RPM's, my various players over the years have taken some odd drops here and there but I've been lucky. It's kind of funny, some of those iPod commercials with the people dancing around spasticly show them whipping this poor little player too and fro - not exactly the best thing for a HD while it's spinning internally at very high speeds. Yes, I realize it's just a commercial but for the most part PEOPLE ARE STUPID.
25 Feb 2005, 10:33 AM
Revoltor

Apple lowered the prices for the minis and introduced a new 6 gig one with an 18 hour battery life. It's on their main page.

That's pretty friggin cool.
25 Feb 2005, 10:51 AM
Hubbitron

Quote:

Originally Posted by station82o

i'm thinking of getting a mini-disc player

This is still not a bad plan. I still use my minidisc player because of its functionality. I can plug it in to any soundboard at a club with and optical audio cable and record an entire live show. Also, the NET MD software has a better compression rate than mp3. It only uses one AA battery giving you at least 4 days of music, and it's water resistant. I could go on, but i don't think it would be wise in here.
25 Feb 2005, 01:53 PM
bandit

I have a Brand new iRiver H10 5GB to sell soon. Check my eBay auction (link below) soon.
25 Feb 2005, 03:49 PM
SpoDaddy

I'm interested in portable mp3 players as well, have wanted one for a while. Horror stories about Ipods dying have kept me away, if there's a unit out there with a cheaply replacable hard drive then that's definately the way I'd go.
25 Feb 2005, 04:01 PM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hubbitron

This is still not a bad plan. I still use my minidisc player because of its functionality. I can plug it in to any soundboard at a club with and optical audio cable and record an entire live show. Also, the NET MD software has a better compression rate than mp3. It only uses one AA battery giving you at least 4 days of music, and it's water resistant. I could go on, but i don't think it would be wise in here.

As far as cost for recording functionality is concerned, the MD wins. But I'd much rather record to raw WAV with my Archos (and not have to switch discs, possibly missing something like I used to with DCC) and then encode to my compression of choice (if any) afterwords. There's also no need for Sony's (or some homebrew app) software to extract the audio, you just dock and drag the recorded WAV to your PC drive. You may need to break the tracks up (you can actually create track indexes live) but other than that it'll burn right to disc. Actually the Gmini 400 and other WAV capable units are gaining support with the DAT recorder crowd. Some of them are smaller and can record longer lengths than one DAT tape as well, and obviously with the DAT-heads it has to be uncompressed.
25 Feb 2005, 04:26 PM
GohanX

Just got my Zen today, messed with it just a little bit using the included earbuds. So far, I'm loving this thing. It sounds good (at least through these so-so earbuds) but the real test is when I hook it up to the car's audio system.

The software for transferring songs from the computer to the player is functional, but I don't like it too much. I can live with that as I'll only be adding music when I get a new CD and I rip it now.

I always wanted a minidisc player...but I really have no use for one.
25 Feb 2005, 05:09 PM
bandit

http://www.buy.com has iPod Mini (4GBs) for $174 with no tax and free shipping. I think most of the old iPods are being reduced in price to make way for newer ones. iPod Photo 40 and 60GBs are lowered in price.
25 Feb 2005, 11:23 PM
GohanX

174 for an IPod mini, not bad.

I was driving around with the Nomad hooked into the car (through an Aux input, fuck FM transmitters) and all I can say is wow... I couldn't ask for a better sounding MP3 player. It's only limitation seems to be the fact that the files are still compressed, of course, but it sounds great. One minor problem is with default setting it has a little too much bass in it, but that's easily fixed using either the internal equalizer on the player, or me just turning my amp's sub channel down just a tad.

I HIGHLY recommend this player to anyone who has enough computer background to be able to deal with the quirky PC software. It's well worth the measly $150 I paid.
25 Feb 2005, 11:46 PM
Tracer

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

Creative players are built like garbage. If you dont believe me check the Creative support forums.

Everything Creative makes sucks arse.

If you're going discount for MP3 playback - I would recommend a Sony Hi MD.

*ignores ensueing iPod support debate*
26 Feb 2005, 12:00 PM
Grave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracer

Everything Creative makes sucks arse.

My biggest problem with Creative is their miserable tech support, or lack thereof. Their products are fine, unless you have a problem. Then you're fucked. However, another friend of mine got the Zen Xtra, and despite the horribly clunky, unintuitive interface, it is damn good sounding. I'm not going to fuck with a Creative product ever again, but if you didn't get burned yet, it might be something to try.

MD has always been and still is a really cool format. I'm still sticking with my iPod, though.
26 Feb 2005, 02:00 PM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracer

If you're going discount for MP3 playback - I would recommend a Sony Hi MD.

You mean the one's that DON'T actually play MP3's? Not only must you use bloated, proprietary software - you've got to re-encode everything you own as well? And it's only 1 Gig of storage? Seriously, spend like $50 more and get something smaller with a 20 Gig HD - WHAT is everyone's obsession with Sony's aging, never-really-took-off MiniDisc format? Can someone tell me?
26 Feb 2005, 02:16 PM
Revoltor

Neo used one in the Matrix.

He didn't use some ugly plastic meatball looking thing.
26 Feb 2005, 04:07 PM
Tracer

I like removable media.
26 Feb 2005, 04:09 PM
Omni

I don't see how an MD player can be argued to be better than an MP3 player.
26 Feb 2005, 04:58 PM
Hubbitron

apples and oranges.
26 Feb 2005, 06:18 PM
Diff-chan

I used a minidisc player for about 3 months before I got my iPod. Its okay for the price but has some serious, serious problems. The SonicStage software is awful, it takes forever to transfer songs, and errors/failed transfers are VERY common. Honestly, its a fucking mess. When I got home for the holidays I used my sister's iPod and after like 30 seconds of use I realized that it shits all over minidisc.

So, all in all, Minidisc is a waste of money. Just save up a bit of money and get an iPod. You wont regret it.

I realize I might sound like an iPod Nazi but tough shit - the iPod destroys everything else on the market. The software is amazing and smooth on the PC end and the hardware is intuitive and very solid. You get what you pay for.
26 Feb 2005, 08:50 PM
SmoothCriminal

I have a zen micro and it is amazing fuck the haters no problems here.

btw removable rechargeable batteries > *
27 Feb 2005, 03:16 AM
bandit

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoothCriminal

I have a zen micro and it is amazing fuck the haters no problems here.

btw removable rechargeable batteries > *

I got it too. What color you get? My first one was Silver but then I gave it to my sister and got me a White one.

I got remotes for sale if you're interested. I should be posting them up on eBay shortly (click on my sig for link to auctions)
27 Feb 2005, 04:02 AM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracer

I like removable media.

I like removable media too, that's why I have CD's and DVD's. I also have a small, handheld device that can hold just about every CD I own and some DVD's ripped to Divx if I'd like as well. This way my various playlists can be created from 100's of albums and offer real variety. The ONLY thing I can see MD being superior for overall is recording (it does have a replaceable long-lasting battery, I'll give you that one), and there are now MP3 units that can handle that (though they aren't iPods).

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

I realize I might sound like an iPod Nazi but tough shit - the iPod destroys everything else on the market. The software is amazing and smooth on the PC end and the hardware is intuitive and very solid. You get what you pay for.

Even more smooth and amazing is NOT NEEDING ANY GODDAMN SOFTWARE. How 'bout those "podcasts" (unfortunately named as it has nothing specificaly to do with iPod technology) everyone's going nuts for? Most of the shows I've been listening to via "podcast" (i.e. RSS newsfeeds with attachments) in the car and at work are in MP3, and I don't always have time to sit through a 60 or 90 minute show. Luckily I'm using something other than an iPod so I can BOOKMARK those MP3's and return to where I left off, without having to re-encode them into some other proprietary format. I guess sometimes you don't always get what you pay for......
27 Feb 2005, 07:02 AM
Diff-chan

iPods support mp3.
27 Feb 2005, 01:22 PM
Dyne

im looking to get an ipod shuffle because theyre so cheap. but i hate how you dont really select the way the songs are played (i mean you do but you have to manually skip around and not have a screen). but the price is just right.
27 Feb 2005, 02:55 PM
bandit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne

im looking to get an ipod shuffle because theyre so cheap. but i hate how you dont really select the way the songs are played (i mean you do but you have to manually skip around and not have a screen). but the price is just right.

Thats why they call it a iPod Shuffle. For a 512MB, you can get a Creative Nomad Muvo TX FM which is small and is a flashdrive as well w/a display. Runs on AAA battery
27 Feb 2005, 02:59 PM
MarkRyan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne

im looking to get an ipod shuffle because theyre so cheap. but i hate how you dont really select the way the songs are played (i mean you do but you have to manually skip around and not have a screen). but the price is just right.

For $50 more, you could get the 4GB iPod Mini. They're only $199 now.
27 Feb 2005, 03:02 PM
Dyne

havt checked the prices of the bigger units. thanks for the heads up. thankf for your info too bandit.
27 Feb 2005, 04:44 PM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

iPods support mp3.

It can't bookmark them though! That's funny, I remember how annoying it was on my old Archos, having to fast forward through a show to get to where I left off - and this was before the "podcast" craze which has increased my intake of spoken word media.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkRyan

For $50 more, you could get the 4GB iPod Mini. They're only $199 now.

Or, for the same price - from a different manufacturer, you could have a total of 20 Gigs in something only slightly larger that also doubles as a quick, easy mass storage device. But of course you wouldn't want to deviate from what everyone else has, right?
27 Feb 2005, 05:11 PM
Omni

Seriously, do you work for Archos?
27 Feb 2005, 05:14 PM
Revoltor

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkRyan

For $50 more, you could get the 4GB iPod Mini. They're only $199 now.

Free shipping and no tax from Amazon. There's also that 1.3% A9 discount thing.
27 Feb 2005, 05:49 PM
Rumpy

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniGear

Seriously, do you work for Archos?

He's just fighting the power. It's working too cuz I'm not in the market for an mp3 player, but now I want an archos.
27 Feb 2005, 06:26 PM
Diff-chan

Quote:

It can't bookmark them though! That's funny, I remember how annoying it was on my old Archos, having to fast forward through a show to get to where I left off - and this was before the "podcast" craze which has increased my intake of spoken word media.

So youre complaining that the iPod doesnt have a feature that 99.9999999% of people dont give a shit about? I have never listened to a "podcast" nor will I ever. I think I speak for most people. But if its something you care about, hey, thats cool. Just dont act like the iPod's lack of the feature is game-breaking or whatever.

Quote:

Or, for the same price - from a different manufacturer, you could have a total of 20 Gigs in something only slightly larger that also doubles as a quick, easy mass storage device. But of course you wouldn't want to deviate from what everyone else has, right?

You can use the iPod as a mass storage device. And it actually has a good interface and doesnt look like the shit I take after a night of heavy drinking.
27 Feb 2005, 09:40 PM
Omni

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpy

He's just fighting the power. It's working too cuz I'm not in the market for an mp3 player, but now I want an archos.

If you want to fight the power get a Creative player.
27 Feb 2005, 10:16 PM
GohanX

I'd once again vouch for Creative :tu:

As someone mentioned though, their support IS terrible, which is why I got a unit I could repair myself. But damn, this thing sound sweet.
27 Feb 2005, 11:28 PM
SmoothCriminal

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandit

I got it too. What color you get? My first one was Silver but then I gave it to my sister and got me a White one.

I got remotes for sale if you're interested. I should be posting them up on eBay shortly (click on my sig for link to auctions)

I got a black one, remote looks interesting I might give it a bid.
27 Feb 2005, 11:32 PM
Cowutopia

All you apple whores need to stop sucking their genitalia.

It should have a bookmark feature, wether you use it or not. You can't bash nintendo for all their stupid shit and then defend apple for their stupid shit. I won't allow it.
27 Feb 2005, 11:38 PM
Dyne

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowutopia

You can't bash nintendo for all their stupid shit and then defend apple for their stupid shit. I won't allow it.

a very good point this man has.
27 Feb 2005, 11:50 PM
bandit

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoothCriminal

I got a black one, remote looks interesting I might give it a bid.

After seeing the black one..i wanted that. HAHAHAH. I'm so indecisive :\

Here are the links to the 2 black remotes
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

I got white ones too.

Those interested, I have my iRiver H10 up for sale
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
28 Feb 2005, 12:00 AM
SmoothCriminal

iPods don't have bookmarking? Ahahaha score one more for creative.
28 Feb 2005, 12:10 AM
Omni

For me it came down to "is 1/4 inch less in thickness really worth $80?"

The answer, of course, was no.
28 Feb 2005, 12:49 AM
Revoltor

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoothCriminal

iPods don't have bookmarking? Ahahaha score one more for creative.

I never bought into the whole audiobook thing but there's this from the apple site:

Quote:

The digital shelves of the iTunes Music Store are stocked with more than 9,000 audiobooks, so you can catch up on your reading wherever iPod mini takes you. And your iPod mini will set a bookmark for you when you stop “reading,” letting you pick your book up right where you left off.
28 Feb 2005, 12:57 AM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniGear

Seriously, do you work for Archos?

I just really like their products, and dislike how some iPod owners act. I don't care if people buy iPods, but if someone asks me what MP3 player I think they should buy I'm going to answer honestly, and defend my opinions. If they told me they wanted it to buy all their music off of iTunes.com I'd tell them to buy an iPod. I really have no alliegance to Archos specifically, if another company came along with hardware I liked and at the right price I'd support them too. I am considering starting up a small battery-replacement service for Archos or iPod units that might need it, making good use of my elite soldering skills. I've been doing so many side-jobs with people's computers lately and I like the extra cash. I don't know what iPod battery replacements cost, but I would likely charge $50-60 + shipping for the various Archos units.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

So youre complaining that the iPod doesnt have a feature that 99.9999999% of people dont give a shit about? I have never listened to a "podcast" nor will I ever. I think I speak for most people. But if its something you care about, hey, thats cool. Just dont act like the iPod's lack of the feature is game-breaking or whatever.

I'm not complaining about anything. I just think it's funny that I keep hearing about "podcasting" and since most podcasts are spoken word (news-style shows) in MP3, you'd think bookmarking them would be possible. You're right, most people are probably content with their corporate-fluff TV and radio media - but I keep finding interesting shows (from many different political points of view) and I rarely even listen/watch ANY mainstream news lately, except for humor/observation. Even independant video media is growing in content - I'd like to think that people are sick of the options they've had in the past and are creating their own alternatives, it's an awesome thing really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

You can use the iPod as a mass storage device.

Yes, you can - just not as easily or on nearly as many computers as with an Archos and quite frankly most other MP3 players. It doesn't need to be put in a special mode, doesn't need Windows XP or 2000, doesn't need a 22MB program, doesn't hide your music or make accessing individual albums or files a pain in the ass, doesn't need a custom 3rd party app - you just plug it in and go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

And it actually has a good interface...

"what about the click wheel?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

...and doesnt look like the shit I take after a night of heavy drinking.

"The iPod is "sexy"... bla bla bla"

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniGear

If you want to fight the power get a Creative player.

Why, do they support Ogg / Flac or something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmothCriminal

iPods don't have bookmarking? Ahahaha score one more for creative.

They do have bookmarking, on Audible.com, AAC , and I'd assume Apple lossless files but not MP3. That's OK, as any iPod user can tell you you're better off converting your MP3's to AAC anyway. You can do it quickly and easily (unless your PC isn't running XP/2000 of course) with God's gift to coding - iTunes. In addition, AAC encoded files start to sound better with age, and actually increase the sound quality of the ripped CD's they came from. Plus, AAC files can change a diaper, rotate tires, mow the lawn AND help you with your homework. It's true - Steve Jobs said so.
28 Feb 2005, 01:52 AM
Grave

Wow. I respect your opinion and all, but shut the fuck up, you're a god damned idiot. I'm tired of hearing this crap, people only buy iPods because it's the cool thing to do!!!nyearrrrgh. Get over yourself.

Have iPods burned your house down? Was your first-born child killed by Steve Jobs? What is the animosity you hold for people who choose iPods over other mp3 players? Yes, other mp3 players can play OGG files. I don't care. I don't use them, I never have. Yes, other mp3 players can record TV broadcasts, make creme brulee, and wipe my ass. I don't care. I can wipe my own ass. All I want is an mp3 player that will automatically download my new songs from iTunes when I connect it, and will... well, play mp3s. LAME encoded mp3s, thank you. You act like iPod users are trying to brainwash people into getting iPods for some inexplicable reason, because "everyone" is doing it. You know what? Maybe there's a good reason for it.

There's nothing wrong with having an mp3 player that looks good and has a good interface. It does everything I want and nothing less. You claim to be impartial on the subject, but it seems like you have a severe problem with people who make the informed, conscious choice to buy an iPod despite the other players on the market. We have our reasons, you have yours. If you don't respect the buying habits of others, why should you expect anyone else to give a shit about yours?
28 Feb 2005, 02:00 AM
link1110

Sony MP3 CD Walkman. I got one for $100 back in summer 2002, and it's just as good as any other MP3 player out there, maybe even better because you can archive all your favorite MP3s on CD and play them at will.
28 Feb 2005, 02:06 AM
Diff-chan

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphere79

That's OK, as any iPod user can tell you you're better off converting your MP3's to AAC anyway.

Im an iPod user, and 95% of my songs are in mp3 format, and its fine. Songs I import are imported to mp3, not AAC. So there goes your theory.

Quote:

"The iPod is "sexy"... bla bla bla"

Whats wrong with enjoying how an electronic device looks? Especially one youre gonna be using for 2-3 hours a day? Id rather have something attractive than not.

Quote:

Yes, you can - just not as easily or on nearly as many computers as with an Archos and quite frankly most other MP3 players. It doesn't need to be put in a special mode, doesn't need Windows XP or 2000, doesn't need a 22MB program, doesn't hide your music or make accessing individual albums or files a pain in the ass, doesn't need a custom 3rd party app - you just plug it in and go.

By "custom 3rd party app", do you mean Windows Explorer?

Quote:

"what about the click wheel?"

The click wheel does everything I need it to do, and takes about 15 seconds to get used to. Its a great solution to a problem that no other digital player manufacturer has figured out as elegantly, how to navigate through thousands of songs with a tiny-ass screen easily.

Your hatred of the iPod, a perfectly respectable and in fact excellent device on the marketplace, is irrational and idiotic.

Quote:

Sony MP3 CD Walkman. I got one for $100 back in summer 2002, and it's just as good as any other MP3 player out there, maybe even better because you can archive all your favorite MP3s on CD and play them at will.

MP3 CD players are the fucking ghetto of portable digital music players.
28 Feb 2005, 03:13 AM
MarkRyan

Quote:

Originally Posted by link1110

Sony MP3 CD Walkman. I got one for $100 back in summer 2002, and it's just as good as any other MP3 player out there, maybe even better because you can archive all your favorite MP3s on CD and play them at will.

I got an MP3 CD player, and I hardly use it :/ Burning CDs with the music I want--only 700MB of music per disc--is sort of a bother. But worst of all is trying to browse through files on it. All the accessing times and shit sucks. They're nice and cheap these days, though.

And sphere79, how can you be so anti iPod Nazis when you're being the most obnoxious with your player of choice? None of the iPod supporters are making it sound like a sin to use anything else. But you are.

Anyway, of all the players I've used, iPod easily has the best interface. I still haven't bought a player of my own yet, but when I do it'll likely be an iPod. Everything else I've used has ugly menus, "now loading/accessing" screens, and I haven't seen anything with a feature comparable to iPod's on-the-go playlist (at least not as easily accessible).

I just wish the iPod didn't have such a shiny backside. So ugly.
28 Feb 2005, 03:29 AM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

Wow. I respect your opinion and all, but shut the fuck up, you're a god damned idiot. I'm tired of hearing this crap, people only buy iPods because it's the cool thing to do!!!nyearrrrgh. Get over yourself.

Where did I say people are only buying it because it's "the cool thing to do"? They could be buying it because Bono is in the commerical flailing around like an idiot, who knows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

You act like iPod users are trying to brainwash people into getting iPods for some inexplicable reason, because "everyone" is doing it. You know what? Maybe there's a good reason for it.

I act the way I act because of how SOME iPod owners act about anyone who wants to use something other than an iPod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

There's nothing wrong with having an mp3 player that looks good and has a good interface. It does everything I want and nothing less. You claim to be impartial on the subject, but it seems like you have a severe problem with people who make the informed, conscious choice to buy an iPod despite the other players on the market.

You want me to "get over myself", yet you embody the very attitude I was initialy referencing. You're right, there is nothing wrong with having an MP3 player that "looks good" and has a "good interface". There's also nothing wrong with using those things to defend your choice in using the product. Personally, I've purchased tons of electronics over the years, and while aesthetics and looks are a factor - they have never been on the top of the list in importance. Interface would obviously be higher up on the list but that has greatly improved in recent generation MP3 players pretty much across the board.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

We have our reasons, you have yours. If you don't respect the buying habits of others, why should you expect anyone else to give a shit about yours?

I haven't told anyone to shut the fuck up, have I? I'm not trying to get iPod owners to switch over to something else. The thread is titled, "Trying to find inexpensive MP3 player, advice welcome" and I offered my advice. There is a small, fairly inexpensive one that many people don't know about and I recommended it. Apparently, a few people found it useful, others made different recommendations but all of us are on the defensive from the iPod crowd. I wonder why? The bottom line is the majority out there own iPods but it's only a select few who are totalitarian about it. Yes, I was defensive off the bat about "iPod Nazi's" - it's from my past experiences with not always agreeing with them and suffering the consequences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

Im an iPod user, and 95% of my songs are in mp3 format, and its fine. Songs I import are imported to mp3, not AAC. So there goes your theory.

It was not a theory, I was making a joke about iPod fanatics prophesizing Apple's AAC format. Hence the comments about mowing lawns and what not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

By "custom 3rd party app", do you mean Windows Explorer?

I was reffering to those (homebrew, actually) apps that allow the iPod to work without iTunes, with older Windows, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

Your hatred of the iPod, a perfectly respectable and in fact excellent device on the marketplace, is irrational and idiotic.

I don't hate the thing, just some of it's users. I think it's idiotic that some people would think a slick, shiny brushed aluminum box with a dot-matrix LCD screen and a few buttons resembles a "taint" or fecal matter. It's just a piece of electronics for christ's sake - which reminds me, I've exhausted too much energy on this subject as it is. Let's just agree to fucking disagree, OK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by diffusionx

MP3 CD players are the fucking ghetto of portable digital music players.

Truer words were never spoken. But they are cheap and have better battery set-ups......

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkRyan

None of the iPod supporters are making it sound like a sin to use anything else. But you are.

I am? Where did I make it sound like a sin to use one or even put down iPod owners as a group? I have been going on a bit, I apoligize. There was actually a nice spot of "reporting" in the local paper (Hartford Courant) last week - a whole section with no less than 8 iPod related articles, seriously. It probably has added some fuel to my posting. Mind you, it wasn't so much the section alone that irked me - it was the ridiculous, one-sided gushing coming from every one of the "news" articles. One of them went on about how wonderful it will be to have nothing but online stores because the CD will soon be dead - I hope the idiot author spends $300 on music and loses it all. Not everyone has nor will ever have access to the internet, and without brick and mortar you totally lose the human, communication experience. Another on podcasting made it sound like in order to even listen to them you'll need an iPod (which if you've just heard the term might seem logical), never mind that a whole chunk of people using it have NO MP3 player at all. Anyway..... I'm done.

My wife posted this on her Blog December 26th, 2004:
Holy Crap! Holy Crap! Holy Crap!

I got a new Mp3 player for Xmas! Can you tell I'm a bit excited? I was so not expecting it!! I freaked to say the least. I've had my old one for 2 1/2 years and sure I wanted a new one, but lets face it, they are expensive and I didn't think I would get one. I figured I would buy it next year sometime.

But my WONDERFUL hubby, MIL, BIL and FIL bought it for me! Want to see how pretty she is? My new Mp3 player? This is what she looks like:

Go here to learn more about it. It's made by Archos and it's called the Gmini. I had an Archos before. It's SO small!

Should she have "shut the fuck up" as well? She claims the unit is "pretty" (one of those nice subjective terms) but some iPod owners say it looks like the skin between an ass and balls or a load of shit. She looks like a good candidate for some iPod re-programming, no?

Here's a PM reply I got from another forum - he was asking about the iPod Photo (he currently has an old Archos) and I recommended the GMini 400:
Thanks for the info... a coworker actually just bought the GMini so I'm holding off on my purchase til I can check it out. The main thing will be storage space and photo capabilities (so I can travel occasionally with just camera and player and leave the laptop behind), but the whole "proprietary everything" nature of iPod has me skittish.

Doesn't he know the iPod is SEXY!!!
28 Feb 2005, 06:19 AM
AstroBlue

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniGear

I don't see how an MD player can be argued to be better than an MP3 player.

Mix tapes. "I've compiled a playlist and uploaded it to your iPod", isn't as good as handcrafting a minidisc/tape and writing a label for it and giving it to a friend.

Fucking whippersnappers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

Have iPods burned your house down? Was your first-born child killed by Steve Jobs?

:lol:
28 Feb 2005, 08:40 AM
Yoshi

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphere79

My wife posted this on her Blog December 26th, 2004:
Holy Crap! Holy Crap! Holy Crap!

I got a new Mp3 player for Xmas! Can you tell I'm a bit excited? I was so not expecting it!! I freaked to say the least. I've had my old one for 2 1/2 years and sure I wanted a new one, but lets face it, they are expensive and I didn't think I would get one. I figured I would buy it next year sometime.

But my WONDERFUL hubby, MIL, BIL and FIL bought it for me! Want to see how pretty she is? My new Mp3 player? This is what she looks like:

Go here to learn more about it. It's made by Archos and it's called the Gmini. I had an Archos before. It's SO small!

You married a woman who rambles like an idiot and has a blog. Why should we assume your taste in portable electronics is better?
28 Feb 2005, 01:16 PM
Omni

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroBlue

Mix tapes. "I've compiled a playlist and uploaded it to your iPod", isn't as good as handcrafting a minidisc/tape and writing a label for it and giving it to a friend.

Fucking whippersnappers.

I could still always burn a CD and give it to a friend if I wanted to. :wtf:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoshi

You married a woman who rambles like an idiot and has a blog. Why should we assume your taste in portable electronics is better?

:lol: Probably the greatest thing you've ever said.
28 Feb 2005, 05:41 PM
sphere79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoshi

You married a woman who rambles like an idiot and has a blog. Why should we assume your taste in portable electronics is better?

http://www.sphere79.com/akitty2.jpg

My taste in women (and electronics) is just fine, thank you.
28 Feb 2005, 05:47 PM
Cowdisease

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphere79

http://www.sphere79.com/akitty2.jpg

My taste in women (and electronics) is just fine, thank you.

Waiting for someone to reply, 'No, it isn't."
28 Feb 2005, 06:56 PM
bandit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowdisease

Waiting for someone to reply, 'No, it isn't."

No, it isnt
28 Feb 2005, 07:44 PM
GohanX

Well Sphere, as the originator of this thread, I'd like to thank you for your advice on the Archos. As well as everyone else's help on minidiscs, Creative players, iPods, etc.