Neowin Forums > MP3 Players

Jason5858

Mar 27 2005, 19:17

Just wondering if any of you knew of some good (and cheap) mp3 players.
Also, with a USB 2.0 connection, do you have to use a cable or just plug it into your pcs usb port?

Mr Farrar

Mar 27 2005, 19:20

ipod shuffle? or a creative muvo are both very good, ipod if your a white power fan and muvo if you want a screen and all that jazz. both will run you sub 150

notuptome2004

Mar 27 2005, 19:26

get 200$ and buyan ipod mini 5gb/ version mutch better quality then any creative player.

Mr Farrar

Mar 27 2005, 19:28

QUOTE(notuptome2004 @ Mar 27 2005, 14:26)

get 200$ and buyan ipod mini 5gb/ version mutch better quality then any creative player.
[right][snapback]585680792[/snapback][/right]

hes right

Bobster

Mar 27 2005, 20:05

iPod mini hands down.

Gowcra

Mar 27 2005, 20:08

3g ipod

Exosphere

Mar 27 2005, 20:22

Check out the iRiver range of MP3 players - they make the iPod look a joke.

Here's just a few reasons why iRiver players are better:
1) iRiver player is a standard hard drive with a standard FAT32 format
2) No software required to use it/upload/download to it.
3) It does NOT require a computer, can create MP3's straight from a Hi-Fi etc
4) It has encoders built in.
5) Supports MP3 (MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3), WMA, ASF, WAV & OGG Vorbis (32Kbps ~ 500Kbps, 44.1KHz)
(Apple does not support WMA, WAV or Ogg Vorbis - all of course better than MP3 generally)
6) FM radio built in
7) LCD remote (on certain models)
8) Battery/Playback time longer than iPod
9) Voice recording to MP3 etc (via internal mic), or record FM
10) Reads all types of ID3 tags, V1. V2.0, 3.0 & 4.0.
(I CANNOT find documentation for iPod, but it doesn't do all versions)
11) Magnesium case, not plastic
12) NO DRM restrictions whatsoever

That last point was the MOST important for me, I refuse to use DRM!
(most ignore what DRM is, then find out the hard way once they've bought an iPod).

Valerus

Mar 27 2005, 20:28

QUOTE(notuptome2004 @ Mar 27 2005, 13:26)

get 200$ and buyan ipod mini 5gb/ version mutch better quality then any creative player.
[right][snapback]585680792[/snapback][/right]

I'd follow that advice.

MioTheGreat

Mar 28 2005, 03:55

QUOTE(notuptome2004 @ Mar 27 2005, 14:26)

get 200$ and buyan ipod mini 5gb/ version mutch better quality then any creative player.
[right][snapback]585680792[/snapback][/right]

It's more helpful to the creator of the topic if you attempt to back your statement with features in said product that increase its standing among the other players. I'll start:

The 'ipod mini 5gb/ version mutch better quality than any creative player' because...

...I got nothing.

Creative and iRiver have really nice mini players.

Also, these players generally use a standard USB mini cable. Just plug one end into the player, and the other into your computer. Unless, of course, you go with something like the Shuffle, in which case you do plug it directly into your USB port. I don't feel like looking up whether or not Apple bundles an extension cable with it in case your ports are all the way in the back of your computer. If they don't, and you get that player, the cable is cheap (if you need it).

SoulEata

Mar 28 2005, 03:59

I own an iRiver h340. It's awesome.

If you want a smaller hd player, go with the iRiver h10.

http://www.iriveramerica.com

ZZOOzzoo

Mar 28 2005, 04:00

I believe you're looking for flash-based music players, right?

I think iRiver's music players are generally top qualities, but they tend to be pricier than other competetive products.

iPod shuffle sucks, but nobody can deny that its very attractively priced, and if you don't mind the lack of LCD, I think you'll be perfectly fine with iPod shuffle.

Creative's low-end music players are cheap and decent too, but they're too ugly for my taste.

[M]

Mar 28 2005, 04:14

I like the Creative Zen Micro (product info)

i've got a creative muvo²FM, which isn't that great aesthetically or very user friendly. pain in the butt to locate a song when searching through 800 of 'em. but i got as a x'mas present.

cswadner

Mar 28 2005, 05:47

QUOTE(Exosphere @ Mar 27 2005, 12:22)

Check out the iRiver range of MP3 players - they make the iPod look a joke.

Here's just a few reasons why iRiver players are better:
1) iRiver player is a standard hard drive with a standard FAT32 format
2) No software required to use it/upload/download to it.
3) It does NOT require a computer, can create MP3's straight from a Hi-Fi etc
4) It has encoders built in.
5) Supports MP3 (MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3), WMA, ASF, WAV & OGG Vorbis (32Kbps ~ 500Kbps, 44.1KHz)
(Apple does not support WMA, WAV or Ogg Vorbis - all of course better than MP3 generally)
6) FM radio built in
7) LCD remote (on certain models)
8) Battery/Playback time longer than iPod
9) Voice recording to MP3 etc (via internal mic), or record FM
10) Reads all types of ID3 tags, V1. V2.0, 3.0 & 4.0.
(I CANNOT find documentation for iPod, but it doesn't do all versions)
11) Magnesium case, not plastic
12) NO DRM restrictions whatsoever

That last point was the MOST important for me, I refuse to use DRM!
(most ignore what DRM is, then find out the hard way once they've bought an iPod).
[right][snapback]585681063[/snapback][/right]

1. So is the iPod, formatted FAT32 when used on windows, and HFS plus on a Mac
2. iPod is Plug and Play as well (for transferring files and using as a HD that is).
3. no comment
4. no comment
5. Sorry iPod does support WAV, and WMAs are converted to either MP3 or AAC depending on import preference
6. no comment
7. Why would you want an LCD remote when you have the device LCD right in front of you
8. key words on their website "plays up to xx hours of music" not guaranteed in any way
9. So you grab an iTalk or Belkin voice recorder, oh no! part 2? no comment
10. not sure either so i wont say anything
11. iPod still looks slimmer
12. DRM this DRM that... who the heck cares. Its really not that big of a deal. The iPods themselves have no DRM restrictions.... only the songs purchased from iTMS.

Who was the pioneer into the modern portable player market? Apple! If you look at almost every single player out there now, they all share similarities to the iPod. By doing so, each and every one of those companies affirm that apple did something right! iPods are a wonderful product, easy to use, and they look great.

ZZOOzzoo

Mar 28 2005, 06:01

QUOTE(cswadner @ Mar 28 2005, 13:47)

1. So is the iPod, formatted FAT32 when used on windows, and HFS plus on a Mac
2. iPod is Plug and Play as well (for transferring files and using as a HD that is).
3. no comment
4. no comment
5. Sorry iPod does support WAV, and WMAs are converted to either MP3 or AAC depending on import preference
6. no comment
7. Why would you want an LCD remote when you have the device LCD right in front of you
8. key words on their website "plays up to xx hours of music" not guaranteed in any way
9. So you grab an iTalk or Belkin voice recorder, oh no! part 2? no comment
10. not sure either so i wont say anything
11. iPod still looks slimmer
12. DRM this DRM that... who the heck cares. Its really not that big of a deal. The iPods themselves have no DRM restrictions.... only the songs purchased from iTMS.

Who was the pioneer into the modern portable player market? Apple! If you look at almost every single player out there now, they all share similarities to the iPod. By doing so, each and every one of those companies affirm that apple did something right! iPods are a wonderful product, easy to use, and they look great.
[right][snapback]585683315[/snapback][/right]

I'm an iPod user, but....

1.
2. iPod can't transfer music without any additional software, so it is not the same as iRiver.
3.
4
5. That's what Exosphere meant at first place. iPod doesn't natively support WMA, and converting will be a waste of time.
6.
7. Most of HD-based music players are too big heavy to carry around in hand. (I have an iPod too) I'd rather use LCD-remote than take it out of my pocket everytime I need to change something.
8. It's been proven that iRiver's battery life is better than that of iPod. It's a fact.
9. Um.. they cost extra money, and they're quite expensive for what they are. Why buy an extra accessory when the other one has the features built-in?
10.
11. iPod still looks slimmer
12.

Jason5858

Mar 28 2005, 11:35

QUOTE([M] @ Mar 28 2005, 04:14)

I like the Creative Zen Micro (product info)

i've got a creative muvo²FM, which isn't that great aesthetically or very user friendly. pain in the butt to locate a song when searching through 800 of 'em. but i got as a x'mas present.
[right][snapback]585682990[/snapback][/right]

anything similar but a bit cheaper?

Jason5858

Mar 28 2005, 11:44

also, does anyone else know anything about the creative muvo?

[M]

Mar 28 2005, 11:57

Well there's a few muvo models. different memory capacity, different prices, different styles.

(muvo models)