Need MP3 Player Advice

[Variance]

Yeah, so I think I'm ready to get myself an MP3 player (or get it as a present :AH-HA_wink: ). Getting tired of the compact disc thing.

I want video capability and a decent-sized amount of storage.

The three I'm seriously considering are the...

-Creative Zen Vision: M

-Video iPod (30 GB)

-Microsoft Zune

Currently, the Zen is winning me over with longer battery life, more colorful a screen, more features and greater format compatibility than the iPod.

The iPod is the sleekest-looking and has the "cache" (it doesn't change the fact that it's inferior spec-wise compared to the Zen).

I know next to nothing really about the Zune.

I'm going shopping with friends tommorrow (not buying any of these tommorow, though), so I'll probably get to actually interact with these hands-on but in the meantime, which does everyone think is the best?

[Guest YellowJacket894]

I'd go with the Zune or the iPod Video, although I'd wait for the iPod Video to be redesigned like the next-generation Nano before I'd buy one.

I think that you can view videos horizontally or vertically with the Zune. If so, that seems like a neat feature. Not too sure about the memory, but it should be on par with the Video.

Edited November 24, 2006 by YellowJacket894

[Flybrian]

I think Sony makes this thing called a Walkerman or something so you can listen to the radio while you're walking around. Check into it.

[griff7774]

the zune has some kind wireless sharing feature i belive

[tmp]

The Zune has a wireless sharing feature, but I don't know how useful it is: it only works (of course) with other Zunes, and the person you share the song with can listen to it only three times within three days before you have to buy the song from the Zune store- and you can never send them the song again.

Of course, by creating the Zune, Microsoft has left the Zen out in the cold since plays-for-sure is now history. Not an issue if you are starting fresh, but if you have files from Napster or another service that used it, you'll have to burn them to disc as MP3's and re-rip them

A couple of small points, the Zune store at this point doesn't have podcasts, video downloads or audiobooks, which may not matter a damn to you. It does have an FM receiver, which is a nice addition, I guess.

If you can wait, I'd suggest waiting until MacWorld in January to see what they introduce. If not, I suggest getting your iPod Video from SmallDog electronics in Vermont; they have a trade-in program so if Jobs introduces a new iPod Video that's light-years better you can upgrade when it comes out.

[loki]

look at the iaudio brand... unless you demand some "very nice" interface

don't think of the zune... bad battery life reviews and no use for "old music" not in .mp3 format, and can't use it as a portable harddrive.

and the ipod... well either you love it or hate it....

[CARBIZ]

Well, I'll keep you posted: I just bought a iPod 30 tonight for my partner's birthday in 2 weeks. I gave him an MPIO player 3 years ago and it was disappointing: the software was slow, the learning curve was high and the external memory was worse.

So, I hooked up the iPod tonight with very low expectations and was totally blown away. Within an hour, it had all my songs, video and pictures downloaded and organized. It took me a week of reading manuals and calling help lines 3 years ago to get the other one working!

I must say, I am impressed. I haven't even opened the manual yet, or looked at the online instrucitons. The only problem I see so far is trying to delete a few of the - ahem, shall we say, "files" of pictures I would rather not have him running around town with. I love the synchronization feature, but should find a way of deleting those incriminating pics before I give it to him! LOL

Oh, and BTW, I also bought a really cool wireless attachment for his wrist that will allow him to put the iPod in his backpack or coat pocket and control it remotely - way cool!

It's the least I can do, since he bought me a portable XM for my birthday 8 months ago!

[FAPTurbo]

If you want video and music, get the Creative. Creative makes some great stuff, and always pumps out great sound.

The Ipod has cache, sure... but Paris Hilton owns one, and that makes me feel dirty because I own one...

[scharmer05]

I would buy the ipod i guess just because it is what I'm most familiar with and itunes is a breeze to work with, but I have never looked into the others i guess, so I wouldn't to convince you not to get the others. ipods really are the cool thing to have. Whether or not that matters enough to you to make you overlook it's flaws is up to you.

One other thing, I know guys who have bought Applecare along with their ipods, which is Apple's service plan. It pretty much covers everything. One of my buddies dropped his in a lake and they covered it. It costs about 60 bucks on a video I think, but knowing that your ipod is covered no matter what you do to it is well worth it in my mind.

[Croc]

Stick with the tried-and-true iPod. There's a reason it's the most popular mp3 player and has been since its introduction.

[PONTIAC06]

I just ordered a Zune, According to the reviews I've seen, it is AT LEAST as good as the iPod 30. Plus, for me, not needing to transfer all my music from Windows to iTunes is a HUGE plus.

[AAS]

I just ordered a Zune, According to the reviews I've seen, it is AT LEAST as good as the iPod 30.  Plus, for me, not needing to transfer all my music from Windows to iTunes is a HUGE plus.

219472[/snapback]

I think iTunes does it all for you, automatically.

[aaaantoine]

I say get the Creative Zen, just because it's not tied to one of those megacorporations.

It's the hippy's first choice in MP3 playback.

I had bought a Palm Zire 71 a few years ago, and that served me well as an MP3 player until I stopped listening to music on the go (and started listening to MP3-CDs in the Cobalt ). The PDA is still functional and could continue performance as an MP3 player (using SD cards and additional downloaded software) as well as a video player (also requiring additional software). And when I got it almost 3 years ago it cost $250. Now they have newer, better models out and SD cards offer 40x the storage for the same price as they did 3 years ago. Consider a PDA instead of just an MP3 player, unless you absolutely want to specialize in music playing.

My wife recently bought an MP3 player with an expansion slot in it. She doesn't need a 30GB hard disk to store music on, and the SD memory will be less expensive to buy once she does need the space.

[Cory Wolfe]

What?? CDs rule, biznitch.

Anywho, I think my brother got some sort of MP3 player even though he doesnt listen to music. Im trying to think of what it is. It's just a regular one without any video capability. I think it's made by Creative.

If I were going to get one, I think I'd just go with an Ipod... probably a Nano or a Shuffle.

[loki]

wouldn't know if a local store would have these...(Iaudio)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16855603822

a friend has one and another has an older version. they're quite nice, other than a not quite "silky" inferface

Edited November 25, 2006 by loki

[loki]

people have figured a way to enable using the zune as a harddrive and then be able to share music under cover as pictures... then change it back to music at home

[Cadillacfan]

I'd get an iPod because it's very easy to use. I know, people who own iPods are tools, right? Well, so are people who purposely don't buy iPods because they're afraid people will think they are tools. Who cares about what other people think. Get an MP3/MP4 player with the most to offer. Some people think having bluetooth and an FM tuner is important to them but I find that having millions of songs, hundreds of tv shows, a growing catalogue of movies, and games on iTunes easily within reach trumps those other options. Now, I may only have a Mini, but even though it may be outdated, I'm still very happy with it and can update whenever I want without buying new music. But that's just me. It's all up to your own personal taste.

[regfootball]

If you can wait, I'd suggest waiting until MacWorld in January to see what they introduce.

219324[/snapback]

exactly.

you have to determine if you will buy videos off itunes. Also, you need to decide if you want to do any music subscriptions.

it sucks because you almost need more than one player. iPod for anyting off iTunes. Sansa for using Rhapsody. A Pioneer mp3/sat radio player for XM or sirius.

i just would question anything that involves microsoft or windows. Pretty much anything related to MS is garbage usually.

[regfootball]

The only problem I see so far is trying to delete a few of the - ahem, shall we say, "files" of pictures I would rather not have him running around town with.  I love the synchronization feature, but should find a way of deleting those incriminating pics before I give it to him!  LOL

219354[/snapback]

LMAO! we'll find them on the net.

another point- the accessories for the iPod are limitless.

The Zune is annoying.

lots of cell phones are now getting mp3 capability.

i bought my Ipod from best buy like 2 1/2 years ago and got the extended coverage for 4 years and I've already gotten a new battery and hard drive and i may need another battery before summer. Its one product where i think the ext care is worth it.

Edited November 27, 2006 by regfootball

[Robert Hall]

I've been happy w/ my video iPod..I mostly use it at work and on airplanes. Like other Apple products, it just plain works and works well. I buy the occasional single track off iTunes, but mostly I've just been ripping my CDs.

[MGZ06]

I just picked up an Ipod Video today and love it! greatest feature I like is being able to transfer pics fr my digital SLR to the Ipod, now I can take unlimited amounts of pics. . . so much for buying 5 gigs of CF cards Ive got 2000 pics on the Ipod and it hasnt even made a dent in the HD.

[Variance]

Made a decision and today bought a 30GB Video iPod.

The looks and accessory availability were the main things that won me over in the end.

I immediately bought a clear case and am damn glad I did since prints immediately showed up on it the moment I touched it. I'd rather not test how easy it is to scratch.

Can't wait for the inital charge to complete so I can try it out later. Thanks for the input everyone.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Get a wall charger next. I picked up one at Big Lots for five bucks. Well worth it. Charges the thing up in a jiffy (seriously, it takes like a half-hour or less for a full charge).

[capriceman]

man Today i was playing My Lynard Skynard Free Bird and Joe Walsh's Lifes been Good one to many times today. I think its cooked hopefully there cheap on ebay.

[FAPTurbo]

man Today i was playing My Lynard Skynard Free Bird and Joe Walsh's Lifes been Good one to many times today. I think its cooked    hopefully there cheap on ebay.

225211[/snapback]

Get with the times, man.

Edited December 8, 2006 by Captainbooyah

[capriceman]

in case any of you under 35 don't no what 8 track is.