MP3 players

[thegreatsoprendo]

I'm a bit of a numpty when it comes to MP3 players, but I've been considering purchasing an ipod or similar and wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions?

I notice a lot of mini ipods advertised on eBay like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=91363&item=5764530891&rd=1

which look like good value, even when accounting for the high postage charge. They come from the USA, but I wondered if there were any downsides to purchasing an ipod from the USA (compatibility etc?)?

I've also noticed the Creative Zen Micro like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=91364&item=5764122828&rd=1

and the Rio Carbon, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=91364&item=5763193248&rd=1

Are either of these better options than the mini ipod?

Any advice gratefully received!

[mutt k]

I've got a Creative Zen Micro, youngest dort has got a mini ipod. We have hours of "mine's better than yours" conversations.

Try before you buy and see what suits you. I went for the Zen as my antihype meter had gone off the scale for ipods.

[mx5rob]

Also look into the iRiver H10.

i have a H340 jukebox which is fantastic,but haven't tried the H10. check out misticriver.net for forums on them.

[juk]

I've got an Archos AV480 recently which I'm pretty impressed with (so far). As well as music you can use it to record TV programmes, store PC data , keep copies of your favourite films / videos to watch - & play them back through the TV, I think you can also load photos from camera memory cards straigt onto it (haven't got that far in the instructions yet).

[Jinx]

I don't know how anyone copes with only 5Gb of space (My 40Gb ipod is over half full and I've only had it since Chritmas).

My step-niece-in-law has the mini ipod which she seems more than happy with - the battery life can be an issue though.

[stumartin]

Is it true that to use certain Creative players, a subscription to Napster is required?

I've just bought a Sony Walkman NWHD3 or whatever the letters are. It's really good. But er, so are many of the others. The battery in the Sony lasts for ever though, and I like the look more than an Ipod. About £180-200 on egay.

[Wildfire]

I have always been very anit Ipod due to the hype, but having had a play on minimax's mini i pod, I must say I was quite impressed. But I would probably go for the Zen, or i river.

[Raify]

thegreatsoprendo said:

I'm a bit of a numpty when it comes to MP3 players, but I've been considering purchasing an ipod or similar and wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions? I notice a lot of mini ipods advertised on eBay like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=91363&item=5764530891&rd=1 which look like good value, even when accounting for the high postage charge. They come from the USA, but I wondered if there were any downsides to purchasing an ipod from the USA (compatibility etc?)?

There aren't any compatibility issues with iPods, only the mains charger will require an adaptor. Anyway, the Mini iPod doesn't even come with one as standard (you can charge it from the pc via the USB cable)

thegreatsoprendo said:

I've also noticed the Creative Zen Micro like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=91364&item=5764122828&rd=1 and the Rio Carbon, like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=91364&item=5763193248&rd=1 Are either of these better options than the mini ipod? Any advice gratefully received!

To be honest, they're all fairly similar. Just a few things to consider:

1. The amount of songs capacity quoted is often at the very lowest bit-rate (lowest audio quality) As a rough guide, I've encoded at 192bits (a compromise between good audio and size) and that means approx 1000 songs per 6gb Mini iPod. Different formats (MP3, AAC) also vary in size.

2. Will you be happy with the software that comes with the player? (I ditched Minidiscs because of the woeful Sonicstage software)

3. What battery life will you actually need? There's lots of guff on the interweb about the poor battery of the iPods. But how often do you need to listen to 8 hours of music before you can re-charge?

In the end, you just need to find a shop / friend where you can play with a few different models, see what suits you.

[thegreatsoprendo]

Jinx said:

My step-niece-in-law has the mini ipod which she seems more than happy with - the battery life can be an issue though.

I believe they've improved the battery life on the new version and it's now up to 18 hours on playback?

[deckster]

Main problem with buying this stuff from overseas is if Customs get their hands on it - they'll charge you VAT + import duty (varies depending on what you've bought). Generally this wipes out any savings you're making on the purchase price. It's not guaranteed it'll get caught of course, but it's a bit of a gamble.

Also as you say the warranty might be a bit iffy - I had a Sony Vaio that I brought back from the States and when it failed Sony UK wouldn't touch it, even as a paid repair.

[Jinx]

thegreatsoprendo said:

I believe they've improved the battery life on the new version and it's now up to 18 hours on playback?

Its probably more of a "I forgot to charge it" problem in her case.

[RobbieM]

I have an iRiver H120. It is the best piece of electronic equipment ever, and I think averyone who likes music should have one. It can play all file types, the quality is fantastic, and there are various controls over how you hear the music. Unlike the iPod you get a remote control, an external microphone and a cover with it, as well as various other pices of equipment.
you can record to MP3 with a direct line in (including optical line in), or record voice through the external or internal microphones. It also has an FM radio, which picks up reception well. The battery lasts 16 hours. It can be used as a portable modia storage device, and all files (including music) can just be drag-dropped onto the machine, from any computer.
At least look at one, you won't regret it!

Robbie

[dick dastardly]

I would heartily recommend the mini iPod if it weren't for the fact that I'm on my 3rd one in less than a year. Not too well made IMO and I'm not looking forward to when the guarantee period ends.

[esselte]

stumartin said:

Is it true that to use certain Creative players, a subscription to Napster is required? .

My son has a Creative Zen Touch (I think!) and you don't need a subscription anywhere to fill those up.

[stumartin]

Raify said:

...Will you be happy with the software that comes with the player? (I ditched Minidiscs because of the woeful Sonicstage software)

Actually, the latest sonicstage (2.3 I think) that came with my player is quite good, certainly beats the Creative software. And ATRAC3plus is noticeably better quality than standard mp3 format.

[limpsfield]

I bought a creative zen 30GB off Ebay last summer for about £140 from memory. It came from the States and works brilliantly.

Apple have done a great job in terms of brand marketing for the Ipod but they command a premium price compared to other players and I don't see why. If I was buying now I would again buy mainly on storage available and price.

I think Ebay is an excellent source for electronic gizmos and always buy them off there - as long as the seller's feedback is okay there should not be a problem. And when you need to upgrade just flog it on there.

[Bodo]

Some things to consider when buying an ipod (anyone correct me when I'm wrong, please):

Ipods have the leading styling on the market. The itunes software is very easy to use, and you have no hassle to listen to music that you bought at Apple's itunes store. It is probably the easiest and most popular solution. You tie yourself to itunes with the investment in an Apple ipod, it is needed to copy music onto it. Apple uses the itunes software to control your music listenting behaviour with your ipod. It does not support other vendors DRM. You can't benefit from good conditions through competition. You can't listen to music that you copied on it without the itunes software. It is not possible to copy music back on your or other computers.
You can, however, use the ipod as a mass storage device to copy music onto and back on other computers, but you can't listen to that music then (kind of defeats the object).

If you can do without the ease of the itunes software, and Apples integrated product solution, buy one of the competitior's players. Some have additional functions at lower prices too. The Rio Karma, for example, has an ethernet interface. Some iRiver models have an USB on-the-go function and support the Ogg Vorbis file format. iAudio's new X5 model additionally supports the free lossless audio codec FLAC, as well as all photo functions. It does as well play music, you just copied onto it using your file manager. That works on every computer with USB connectors...

[S Works]

My 2p's worth - if you've got the cash get the apple, if you want to budget a little the Rio Carbon is excellent. A mate just bought one and I was very impressed with it - good sound quality, decent menu and scrolling, intuitive to use.

limpsfield said:

Apple have done a great job in terms of brand marketing for the Ipod but they command a premium price compared to other players and I don't see why. If I was buying now I would again buy mainly on storage available and price.

They command a premium because a) they're better made, b) they have the edge on styling, c) the functionality and useability is superior and d) they are the clear market leader.

I always buy on quality (construction, sound, accessories, software etc.) not space or price and the iPod kicked the ass of everything else on the market that I compared it to at the time.


>> Edited by S Works on Friday 1st April 14:34

[Raify]

stumartin said:

Raify said: ...Will you be happy with the software that comes with the player? (I ditched Minidiscs because of the woeful Sonicstage software) Actually, the latest sonicstage (2.3 I think) that came with my player is quite good, certainly beats the Creative software. And ATRAC3plus is noticeably better quality than standard mp3 format.

I tried the updated 2.3 version. It still didn't work properly, refused to get track information from CDDB.

I've also tried a back-to-back comparison of ATRAC3plus and an iPod (using 192bit rate). Get a decent set of headphones and there's no noticeable difference.

Regarding iTunes, I find it easy to use with very useful features. I've had no problem importing other files (MP3 etc), but haven't tried the Music store (I'm not going to pay for tracks at only 128bits).

[limpsfield]

S Works said:

They command a premium because a) they're better made, b) they have the edge on styling, c) the functionality and useability is superior and d) they are the clear market leader.

Better made? How hard is it to make an mp3 player? Isn't it a bit like saying a kettle is better made? They are all the same to me.

I agree the styling is "cooler" on an ipod.

Functionality I don't know. I just want to rip CDs easily and play them back. All mp3s do this - I am not sure what else I would need over and above this that an Ipod does.

I don't think buying because they are the market leader is a strong reason otherwise we'd all be driving Ford Focuseseses and buying mcFly Cds ;-)