best mp3 player Options

[so.I.wait]

I'm thinking of of buying an mp3 player but I really don't know which is the best out there. can someone give me some suggestions on the best?

thanks in advance =]


and sorry if theres already a topic on this, I didnt really find one.

[EddieV]

iRiver H320, it might be a hassle to look for though since they don't make them anymore.

[jennyjenny]

I'd listen to Eddie. He sells mp3 players at Target!

I have the iRiver h10. It's okay, but it's hard to use at first and yeah.

[chocolateaficion...]

Is an iPod a MP3 player?
I've no idea.
That's all I have, and I enjoy it. It's a huge trend, but whatever.. I got it for Christmas last year. Basically, my father joined the trend. XD
My sister received a MP3 player from her boyfriend. It's pretty nice, I'll try to find the brand name of it. Err, sorry.

What's the price limit?

[ThunderEvermore]

iRiver H320, it might be a hassle to look for though since they don't make them anymore.

Any reasons why? Special features, battery life, user friendly, etc?

Is an iPod a MP3 player?

You have no idea how many people ask me that at BJs. An iPod is indeed an MP3 player.

Whats the difference between any others and an iPod? Brand and a few features.

[EddieV]

Is an iPod a MP3 player?

No, iPod isn't an MP3 player, why? It doesn't play MP3 files.

Alright specs. for the iRiver H320

- Classic Style and pocket-sized design
- 20GB/40GB internal memory holds up to 5000/10000 songs, 2.0" TFT-LCD
Display
- Up to 16 hours of playback with internal Li-polymer rechargeable battery
- Plays MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3, WMA, ASF, OGG, JPEG, BMP, TXT, FM radio
- Transfers files through Windows Explorer and recordings (voice, FM radio
Line in)
- Connects to USB 2.0 port for high speed data transfer
- Connects via USB 1.1 to a digital camera to display photos (excluding US
model;)
- PlaysForSure enabled to play more of your music (US model only)
- Supports not only windows OS but also MAC OS
- SRS WOW Enhanced 3D Surround Sound



No other MP3 player has had more options than this player. It's a little bulky, but does looks matter?

[*mipadi*]

No, iPod isn't an MP3 player, why? It doesn't play MP3 files.

Um, what? Yes, the iPod does play MP3 files, as well as several other formats.

[EddieV]

Um, what? Yes, the iPod does play MP3 files, as well as several other formats.

Don't you have to convert the files to iTunes before loading it into the player?

[*mipadi*]

Don't you have to convert the files to iTunes before loading it into the player?

iTunes is a piece of software, not an audio format, so no.

[ThunderEvermore]

Don't you have to convert the files to iTunes before loading it into the player?

Wait, you sell these things?

Im sorry, but common.

It's a little bulky, but does looks matter?

Looks matters alot to some people. Why do you think people buy iPods? Because theyre gorgeous looking.

No other MP3 player has had more options than this player.

Zen Vision M

- Pocket sized, sleek and various colors.
- 30GB holds up to 15000 songs or 120 hours of video.
- 14 hours audio and 4 hours video battery life.
- Plays/shows : MP3, WMA and WAV; JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP; MPEG1/2/4-SP, WMV9, Motion-JPEG, compatible DivX® 4,5 and XviD
- FM Radio and recorder for recording tunes or your favorite radio show.
- Mic/Voice recording
- 2.5" color screen.
- Create photo albums, slideshows, and connect to your TV, add a song from your music files, and create a music dropped slideshow you and your family can enjoy.
- Sync with Microsoft outlook to transfer calander, task list, and contacts.
- Customizable main menu
- Sleep and wake timers
- Functions as an external hard drive

Just using as an example. I dont know, but it seems like more features to me.

[Ington]

iTunes is a piece of software, not an audio format, so no.

He means that you convert the songs to a different format on iTunes.

[*mipadi*]

He means that you convert the songs to a different format on iTunes.

The answer is still no.

[*tweeak*]

I don't think you can play mp3s on iPod on macs, actually. Windows however, requires no conversion.

[EddieV]

Wait, you sell these things?

My goal is to avoid selling the iPods, which so far I'm doing a good job at. Thus I bring them towards the Samsung HDD, or the iRiver H10.

Zen Vision M

- Pocket sized, sleek and various colors.
- 30GB holds up to 15000 songs or 120 hours of video.
- 14 hours audio and 4 hours video battery life.
- Plays/shows : MP3, WMA and WAV; JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP; MPEG1/2/4-SP, WMV9, Motion-JPEG, compatible DivX® 4,5 and XviD
- FM Radio and recorder for recording tunes or your favorite radio show.
- Mic/Voice recording
- 2.5" color screen.
- Create photo albums, slideshows, and connect to your TV, add a song from your music files, and create a music dropped slideshow you and your family can enjoy.
- Sync with Microsoft outlook to transfer calander, task list, and contacts.
- Customizable main menu
- Sleep and wake timers
- Functions as an external hard drive

The Zen Vision is a PMP (Portable Media Player). Not an MP3 player.

[*mipadi*]

I don't think you can play mp3s on  iPod on macs, actually. Windows however, requires no conversion.

Yes, you can. I'm not sure why there's a belief that you can't.

[*tweeak*]

I'm not sure, but my uncle insists that he can't use p2p programs or go through mp3 blogs as I do to get mp3s because he has a mac and they won't play on the ipod.

[*mipadi*]

He apparently is not doing something correctly, because I can confirm from first-hand experience that MP3's do play on a Macintosh-formatted iPod.

[so.I.wait]

I'd listen to Eddie. He sells mp3 players at Target!

I have the iRiver h10. It's okay, but it's hard to use at first and yeah.

how is it hard to use? is it confusing? i dont understand...
I dont want to spend anything above $250 cuz thats all i have saved now.

[Masta_Shih]

Well, I got the new Video iPod back in November, and I can safely say I really love it. Yes, it plays MP3s directly, but it needs to convert wma files. ITunes is a real hassle, but it's a small comensation for a really reliable player. The video quality is near-perfect, and the battery can play about an hour of video with the backlight. If you plan to get the Video iPod, I recommend getting the USB charger, even if it is a scam.

As stated above, the Zen Vision is probably the way to go if you don't want to spend too much. I was actually planning on getting a Zen, but I heard about the headphone jack problems and settled for the iPod.

[ThunderEvermore]

My goal is to avoid selling the iPods, which so far I'm doing a good job at. Thus I bring them towards the Samsung HDD, or the iRiver H10.

Dont you think you should know about the things youre disliking/trying to steer customers away from?

The Zen Vision is a PMP (Portable Media Player). Not an MP3 player.

Its under the "mp3 player" section, and its main function is mp3s, just like the newest iPod.

[steezahh]

rocbox player 258mb or 512mb. bomb player. compusa has it. the little one not the big one. dont buy an ipod those suck.

[so.I.wait]

rocbox player 258mb or 512mb. bomb player. compusa has it. the little one not the big one. dont buy an ipod those suck.

whats wrong with ipods? i know everyone has them so they mustnt be that bad

[warriors1035]

My goal is to avoid selling the iPods, which so far I'm doing a good job at. Thus I bring them towards the Samsung HDD, or the iRiver H10.
The Zen Vision is a PMP (Portable Media Player). Not an MP3 player.

yea!! i went to best buy to get an ipod, but the girl there steered me towards an iriver h10 becuz it has more features, and ipod has too much security, such as, you can only put music on it from one computer, and if ur harddrive crashes, you have to delete all ur music off ur ipod before u put more on..

im not sure if thats true.. its just whta the best buy lady told me.. oh yea.. i got the h10, and i couldnt be happier with it

[so.I.wait]

how good is the ipod that holds videos too? does anyone have that?

[EddieV]

Dont you think you should know about the things youre disliking/trying to steer customers away from?

I don't have to know everything about it, just the basic functions, I know what the iPod can and can't do, Just a minor mistake, not one's perfect. Aside from that, I steer customers away from iPods not because I dislike it, it's because they can get more for less. My goals working at Target is customer satisfaction, not to sell, but if they want an iPod, I won't go against their wishes. I just recommend better players, not force them to buy.

how good is the ipod that holds videos too? does anyone have that?

That's possibly the only iPod which I support. It's a good player, but since indicating that you only have $250. Might as well go for the iRiver H10 or a Samsung HDD. However if you want something with video, I would consider the iRiver U10, although for something with so many features, it lacks storage space.

[ThunderEvermore]

I have a question for you guys.

Say I got a little ass 512MB Rave AMP512. (Dont worry, I can get it for 80$ at my store)

Could I, theoretically with this or any other small player, get an external hard drive, load music onto that, and hook the player to that and play its music?

[davexd]

I Don't Think it's the best one but i have an M:Robe which i bought at radio shack for a 100$ , (30$ rebate) 5 gb of space hope that helps

[EddieV]

Its under the "mp3 player" section, and its main function is mp3s, just like the newest iPod.

It's also under the PMP section. The new iPod would also fall into the PMP category.

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

whats wrong with ipods? i know everyone has them so they mustnt be that bad 

If everybody in the world started killing everybody else, it wouldn't be bad then?

The lady lied. I use several computers to update my iPod.
Honestly, I wouldn't want to be carrying around a bulky ass mp3 player. iRivers are pretty ugly to me. So I say iPod.

They can load the mp3 player with as much features as they want...I buy an mp3 player to listen to music. And as long as it does that, and isn't terribly ugly--I'm fine.

Most of them aren't bulky. And I personally think iPods are ugly. They are so bland. The iPod Video, ugh, It is terrible. Mpeg-4 and h324 only?

Get the Creative Zen Vision:M. Beats the iPod Video any day.

It's also under the PMP section. The new iPod would also fall into the PMP category.

No, it's primary function is still Music. It would be like the h300 and videos. it can play them, but it's not it's main function.

Also, why would you want to watch video on a 4:3 full screen? 16:9 or full widescreen is so much better.

[EddieV]

I was about to say that the new iPod Video is an MP3 player not a PMP, although doing a little research, the iPod Video would fall under the PMP category. However the iRiver H300 series wouldn't because you need a software update in order to play videos, the iPod video comes with it.

[illumineering]

oh yea.. i got the h10, and i couldnt be happier with it

I got an h20 to hold my photography portfolio. I absolutely love it. I got the fm tuner and play it in the car. I haven't used the fm tuner or voice recorder yet.

[simx]

Creative makes great mp3 players... I had one for three years and it still works... I just recently got a Zen Micro, I <3 it

[*wind&fire*]

dont get ipod... ou cant transfer music from the player to your computer... only computer --> player....

[ThunderEvermore]

I was about to say that the new iPod Video is an MP3 player not a PMP, although doing a little research, the iPod Video would fall under the PMP category. However the iRiver H300 series wouldn't because you need a software update in order to play videos, the iPod video comes with it.

Ok then, the previous ipod isnt an mp3 player either, its a portable photo viewer.

Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

Its PRIMARY function is to play music, via mp3s. Not play videos.

Zen Vision - PMP
Zen Vision M - mp3 player with video capabilities
iPod - mp3 player with video capabilities

[EddieV]

^ I just noticed that you are talking about the Zen Vision: M, not the Zen Vision, lmao.

[so.I.wait]

Well, im looking for an mp3 player that holds at least 1000 songs and i dont want a bulky one i want one that i can carry everywhere. pretty much as small as an ipod nano but most of you are saying that ipods arent good. so which one do you suggest now? because I STILL havent made up my mind I dont want to buy a player im not gonna enjoy and just waste money.

doesnt matter if it can hold pictures or videos not too interested in that just as long as it holds songs and is not too much of a hassle.

thanks

[Bobblehead425]

i would get an ipod shuffle. all the other ipods suck now. i have a mini.


all i need is music. i dont bother with all that other crap; movies, photos, ect.
yeah. oh but wait, at least 1000?

shuffle has 500 i think. but i doubt youd ever fit 1000 on there.

i only have 37....

my friend has like 80 but all the ones on there she doesnt like or like their old. ha.

[*tweeak*]

Geeeeeeez, if you only need 37 songs, why don't you just stick to CDs?? I don't understand how someone could listen to that little music. I'd die.

[warriors1035]

um.. i would suggest the iriver h10 5gb.. they are $230 which might be a little too much. but i think its worth it.


MSRP: $229.99

FEATURES

• Plays up to 150 hours of digital music*
• 5GB of internal storage**
• Vivid color display
• Ultra-intuitive interface with convenient touch strip
• Displays your digital photos
• Slim, lightweight design
• PlaysForSure enabled to play more of your music
• Rechargeable, removable battery lasts up to 12hrs.
• Built-in FM tuner and FM recorder
• Integrated voice recorder
• Ultra-fast USB 2.0 transfers
• Supports MP3, WMA, JPEG and TXT files
• Enhanced 3D audio (supports SRS WOW™)

There are other colors Here

[Ington]

I'm pretty sure someone here said that you can't upload third party videos to the iPod Video, but there's a way around that.

If you buy Quicktime (about $30), you can convert video files to the proper format for iPods.

Oh snapple, 2000th post.

[*mipadi*]

I'm pretty sure someone here said that you can't upload third party videos to the iPod Video, but there's a way around that.

If you buy Quicktime (about $30), you can convert video files to the proper format for iPods.

Oh snapple, 2000th post.

As long as they're in MPEG4 or H.whatever--fairly common formats--they'll work without conversion, too.

[ThunderEvermore]

Can anyone confirm/disprove some things Ive heard about iPod/iTunes?

Well for one, can you/cant you use songs you download via Limewire/Napster or various other music download programs?

And I also know someone who says they can only use original copies of CDs to load onto their ipod/itunes.

[*mipadi*]

If a song is an MP3, AAC, WAV, AIFF, or Apple Lossless, it can be played on an iPod.

[illumineering]

Ive got this w/ 20gb of storage. I it!

[Just_Dream]

Can anyone confirm/disprove some things Ive heard about iPod/iTunes?

Well for one, can you/cant you use songs you download via Limewire/Napster or various other music download programs?

And I also know someone who says they can only use original copies of CDs to load onto their ipod/itunes.

? ... What? original copies of cds? I haven't tried that yet, but what one can do is get an mp3 converter or something. I use Ahead Nero 5 Burning Rom to convert .wav files from my cds to .mp3 or .wma. Then I load them on itunes and then it works just fine... itunes converts .wma to .aac so that it can function on an ipod.

As for limewire, technically, aren't you downloading .mp3 files anyway? It's just liek kazaalite, where you download the file. I don't know about Napster though.

Also, regardless of whether a portable device falls under mp3 or PMP or whatever categories, it can still play other formats.


Also, and iPod shuffle.. I think those are a waste of money. 100$ for a 512mb shuffle... It just doesn't look that nice. Also, I've seen many people with ipods, so it's cool when people have different mp3 players. ALTHOUGH, I myself like the ipod and I have an iPod nano, it's awesome when I see friends who have different players and I ask them about it.

[so.I.wait]

which music player program does the iriver get the music from? like itunes for ipod.

[vash1530]

^personally my favorite. hold about 30gb of music and costs about $250
i also think its the best looking.

[EddieV]

which music player program does the iriver get the music from? like itunes for ipod.

That's the best part. You won't need a music player program. You can just drag and drop. Although if you want to, the iRiver H10 does support Napster to Go, and Windows Media Player.

BTW: I recommended the iRiver H10 earlier.

[racoons > you]

i like my ipod nano, personally.

it has the right amount of storage for me, and its so shiny...

and small.

and im a materialist. i've come to terms with that.

this may be the first time ive ever posted in technology. huh.

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

^personally my favorite. hold about 30gb of music and costs about $250
i also think its the best looking.

I saw that one on Cnet. It's hot.
THere was another one by Phillips, or Toshiba that came out recently.

Anyways, consider the Gigabeat too.

Well, im looking for an mp3 player that holds at least 1000 songs and i dont want a bulky one i want one that i can carry everywhere. pretty much as small as an ipod nano but most of you are saying that ipods arent good. so which one do you suggest now? because I STILL havent made up my mind I dont want to buy a player im not gonna enjoy and just waste money.

doesnt matter if it can hold pictures or videos not too interested in that just as long as it holds songs and is not too much of a hassle.

thanks

If you want something small like the Nano, try that Sandisk one. It uses the same Samsung flash memory, so it's just as small. Only downside is that it doesn't use a built in Battery, it has a Single AA/AAA battery requirement, which makes it sorta bulky. But I heard it works great. It doesn't have color, and the screen is small, but the interface is simple. Great if you just want to play music, no hassle.

Theres also the Sony NWD-5 or whatever, that is supposed to be really good.

Lastly, the Mobiblu DAH-1500i.
Tiny, and holds up to 1 gig.

[EddieV]

Anyways, consider the Gigabeat too.

I love the Gigabeat, that player is awesomeness.

[FoxBandCutie08]

Well, I have a 20gig iPod, and it has broken twice, it's actually gone being worked on right now. I don't really recommend the iPod, mainly because mine keeps breaking.
There's a whole lot of music players out there, I'm sure you can find one you like that's not too much money.

[EddieV]

She probably recieved an iPod with bugs in it, if she means breaking it software-wise. If not then er...iono...

Honestly, I wouldn't want to be carrying around a bulky ass mp3 player. iRivers are pretty ugly to me. So I say iPod.

They can load the mp3 player with as much features as they want...I buy an mp3 player to listen to music. And as long as it does that, and isn't terribly ugly--I'm fine.

Why would you want something that looks good, over something with good quality?

[*Libertie*]

I like both the iPod nano and the mrobe 100. I just like the way they look. <3

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

I said..the only two things I like in an mp3 player is the ability to play music, and a nice appearance = iPod.

Not really.
There are plently of other players that look good and can play music.

[EddieV]

ex. Creative Zen

[*kryogenix*]

But does an iPod have a nice appearance and does it play mp3's? Yes. That's the only thing I was trying to say. I wasn't saying...there was no other device out there that has a nice appearance and plays mp3's.

There are plenty.

[ThunderEvermore]

...I know this.
I didn't argue that there wasn't.

I think their point is attempting to be that there are good looking players that are BETTER than iPods.

At least I think.

[ThunderEvermore]

But if you read back to the first thing I said...it was the only thing I like in an mp3 player is the ability to play mp3's a nice appearance.  Like an iPod.
I wasn't arguing that there wasn't a better device/another existing advice.

I don't see how this got so far.

I know, I was just trying to convey what they were trying to, or at least I think they were trying to.

[sadolakced acid]

gigabeat s series, no contest.

[EddieV]

I love it when customers come to me and go, what's the difference between an iPod and an MP3 player.

[ThunderEvermore]

I love it when customers come to me and go, what's the difference between an iPod and an MP3 player.

Hahaha, yes. I get that alot.

[EddieV]

A lot of customers always think that MP3 is a brand that makes Flash players, and iPods are the only Hard driver players that exists. That's when it's my cue to introduce to them the iRiver.

[nackchoon]

iRiver's U10
Plays MP3, OGG Vorbis, WMA
Plays videos
Alarm clock
Text Reader
Flash Games
Picture Viewer

Very Compact and nice design.
If you want to see what it looks like and for other specifications, I recommend you to visit u10.iriver.com I have fun there every so often becaue I own one! ^^

[nackchoon]

Well, I myself as a korean agree with xnofreax about introducing iRiver.. But.. iriver and ipods aren't the only hard drive players either.. There're many series from Creative that uses Hard drives, MPIO has some, and in fact, many MP3 makers with a known brand name ;) has anything from extremely small MP3 players that is cute and versatile to something big as a PMP to have a large screen and act as any media format player.

[EddieV]

There's plenty of MP3 players that use harddrives. Some examles are Samsung, Toshiba, iRiver, iAudio, Creative, Apple, Sony, Dell, gah so many...

[much2muse]

yeah im kinda bumping this.

I love it when customers come to me and go, what's the difference between an iPod and an MP3 player.

I love how you're steering people away from the ipod. Yay you! It annoys me how some people categorize ipod as a whole new device/piece of technology entirely. They're all "Oh theirs mp3 players... and then theirs IPODS."




I'm guessing this person has an mp3 player by now...

[bigitchbay]

eeer all I've ever known are iPODS so ..

[EddieV]

Yeah since this topic got started I think I ran through like 4 MP3 players already...

[soulgetpast]

just get a IPOD

[iDecay]

^ Bandwagon much?

Hey hey Eddie. Recomend me one. My mp3 player died.

<-- Likes style and huge capacity.

[*slammin shelby*]

iPOD LIKE A MOTHAAA.

[EddieV]

^ Bandwagon much?

Hey hey Eddie. Recomend me one. My mp3 player died.

<-- Likes style and huge capacity.

Get a Creative Zen Vision: M.