OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:04 am

I still LOVE my HD5...and I actually am very impressed with the new Ipod Videos...I still like the sound quality of my Sony better though. But functionally, those Ipod Videos are top notch. I give credit where credit is due...and Apple delivered on a nice product. I'm partial to sound quality over bells and whistles though and in that regard, the Sony is badass.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 1:22 am

The question though is(for those that have the video-ipod), how many of you and how often do you watch videos, TV shows on your little toy?

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 1:26 am

10spro wrote:The question though is(for those that have the video-ipod), how many of you and how often do you watch videos, TV shows on your little toy?

Ever since G4 has started to release some video content (and it's FREE!), I've been watching alot more stuff.

Toper

TheHiddenTrack · Post by **TheHiddenTrack** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:36 pm

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/stor ... m=l1zenx40

another link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002A ... s&v=glance

Creative 40GB MP3 Player.
Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra (Mfr# 70PD055000032) $156.29

*Add the 40GB MP3 Player for $206.99 Cambridge SoundWorks
*10% off coupon code "10PERCENT"
*$30 MIR

$206.99 - 10% - $30 = $156.29 + Free Shipping

So basically it's almost half the price of the new 30 GB IPods......anyone know anything about these?

DB listed the Creative Zen Xtra .....as one that he used, was it worth $150?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:50 pm

TheHiddenTrack wrote:So basically it's almost half the price of the new 30 GB IPods......anyone know anything about these?

DB listed the Creative Zen Xtra .....as one that he used, was it worth $150?

Have owned the exact unit for nearly two years. Love it. Fine sound quality, have nearly 5,500 songs on mine with room to spare.

Not as intuitive as the Apple, but slightly better sound quality. And you can't beat the price. Plus there aren't as many DRM issues with transferring songs between various devices.

Highly recommend a $25 purchase of Red Chair Software's Notmad Manager from Red Chair's Web site, as the included Creative song transfer software sucks.

I paid $230 for my Zen Xtra 40 GB nearly two years ago and thought I was getting a steal. A 40 GB Zen Xtra at $160 is grand theft audio.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:13 pm

The Zen Xtra is awesome if you don't mind the size. Since I use mine at the gym that was a deciding factor for me. If size isn't an issue then by all means get the Zen...it really is a superb player. As PK mentioned, you NEED to get the Red Chair software...it will make life a lot easier.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:53 pm

Hidden:

Just to clarify DB's comments. The Zen isn't a brick by any means. It's not a Nano or even iPod-sized, and it's hard-drive based, so I wouldn't use it at the gym.

But if you're using it while commuting, walking, doing yard work, with a PC or plugged into a stereo as a component, it's IDEAL.

I know DB didn't mean to infer that the Zen is huge. It's not. But it's not iPod or Nano small, either.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:56 pm

Correct...

It's not huge, it's just a little too big to carry to the gym or to jog with. That's all. You're right, I didn't mean to infer that.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:57 pm

What MP3 player would you guys recommend for someone who only has 4.5 GB of songs and has a lot of songs in WMA format? I figure an ipod is no good since they don't support WMA files.

I was thinking of getting a 6 GB Creative Zen player like this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 2652626044

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 10:05 pm

Nothing wrong with the Zen Micros...very good players for the money.

lsdean · Post by **lsdean** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:35 pm

DB, do you take your Sony HD5 to the gym? I am considering getting into the MP3 market and I am looking for something it the 20GB range. Was initially thinking about the IPod but I am open to other considerations.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:16 pm

lsdean wrote:DB, do you take your Sony HD5 to the gym? I am considering getting into the MP3 market and I am looking for something it the 20GB range. Was initially thinking about the IPod but I am open to other considerations.

Yes I do and I also run with it. It works great in all respects. It has never skipped at all. They have a lot of technology built into the drive so it never skips or gets damaged when it's dropped or jolted.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:15 pm

I have been thinking about getting an mp3 player for a few weeks now, and have been scouring the internet reading reviews and so forth. Everything I have read says NOT to use an HD based player for running or ANYTHING physical. So thats why I was so skeptical on what to get. I really like the Creative Micros. I am not necessarily into jogging that much, but I occasionaly get on the treadmill. I do a fair amount of biking and weight lifting. I am just concerned with spending close to 200 bux or more to only have it break do to a little physical activity. My wife would be so upset that her anniversary/xmas gift broke

I have pretty much narrowed my choices to a creative product...such as the this http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Creative ... tDetail.do
I also like the new Microphoto http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Creative ... tDetail.do

I guess my biggest thing is whether I have to worry about riding my bike, the treadmill or working out. Decisions decisions!! I will appreciate all input.

edit* I also read that with the micros you could desigante like a gig or whatever to file storage. Is this true? If so that would save me there on buying a memory stick (all i have now is a 32mb) I don't have a huge amount of music as it stands right now either. This could change though, b/c if I really like one of these things I will drop my Satelite radio and go with an mp3 player!

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:51 pm

Other thing to consider if you want a player for exercise is whether heavy sweat could damage it.

You may need a good case/armband solution of some kind.

But yeah, flash would seem to make more sense for exercise.

BTW, I don't know how an MP3 player would replace a Memory Stick (are you talking about for a PSP?).

I guess on a computer, you can mount it as a volume and use it as a storage device.

On a PSP, even if you get past the awkwardness of connecting an MP3 player to it, would the PSP even recognize a storage device connected via the USB port as opposed to a Memory Stick?

BTW, I just found out there may be a pretty cool use for the PSP. With the 2.5 firmware, you can now stream AV content to your PSP if you buy a LocationFree basestation. Similar to a Slingbox (but with Sony prices of course), you can control your Tivo or DVD players wirelessly at home or over the Internet and view what you have from any Wifi hotspot.

Of course, PSP also plays music but after you buy expensive Memory Stick cards. Even then, too big for the gym probably.

Still, the PSP is like an electronic Swiss Army knife and is making use of its brilliant screen.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:55 pm

The zen micro plugs into your pc via USB and you can designate memory on the hard drive JUST FOR FILES such as word and excel files etc......

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:20 pm

SEMINOLE wrote:The zen micro plugs into your pc via USB and you can designate memory on the hard drive JUST FOR FILES such as word and excel files etc......

Most MP3 players do that.

The iPods let you allocate a certain amount of capacity for files.

The iPod Shuffles have a USB port so you plug it in without cable, like you would a memory key drive.

If you don't want iPods, you can get Sandisk memory key drives which also play MP3s.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 7:47 pm

anyone else care to comment> I read that Db takes his Sony to the gym and runs with it. Would I be able to do the same thing with the 5 or 6gb Zen micro?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 8:57 pm

SEMINOLE wrote:anyone else care to comment> I read that Db takes his Sony to the gym and runs with it. Would I be able to do the same thing with the 5 or 6gb Zen micro?

As long as you're not banging it into things, it'll be fine. Just put it in your pocket, or the belt clip and go.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:09 pm

anyone know anything about this?? I have read GREAT user reviews for it...so far NOTHING really negative

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips- ... tDetail.do

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:44 pm

And the price is right. Awesome actually for a 6GB player.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:01 am

yep, and I had to make a lasy minute run for a few groceries for the wifey, so I had to make a trip to the Super WalMart. I stopped by the electronics dept to check to see if there were any 360's (no luck) but I decided to see what they had for players. They had a 5gb Creative Zen Micro (black) for $179, a Creative 20gb Touch for like $228 (even though online its says 208) AND they had the Philips 6g HDD1630 for $197.

I was thinking since its Wally World I could atleast get the philips and give it a try. This is going to be my first player, so I think any of those 3 I get would be great to me. The Zen Touch was a little big compared to the other 2, and I think I could find accesories for the other 2 easier as they are both about the same size as a Nano.

I have a few questions though as far as listening to the player in my truck. Is an FM mod. the way to go? I thought I read that DB has his connected to the back of his cd/stero deck? also, what about connecting to a home stereo or something similar to a home stereo? Does it matter if it has a removable battery? I believe the Micro has a removable but the other 2 didn't. There is also a new Xen Micro Neeon that I just saw on walmart.com Thanks guys, and sorry for so many questions, I just want to be sure I make a good purchase or have an understanding of what else I will need to do what I would want with a player. Its topics like this and others that make this community what it is and so great!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 1:38 am

FM Mods suck...but if that's all you got then go for it. Otherwise, hardwiring it to the back of your deck is the way to go. If you have an aftermarket stereo, make sure there is an AUX IN line in the back of it. If so, you're golden. Just run an cable from your line out (or headphone jack if you don't have a line out on the particular player you buy) to the AUX inputs and then you've got the cleanest sound possible. It's the only way to go with an MP3 player in your car. The sound quality degrades so much over the FM transmitters they are almost worthless to me.

However, I just purchased the DLO Transpod for my girl because she doesn't have an aftermarket deck...it works GREAT for the ipods. It charges it, has a line in and a line out for future expansion and it has an FM transmitter. It's rather expensive at 100 bucks, but for the ipod line, it cannot be beat.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 1:59 am

yea, I have aftermarket, and it just so happens that when I get one of these, I will have to get back there to un-hook my Sirius, as I dont think I will be needing it any longer. I am about 99% positive I have Aux in. Thats SWEEET! Now just to decide WHAT to buy LOL. DANG IT! I will be buying at Walmart I think, as they will take anything back, especially if you have the receipt. The only Zen Micro they have is the 5gb version. Would you say go that route over that Philips? I have ruled out the Touch as its pretty darn big compared to the other 2. ALso, it says the Philips can NOT store data, does this mean I can't put word files etc...on it?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:02 am

I would definitely stick with the Creative line of players. And yes, when it says it can be used for data, they are just saying that you can plug it in and transfer any type of file to it you want...and that's a good thing.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:09 pm

I just love this player for running. It's about the size of a stopwatch. You can find it for cheaper for $100 on the Net. I bought a 1GB SD card on sale so I have a 1.25 GB water proof MP3 player with FM, stopwatch, etc. I've been caught in the rain a few times and I didn't have to worry about it. I've also had no problems with it in the cold weather either.

http://us.creative.com/products/product ... duct=10794