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

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:19 am

Rodster wrote:Looks nice DB. What's the price and how's the software? That's one of the problems with the Zen.

How are the stock ear buds or whatever they call it?

Got the 16gb for 219 from newegg (it lists for 239, so it was a nice little deal). The 8gb lists for 199 and the 32 will retail for 299. I haven't used the included software. Drag and drop baby! It's soooo much better than using iTunes or whatever other program comes with a particular player. Stock ear buds are standard fare...nothing outstanding. I use my Sennheiser CX300s with all of my players...I love their sound.

It's funny...right now I have the S9 and a 4th Gen Nano...it's night and day, the sound quality. Cowon really knows how to do sound.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:27 am

If you have checked the thread on CC's closing..I have negotiated a 120gb Zune for myself. Any help or hints as to what I can use this for ,please enlighten me.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:24 am

snaz16 wrote: Any help or hints as to what I can use this for ,please enlighten me.

http://www.zunescene.com/

10 Zune Tips for New Owners

1. Before you sync the first time make sure your mp3 files are tagged for artist, album, and genre. Right click on an album and select edit to adjust tags in the Zune software. Power users may want to try this free tagging software which easily numbers tracks also.

2. Before you rip a CD go to: settings, rip menu, and set format to mp3 and bitrate to 256 Kbps. MP3 files are preferable to WMA because they are a more universal format and will work with other players.

3. If the Zune behaves improperly or locks up give it a reboot. Hold down the small round button on the left (back button) and hold the Zune pad up at the same time until the reboot starts (about 2 seconds).

4. In Zune software settings, turn off auto album art update if you are using files not obtained from the Zune Marketplace. The auto album art feature rarely works right unless the album "meta" tags are perfect (see tip 8 for art).

5. If you own an XBOX check out this Zune XBOX docking tutorial.

6. Encode video in mp4 format for the next gen Zunes and WMV for Zune 30. We recommend this free converter including our very own tutorial.

7. Tag audiobook mp3 files with the podcast genre, this will enable the resume option which is equivalent to book marking.

8. Find missing album art using right-click, find album info, within the Zune software. If that fails use google image search.

9. Try the wireless sync option, it can be enabled in the settings, device menu. This will require a wireless router in your home.

10. Register for the Zune forums. Zune Scene has thousands of members from around the world which means help is available 24/7.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:38 am

Rodster wrote:
snaz16 wrote: Any help or hints as to what I can use this for ,please enlighten me.
http://www.zunescene.com/

10 Zune Tips for New Owners

1. Before you sync the first time make sure your mp3 files are tagged for artist, album, and genre. Right click on an album and select edit to adjust tags in the Zune software. Power users may want to try this free tagging software which easily numbers tracks also.

2. Before you rip a CD go to: settings, rip menu, and set format to mp3 and bitrate to 256 Kbps. MP3 files are preferable to WMA because they are a more universal format and will work with other players.

3. If the Zune behaves improperly or locks up give it a reboot. Hold down the small round button on the left (back button) and hold the Zune pad up at the same time until the reboot starts (about 2 seconds).

4. In Zune software settings, turn off auto album art update if you are using files not obtained from the Zune Marketplace. The auto album art feature rarely works right unless the album "meta" tags are perfect (see tip 8 for art).

5. If you own an XBOX check out this Zune XBOX docking tutorial.

6. Encode video in mp4 format for the next gen Zunes and WMV for Zune 30. We recommend this free converter including our very own tutorial.

7. Tag audiobook mp3 files with the podcast genre, this will enable the resume option which is equivalent to book marking.

8. Find missing album art using right-click, find album info, within the Zune software. If that fails use google image search.

9. Try the wireless sync option, it can be enabled in the settings, device menu. This will require a wireless router in your home.

10. Register for the Zune forums. Zune Scene has thousands of members from around the world which means help is available 24/7.

#11 - ebay...

(just joking)

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:54 pm

Well well well..

my girl came up big and got me an Ipod Touch 16gb (late birthday present).

This thing is sleek as hell.

Too bad they didn't include a hotmail app.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:22 pm

greggsand wrote:
#11 - ebay... (just joking)

Now you tell me...

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:35 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Well well well..

my girl came up big and got me an Ipod Touch 16gb (late birthday present).

This thing is sleek as hell.

Too bad they didn't include a hotmail app.

Switch to GMail. Or that free Yahoo mail with push.

Check out the Remote app. Rolando is suppose to be good but it's $10.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:07 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:If you want one for Video, you owe it to yourself to get an Ipod Touch.

DB,

I know you have a new MP3, but I was wondering what resolution where you converting video files to the Ipod Touch and what software where you using?

I've user a couple of apps like videora and avs and both take a TON of time converting files at 480x320.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:05 am

I was using Videora actually at 480x320 like you. It does take a while. That's another reason I love the Cowon. You can download files off the internet and just play them. Most use the Xvid codec for AVIs which the iPod Touch/iPhone don't play. It makes it a lot easier. I got really sick of converting files. I'd just do one a night and let it run when I go to bed.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:35 am

So on the Cowon, I could just take an AVI file, drag it to the video folder and off I go? That sounds quite nice.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:05 pm

With so many devices now which support H.264 decoding, you would think there will be more H.264 content shared.

But H.264 encoding may require higher hardware requirements than older codecs.

Most legal content appears to be using H.264, such as the digital files which are being included in more and more DVD and Blu-Ray releases.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:21 pm

fsquid wrote:So on the Cowon, I could just take an AVI file, drag it to the video folder and off I go? That sounds quite nice.

Correct.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:37 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:I was using Videora actually at 480x320 like you. It does take a while. That's another reason I love the Cowon. You can download files off the internet and just play them. Most use the Xvid codec for AVIs which the iPod Touch/iPhone don't play. It makes it a lot easier. I got really sick of converting files. I'd just do one a night and let it run when I go to bed.

Did you ever get a case of the ITouch?

Man, there just too many to choose from.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:57 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:I was using Videora actually at 480x320 like you. It does take a while. That's another reason I love the Cowon. You can download files off the internet and just play them. Most use the Xvid codec for AVIs which the iPod Touch/iPhone don't play. It makes it a lot easier. I got really sick of converting files. I'd just do one a night and let it run when I go to bed.

Did you ever get a case of the ITouch?

Man, there just too many to choose from.

I always roll with Vaja cases for my devices that need them. By far the best leather product available:

http://www.vajacases.com/home/home_en.h ... 4&it=1&s=1

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:59 pm

I ordered the Switcheasy Colors case from switcheasy.com for $17 shipped.

It got a top review from iLounge.

We'll see.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:51 pm

wco81 wrote:I ordered the Switcheasy Colors case from switcheasy.com for $17 shipped.

It got a top review from iLounge.

We'll see.

Nano or Touch?

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:13 pm

iPhone.

But they have the Touch versions too it looks like.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:22 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:I was using Videora actually at 480x320 like you. It does take a while. That's another reason I love the Cowon. You can download files off the internet and just play them. Most use the Xvid codec for AVIs which the iPod Touch/iPhone don't play. It makes it a lot easier. I got really sick of converting files. I'd just do one a night and let it run when I go to bed.

Did you ever get a case of the ITouch?

Man, there just too many to choose from.
I always roll with Vaja cases for my devices that need them. By far the best leather product available:

http://www.vajacases.com/home/home_en.h ... 4&it=1&s=1

those are tight

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:40 pm

Just in case anyone is wondering...he's a comparison shot I took last night of the iphone and the S9. Both with brightness up to 75%. Obviously, the iPhone screen brightness should be a down a bit more, but you really can't see any of the black colors in the night scenes when you do that so I had to bump it a bit. Obviously the S9 is above.

<img src="http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3498/img0666qt2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:25 pm

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:25 pm

OLED is very promising.

Hopefully they get out a display bigger than 40 inches in the next few years.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:48 pm

db, is there a case for those s9s yet? JR has them with free ship for 219 16GB so I think I'm going to pull the trigger on it.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:49 pm

fsquid wrote:db, is there a case for those s9s yet? JR has them with free ship for 219 16GB so I think I'm going to pull the trigger on it.

That's the same price I got the 16gb at Newegg a few weeks ago. So that's a nice price. As for cases...there aren't many. Ebay has a few silicone style, and Noreve has a leather flip version but it's pretty steep at 45 bucks.

http://www.noreveusa.com/product/Cowon_ ... _case.html

Jetmall.net (cowon's distributer here in the US) has a few options too. Leather case and a plastic shell that's pretty cool.

http://www.jetmall.net/index.asp?PageAc ... ProdID=471

http://www.jetmall.net/index.asp?PageAc ... ProdID=470

After looking around for you...I personally like the last one. I wouldn't use it all the time, just when I'm transporting it...to protect it a little bit. I'll order one today sometime.

I also ordered an Invisishield from Zagg.com as a screen protector. I'm usually not a fan of their stuff but it's the only screen protector I could find. You really don't need one because it's got a glass screen and it'll be tough to scratch, but I'm just uber paranoid.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:53 pm

yea, I don't need a fancy leather one, just something to protect from human oils!

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:29 pm

wco81 wrote:I ordered the Switcheasy Colors case from switcheasy.com for $17 shipped.

It got a top review from iLounge.

We'll see.

Let me know what you think of it, when you get it.