OT: My wife is the best

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:30 pm

I accidently found out that my wife bought me the new slimline PS2 for Christmas after we agreed to keep it small this year. I wanted to pick one up but never thought that my wife would surprise me with one for Christmas. It also saved me an addition $19.99 for the new PS2 controller I was going to pick up.

We converted our garage into an addition room/playroom for the kids, so I'm going to set up my old PS2 in there and try out some LAN-based games. I know Twisted Metal: Black supports LAN and ATV Off Road Fury 2 & 3 support it.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:32 pm

Very cool!

My frau also got my present early, and it arrived today: A trainer so I can ride my bike all winter indoors.

I told her I was going to use eBay funds to buy one, and she said, "Just buy it and call it my Christmas present to you."

That's my girl!

It's also my only gift from her, as we tend to put about a $100-150 cap on our overall gift purchases for each other. Anyone surprised?

It's the thought that counts -- we don't go insane on commercialism around here for Christmas.

Out,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:36 pm

My girl...pissed that I just bought a new Creative Zen Micro, gave me her present early too. She got me the new IRiver H320 20gig Mp3 player. Color screen, everything. I have to tell you...I like the iRiver better than the Micro. Sure it's bigger, but it has all of the things I loved about the Micro, plus a beautiful color screen and a 20 gig drive. I'm about to return my Micro (or give it to her, she loves it). I'm an iRiver convert...plus the sound quality is as good, if not better than the Zen, and that's saying A LOT. It definitely reproduces the lows better, which is good for me and my rap fetish.

Here's to getting great presents EARLY from the significant others!

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:09 pm

DB,
What are the advantages over something like an Ipod. I know nothing about MP3 players other than I know what an Ipod is.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:20 pm

Well to keep with the holiday spirit my wife hasn't told me to F#$@ OFF since Thanksgiving. I keed, I keed.

My wife is getting me a sweet Walter Payton jersey from the Soldier Field Bears store that I've been eyeing since preseason.

vraknari · Post by **vraknari** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:30 pm

I've heard a few messages on our voicemail from a jeweler in NYC.

I can only hope that the Tag Heuer I've been lusting after is what it's all about.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:32 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Well to keep with the holiday spirit my wife hasn't told me to F#$@ OFF since Thanksgiving. I keed, I keed.

My wife is getting me a sweet Walter Payton jersey from the Soldier Field Bears store that I've been eyeing since preseason.

Nice. Got one of those on my list as well

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:33 pm

JRod wrote:DB,
What are the advantages over something like an Ipod. I know nothing about MP3 players other than I know what an Ipod is.

Well if you want to compare the player I got (20 gig iRiver H320) to a new iPod photo 20 gig, there are quite a few differences actually.

The things the iPod does better:

It allows you to display pictures stored on the player on a TV (iRiver doesn't).

The interface is simply the best one out there. The way they handle their menu system is simply unmatched. The control with the touch wheel is very good as well.

The design...they are also unmatched in their design. They are built great and it's a very simple, elegant design that appeals to a lot of people.

Now for the things the new iRiver does better:

FM Radio

Crisper color screen for displaying colors.

Many more user presets available for sound manipulation and tuning.

Better sound reproduction. You just can't get a decent amount of bass out of an iPod. I couldn't get it out of the Zen Micro either. It's got a more full sound and I'm a big fan.

Voice recorder that is able to record FM radio as well.

The ability to use it as a drive on your pc just by connecting the data cable. There is no need to use any software or anything...it's just plug and play with Windows XP. Then you just drag the music onto the player and you're done. It's freakin' GREAT!

So as you can see there are definitely pros and cons for both of them. A lot of people buy the iPods for the name alone. The price difference is rather significant though. The iPod is $399 and the iRiver is $329 (I got mine for $279 on sale at Best Buy) Overall, they do a good job...I just think there are better options out there having used 4 different players in the past 6 or 7 months.

The iRiver pretty much takes the crown at this point.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:38 pm

No doubt the IRiver units are quite nice and stack up quite well compared to the IPod.

But they aren't cheap, by any stretch. A 40GB IRiver is going to run you at least $100-150 more than a comparable Creative unit. Yes, the IRiver has comparable treble sound and better low-end sound, and that's saying something because the Creatives sound really good. And yes, the IRiver has a radio and drag-and-drop capability. Very cool features.

But DB, do you think the IRiver would be worth the extra jack -- nearly a Benjamin and a half -- if it wasn't a gift from your sweet frau-in-training?

I wonder. Creatives aren't perfect, but I think they offer the best features-to-price ratio of any unit on the market today.

I'm very keen on your feedback.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:46 pm

pk500 wrote:I wonder. Creatives aren't perfect, but I think they offer the best features-to-price ratio of any unit on the market today.

Well since she told me how much she paid and where she got it...I'd have to say the price & features on the iRiver H320 can compare quite well to Creative Zen Xtra 30 gig. Figure 225 or so for the Zen Xtra and the 280 she paid for the iRiver and it's not that big of a discrepency.

You get a bigger drive on the Creative obviously, but the ability to listen to the radio (I like listening to talk/sports radio at work during the day) and record it if I want to makes the gap a little smaller. The color screen and the controls push that gap even closer together...and the size makes it even smaller (forgive the intentional pun).

I don't deny that the Creative is a nice player...I had actually never seen the H320 before she handed it over last night. She just thought it was cool looking so she bought it for me. If it were my money, I probably would still go with the iRiver. As you know, I've had quite a few mp3 players in the last year and it seems to be the best of the bunch.

You're right though, the Creative is definitely the best if you're going strictly by a GB to Price ratio, there is no denying that. I just have a need for the FM radio and a smaller player. Couple that with the nice interface for adding songs/data along with a sweet color screen...I've got my player of choice.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:08 pm

Cool. Thanks for the input.

Take care,
PK

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:09 pm

<<< still confused as to why everyone is getting Christmas presents on the 3rd of December.

Was there a Christmas date change that I wasn't informed of???

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:11 pm

Boom wrote:<<< still confused as to why everyone is getting Christmas presents on the 3rd of December.

Was there a Christmas date change that I wasn't informed of???

I didn't get my gift yet - I just found out that my wife bought it for me. I'll have to wait for Christmas to use the new PS2

.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:20 pm

I didn't get mine yet either. I won't until Christmas.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:42 pm

This is a rarity. Told the Frau I was getting the trainer with eBay funds, and she said to just order it without using those funds and call it her gift to me.

She wanted me to wait for Christmas, but my powers of persuasion -- and an inference that I would lose even more fitness and be a grouch -- got me the green light to order this week.

The trainer is sitting beside me in my office and will be whirring tonight as I watch Newcastle-Everton from last weekend!

Take care,
PK

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:39 am

Santa came early for me too in the form of a nice new Hitachi 50" HDTV I've been eyeing (50VS810). The wife and I had our first night out alone in a LONG time (since moving) and...A bottle of wine later we're standing in Circuit City negotiating on the set.

Delivers on Sunday.

Anyone interested in a 50" CRT HDTV (Mitsubish 50803) with OTA HD receiver at a good price?

maddoc1979 · Post by **maddoc1979** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:50 am

My wife got us tickets to the Vikings-Packers game on Christmas eve. She's never been to an NFL game before and I LOVE the vikings, so it works out as a great gift for the both of us.

Doc