Mp3 Players, suggestions
Caboose
title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">My Zen finally died</div>So today, I borked my Creative Zen Xtra. I dropped it, most likely short circuiting something in it because it worked for a time, then stopped. Eventually locking up, getting hot and rebooting into the rescue menu. Once in this menu, I am given the choice to do one of several things, include reformat the HD and reinstall the OS, which can't be done because there is HD dammage.
Anyway, I've been thinking of getting a new player anyway. I'd like something supported under Linux, at least partially as the Zen was.
Preferably at least 30GB (My currently used portion of the Zen, which was 60) The added bonus of playing ogg and flac etc would be a plus.
I was looking at the iAudio X5, it comes in 20/30/60GB versions and plays ogg and flac as well. Plus it has an fm radio tuner, which is nice.
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this player, or if you know of anything similar that might be cheaper. Amazon lists the 60GB version at $285.63 (USD), cheaper is a plus, but I'm willing to pay that for the features, it actually seems a good price.
Anyway, I've been thinking of getting a new player anyway. I'd like something supported under Linux, at least partially as the Zen was.
Preferably at least 30GB (My currently used portion of the Zen, which was 60) The added bonus of playing ogg and flac etc would be a plus.
I was looking at the iAudio X5, it comes in 20/30/60GB versions and plays ogg and flac as well. Plus it has an fm radio tuner, which is nice.
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this player, or if you know of anything similar that might be cheaper. Amazon lists the 60GB version at $285.63 (USD), cheaper is a plus, but I'm willing to pay that for the features, it actually seems a good price.
Comments
Mp3/wma playback was a main selling point of the cellphone I just got a discount for through a customer loyalty promotion. But the maximum memory it'll hold is 1 gig, the built-in FM transmitter's range isn't long enough to have high-quality sound, setting an mp3 as a ringtone for free requires open-source software & the time to do the workaround for each track (edit mp3 <30 seconds & mess with phone's filestructure to make it think it's playing a midi), and its UI leaves a lot to be desired.
For example, you don't want to be looking away from the screen while starting it up, because one click out of order could erase the entire Media folder on the microSD chip instead of starting the music.
Overall I'd say buying a cheaper cellphone & separate mp3 player would've gotten me better music playback & might've even saved me money at the same time.
Yeah yeah yeah, just join the masses. Its worth it.
iPod.
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fails the big one
Avoid paying extra for a cellphone that plays mp3's.
Mp3/wma playback was a main selling point of the cellphone I just got a discount for through a customer loyalty promotion. But the maximum memory it'll hold is 1 gig, the built-in FM transmitter's range isn't long enough to have high-quality sound, setting an mp3 as a ringtone for free requires open-source software & the time to do the workaround for each track (edit mp3 <30 seconds & mess with phone's filestructure to make it think it's playing a midi), and its UI leaves a lot to be desired.
For example, you don't want to be looking away from the screen while starting it up, because one click out of order could erase the entire Media folder on the microSD chip instead of starting the music.
Overall I'd say buying a cheaper cellphone & separate mp3 player would've gotten me better music playback & might've even saved me money at the same time.
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What model would that be? I'm not having any of these problems with my Sony Ericsson w800i.
I would still say that you're better off with a separate mp3-player, though. I have only heard good things about the newer models of Zen Vision. Haven't heard anything about the iAudio X5, which may be a good sign. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
my zen xtra kicked the bucket, best buy's warranty let me trade it up to a zen vision:m. i loves it.
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I also went from a 60gb xtra to a vision:m. Greatest mp3 player evar. <-note the period
mp3 and cell phone combo.
though someone upstairs say that cell phones may have poor sound quality, this is the one many people saying that it has a good one. and at least i appreciate it <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
fails the big one
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Howso? Massive storage, the new nanos have the longest battery life of any MP3 player out there(averaging 20 hours of constant music playing), they look better, are easier to use, and are better made. Mine's gone through cold, falling, crushing, heated, and all sorts of other problematic everyday environmental problems, and it still works great, with great sound quality(if you get something other than the default headphones).
Howso? Massive storage<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Never used to, although I hear they have 80gb ones now.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> the new nanos have the longest battery life of any MP3 player out there(averaging 20 hours of constant music playing)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
20 hours? iAudioX5L does around 27.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> they look better, are easier to use, and are better made.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href="http://www.unioptik.cz/mp3/x5/x5_1_v.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.unioptik.cz/mp3/x5/x5_1_v.jpg</a>
<a href="http://img.hexus.net/v2/lifestyle/pressreleases/creative/zen_vision_m_white_c.jpg" target="_blank">http://img.hexus.net/v2/lifestyle/pressrel...n_m_white_c.jpg</a>
Hot and a lot less annoying than the wheel. The "better made" thing is debatable.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Mine's gone through cold, falling, crushing, heated, and all sorts of other problematic everyday environmental problems, and it still works great<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I've known about 4 people break theirs quickly (quickest one was within a week)
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->with great sound quality(if you get something other than the default headphones).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Debatable again but I think they sound ish compared to others, especially the Vision:M.
I think I will go with the X5. It's slightly smaller vertically and horizontally than the iPod but a bit thicker.
And it supports everything I wanted out of the box, no need to install open source firmware on it (of which the UI is not very pleasing to the eye).
Plus, it's $5 cheaper than the iPod <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
6 gig, 30 hour battery life, microphone, 90 bucks
Check woot.com, but also check ebay
<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/zune-complete-interface-walkthrough-video/" target="_blank">http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/zune-co...kthrough-video/</a>
<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/microsoft-zune-player-and-software-hands-on-gallery/" target="_blank">http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/microso...nds-on-gallery/</a>