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Thread: In search of the perfect MP3 player...

  1. #1
    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
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    Default In search of the perfect MP3 player...

    OK. I've returned my Memorex MP3 player because while I liked most things about it (reasonable price, lots of memory, long-lasting battery), it had one fatal flaw: it could only be recharged by plugging it into a computer. There was no adapter I could buy that would allow it to be charged by plugging directly into the wall. The charger would fit, but the battery just wouldn't charge. Memorex tech support told me it was just designed that way...to charge via computer only. That makes it kind of useless to me because I sometimes need to take it where I won't have computer access for days at a time.

    So I tried the Zune. This one can be recharged through the wall via its own special adapter, but it sucks in every other way. The sync program for uploading MP3s from my computer into the player is retarded and impossible to use. Also, although advertised at 4GB like the Memorex player, it holds less than the Memorex did. The Memorex was able to hold all my music with room (just a little) to spare. The Zune couldn't.

    Next up is the iPod Nano. It's supposed to be the be-all, end-all MP3 player, right? Will it do what I want it to do, namely:

    1. Fit around 1,127 songs (they're only 3.5 GB on the hard disk of my computer, and the Memorex could hold them, but the Zune couldn't).

    2. Be user-friendly and easy to upload MP3s onto (like the Memorex, but unlike the Zune).

    3. Be rechargeable through the wall if necessary (like the Zune, but unlike the Memorex...actually, I know the iPod can do this, so at least there's that I can be sure of).

    4. Cost $200 or less.

    Is iPod the way to go? Or is there another MP3 player out there that can meet all these requirements?

  2. #2
    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
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    One additional question, making a fifth requirement:

    Can I upload to the iPod my playlists from Winamp 5.5? I was able to do that with the Memorex quite conveniently, but the Zune wouldn't do it.

    The Zune is a pretty useless piece of crap, isn't it? I mean, the Memorex worked *way* better except for the fact that it could only recharge via computer.

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    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
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    And a sixth requirement:

    Will the iPod upload any MP3 file that I can store on my computer and play through Winamp? The Memorex did. It played everything. The Zune didn't. Something about copyright law protection (you know: it's Bill Gates).

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    Senior Member remember_Cedric's Avatar
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    Well, this is a good thread for me. But I want an MP4 player. It seems that most MP3 players on market now, are only able to charge its battery through a computer. I know Sony MP3 stick does that and I have one MP4 player of some miscellaneous brand which charges through the same way.

    I am currently aiming for Sansa MP4 player. Let me check it goes about with charge and stuff. Besides the charging of battery and price (I don't think it costs much), the rest of your requirements, Sansa could meet them all. Sansa is a production of the same company who produces the memory card Sandisk. They have a site for it. What's better? There's an expansion slot for MicroSD card.

    I think Samsung does a pretty good job for an MP3 player too. But I doubt it charges through a wallcharger.
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    Senior Member oGaKirA's Avatar
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    Man does anyone else own an Ipod????

    I don't own one but have added mp3's to an Ipod for relatives. Im pretty sure that if you're able to add mp3 to it via computer, you should also upload it from Ipod and be able to play it. I know Ipod gots its own software for playlist but not sure if winamp playlist is compatible. Freaking Ipod website is useless. Don't even give us the specifications and details. Just freaking advertising crap.

    Well I think Ipod may be the way to go for your needs. Or else if you don't neeed playlist feature, Id just get a mp3/mp4 player from China being sold on ebay. I have bought a few of them for gifts and they seem to work fine. No sync or anything. They just connect as a removable drive and you just copy mp3 over. I don't think they have playlist option though. They just play, repeat track, repeat all. But they are cheap.
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    I have a phillips mp3 player and it has enough space for 30GB worth of songs and/or pictures. It has a radio and a mic to record things in wav format.

    However my complaint with it is that all the user manual, troubleshoot guide.etc is on a disc that only works on windows xp, any earlier versions or vista won't work. Another thing is although the surface with light up buttons is cool the signal for it won't work if you're wearing gloves. Another thing is when transferring songs from cd to mp3 players you have to save the tracks onto the computer and then transfer it from there unlike the ipod where you can do a more direct transfer that's less time consuming.

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    1) the zune will need some times to get used to the program, it sucks bad though. other wise the player is pretty solid. The reason you can't "FIT" all 4GB is pretty obvious, the dam thing came loaded with some of it's own stuff, you just have to delete it. But i'm gonna warn you, the software sucks balls, i'm waiting for an update that suppose to come out "very soon". but for now you just have to suck it up lol.

    2) You CAN charge any player via a regular socket provided that you're good with technical stuff. I can only assume that the player charges VIA USB with a "special" port into the player. If you're handy you can mod that and it'll charge with a regular outlet.

    3) Ipod is the answer if you have money, it's not the best player, but in term of performance i like it, although i wouldn't buy one because of the price.

    4) there's no perfect player, sorry.
    Last edited by warlock110; 12-14-07 at 11:55 AM.

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    Senior Member oGaKirA's Avatar
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    From Winamp site. So I would assume the playlist is compatible with Ipod. I notice you can save the playlist in a few formats:

    Sync Your iPod® (or other portable player) with Winamp

    You love Winamp and have an iPod® and don't think they will work together? Think again. Winamp 5.5 includes iPod® syncing support with album art view. To synch Winamp and your iPod® (or other portable media player) launch the Media Library and check out the 'Portables' tab. You should see your iPod® or other device (provided you've plugged it into your computer!)
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    Member xianzai's Avatar
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    These are just examples of what's out there to charge USB devices.

    AC to USB Power Adapter
    http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/9124/

    "This handy AC to USB power adapter provides a valuable service by spreading USB ports to other areas of your home or office. Simply plug this handy adapter into any standard AC outlet and jack in your USB device. You can charge cellphones or iPods and power your USB snowbot. Anything that can run or charge off of USB is fair game."

    ----

    $this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://www.boxwave.com/images_bw/dot_trans.gif')"The Wall Charger for miniSync is a lightweight travel charger that will safely rapid charge your handheld."
    http://www.boxwave.com/products/wallcharger/

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    Senior Member libby96's Avatar
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    i have a samsung yp-k3. i really like it. . in aussie dollars, it's about $100, now. i got it for $250, but that was ages ago. its a touch, and you can choose between 4gb, or 2gb. i got 4gb.

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    Senior Member cristal entity's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by libby96 View Post
    i have a samsung yp-k3. i really like it. . in aussie dollars, it's about $100, now. i got it for $250, but that was ages ago. its a touch, and you can choose between 4gb, or 2gb. i got 4gb.
    Yeah its a very slick and nifty mp3 player... So sad that I lost it at the train station and no one put it in lost property
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    Quote Originally Posted by cristal entity View Post
    Yeah its a very slick and nifty mp3 player... So sad that I lost it at the train station and no one put it in lost property
    yeah, i was planning on getting an ipod nano, but then i decided to get the samsung instead. for my mp3, it charges on my parent's mobile phone charger, so i normally use that instead. but i saw in a 'myer' magazine, you can get one of those chargers for $49 aus. dollars.

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    Senior Member pemberly's Avatar
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    i had an ipod, but i just recently lost it. i hope it's somewhere in my home. i've had it for 2 years, and i loved it. uploading was easy with itunes. just drag and drop your mp3s into whatever playlist you want. and it had the added bonus of being able to convert all my wmas to mp3s. it was also able to display the song titles and artist in the original language. so i had chinese, korean, japanese, spanish, german, etc. song titles which i thought was pretty cool.

    also, one of my coworkers uses his ipod as a calendar/phonebook/organizer, etc.

    if i can't find my old one, i'm thinking about buying a new one. sigh. i miss it so!

    just a note, the new nano with the video display, my friend just bought one and she had to return it twice. the first time, it wouldn't play beyond 10 secs. the second time, the display was tilted. apple has a very friendly return policy, but it's a pain in the butt.
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    Senior Member libby96's Avatar
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    what ipod did you have? it sounds quite good.

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    Senior Member shen diao xia's Avatar
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    Guys,

    I have several mp3 players and I still think ipods are the best. The one to get now is the Ipod 80G (most value for money, taking into consideration the memory space) which practically does most things that an mp3 player is supposed to do plus playing videos and some more. The first thing you need to do is to get rid of the free earphone which is close to crap if you ask me. Invest in one of those Sennheiser earphones and you are in business. If you like to hook it up to an external speaker, then my recommendation is the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks. Search for the prices yourself online as it depends on where you are at. One thing for sure, these are the best combinations when it comes to value for money.

    Unfortunately, you will need to set it up with itunes, which you need to only do it once. Again, it is one of the best free audio programs out there. Just be careful when you are updating. Sometimes, Quicktime, the video software that comes with it screws things up.

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    Senior Member Extremer88's Avatar
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    Man, nobody interested in Zen players?

    I hardly see any mention of them.
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    Senior Member patricia n's Avatar
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    i prefer creative zens. classic problem with ipods is that you can only upload songs from one laptop. if you try to upload from a different laptop/computer (say your laptop gets stolen or you'd like to upload the song from a friend's laptop) then the memory of the ipod itself gets erased. however, several of my friends own ipods and love it. the computer saavy guys hate ipods to the core, though.

    i have a creative zen and i like it...though my main issue with it is it requires its own program to upload songs...but then again, it is a library of information on my mp3 player.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Extremer88 View Post
    Man, nobody interested in Zen players?

    I hardly see any mention of them.
    unless you're talking about the vision M or W series, the other creative player GUI isn't up to par with the ipod/zune.

    BUT the creative wifi is about to jump into the market, be on the look out for that one.

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    Senior Member PJ's Avatar
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    Not sure if Ken has gotten the answer he wanted, but I'll try to fill in what I know about iPOd Nanos.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Cheng View Post
    Next up is the iPod Nano. It's supposed to be the be-all, end-all MP3 player, right? Will it do what I want it to do, namely:

    1. Fit around 1,127 songs (they're only 3.5 GB on the hard disk of my computer, and the Memorex could hold them, but the Zune couldn't).
    I have the 4GB Nano, so that would work for your space requirement.

    2. Be user-friendly and easy to upload MP3s onto (like the Memorex, but unlike the Zune).
    The process is pretty painless. You upload mp3s via the iTune interface.

    3. Be rechargeable through the wall if necessary (like the Zune, but unlike the Memorex...actually, I know the iPod can do this, so at least there's that I can be sure of).
    Yes, you can. I'm not sure if iPod Nano comes with a wall charger, but you can get one at TJ Max or Marshalls, or any similar discount store. I'd expect $10 or less.

    4. Cost $200 or less.
    Yes, I think the 4GB Nano costs about $150 now. I got a used one quite a while ago for $110.

    Can I upload to the iPod my playlists from Winamp 5.5?
    Hmm not sure. I haven't tried to do this, and I have a different version of Winamp.

    Will the iPod upload any MP3 file that I can store on my computer and play through Winamp
    Do you mean will the iPod play every MP3 file that Winamp can play? The answer is probably not. Right now I have 4 songs that iPod refuses to upload. It's not clear exactly why, but I do know that those 4 songs have a slightly different header information than the other mp3s... the encoding technique is different on these 4, I think.

    If you have 3.5 GB of stuff, chances are you'll have at least 1 or 2 mp3s that fall into the "refuse to be uploaded" category. But 99% of them will be fine.
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