Product reccomendations, MP3 players

[themadscientist]

It's probably not surprising to anybody who knows me in any way that I don't have a f*** IPOD jammed in my ear 24/7 like everyone else seems to be. I still slide CDs in and out of my car stereo and I listen to online radio.

I would like to be able to have more of my music at my fingertips to play in the car or at work to keep my mind off the misanthropic tendencies that course just under the surface of my facade of tolerance for a society of drooling idiots that piss me off often by their very existence.

Popular music brings the bile to the back of my throat so if I want to listen to something that doesn't trigger a gag reflex I will have to bring it with me.

I bought my wife an iPOD and she likes it. She has an iTunes account and all that cute s***. Mad is no joiner, I have an extensive library of CDs and have not ceased purchasing that alarmingly anachronistic format so one of the important factors to any MP3 player I purchase is,

I MUST BE ABLE TO DRAG AND DROP MP3s ONTO IT. I DO NOT ACCEPT A PRODUCT THAT IS USELESS WITHOUT SOME SORT OF ONLINE ACCOUNT.

Now, the iPOD is the undisputed leader in this area, I like Apple products, and most accessories are purpose-built for it so if the iPOD will allow me to load MP3s not sourced from iTUNES then I would be keen on picking one up.

If, however, I cannot do this the iPOD is out.

I WANT BUILT IN SPEAKERS.

Whatever I get will be spending most of the time plugged into a car stereo designed to accept outside data sources or plugged into a standalone speaker unit, but I would like the option to listen to my tunes anywhere. I'm not a headphone guy. I don't like speakers jammed in my ears nor blocking out auditory cues in my surroundings.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT A FANCY SCREEN OR VIDEO CAPABILITY.

It would be cool of course, but it's not important.

Beyond those three points, I don't care. You guys are more on the cutting edge than I, please to giving the recommendations.

[MinisterofDOOM]

IF you want to be able to drag and drop files, stay away from the ipod. It requires "syncing" with itunes, and even that process is user-friendlified to the point of reduced functionality. It ASSumes a LOT of things, and it gets irritating. You can still get music from your CDs to an ipod, but you have to rip the CD in itunes and then sync the files over.

The worst thing about ipod is that it uses an intentionally obfuscated folder structure (using random alphanumeric names for things rather than the name of the song, album, etc.) so you can't just drag and drop files OFF the thing and know what you're getting, and there's also no inbuilt way to get music back OFF the device. Very, very irritating.

I don't really mess with dedicated mp3 players much, though. I have an old non-touchscreen ipod that I used to leave in the Q45 connected to a tape adapter, but since I started driving a car with no cassette deck I haven't touched it.

[Ace2cool]

I like the iPod touch. You do have to use iTunes, but it's honestly very easy and you don't have to f*ck with it after everything is set up. You can turn it into drag and drop by selecting an option in iTunes. You can even use your iPod as an external hard drive! WiFi, bluetooth, ect.

I have iPod integration into my car stereo, with on-screen controls, and my hookup running to my center console. Built in speakers are all right, excellent for use in a hotel room, ect. (where it's quiet).

I LOVE my iPod touch and wouldn't get anything else.

[themadscientist]

I was over at the store looking for a new camera for my wife and I saw the Sony Walkmans and I was thinking they might work.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... ryId=16178

[Ace2cool]

IF you want to be able to drag and drop files, stay away from the ipod. It requires "syncing" with itunes, and even that process is user-friendlified to the point of reduced functionality.

Lies. I drag and drop every single song on my iPod. Syncing is an OPTION that you can turn off. Has every capability of an mp3 player.

Though it is difficult to drag music off the thing, there are *free* programs designed to do it. CopyTrans is the one I use.

[themadscientist]

I like the iPod touch. You do have to use iTunes, but it's honestly very easy and you don't have to f*ck with it after everything is set up. You can turn it into drag and drop by selecting an option in iTunes. You can even use your iPod as an external hard drive! WiFi, bluetooth, ect.

I DO NOT ACCEPT A PRODUCT THAT IS USELESS WITHOUT SOME SORT OF ONLINE ACCOUNT.

[asoomal]

Samsung P3

I <3 Mine

[Razi]

I think the Sansa players allow for drag and drop, and they play a lot of different formats, you can also pop in a MicroSD card if you need more space.

[TurboSauce]

Aha! Some place where my wisdom can be shared!.
I too, was never a fan of apple products,
1) for their flashy nature, ( all show no go, big ego, and costly)
2) I never wanted to be apart of the crowd.

So I never really looked into any Ipod, and thus NEVER owned an apple product.
But TMS, I think i may have the answer to your problem.
Meet; The Sansa Fuze

( now available in either 4 gig, 8 gig, or 16 gig versions, Don't think that's enough? Fine, you ALWAYS have the option to buy a micro SD card and use that so your memory storage, is endless. )

Now at this point some of you may be skeptical but just look at the facts;
"Capacity Matrix 2GB* 4GB* 8GB*
Hours of Video 6 hours ** 12 hours** 24 hours**
Number of Songs 500** 1000** 2000**
Number of Pictures 1200** 2400** 4800**

Features:

Plays videos, music, photos and audio books*
Digital FM radio
Voice recording with built-in microphone
Bright 1.9" screen
Up to 24 hours for audio playback and 5 hours of video playback with internal rechargeable battery**
microSDTM /microSDHCTM slot for additional content expansion" - Quote from the Sansa website

Now all of those features aren't new, or state of the art but cm'on what more do you need from an MP3 player?
I for one will testify to the Fuze's durability.
You all know i'm a young, mindless teenager, who tends to;
drop his fuze,
spill milk on his fuze,
drop his fuze in soapy water,
step on his fuze, should I really go on?

I have had my Fuze since July 2007. and it's been through hell and it's still here, blasting music daily.

But if all of that ^ doesn't get you to consider the Fuze, here's my final playing card;
In July 2007, I bought my sansa fuze, 4gig, for $75 USD new.
so there you have it; cheap, durable, reliable, and is very user friendly.
( my 50 year old mom who ISN'T tech savy, picked it up in a day )
It literally is just drag and drop.
But if you need any more convincing do a google search.
I hope i help you find what you were looking for.

[TurboSauce]

I think the Sansa players allow for drag and drop, and they play a lot of different formats, you can also pop in a MicroSD card if you need more space.

!

[Razi]

[Jesda]

I like the iPod. The Sansa is a better value for money. The Sansa's buttons are known to quit working, and iPods have their own share of problems.

Sansa arguably has a better headphone amp.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Lies. I drag and drop every single song on my iPod. Syncing is an OPTION that you can turn off. Has every capability of an mp3 player.

You can drag and drop WITHIN ITUNES. You can't just open the device as a removable drive on the PC and drop MP3 files in there. Drag and drop within itunes is better than nothing, but still not as nice as manually managing contents.

[Jesda]

Its easier to sync and maintain a playlist, that way you don't have to worry about duplicates, folder arrangements, or available space. Its the primary reason I switched to iTunes back in 2003.

[Ace2cool]

Actually MoD, you can, you just can't access them as a playlist, lol.
You can only use that functionality as a hard disk drive. You can drag/drop whatever you want in there. Funny story, I had F.E.A.R installed to my old 64GB iPod and played at school, haha.

[themadscientist]

That fuze looks like what I am after. I like the slotradio cards too; I'm lazy.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Its easier to sync and maintain a playlist, that way you don't have to worry about duplicates, folder arrangements, or available space. Its the primary reason I switched to iTunes back in 2003.

I realize that simplicity has its purpose, but that does not invalidate my argument. The oversimplification of the iPod and its iTunes integration can be a bad thing if that's not what you're looking for. I OWN an iPod, and I use iTunes as my main music player on my PCs. But I still wish they were less simple and more functional.

iTunes has certainly improved a lot over the years (especially Windows versions) and I really, really hate WMP, so I tolerate it. But it doesn't do everything I want.

[Jesda]

I guess if you wanted infinite customization of your air/fuel mix, a carburetor gives you more options with fewer technological restrictions than computer-controlled fuel injection, but it doesn't do any good for 95% of end users and adds more complications and headaches than benefits.



There's some third party apps out there that let almost any FAT-based MP3 player sync with iTunes (some free, some not), so you don't have to drag music back and forth like a savage.

Again, be careful with the buttons on the front of the Fuse. They break just like the previous generation iPod click wheels. You don't have to baby it, but don't shove it into your pocket and mash it in there with your car keys. If you clip it to your belt, be careful how you sit.

It depends on your ears, but I think all Sansas have a wider soundstage and better internal amplification. You can't tell with cheap ear buds, but with a nice set of cans the Sansas seem more open and "live." The 5th-gen video iPod probably had the poorest headphone output of all. Of course, on an airplane or in a sports car everything sounds like noise.

I MUST BE ABLE TO DRAG AND DROP MP3s ONTO IT. I DO NOT ACCEPT A PRODUCT THAT IS USELESS WITHOUT SOME SORT OF ONLINE ACCOUNT.

You don't need an online account to use iTunes or Windows Media or any other music organizer. You only need an account to buy music or rent movies.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I guess if you wanted infinite customization of your air/fuel mix, a carburetor gives you more options with fewer technological restrictions than computer-controlled fuel injection, but it doesn't do any good for 95% of end users and adds more complications and headaches than benefits.

That analogy actually seems backward to me. But that's beside the point. I agree with you. I'm just not in that 95% and wanted to make sure that if TMS isn't either, he realizes what he's looking at.

[Jesda]

Yeah I'm with you on that, but he's under the false impression that you have to sign up to use a media manager program.

[marlin29311]

It pains me to say that the iPod is really the best solution right now...becuase I wish it weren't so. I had a Dell DJ for the longest time before my iPods...I loved that thing.

iTunes does not require any account or anything. You can import music from CD's through the internal CD Ripper, or if you have the CD's ripped from an outside source, you can just import them to your library.

You do not have to auto sync an iPod and you can manually manage everything if you choose (I do...I don't put everything in my library onto my iPod). If you want to drag and drop, all you have to do is open iTunes and a Windows exlporer, drag the MP3 from your explorer window, and then drop it on your iPod. Works fantastic.

Plus you get the added benefit of EVERYTHING working with iPods. That's the huge seller.

[Kompresshun]

I refused the buy into the iPod fad for years, I finally gave in when my wife got me one for my birthday in 2007. I've used iTunes for quite some time though,even before I got an iPod, because it just makes music organization MUCH simpler. I have been using my HTC EVO a lot more lately for music, just for the fact that I don't like having to switch it in between cars, but I still use my iPod touch in the Jeep when we go on trips and ect. The iPod has been very reliable, is easy to use, and as it's already said, you don't have to sign up for an account to use iTunes at all. I understand if you prefer to organize things by dragging and dropping into folders, personally that got old real quick for me though. Especially when iTunes automatically takes all of your music, automatically corrects artist names and album info, and organizes everything into folder by artist.

As for a vote for a MP3 player, i'd say Sansa too.

[Ajax]

TMS, you and I are in the same boat. I resisted E-media for a long time too, then got a Sansa Clip+ for Xmas this year. While not the same model mentioned before, I thought I'd weigh in a bit. I never liked the wheel thing for iPods, but I like the buttons on the Clip+. I've been using it nearly constantly since I got it, and I don't really see how the buttons could break- treat it the same as a portable CD player and I think you'll be fine. I also really like the equalizer- I'm never happy with the sound presets, so having a customizable equalizer is a big plus.
However, I have had the player malfunction a few times. Each time, I just needed to reset by holding the power button for 20 seconds, and then it works again. It is annoying, but it doesn't happen too often (maybe 3 times since I started using it?). Battery lasts @6-7 hours constant use, I'd guess. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I would definitely go with the Ipod. It's super easy to get it set up so it's drag and drop. I haven't bought anything from Itunes in YEARS.

And if you have any sort of mid range aftermarket deck it'll sync with it and you can use the deck as if it is an Ipod. If that makes sense. Alpine does a good job with that.

And without a doubt it's the most user friendly device. I've had Samsung MP3s, and other brands and they're honestly not even close to as good.

[breadbox]

My MP3 Player. Good luck finding one that works.

iRiver Hp120 Multi-codec jukebox. USB1 and 2 compatible. I run Rockbox version 6

I have never found a better MP3 player since I have owned one in 2004. I've had 80GB ipod video and a 30GB zune both use stupid software.

At least mine plays OGG out of the box. Do other players even do that today, without hacking?

[Jesda]

I had the same iRiver! Also ran Rockbox. Lots of cool but completely useless features (like a text editor wtf). I enjoyed the additional EQ settings.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I own both the Sansa Fuze, and an Ipod Nano 5th gen (with video and video camera).

I got the the Sansa (8GB) for fifty bucks from tiger direct... the Ipod cost $175ish. I'd much rather have 3 sansa's than 1 Ipod. The sansa generally goes with me while the Ipod usually just stays plugged into some Ipod dock somewhere (garage duty right now).

IMO the ONLY thing better about the Ipod is the infrastructure set up around it. You can buy a stereo system with an Ipod dock, and a remote that works with your ipod. Most aftermarket stereos are set up for "ipod compatibility". The one I just bought DOES work with my Sansa, but for some reason it only plays stuff that is in my voice recorded folder.
This is not a big deal, cos you can just drag and drop whatever the f you want into that folder and play it.

I VOTE SANSA!

[breadbox]

I had the same iRiver! Also ran Rockbox. Lots of cool but completely useless features (like a text editor wtf). I enjoyed the additional EQ settings.

But out of the box without rock box it had sound recording and radio.

My rock Box has a ton of stuff I don't use and games like blackjack and Robotfindkitten.

The fact is, it still works better than an ipod or zune does.

[Jesda]

I wouldn't say "better" as the UI with or without Rockbox was cumbersome, but it sure as hell did a lot of neat things.

[breadbox]

at the time ipods came out the iriver was dimension wise bigger but like half the weight, not to mention the remote line.

How is more supported formats, am/fm radio tuner, real time audio recorder, without any needed software not better than an ipod?

From release it was better, I can play vids on mine and the only thing is it has a two tone screen.

Can ipods be used as portable HDDs?