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[Reccomend On] shnazzy MP3 players
TehSloth
Hit Or MissI Guess They Never Miss, HuhRegistered User regular
Hit Or MissI Guess They Never Miss, HuhRegistered User regular
So, I've been looking at new mp3 players. Small isn't really a big deal, I'm more than happy to deal with something big and ostentatious as I almost always have either a jacket with massive inside pockets or my messenger bag with me when I would be listening to music, or using any other nifty features.. I'm looking for something with a lot of space, the only real MP3 players I've had other than using a phone (which I currently use and DESPISE, primarily because of the abysmal software) was an iRiver H340 which I loved the heck out of, but is now a paperweight. Before that was an Archos Jukebox Multimedia 20, which I was also quite fond of, especially those rugged if not overwhelmingly large rubberized corners.
Video playback is a huge plus because having something ambient to glance at and listen to while working would be nice since I currently have a pretty boring office with nothing but a couple empty bookshelves (except for a box of fruity pebbles) and a few work related posters which are apparently too heavy to be hung without tearing down all the adhesive I have along with the paint. Wi-fi would also be nice to kill time on campus, and for when the urge overcomes me to look something up and I'm downstairs nowhere near my computer.
I've currently got my eye on the Archos 5, I saw one on display when I went down to circuit city to see if they were liquidating anything good. My roommate has a 605w which is pretty cool except for a couple big things, although I've got him updating his firmware now (which he hasn't done since he got the thing about a year ago), and I'll play around with it a bit to see how I feel. I've messed with it a little and thought it was pretty decent but there were issues he brought to my attention which really hurt, such as not being able to do anything while listening to music. Also some of the addons appeal to me and I'd be willing to shell out some extra cash for things like the HD DVR dock and the GPS thingamajig if they were to become available.
I've also considered the iPod Touch, although I kinda feel like it's really lacking in space for it's pricepoint. I'm hoping there are options I haven't really looked into, but the way I feel right now is that if I get the iPod, I'll be spending a lot of money on a great gadget with subpar capacity, and if I go with the Archos, I'll be spending just as much money on a larger capacity player with significantly less functionality.
Video playback is a huge plus because having something ambient to glance at and listen to while working would be nice since I currently have a pretty boring office with nothing but a couple empty bookshelves (except for a box of fruity pebbles) and a few work related posters which are apparently too heavy to be hung without tearing down all the adhesive I have along with the paint. Wi-fi would also be nice to kill time on campus, and for when the urge overcomes me to look something up and I'm downstairs nowhere near my computer.
I've currently got my eye on the Archos 5, I saw one on display when I went down to circuit city to see if they were liquidating anything good. My roommate has a 605w which is pretty cool except for a couple big things, although I've got him updating his firmware now (which he hasn't done since he got the thing about a year ago), and I'll play around with it a bit to see how I feel. I've messed with it a little and thought it was pretty decent but there were issues he brought to my attention which really hurt, such as not being able to do anything while listening to music. Also some of the addons appeal to me and I'd be willing to shell out some extra cash for things like the HD DVR dock and the GPS thingamajig if they were to become available.
I've also considered the iPod Touch, although I kinda feel like it's really lacking in space for it's pricepoint. I'm hoping there are options I haven't really looked into, but the way I feel right now is that if I get the iPod, I'll be spending a lot of money on a great gadget with subpar capacity, and if I go with the Archos, I'll be spending just as much money on a larger capacity player with significantly less functionality.
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Yeah, I haven't really looked into them much, although I should. Is it synced and managed or drag and drop for files, can't really stand the former and I've baselessly assumed that's how the zune operated, although I could probably deal with it anyway.
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I have a zune, and you're asking if you can basically manage your music yourself, rather than having it all synched automatically, right? Because I know I remember seeing a setting in the options that had a checkbox and next to it "Let me manage music," or something similar.
But as far as the hardware, I love it. It's been a great mp3 player for me. No problems at all.
Yeah, I mostly don't wanna have to bother with some weird software for putting music on and off it.
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What the fuck is an iTouch?
The iPod Touch is a great device, but you can't look at it on music and video playback alone. To compare it to other Portable Media Players you have to consider all the utilities built in, plus the app store and wi-fi capabilities.
It's more akin to a PSP than anything.
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Otherwise, if you don't want to deal with Zune software or iTunes, your best bet is looking at an Archos player.
They're very well made (glass screens still haven't caught on completely), and have a reputation for being robust. Yo do have to use the Zune software--unfortunately, we've come to the point where almost all high-capacity portable media players require their own proprietary software. The Zune software does allow you to turn off automatic syncing if you're so inclined.
Lets say you have music. Put it into your my music folder in windows and it will recognize it and pull it into your software collection to be synched to your zune. If you want something to NOT be synched, like a file in particular, just right click and remove it from the collection from within the software. If you want it to NEVER do anything automatic, there are settings for those too.
It's a really nifty and fairly well layed out program and much better than itunes in actual functionality and ease of use. It is required though to use your zune, or at least, use it to any worthwhile potential, but once you toy with it for a bit, you shouldn't have any issues. It isn't some bloat piece of software that suddenly eats up all your cpu and ram usage either...
So while it is a software you will have to use, it really isn't 'weird' or scary or anything...
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This. If all you are primarily interested in is music and movies, then a Zune is a great idea. However, the app store is awesome. SimCity and Tower Defense on your MP3 player ftw.
On the flip side, if you listen to a lot of audiobooks, many sites (like my library) have lots of WMA files and only a few MP3 files. So Zune makes some more sense there. But either way, you'll enjoy it.
This is important, actually: with an iPod (non-Touch) you are strongly encouraged to use iTunes but alternatives do exist, whereas with a Zune you need to use the Zune software (which makes you hosed if you're not running Windows, for instance).
The only exception to this that I can think of is that if you're big into buying TV/Movies off the iTunes store. Music not so much anymore because the Zune can play the un-DRM'd AAC files from iTunes now.
Perhaps I've missed a clarification somewhere, but wouldn't this line alone state that flash players like the iPod Touch are immediately disqualified? I wouldn't consider any of them as having "a lot of space" compared to the capacity of 80-120GB players.
If you can stand having to use the Zune Marketplace or wish to enjoy the benefits of the Zune Pass, go for the Zune120. It's an excellent piece of hardware and the Zune Pass is awesome if you like a lot of music.
If you don't have Windows, don't want a Zune Pass, or something else that disqualifies the Zune, go for the Archos 605 or 705. They have Wifi and large displays for videos, and you can get them with up to 160GB of storage. That's "a lot of space".
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"Hah! Oh and I forgot, check it, my iphone has a lighter. Look the flame actually moves around. Cool huh?"
Btw, all the people I know who love their iphones brag about the stupid commonplace apps. Nothing cool or original... no they want to play texas holdem, not Zen Bound (Aka Zen Bondage)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRVN0mfV7MA
But if you've already got a cell phone that works great (like me, with my trusty Razr) why spend $70 a month for stuff you may not even use?)
That's roughly $1700 over two years to own an iPhone. No thanks.
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But if you're looking at highend device, that's probably not something you could do, but man - it sure spices up an ipod.
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Stanza (ebook reader with Sherlock Holmes stories--great when waiting for bus, etc)
Pandora
Last.FM
SimplifyMedia (streams songs over WiFi to my iPod--kinda glitchy though)
Twitterific
Flixster (movie showtimes)
Also, with a Mac with iCal, the calendar on it is a godsend for otherwise unorganized folk like yours truly. With regards to games, I've just never really wanted to put any on.
EDIT: iPhone supposedly plays nice with Google Cal as well (I dont have it though)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMtMHXSWIHw
Someone let me algorhythm (steve_0990) into the PA Steam group
If you're looking for a nice smartphone that also makes a nice media player and a nice portable web device and a nice portable game machine, it's tough to go wrong with the iphone. But if you're looking for something that's the best at one of those things, I'd probably look elsewhere.
Or, alternately, he could just get an iPod touch and not huck $50+/month at AT&T (or whatever service provider the iPhone uses). He wants a music player / video watcher... I assume the Touch is more fine-tuned for these uses.
Could be wrong I guess, never used one.
Though I gotta agree about the App thing. I don't see the harm in having tons of superfluous applications choking up the app store. Don't like it, don't download it, simple.
Anyway, here's a wiki link with comparisons of portable media players.
My personal recommendation is a Zune, especially if you can also spring for a Zune Pass. It goes from being basically an iPod+ to something a hundred times more fuckawesome if you have one. That being said, the iPods have an advantage in the sense that you can use non-iTunes apps to put music on it.
That's not to say the Zune Software sucks or anything (I use it as my primary player, actually), but it's shitty being locked into something.
Also, according to that Wiki Page, the Cowons (sp? Too lazy to look again) seem to be pretty cool, as long as you don't mind a hefty media player. From the sounds of it, it may be more up your alley, since the impression I get is that they support drag n' drop, instead of needing some extra application running to put things on your music player.
*Edited for lack of fact checking.
also cynic you are a butt, apps are awesome
Okay I tried my friend's iphone for a while which he has a few books on.
The fucking thing was burning my retinas...
Related to that is that an iPod can be used with operating systems that aren't made by Microsoft. That is all that's needed to keep me from buying a Zune.
This is because the Zune software is actually basically an extension/expansion of the basic Microsoft media player.
Still though, even though it is limited to only windows, I think Zune is easily one of the best media playing/management/purchasing program to date. The only genuine problems are that it isn't very customizable(I mean apart from the content you fill it with) and that it is not multiplatform.
The only reason why you "need" the Zune software is because Microsoft changed the MTP protocol (used by a sizable number of other devices and also related to the PTP used by digital cameras) in a manner that broke compatibility with other software that supports MTP. Microsoft's little variant is known as MTPZ. There's some authentication crap they added that is basically the only reason why you can't use other software to move media to the Zune. It's possible to read and copy files off of it, but not put music/videos on it.
turn down the brightness maybe
This is what I use.. The Sansa Clip is awesome, though only available in less that 4 gb style. It is, however, built like a tank.
Currently, I use the Sansa c240 with a 8gb SD card in it. That cheapest high-capacity player I've had.
Also rockboxable for video playback, DOOM, most if not all audio formats and bookmarkable audio for audiobooks.
Also, can be synced in a number of ways.
Doesn't seem like a lot, but I'm not one to watch movies on a screen smaller than 10 inches.
It's still not something meant to sit there for an hour or so reading an epic tale... Hence the kindle. A bigger and easier on the eyes screen makes all the difference.
My ipaq, unfortunately, had a problem with being used to read books in the tub.
Umm... because you are a physician, and you have been waiting for a radiologist to get back to you ASAP with results so you can call a patient and tell them that they are okay or need to come in for treatment... but you also have a life, and can be out to dinner with your wife when the news arrives?
Mobile Medical Record tech is fucking awesome. Modern doctors not enslaved to the dogmatic paper chart think its awesome. Obama thinks its awesome. You should too, even if you PERSONALLY never need to use it.
edit: I should mention that the spread to zoom multitouch function makes the smallish screen far more capable of handling an MRI than any other smartphone on the market... at least until the Pre comes out, and only if medical software companies flock to it as well.
Let's play Mario Kart or something...
i have no problem reading books on my ipod touch, i actually prefer it to normal books
i'm not sure what your problem is, you can zoom in on the words, or hold it closer to your face