mp3 players

[dpac 0]

Sorry if this has been discussed here before, but I didn't see anything so I just had a couple questions. I am looking in to purchasing an mp3 player and I was looking to get some advice on what is best. I am looking for something that will play all of the old mps I have on my comp (was told that ipod will only play itunes) as well any other type of mp3 I may get off the net (yahoo music, napster, ect. ) Any help is much appreciated.

[Fökai 0]

I am looking for something that will play all of the old mps I have on my comp (was told that ipod will only play itunes)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

iTunes is the program. I've used the program for years (both Mac and PC) before I picked up an iPod, and it has the easiest interface of all music programs that I've used. The reviews speak for itself.

 

To upload music to an iPod, you use iTunes to send the music over. As long as your songs are on the iTunes playlist (which is easy as clicking "Add file to library"), then the song is able to be transferred over. This whole uploading process takes seconds, even for a few hundred songs. All that's stopping you from this quick method is your level of anal retentiveness about how the songs show up on your iPod (wrong artist names, no artist names), which is simple as renaming the playlist screen, not the files itself.

 

(yahoo music, napster, ect. )

 

Napster files may be copy-protected and unable to be used on iPods. The same goes with Rhapsody files (this one I know for sure). The iTunes Music Store allows you to purchase any songs too, but the files are limited to five (5) authorized computers ("authorized" means that your account information is stored on that specific computer) and any iPods that will be used with those computers.

 

 

EDIT: As for I'd suggest you pick up, make it an iPod, based on your tastes (video/photo support) and the amount of music you may have.

[iliketurtles 0]

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[Sideburnious 0]

Personally I got an RCA player off ebay. It worked out at about €150 including postage and packaging and it was 20gigs. The sound quality is good and if your not going to be overly critical on it (it took 2 seconds to scroll to the end of the list, outrage!! *snort*) the price for size of space and quality would be hard to beat. Its also uses windows explorer to move songs across.

[dpac 0]

Well I am still undecided, IPod also has alot of nice accesories. That RCA player might be something to look at as well.

[iliketurtles 0]

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[Fökai 0]

What's the difference with the IPod Shuffle? I'd prefer to just use my own MP3s and not have to fork over money for all the ITunes stuff.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing, and you can use your own mp3's.

 

Purchasing music from the iTunes store simply gets it at a higher lossless quality.

[iliketurtles 0]

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[bobobrazil1984 0]

As far as user interfaces go, I dont think anything beats Apple's scroll wheel and menu interface for useability. The autosync feature is also wonderful (if you have the space for it). iTunes is ok as a management program though occasionally a bit clunky. iPods plays mp3s just fine, the majority of my music is mp3.

 

If you require more extra features though, iRiver really likes to fill their players with lots of doodads. They exist more for advanced heavy duty users, who like shitloads of space and tons of options, and don tcare about being idiot-proof. I hear good things about their players.

 

I'd avoid Rio like the plague. Maybe even Creative, though just as many have good than have bad experiences with them. I'm not a big fan though.

 

My friend has a Dell DJ and its pretty good. Seems to do its job though its interface still isn't as good as iPod its still pretty easy to use. not a bad alternative, especially if you're one of those "i hate ipod cause its trendy!!!" people, but really while holding it it just felt like it was trying to be an ipod without being one.