Mp3 player : Clash of titans

Elfman

OK so my oul pair have agreed to spring for a mp3 player in teh new year.

basically i want a 20GB with good easy to use menu system and good sorting software.

I'm stuck between the i river , the creastive zen and the creative micro any call suggestions , or point either way wud be great

(Sorry but ne1 says i pod or nano .... i just couldn't ok i just couldnt).

Chad ghostal

I got the sony NW-A3000 and i realise this probably wasn't an option for you,
but i just figured i'd put in a warning...
the supporting software is shocking, I really like the player, it's battery life and audio quality, but the annoyances with the s/w would really make me think twice about getting one.. even now it's been patched it still slow as feck :mad:

Archytas

Had a creative zen for over a year now. Quality. My bro got the sleek one and it has a very good interface.

I'm a big fan of creative cos they have excellent customer care! Really first class. They really couldn't have been nicer, when I had to go to them over hard disk failure that was my fault. Replaced it in a couple of days!

p.s.... isn't the micro only a six gb player.

Kintarō Hattori

Please please don't buy a Creative. Their hard drive based players suck, while their flash drive players are rock solid. I sell MP3 players on a daily basis and the return rate on Creative's hard drive based players is shocking. Huge numbers of them come back with various faults. You mentioned that you were thinking about the iRiver. Having had one myself after FOUR daulty Zen's that's the one I'd go for. I never had any problems with mine, a quality piece of kit. I would though propose to you another possibilty, and that's the iAudio players. They are excellent players with superb functionality, well put together and excellent sound quality. I just bought an A2 myself and it's superb!

thejovialhost

Well i've nothing against zen as i hear they are quite good but i have an archos gmini and its GREAT.
The fantastic thing about it is there is NO, i repeat NO, propriety software-it's simple drag and drop to put music and even videos on to the machine. It's 20GB and a bargain at around €300 through Komplett or if you don't fancy buying it online, try dixons or currys perhaps. I've the older version Gmini 400 but the new Gmini 4002 is just as good! Sounds and looks great to boot!
In my opinion 'tis in with a shout or look in this titanic clash!:D

Matthewthebig

Chad ghostal wrote:

I got the sony NW-A3000 and i realise this probably wasn't an option for you,
but i just figured i'd put in a warning...
the supporting software is shocking, I really like the player, it's battery life and audio quality, but the annoyances with the s/w would really make me think twice about getting one.. even now it's been patched it still slow as feck :mad:

Sonic Stage is the DEVIL

Atlas_IRL

thejovialhost wrote:

Well i've nothing against zen as i hear they are quite good but i have an archos gmini and its GREAT.
The fantastic thing about it is there is NO, i repeat NO, propriety software-it's simple drag and drop to put music and even videos on to the machine. It's 20GB and a bargain at around €300 through Komplett or if you don't fancy buying it online, try dixons or currys perhaps. I've the older version Gmini 400 but the new Gmini 4002 is just as good! Sounds and looks great to boot!
In my opinion 'tis in with a shout or look in this titanic clash!:D

ive the exact same there great my mate even got one... they have released a gmini 402 camcorder which looks cool as well...

thejovialhost

Bit pricey though for the camcorder one-about €60 or so quid extra and the camera is only 1.3M AFAIK...not worth it. But the regular Gmini 402s a steal for around €300

Chad ghostal

Matthewthebig wrote:

Sonic Stage is the DEVIL

it's bad .. but the new "Connect" software is far worse,
Far far slower and buggier...

Atlas_IRL

i was away when the 402 came out... what is the difference between the 400 and the 402?

Peteee

Chad ghostal wrote:

it's bad .. but the new "Connect" software is far worse,
Far far slower and buggier...

Agreed it's hideous. Apparently whole new software is in the works for release Q1 2006

http://engadget.com/2005/09/08/the-latest-chapter-in-sonys-sea-change-sonicstage-dies/

Course chances are it'll be as bad, but still......

MrNiceyNice

Chad ghostal wrote:

I got the sony NW-A3000 and i realise this probably wasn't an option for you,
but i just figured i'd put in a warning...
the supporting software is shocking, I really like the player, it's battery life and audio quality, but the annoyances with the s/w would really make me think twice about getting one.. even now it's been patched it still slow as feck :mad:

totally agree, the Connect software is killing my machine. As i'm totally new to mp3's does anyone know if limewire software can be used with the sony nw a3000???? advice appreciated

astec123

Creatives are plagued with problems. However the H320s are currently looking to have many new features implemented as you will hear on www.misticriver.net and www.rockbox.org the H300s are the best player by iriver at the moment.

Other players to consider are the Cowon iAudio range of players www.amp3.co.uk sells them dont know anywhere in Ireland that has them. All in all the best to DAP companies are iRiver and iAudio by far. If you want a PVP then look to Archos.

As for the ipod comment, good on you, you have managed to avoid the marketing. You wont be wrong to get a H320 or x5 or better still and x5l (longer battery life for very little extra cash). As I said avoid the creatives, most people have problems with them as they are not as hardy as some make them out to be.

Malafus

Hmm, I'm using a Creative Zen Micro (and they only go up to 8GB, btw, and that would be the 'photo' model), and while yes, I have had an issue with it (the headphone jack died), Creative replaced it within a week, and actually gave me a bigger one back (6GB as opposed to 5). The jack seems a lot more solid in this one, so hopefully it won't die next month (at which point my warranty is gone).

I'm quite fond of the Sony players, but certainly not the software... SonicStage is the devil, although MediaSource(Creative) can be nearly as bad.

I have no experience with the iRiver or iAudio, but have heard naught but good things about them.

astec123

Forgot to mention that about the creatives, they go kaput easy but creative are by far and above the best company for warranty repairs and replacement, and if you make a fuss with any of the other big 3 cowon, iriver or creative you often will get something made back up to you.

Crucifix

I picked up a Zen sleek a few months ago and I'm very happy with it.

scribs

Am getting a Cowan iaudio 30Gig x5l in the new year myself has everything you need and has been getting good reviews.
You can have a play with it in the laptop shop in Stephens Green. Personally Ill probably buy it online - Cheaper.

My brother got a 30 gig video Ipod for Christmas. The cheek of Apple they expect you to pay for quicktime pro 7 so that you can convert your videos to an ipod format.

Sauron

scribs wrote:

The cheek of Apple they expect you to pay for quicktime pro 7 so that you can convert your videos to an ipod format.

There is plenty of free 3rd party software out there that does the job. I wouldn't be too bothered.

BopNiblets

Did the Sony NW-A*000 series replace the NW-HD3 and NW-HD5?
Cos they looked impressive with 40 hours battery life.

muffin_man

Elfman wrote:

(Sorry but ne1 says i pod or nano .... i just couldn't ok i just couldnt).

What is with all the negative vibes about the ipod! I have a 3rd gen ipod now for 2 and a half years and it's fantastic. Upgrading to the ipod video now real soon. They're fantastic pieces of tech and I don't know any other mp3 player that has the same capacity to size ratio, simple software (itunes), photo support and now video support!!! They aren't even expensive! Am I missing something here?

Waltons

The iRiver H300 series has had photo and video support for a long while now, the drag and drop file option is insanely easy to use and they're constantly bringing out new upgrades as someone said above. Hell, you can even get a new operating system if you don't like the one that comes with it.

TempestSabre

muffin_man wrote:

What is with all the negative vibes about the ipod! I have a 3rd gen ipod now for 2 and a half years and it's fantastic. Upgrading to the ipod video now real soon. They're fantastic pieces of tech and I don't know any other mp3 player that has the same capacity to size ratio, simple software (itunes), photo support and now video support!!! They aren't even expensive! Am I missing something here?

Compare the same track same bitrate with the same earphones between an iPod and say a Creative Player. That will answer all your questions. The 5G is a lot better but all the earlier ones don't sound that great. Unless you use the lineout anyway. Creative plagued with problems? Other than the headphone socket issue, what problems? Best sound quality IMO. iRivers and Cowons are decent but returns are not easy as with creative.

TBH all these players are quite different. Cowonand iRivers use file tree navigations. The rest use tags. Thats a big difference. iPods playlists are the best, as is the snyc with iTunes. Creative sound the best. Sony are good but the software is dire. Any player that uses online stores has DRM.

Best working out what your priorities are then buying the player that is the closest to them. No player is perfect, they all have some compromise or other.Theres no black and white answer to which one is best.

Goodshape

muffin_man wrote:

Am I missing something here?

Marketing backlash. IPod's are getting better and better, but they're still not the best player out there -- only the most known (by a long shot).

In my opinion, if you're going to spend that much money on a superfluous audio device, you may as well do your research. And research suggests that there's no real point in buying an iPod (unless your overly style-concious).

TempestSabre

Goodshape wrote:

Marketing backlash. IPod's are getting better and better, but they're still not the best player out there -- only the most known (by a long shot).

In my opinion, if you're going to spend that much money on a superfluous audio device, you may as well do your research. And research suggests that there's no real point in buying an iPod (unless your overly style-concious).

....Or (if you do your research) it has the best line out if you want it to feed an amp. Wireless remote to a dock and plug it through your hifi.

Sauron

Waltons wrote:

The iRiver H300 series has had photo and video support for a long while now, the drag and drop file option is insanely easy to use and they're constantly bringing out new upgrades as someone said above. Hell, you can even get a new operating system if you don't like the one that comes with it.

A few players now have video suport but in fairness none currently match the ipod for frame rate or screen size, though the codec support on the upcoming creative vision sounds nice. It is a huge fashion accessory though, for a lot of people it wasn't about getting an mp3 player, it was just about getting an ipod, as if they were the only player out there and a lot of people hate them because of that. It's usually the player people who don't know anything just go out and get.

I don't mind them tbh, they're not the best but I like them because of their nice interface and playlist functions. Also because I have been using itunes for a long time now even before getting one. Also the price issue wasn't so bad because I got mine in America, so they were much cheaper than any player here and I got an extra 10GB.

Did the Sony NW-A*000 series replace the NW-HD3 and NW-HD5?
Cos they looked impressive with 40 hours battery life.

Yeah they did, they look nice enough but the software hasn't improved much. They also don't have the removable battery ability anymore which is a bit of a step back. I considered getting one for a while but the software issues discouraged me.

TempestSabre

How many people buy a 2nd battery?

Sauron

^^

evidently a few, as plenty of people complained about it. It's not a defining feature, and it's not completely about buying a second one; but it makes replacing it easier and it's a nice feature to have rather than not have.

magick

iriver h300

muffin_man

I used to have a creative DAP Jukebox which I hated! It had great capacity at the time but the battery life (4 AA) was about an hour!! It was huge and heavy too. I guess it just put me off Creative for good. My ipod replaced it and I haven't looked back since! I appreciate that there may be superior players than the ipod but I'm gona stick with what I know.

Pa ElGrande

I have the iRiver H320 at the moment, its a good player, but the battery life is not great.
I did have the chance to try the Cowon iAUDIO X5L over Christmas and in my opinion its the best on the market at the moment.
Search Komplett.ie for it.

Some + points

Its solid & slim (compared with the iriver H320)
Its got long battery life. (A huge +)
It plays a wide variety of audio formats including OGG & FLAC.
You can listen and record from FM radio.
You can use it a a dictaphone.
You can use it to watch videos, look at photos, text files.
Since its a USB/Hard disk combo, you can use it with both MAC OSX and Linux.

elexes

i recently bought a sony mp3 player ill find the model number later

ive found it very good . ive only plugged it into the computer to move stuff across once and i have to say its not given me any probloms at all

i also know people with ipods . there all fine imo they do the job perfectly well

i wouldnt buy one but thats just me

chrislad

I'm shocked to see such bad opinions of the Creative. I had a Zen Touch 20gig for a year, and I had no problems with it at all. I was giving it good use as I was working 12 hour shifts in Dell and I had it playing for that length. The only reason I don't have it now is because my mother needed it for her shop, and she's it on all day (9.30 to 5.30) for the last 3 months and she's had no problems so far. It's getting a lot of continuous use, and it's still going strong.

The software is also piss easy to use. Drag, drop. That's it. It's only annoying if you don't have ID tags set up.

conzy

I have a solid state Creative and its great, in-line recording, fm radio, fm recording, dictaphone, battery last around 24hours...............

And Creative probably have the biggest audio background out of all the manafacturers. soundblaster........

Oh yeah and drag and drop too, better than any software:)

Civilian_Target

My recommendations, as someone who has broken a variety of MP3 players in my time would be either:

1) Rio Karma (if you can find one)
2) Cowon iAudio X5
3) New iPod