Seeking MP3 player advice

[Ringr]

Hey guys,

Before I go on a somewhat-long vacation I'd like to get an MP3 player. I can't believe I've still never owned one in my life, everyone I see of all ages has one wherever I go. My main problem is that there are so many different kinds of MP3 players out there, I simply don't know what kind to get. There's the mainstream ones like the iPod and the Zune, and then there's the semi-popular brands like Creative Labs and iRiver.

Without further delay, can you guys personally recommend any good quality MP3 players to me?

Here are some features that are important to me:

• 30GB storage minimum (preferably 60GB)
• Video, picture support
• Some type of wifi/online connectivity if possible
• Built in radio or FM tuner
• A/V out (ie. sending media from the MP3 player to a TV)
• Upgradeable firmware
• MSRP of $300 USD or less

I don't know if there an MP3 player that has ALL of those functions (except maybe the Zune) but as many of those features as possible would work if all of them weren't available.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you,
Andrew

 

[vslevin]

Hey guys,

Before I go on a somewhat-long vacation I'd like to get an MP3 player. I can't believe I've still never owned one in my life, everyone I see of all ages has one wherever I go. My main problem is that there are so many different kinds of MP3 players out there, I simply don't know what kind to get. There's the mainstream ones like the iPod and the Zune, and then there's the semi-popular brands like Creative Labs and iRiver.

Without further delay, can you guys personally recommend any good quality MP3 players to me?

Here are some features that are important to me:

• 30GB storage minimum (preferably 60GB)
• Video, picture support
• Some type of wifi/online connectivity if possible
• Built in radio or FM tuner
• A/V out (ie. sending media from the MP3 player to a TV)
• Upgradeable firmware
• MSRP of $300 USD or less

I don't know if there an MP3 player that has ALL of those functions (except maybe the Zune) but as many of those features as possible would work if all of them weren't available.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you,
Andrew

I wouldn't consider the Zune mainstream. It has Microsoft behind it, but its doing terribly. I have a Creative Zen Vision:M, and I love it. I believe that it easily outsells the Zune.

There is a 30GB and a 60GB version. It plays videos, pictures, it has a FM tuner with a recorder, you can buy an AV cable (I don't think that any MP3 players ship with one), and upgradeable firmware. The 30GB that I have costs $199.99 at Amazon, and the 60GB costs $269.99 at Amazon. I would highly recommend it.

And on a side not, the Zune is WiFi enabled, but all it is capable of is sharing music with other Zunes, which there are very few of. No internet or online store connectivity.

The AV cable costs $15 at Amazon for the Zen, but you can pick one up on eBay for less.

 

[jnadel]

It may not meet all of your requirements, but I simply have to recommend the iPod. Some other players may be better; however, nothing can compete the the integration of the iPod and iTunes.

Yea, if you can't tell...I kind of like Apple. lol.

I personally have the iPod 30gb which I like very much. However, if you're looking for something smaller, I'd say go for the nano. Everything works great on it, but it doesn't have video.

-Jeff


-----------
P.S. Brown zune? eww. :hehe: :hehe:

 

[vslevin]

nothing can compete the the integration of the iPod and iTunes.

I have to disagree. My Zen syncs with Napster To Go, as well as any PlaysForSure service, and its is flawless. Subscription services are real nice, and the iPod doesn't support any. It also syncs very well with WMP 11.

I'd actually consider the iPod-iTunes integration a con as opposed to a pro.

 

[_FLIP_]

If it is just for personal use then should choose the semi-popular brands.

If you are going to be listening to music in public and want to look a little flashy then go ahead and buy a video ipod. The newest is a 80gb, but it will cost over $300. If you just need 60gb then just get the 60gb ipod.

 

[champ_rock]

ipod fan here.. i would recommend go for a video ipod of 60gb.. believe me its worth it

sorry cant comment on zune as antimicrosoft here

 

[Fkrule]

i pods are a rip of its just the brand name go for the creative i reccommend it

 

[netzilla]

I would say the IPOD would be my first choice. But Creative is making some nice ones too! If you are looking for an inexpensive models Insignia has a Video/PIC/MP3 player for around $120. Good luck!

 

[Jim_]

My vote goes for the Creative Labs Zen Vision:M

 

[Sabre]

IPods are simply sold on their brand name, the Creative Zen is a far better MP3 player.

It's really a choice of looks and image VS reliability and price; I'd have to say that the latter is the better choice IMO.

Hope you can find the right MP3 player for you :tu:

 

[lpxxfaintxx]

I wouldn't consider the Zune mainstream. It has Microsoft behind it, but its doing terribly. I have a Creative Zen Vision:M, and I love it. I believe that it easily outsells the Zune.

There is a 30GB and a 60GB version. It plays videos, pictures, it has a FM tuner with a recorder, you can buy an AV cable (I don't think that any MP3 players ship with one), and upgradeable firmware. The 30GB that I have costs $199.99 at Amazon, and the 60GB costs $269.99 at Amazon. I would highly recommend it.

And on a side not, the Zune is WiFi enabled, but all it is capable of is sharing music with other Zunes, which there are very few of. No internet or online store connectivity.

The AV cable costs $15 at Amazon for the Zen, but you can pick one up on eBay for less.

Totally wrong. Please research before you actually post.

Breakdown of 30GB DAP's

#1 selling = iPods
#2 selling = Zune
#3 selling = Sansa
#4 selling = Creative & others

I have a Zune and I love it. There are some downsides though.

Pros

• A beatiful 3.0 inch screen that even iFanBoys can't deny.
• Great video playback.
• WiFi, with upgradeable firmware. Microsoft promised new features and new firmware updates, so I'm counting on them. The potential is great.
• Scratch resistant. I've had my zune for more than 3 months, and still not a single scratch.
• Great accessories.
• Subscription service for the Zune Marketplace.

Cons

• Not a lot of codecs supported
• Works only on Windows
• WiFi not opened to it's potential... yet.
• Some users have installation problems with the zune software. I suggest downloading the software first, and see if it successfully installs.

Check out 30+ real, human, reviews here: http://www.zuneboards.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,28/board,44.0

 

[jeter4982]

I personally own an iPod and couldn't be happier, but I have to admit that I don't really have that much experience with the other MP3 players. From what I am have seen though, I don't really like the interface of the Creative or Zune players, but that is more of a personal preference than anything else. My recommendation is to go to a local store, that has an iPod, Zune, and Creative and play around with them a little bit. Feature wise they are all basically the same - it is just a question of personal opinion on things like interface. Best of luck!

Tom

 

[vslevin]

And don't tell me that I'm wrong without backing it up. I did check on Amazon, and the Zen is ranked far higher in sales than the Zune.

Based on Amazon:
1. 30GB iPod video
2. 80GB iPod video
3. 2GB iPod Nano
4. 8GB iPod Nano
5. iPod Shuffle
6. 4GB Sandisk Sansa
7. 512MB Sandisk Sansa
8. 2GB Sandisk Sansa
9. 30GB Creative Zen Vision:M
10. 4GB iPod Nano
many variations of the iPod in between
15. 30GB Zune

The Zune is doing just terrible!

I invite you to prove me wrong.

And I agree with jnadel: A brown Zune :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

 

[PolurNET]

I have a 512MB Sansa, only because it was on special :red: It doesn't have the capability of making custom playlists... but according to the posts above though, it seems to be popular with users!

 

[deleted984054565403]

I'd try a reconditioned iPod for cheap from Apple, or a Sansa for the price.

I had a Creative Zen 20 GB MP3 player, and a 30 GB iPod, and I'd take the iPod anyday. It's more portable, has more support in terms of addons, and great integration with your PC. I regularly use the A/V out to watch video or listen to music (doing that right now) on my TV or sound system. You can pick up a reconditioned white 30 GB from the Apple Store for $179 shipped. That's what I did last October, and it's had no problems -- hasn't crashed once with daily, regular use.

Good luck with your search! :tu:

 

[vslevin]

I'll add that I used to have an iPod, and would never go back. And since you want video, the screen on the Zen flat out makes the iPod look silly. I think about 4x as many colors.

See: http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=31530

We have to object about the Ipod's screen. Well, it's OK until you see the Zen Vision M. Up against that, the iPod's colours seem washed out - the picture is pale. The Zen vision M clearly has a superior display.

We found that the Zen Vision M has a better TV out. It is just crystal clear, easy to use and gives you an unbelievably great picture.

When it comes to the video features, such as picture quality, video out or video battery life Creative Labs' Zen Vision M clearly wins against the Apple Ipod. It is simply more functional and the battery in video mode will last longer. The Ipod can play music files a little bit longer but I would still make the choice of a video player on a video features rather than on music ones. If you only care about music and not about the video maybe you should go for some MP3 player rather than Video and MP3 player.

Overall, the Zen Vision M is the better choice as it has by far that best video that we seen so far. I love Zen Video M video out as it will let you put your movies in your pocket as you wander around to your friends place. The choice is, as always, just yours, but some of these fuzzy pictures might help you decide.

 

[peaches017]

I have a 60 GB Zen Vision W and am VERY satisfied with it.

 

[lpxxfaintxx]

And don't tell me that I'm wrong without backing it up. I did check on Amazon, and the Zen is ranked far higher in sales than the Zune.

Based on Amazon:
1. 30GB iPod video
2. 80GB iPod video
3. 2GB iPod Nano
4. 8GB iPod Nano
5. iPod Shuffle
6. 4GB Sandisk Sansa
7. 512MB Sandisk Sansa
8. 2GB Sandisk Sansa
9. 30GB Creative Zen Vision:M
10. 4GB iPod Nano
many variations of the iPod in between
15. 30GB Zune

The Zune is doing just terrible!

I invite you to prove me wrong.

And I agree with jnadel: A brown Zune :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

I understand how you might think that the Creative Zen is "Winning" because of Creative Zen.

However, some other research shows that in fact, the Zune is in 2nd place, taking 10.2% of the marketshare, after Apple in the 30GB DAP area.

You can see here: http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/12370/

and here: http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=54163&Nid=26731&p=291151

The Zune has taken an overall 2.8 marketshare of the DAP industry in U.S., and 10.2 marketshare in the 30GB region.

Hope all is ok, no hard feelings.

 

[hanz]

I would get an iPod. Creative Zen Vision:M might have more features than iPod, but it looks ugly (at least I don't like it).
Only problem with iPod is that it is about $100 more expensive in EU than in USA (I got my 30GB iPod for about $360 only few months ago), but I guess you don't have that problem.

 

[Matthew.]

The Zen:M and the iPod are virtually the same price here in the UK, i would always go for the iPod...can't really explain why. To me the iPod has become "the" MP3 player.