Hi all

I'm going to annoy you all now with a newbie type question but hopefully some of you can help.

I am definitely going to buy a portable mp3 player sometime soon, probably after Xmas. I have been doing research, and a couple of you on here have helped out (thanks Mr big and neoee). I'm still pretty confused as there is so much choice!

Basically i'm after:

1. Something that can hold a fair amount of tracks, at least 10,000 say

2. Something that I can hook up to my car stereo very easily, eliminating all the damn cd's I have in the glove compartment etc. Whatever I get IT MUST BE COMPATIBLE WITH MY CAR STEREO

3. Something that looks decent

aside from that I have a general question about file transfers. Say I buy an mp3 player and i download a set from MS. Can I transfer that to my portable mp3 player as a series of tracks or will it be one long file? I don't wanna end up with a load of files that are hours long as It will put me off tuning in.

Thanks for any advice guys!

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Just get the new iPod color for $399. You can store 60 GB worth of data (about a year ago, I paid $399 for my 40 GB one). If you download a set as a single MP3, then it gets transfered as a single MP3 i.e. without breaks.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Are you going to be exercising with it ie. jogging? I've never found anything better than the Rio Forge for that (great looks, holds extra memory card) but alas Rio has left the MP3 arena. Not a big fan of carrying a square looking ipod around the gym. If you're not going to be lugging it around though, and want the expanded ability to store/transfer photos from a memory card ie. from a camera on a long trip, while being able to look at it, the Creative Zen Vision looks pretty promising.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

unfortunately the iriver is costing more than an Ipod these days. and frankly i'm a bit skiddish on their products.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Creative Zen products :RockOn:

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I saw get the Sony HD3 or HD5. both are atleast 20GB and sound quality is much better than ipod. not sure about the sound in iriver. the sony software is alittle difficult but the main priority should be sound. go to cnet.com and get their educated opinion

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I think if you do a search on "iPod" vs. "iRiver" you'll find much discussion w/in this forum.

I do believe that there is probably better "bang for your buck" type products on the market. But i'm completely brand loyal to the iPod as I believe it has the friendliest platform out there.

If you've never been an iPod user then you may be at a better advantage than I, and might be able to get more features for your money.

I'm on my 3rd iPod now (after loosing a few) and the 60gig photo fulfills all my listening needs.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I have an iRiver and have wrote volumes on the subject, do a search

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I heart my iPod

I have a 20gb colour....I would be lost without it.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I recommend the Creative Zen... this is why:

[url]http://www.mercuryserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12195&page=4[/url]

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Cheers fr the replies guys.

Forgot to mention, I'm not that fussed about it playing videos and photos etc but if it comes with that then great.

I'm guessing I could download a set (say a digweed kiss 100 set) split it into the individual tracks on my pc, then transfer it to the mp3 player right?

And the zen and irivers - can they be hooked up easily to a car stereo?

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Getting the audio to play through the speakers isn't a big deal, but it sucks to use the mp3 players interface while driving. ipod has all the toys when it comes to controlling the device through you head unit-- factory stereo compatibility in many newer cars, adaptors for many aftermarket head units, and it will only be getting better. If using in the car is important to you (is to me) get an ipod because the market has chosen it as the standard so the options for other brands will be relatively no existant.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

^it doesn't matter as long as your deck has RCA inputs

if your stereo doesn't have RCA inputs, you can get creative like I did. I put a powerless 2-way RCA switch between my stereo and my amp, and have the switch coming up in the center of my console. I plug my Zen into a headphone jack, which is spliced into standard RCAs through the switch and runs to the front of my car at the main console. I just pick A or B and I can listen to my CD player or my Zen Micro through my subs.

that, or you can get a personal radio transmitter, but I've found that those have too much static when you adjust your volume too high (to a decent listening level)

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

uuuuh, yeah... that's why I said, "Getting the audio to play through the speakers isn't a big deal"

I'm talking about controlling the mp3 player from the head unit, selecting tracks, cueing, skipping tracks, etc. If he is asking about using in the car the ipod has advantages that the others don't.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

touche.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Yes you can split up a set into tracks, create a playlist in your iPod, and transfer these individual tracks over.

BTW, I've been reading on head-fi forum that the sound quality in the latest Video iPod is much improved and probably the best of the lot, besides the Shuffle. More bass. But I still don't know how the Video iPod would compare with an iriver.

I say go for the iPod, there's a lot more accessories you can get for it.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I like the Cowon X5-l model. Check it out. Does Flac!!!!!! if you are into better quality sound.

[url]http://eng.iaudio.com/[/url]

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Well I have taken the plunge and ordered the ipod 60GB white this morning. Should be here next week. I'm now sitting here thinking 'have I made the right decision' which I always do when I spend a load of money on a gadget!

Will just have to look around now for accessories so I can play it in the car

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

after long thinking and testing i came to the conlusion that the ipod (the mini 2nd gen with 4gb to be exact) is the best mp3 player for me.. not too expensive, removable battery which can be had at ebay for 7euros, small and light enough, very strong aluminium casing, neutral music output with eq off and of course the click wheel which is just superior to every other player since i can go through mixes in few seconds. don´t even imagine the torture of pressing a key for half a minute to just get into the middle of a 3h set hehe

btw i use ephpod to transfer my music.. itunes is just too overblown.

flac and everything is nonsense for me because the standard codec everyone on the internet still uses is mp3. maybe some like converting all their cds.. but i don´t have the motivation to rip them all because of the time factor and the fact that i´m not satisfied anymore with the stuff i bought some years back.. i rather like downloading fresh music which keeps me going throughout the day.

only disadvantage is the missing line-in (which i don´t need).. though if i needed it i´d buy a very cheap md-player which won´t break my heart when it get´s stolen (just hate the situation when u are drunk at a party and still have to take care of your expensive equipment).

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

For what its worth I love my iRiver. Nice to be able to play videos on it and the screen/video is very crisp, much better than what I saw on the color iPod (not seen the video one). Not having to use iTunes is a plus as well as the iRiver shows up as a drive (altho maybe iPods do this now)

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

The first thing i would do when you get the pod is toss the headphones . Blew 2 pairs of em in a month. Secondly you should invest in a case, i found that iskin is the best case for the pod, withstands alot of abuse (dropping) Some products i use are the splitter, itrip in others cars or stereos, and for sure, my Shure e3c's. But im thinking those 2 are gonna get handed down, to get some e4c's. Also grabbed up the Bose sound system for travel purposes

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

[quote=JoeY2k]and of course the click wheel which is just superior to every other player since i can go through mixes in few seconds. don?t even imagine the torture of pressing a key for half a minute to just get into the middle of a 3h set hehe [/quote]

Ugh, that is the worst. The H10s scan speed is horrible, I'm so jealous of the click wheel's speed

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I have an iPod and I'm addicted to him. Very expensive, and very fragile. But I could never live without him anymore.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

looking in to getting an iRiver soon. any thoughts on the recording capabilities? thats my main purpose for getting one anyway, my creative zen jukebox is all i need on the highway or airway.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

look for the iriver h320. those are hard to come by because an upgrade version of that has been released.

it comes with a line in..20 gigs, color, durable...did i mention line in??

honestly blows my ipod out of the water.

12-14 hours battery life...can record at 320 and the recordings come out great.

mazi was telling me that you can dl a program and watch videos in the iriver..can't wait to get my hands on that. you can also view pictures as well...this was way before the photo ipod came out.

iriver all the way...well, the h320 version of it, that is :)

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

damn that thing looks sweet. i'd love one of those. dont think i can spend that much though. is there another 20gb version with line in ?

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Hey Glen i have had an i-pod 40gig now for bout 5 months and it has not given me any problems. i also have an i-trip which is a device that u put on top of you i-pod and it transmites to a radio frequency. so that means it's wireless. also that i-trip can be picked up if u are 20 feet away from the stereo if not more. hope this has helped. get an i-pod 60gig i am sure the price of them has gone down by now 8)

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

my h320 cost me 269..that's a hell of a price. you may have to search really hard looking for it or may even run across a refurbished one. mazi's was stolen but he was luckily enough to track one down on ebay.

i would seriously get an iriver...they are durable, dependable, LINE IN, radio tuner, voice recorder..all that good stuff. it's seriously one of the best gadgets i own and i am a total gadget whore.

i literally show up to my weekly, plug in the iriver to the mixer and BOOM! we are ready to go. it's also easy to travel with and i can record friends gigs at the club..never yet had a problem with it.

oh this is also another BIG plus..

you can store everything in FOLDERS so it looks like your computer hard drive. that makes finding music so much easier.

given, i wish it had the scroll wheel that my ipod has but everything else blows the ipod out of the water, imo.

LINE IN :)

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

[quote=picklemonkey]Creative Zen products :RockOn:[/quote]

couldnt agree more.... But i would also suggest SONY (too expensive though)!!!!!!!!!

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

if u choose iriver for recording then why not one of the old ihp 100 series. it can record in wav..

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Like I said, I purchased the iPod 60Gb last week. Its a hell of a gadget. I have a couple of issues though. Namely iTunes - what the hell is that all about - seems hard to organise your folders in any decent way - the iRiver way sounds a lot better!

The itrip is on its way as well!Cant be driving around listening to it in my ears!

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

h320 can record in wavs as well.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

Nothing beats my 30GB Video iPod in Black. Playing video on iPods is going to be HUGE!

You can say what you want but Apple products are better designed than anything out there

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I just picked up my Black 30GB iPod on Friday and I am loving it. 8) :RockOn::LoveYou:

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

the h320 will be mine.

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

[quote=janky]Nothing beats my 30GB Video iPod in Black. Playing video on iPods is going to be HUGE!

You can say what you want but Apple products are better designed than anything out there[/quote]

I usually don't buy mp3 players to look at them... :NotMe: and btw ipod design is cheeeeezy & childish :roll: the sound is quite awful and after a couple months I still didn't get used to itunes. fat filename system all the way :RockOn: and why only h320 jib when there is 340 :Naughty:

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

[quote="ubique"]and why only h320 jib when there is 340[/quote]

dont actually need 40 gigs. 20 is more than enough since i wont be using it for the mp3 player. i have a nomad jukebox for that. :D

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

[quote=MDE420]I saw get the Sony HD3 or HD5. both are atleast 20GB and sound quality is much better than ipod. not sure about the sound in iriver. the sony software is alittle difficult but the main priority should be sound. go to cnet.com and get their educated opinion[/quote]

Sony HD3 is the best MP3 out there. IMO

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

I bought a green iPod mini 2 months ago in the states and loving it! 4 gig's, mor than enough for me. I'll update it once in a while with some new livesets and albums.

Just bought an iTrip & car charger on ebay for 25 euro's... this way I can stream my iPod sound to any FM receiver (any car radio or stereo system)...

will report about the quality when it has arrived!

Re: iPod or iRiver..........or something else?

So what is the deal with iTunes and the way it organizes your folders? This is one of the biggest complaints I've seen, although I've not seen it with my own eyes so don't fully understand.

Has anyone found a way around it? I'd say most of us have all our music organized into folders that make sense to us - how do you maintain that and still use iTunes?

Great thread!