So I'm gonna join the 21st century and finally pick one of these (or something similar) up. Any advice on what to get? (IPOD, Iriver etc) Also what's your opinion on gigs? I have an old computer (windows 98) and my entire harddrive is only 12 gigs so I can't phathom needing 40 gigs of music... Since I was planning on upgrading my computer anyway, I was thinking of just picking up one of these...

[url]http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...s=19&l=en&s=dhs[/url]

Any help would be appreciated...

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

Your links not working.

I know everyone here's going to say get an Ipod, but I'd do a bit of research and see what suits your needs best. Myself I'm very happy with my Iriver IFP, its small (a bit bigger than a lighter), it has 256m/b, can be used as a usb drive, records (microphone & line in)and is firmware upgradable. For me having ~ 3 hours of music and being able to keep the thing in my pocket at all times works. Maybe for you it won't. So I'm going to recommend you head over to [url]www.iriver.com[/url] and see what they have that works for you, cause bang for the buck I think thats where its at.

Also I think theres another company with simular flash based products (smaller than a lighter) that I would consider if I had to make another purchase. I'll see if I can turn up a link. Maybe others can make recommendations on the HD based products, since I don't have real hands on experiance with them.

It's hard to say because there aren't many of us that have experience with more than one of these. My suggestion would be to go to Best Buy or something like that and buy an iPod. Test it out for a couple of weeks and then take it back and exchange it for an iRiver or whatever (they have a 30 day return/exchange policy on portable electronics). Try that out for a couple of weeks and then decide. If you like the iPod better, go back and exchange again.

i just got the dell dj. it's not bad. it's not as user friendly as an ipod for for half the price, it does the job. ipod integrates perfectly with itunes. haven't used the iriver but i've heard that many other players have issues with syncing. if you have the money, get the ipod. if not, look at other options.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

One other important consideration: pay close attention to the warranty. Some of these devices only have a 90-day warranty. Read reviews on Amazon. I believe the Rio Carbon only has a 90-day warranty and most people recommend getting the extended warranty due to relatively high failure rates.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

I dropped my Ipod mini and I won't get a new cause of the tiniest dent... so pissed off! I decided to get one of these when it comes out in a week or two... the small size is the key factor for me... and 20gigg is pretty crazy for the size (about the same as mini)

[img]http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/sc/31151949-2-300-overview-1.gif[/img]

How long before we see color screens?

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

^ not to long I bet... (6-8 months?)

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

I've got the iriver h340, and I'm very happy with it. There are loads of features on it including the ability to be able to record from the in built radio directly to mp3

[quote=skahound";p="69595]How long before we see color screens?[/quote]

iriver has a dvd/mp3 player with a color screen... Cool thing but costs a fortune.

a mate of mine has the muvo 4Gb model. I know he's well happy with it

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

[quote=neoee";p="69540]Your links not working.

I know everyone here's going to say get an Ipod, but I'd do a bit of research and see what suits your needs best. Myself I'm very happy with my Iriver IFP, its small (a bit bigger than a lighter), it has 256m/b, can be used as a usb drive, records (microphone & line in)and is firmware upgradable. For me having ~ 3 hours of music and being able to keep the thing in my pocket at all times works. Maybe for you it won't. So I'm going to recommend you head over to [url]www.iriver.com[/url] and see what they have that works for you, cause bang for the buck I think thats where its at.

Also I think theres another company with simular flash based products (smaller than a lighter) that I would consider if I had to make another purchase. I'll see if I can turn up a link. Maybe others can make recommendations on the HD based products, since I don't have real hands on experiance with them.[/quote]

Sorry, here's the right link..

[url]http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dj_20?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs[/url]

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

If you're a DJ who is looking to record gigs with one of these things, beware of the Iriver... you can't control the recording volume so if the line level is too loud coming out of your mixer there's nothing you can do about distortion save turning your mixer down (which at a gig is probably not an option unless you can convince management to turn up the amps).

Also, it shuts off after a preset file size limit which means that after 2 hours you have to reset it to start recording again.

If you're looking for a player AND a recorder, I would suggest the Nomad Jukebox... it also has a built in recording limit but it's MUCH higher than the Iriver's and you can control the recording volume... most people I know set it to 1 and then boost the signal in Sound Forge.

Of course, the downside to the Nomad's that have the recording feature is that they're somewhat large and bulky.

I can't comment on anything if you're just looking for a player... I've used all 3 (Ipod, Iriver & Nomad Jukebox) and I can't remember them SOUNDING much different from each other.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

[url=http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=9288&nav=1]I bought one of these a couple of months ago.[/url]

...and loved it so much.

Then my Windows type laptop died and I bought a powerbook.

Alas Creative doesn't have the software to install the drivers on a mac. So now I'm stuck with this mp3 player that I can't make any changes to.

Moral: Do your research before investing or just buy the damn iPod.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

I have the 20GB iRiver. I've only had it a month but I like it so far. I bought it over the ipod because it records (for work and my radio show). Battery life is awesome >12hrs, menus are a little hard to navigate, but that's because there are lots of features. The little remote control is included and does everything the main unit does. A remote is an option on the ipod. (More $$$) I've never used an ipod, so I'm not making any comparisons.

[url]http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/H120.aspx[/url]

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

I bought myself a 20 Gb Ipod last week...mainly to use it in my car as a harddisc so I must never change CD's again. I was surprised how good the sound via the regular headphones is though. I had expensive walk- and discmen before but the Ipod beats them all. :RockOn:

The battery provides music for 12 hours which is fair enough. The Ipod is small and light and it looks just pretty cool and makes women wet. Okay the last part is a fat lie...my imagination went through with me...please forgive me as I am only a victim of the society around me. :lol:

What I don't like is that they force you to use Itunes (it's not possible to drag and drop Music via Explorer on the Ipod) which I think sucks because I already have a media playback device for my PC but oh well what can you do...another detail I did not like too much is that you can't keep the lights on the menus on as they turn off automatically after a few seconds. I like to listen to Music in bed in darkness and run the Ipod with electricity so the battery is not affected but I can't see shit on the menus and always have to turn the lights on again for a change of music which is kinda annoying.

Try the new dell mini. Have not see it in person, but it looks nice in pictures

[quote=skahound";p="69595]How long before we see color screens?[/quote]

They are out now!! I just picked up the iriver h320 last week and it is amazing so far. Around 15 hours battery life, similar size to the ipod, color screen, fm radio, picture viewing capabilities, etc.

Prob. isn't as user friendly as ipods are, but it took me a whole 10 mins. to learn how to use everything. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS!!! :RockOn:

[img]http://watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040528/iriver1.jpg[/img]

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

DAMN, I've been wanting to get a player for about a month now, but haven't been able to decide on which one. Now I'm prolly more confused then ever. I've been leaning towards the iriver. But i don't know if i should get the h140 before they are extinct since they discontinued them, or should i get the h340. They are both pretty much the same price. This sux.

i got an IHP 320 as well, very happy with it.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

[quote=djrichwoods";p="69735]If you're a DJ who is looking to record gigs with one of these things, beware of the Iriver... you can't control the recording volume so if the line level is too loud coming out of your mixer there's nothing you can do about distortion save turning your mixer down (which at a gig is probably not an option unless you can convince management to turn up the amps). [/quote]

Thats [b]false [/b]there IS a input level control.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

I'll only be using it as a player so mainly I'm only worried about it being user friendly and having decent battery life. My plan is to use it to store the sets I download. Once I listen to the set, if it's good I'll burn it to cd and if not i'll just delete it. I think 20 gigs will be more than enough as my current computer's harddrive is only 12gigs and i already have more sets than i can listen to... That's why I'm leaning towards the Dell because it's easy to use and it's only $200 bucks...

the dell dj is pretty cheap right now since the next generation one is coming out next month.

[quote=skahound";p="69595]How long before we see color screens?[/quote]

apple will probably release 5th gen before christmas

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

[quote=neoee";p="69927]

Thats [b]false [/b]there IS a input level control.[/quote]

In researching my reply, I discovered that it seems that they've corrected the problem with the 300 series, which is great news. But we were using a 100 series in Germany and you cannot control the recording volume on that model.

So thanks for replying, it helped me clarify my point.

As far as I'm aware with the 100 series, you can set the recording level, but not while you are recording. You need to stop the recording, change the setting and start again, also there is no method of monitoring the levels while you are recording so you have to judge off the mixer.

My mixer has a -10db record rca out as do many club mixers, so as long as the master out isn't redlining above 10db you should be fine.

[quote=palmer";p="69991][quote=skahound";p="69595]How long before we see color screens?[/quote]

apple will probably release 5th gen before christmas[/quote]

what do you base that on? 4th gen didn't come out for that long ago...

[quote=Stu";p="70015]As far as I'm aware with the 100 series, you can set the recording level, but not while you are recording. You need to stop the recording, change the setting and start again, also there is no method of monitoring the levels while you are recording so you have to judge off the mixer.

My mixer has a -10db record rca out as do many club mixers, so as long as the master out isn't redlining above 10db you should be fine.[/quote]

I looked around that thing and I saw nothing about recording level. The manual also says this:

[quote]Volume level can not be controlled on the iHP while recording from an external device.[/quote]

The same condition exists w/ the 300 but the manual does indicate that the recording level can be set prior to recording (you still can't control it during recording). However, the iriver still has the annoying 200 mb limit on mp3 files which means that if you're trying to record a 5 hour set you can't get it all in one file and you'll probably miss parts of a record setting up a new file to record into.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

NW-HD1 20GB Hard Disc Drive Network Walkman

30!!!! hours play back

and as small an ipod mini

?230 cant b bad

[quote=";p="70098] [quote=Stu";p="70015]As far as I'm aware with the 100 series, you can set the recording level, but not while you are recording. You need to stop the recording, change the setting and start again, also there is no method of monitoring the levels while you are recording so you have to judge off the mixer.

My mixer has a -10db record rca out as do many club mixers, so as long as the master out isn't redlining above 10db you should be fine.[/quote]

I looked around that thing and I saw nothing about recording level. The manual also says this:

[quote]Volume level can not be controlled on the iHP while recording from an external device.[/quote]

The same condition exists w/ the 300 but the manual does indicate that the recording level can be set prior to recording (you still can't control it during recording). However, the iriver still has the annoying 200 mb limit on mp3 files which means that if you're trying to record a 5 hour set you can't get it all in one file and you'll probably miss parts of a record setting up a new file to record into. [/quote]

Rich- you checked to see what firmware you are running? It may have been something they added on a later firmware update. I would imagine that since my ifp series can be adjusted you should definately be able to change it on the ihp series.

Re: ipod's, iriver's, etc...

i have a iriver h120 and really like it. i have been burned by the lack of an internal gain control, but it simply distorts the bass a little. as long as the dj is aware of the levels, he/she can easily ensure a crystal clear recording.

and yes it does max out, at about 75min when recording in wav, however, you can instantly restart it. it then completely maxes out at 5hrs wav recorded, but you can dump the file in the root folder and continue on if you have a pc handy.

the gain problem has been listed as a firmware upgrade and though they seem to be coming much later than posted, they do come. i recommend the unit, i really don't see too much out there, at it's price point, that's much better.