Mp3/Mp4 player suggestions - NO IPODS Please....

[djm99]

I am interesting is purchasing a NEW Mp3 or Mp4 player. I've already purchased the 60GB Ipod video - and I 'hated' it. I just sold it on ebay for $229 and I'm looking to replace it for something else. I want the video option and would like something with at least 30 GB or more. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[mrsklamc]

DH the computer geek would like to know what specifically you hated about the ipod so he knows what to base a recommendation on.

 

[teresajoy]

I was just going to ask the same question. My son has the 30GB Ipod with video and we just love it. There are just so many things you can do with it. It's hard to make recommendation not knowing what it was you hated.

 

[Lisa_M]

There is the Microsoft Zune and Toshiba Gigabeat. Dell also makes a large capacity mp3 player. The gigabeat has gotten mixed review, I would probably get the zune. I have an 8GB mp3 player the Sandisk sansa and I like it alot, but it wouldn't be big enough for you.

 

[djm99]

Why I hated my Ipod,

I don't like Itunes for one. When I first purchased my Ipod I was pleasantly pleased with it. I uploaded quit a few CD's, I purchased a few videos, tv shows, etc. It synced with no problem - GREAT. Well, for one, I didn't know that the Ipods are synced with YOUR itune program only (in other words, I couldn't share my friend’s musical library without losing all my stuff on my ipod). I didn't like how complicated it was to get music transferred from other sources (I had to turn music into CDs then upload it into itunes). I always feel like I have to '2-step' everything. Movies were even more complicated. I found it problematic to convert movies. Once I learned something happened and caused EVERYthing in my itunes to disappear. That was the last straw. I could NEVER plug in my itunes again without losing all my stuff on the ipod. I want something that doesn't take a tech savvy person to complete. Too much converting for me.

Anyone hear about the Zen Vision M?

 

[mrsklamc]

The things you dislike are not Apple/ipod specific. They are legal requirements of Digital Rights Management.

Zune does allow sharing but only with other Zunes and the songs are only playable for a limited amount of time.

 

[sl_underwood]

I would also like to know about the zen vision, dd wants on for her upcoming bday.

 

[djm99]

I went to Target last night and ran across the zune. It has great looking picture but its too big. I want something a little smaller. I didn't see the Zen. Do they have their own store?

 

[Cindy B]

The problems you had with Ipod are common with any type of player.

Sharing Itunes libraries can be done --we've done it!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

OP at Christmas last year my son wanted an mp3 but it did not need to be an IPOD. My husband researched and found the Cowan brand. I think it was about 250.00 but it is really much better than the IPOD. My son loves it. He has countless videos, tv shows and songs on it and still has tons of space. The screen is good size and there are other features that although I cannot remember them, my husband said are better than the IPOD. There are tons of sites out there that rate these things I would find a couple and check out what it is you want and who has the best rating.

I think IPOD is over rated.

 

[PiRSquared]

Both my kids have Creative Zens. One is not video capable the other is. The video capable one has had only one problem once -- it didn't start up correctly. He turned it off and then on and was fine. I think it is rather heavy myself. My daughters is not video capable and gets "stuck" from time to time and she has to remove the battery and then all is well.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

DH has the Creative 30gig video/mp3 player. We really like it- its media tools/converters they include are extremely user-friendly. However- in my experience working with media files and players- you will often need to go through a 2 step (or more) process to accomplish certain tasks.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I have a pink Zen Vision M 30g. My mom bought it for me for Christmas. She let me do the research and the bought what I decided on. I didn't want ipod because frankly I don't want to have to resort to using only itunes and stuff for ipo as that is more money in their pocket for them. I wanted something more versatile. I absolutely love my vision M. I have a few videos of my girls on it, loads of music, some photos. It is great. I use napster to go for my music. I just have to drag the music to a little box and it syncs. Then I'm off. I am definitely thinking about surprising DH with a mp3 player (even though he says he wouldn't use it, I think he is lying) and I would definitely buy another Creative Zen Vision M.... just not in pink for him. LOL

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I love the lime green ZEN- I have a secret wish for that- even though my Mix Max suits my needs at present. I can't manage much more than a few videos and my 500 songs. And for $25 on clearance it can't be beat!

 

[NotUrsula]

I have an 8GB mp3 player the Sandisk sansa and I like it alot, but it wouldn't be big enough for you.

Don't forget that the Sansa has an expansion slot. I got one for DH for his birthday last year, and he loves that feature; he can change out libraries whenever he's in the mood to. Great for big audiobook downloads, too.
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(2057)-SDMX4-8192-Sansa_e280_MP3_Player_8GB.aspx
(I will note that since the device itself is the size of an iPod mini, the video screen is correspondingly smaller.)

Also don't forget that unless you are the most sticklish kind of audiophile, on a non-Apple device you can use .wma format for songs rather than .mp3. It is a MUCH tighter compression format, so you can pack in lots more songs per gb.

 

[Faerie]

The problem you had was you had your Pod set to auto update. Change it to manual and you're good to go. I've gotten music from my sister's iTunes and my brothers that way with no problems at all

 

[joha]

Hi,
My daughter has a Zen Vision 30G, I bought it at Amazon. It's easy to use, and has video capability and an FM radio.
I also have an older Zen player and I really like it as well. The drawback are the number of accessories, the i pod accessories are easier to find.

 

[Green Tea]

Anyone hear about the Zen Vision M?

Have no idea about that model, but we had a Creative Zen, a smaller one before we all went to ipods. It was a nightmare trying to get music onto the thing, and it broke in half, literally. The case fell into 2 pieces. They reluctantly replaced it with the same model but in black(this was a little girl's) I'd look to the Microsoft Zune, I think. The Creative brand was not good quality, in my experience

 

[djm99]

I just wanted to tell you guys that I bought the Zen Vision M. It is REALLY sweet. It is the same length of the Ipod, but it is a little bit thicker. It is slightly heavier too (by a few oz. I'm sure). BUT - it is so much easier to use. I had the 60 GB Ipod Video for maybe 60 days. I learned to use, but not like I've learn to use my Zen in the last few days. I've already downloaded 4 full movies, and several TV show episodes - something I was unable to do without ITUNES. I love using Windows Media Player to upload music. It was so much quicker to transfer music than itunes. Less than 2 minutes to download over 300 songs. It literally took only seconds (maybe 4 seconds) to upload Movies (after converted them to avi mode - which did take 25 minutes). There are tones of FREE video conversion software out there. I love the FM radio already included into the Zen, and voice recording. Again something either not available without purchasing a second piece or I never could figure out how to use. I really like this Zen. Best of all, I only paid $159 (delivered) for the device (ebay). I did read that the Zen Vision 60GB is thinner - identical to the 60 GB Ipod if thin is what you want. I just wanted to say, "I love my Zen". Thanks for the advice.

BTW, I found tones of accessories on Ebay. I purchased a bundle pack and I watched a movie from my Zen on my home TV last night!!!

 

[Lisa_M]

Don't forget that the Sansa has an expansion slot. I got one for DH for his birthday last year, and he loves that feature; he can change out libraries whenever he's in the mood to. Great for big audiobook downloads, too.
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(2057)-SDMX4-8192-Sansa_e280_MP3_Player_8GB.aspx
(I will note that since the device itself is the size of an iPod mini, the video screen is correspondingly smaller.)

Also don't forget that unless you are the most sticklish kind of audiophile, on a non-Apple device you can use .wma format for songs rather than .mp3. It is a MUCH tighter compression format, so you can pack in lots more songs per gb.

That is an excellent point. It takes mini SD cards. I haven't gotten one yet, but probably should.