HDD MP3 Player - No software needed?

Scottland · 9 Dec 2007 at 18:35

Hi,

I'm thinking about getting a HD MP3 player, but I really need it to be driver/software-less. i.e. drag and drop from windows explorer.

15gb minimum, but 20+ preferred.

All the ones I can find seem to need some sync-software.

Thanks

Fubsy · 9 Dec 2007 at 18:36

Creative Zen Vision:M

But good luck finding one for a decent price, they are like gold dust sine Creative discontinued them.

Scottland · 9 Dec 2007 at 18:57

Fubar said:
Creative Zen Vision:M

But good luck finding one for a decent price, they are like gold dust sine Creative discontinued them.

Will they work without the need for software though? Last time I used a Zen I had to use their software?

I was thinking of a Zune, thinking it would work with WMP11 and not need much other software, but it seems not to be the case .

marc2003 · 9 Dec 2007 at 19:08

archos xs202s. a real no frills mp3 player. 20gb. very solid build quality too.

helmutcheese · 9 Dec 2007 at 21:05

Yes but needs the driver installed as its a MTP Device, then you can use with no Software or even 3rd Party Software.

You can right click a File and send it to the ZVM.

badbob · 9 Dec 2007 at 23:31

iriver h120/h140, seen as a HD in Windows explorer, and can drag and drop. Browse music through directory listing, or use rockbox to create a database (or browse folders)

Albo · 10 Dec 2007 at 00:12

iRiver. all the way. had mine for years.

marc2003 · 10 Dec 2007 at 00:34

helmutcheese said:
Back up your claim Im done saying what I know as I have owned one since Launch.

You need a MTP Driver (Vista has one), dont need any Creative Apps though.

hehe, it would seem we have our wires crossed. you posted after my post talking about the archos player -that's what i'm on about.

helmutcheese · 10 Dec 2007 at 00:36

Well to avoid confusion please edit out posts to me, I do same. (and it was not me that was confused I was talking ZVM all along).

marc2003 · 10 Dec 2007 at 00:51

look at the way your post directly follows mine -some 2 hours afterwards. if you were replying to the post above mine, you should have quoted it.

helmutcheese · 10 Dec 2007 at 01:10

steve258 · 10 Dec 2007 at 01:18

I've got the ZVM 30gb and it doesn't need the software to transfer music, you just copy and paste it in the music folder.

Although the software makes managing contents more easily. Software doesn't work with Vista though...

helmutcheese · 10 Dec 2007 at 03:05

Yes but you need the MTP Driver. (Talking about ZV:M)

All my Software for it works in Vista64, update your CD apps to latest online.

Nick1881 · 10 Dec 2007 at 09:58

Look for a Cowon Audio M5, picked mine up brand new for £57 delivered.

20Gb
35 hrs battery life
No software needed.
Superb sound quality

r0undb0y · 11 Dec 2007 at 09:46

helmutcheese said:
Yes but needs the driver installed as its a MTP Device, then you can use with no Software or even 3rd Party Software.

You can right click a File and send it to the ZVM.

Actually I have one of these players and in the settings you can choose MTP?windows device for DRM OR Hard disk. It just works like an external HD

helmutcheese · 11 Dec 2007 at 16:33

No it doesnt and I will argue till Im blue in the face it dont, go and read on the dedicated forums and see it dont.

I am talking about a Creative ZV:M no other as confusion earlier.

The only eay you can use it as a HDD is to set upto 16GB (Max allowed) aside for storage, then you cant use that partition for Media playback on the ZV:M.

I know the setting your on about and it still wont let you add any files to it like a HDD, it will only accept the Media Files that it accepts by default (example you wont be putting a load of Word .Docs on it), you can Right click and Copy to the ZV:M, or use Windows Explorer and Copy/Paste into it, you still need the MTP Driver regardless.

Scottland · 11 Dec 2007 at 20:13

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm actually thinking of a Zen 16gb version now @ £150. The advantage of the SD slot for backing up pics, and extra storage seems like it might work out ok.

What are these like?

Raikiri · 11 Dec 2007 at 21:11

Scottland said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm actually thinking of a Zen 16gb version now @ £150. The advantage of the SD slot for backing up pics, and extra storage seems like it might work out ok.

What are these like?

Good points -

Great sound quality
High quality screen, quite large at 2.5"
Video playback at 30fps
Built in radio
Voice recorder
Nice controls, build quality etc.
Decent battery life

Bad -

Memory card integration, needs to be accessed separately from the built in memory.
Battery isn't user replaceable.

Just a 4gb one ( +4gb SDHC card) and it's a great little player.

Scottland · 12 Dec 2007 at 08:32

Raikiri said:
Good points -

Great sound quality
High quality screen, quite large at 2.5"
Video playback at 30fps
Built in radio
Voice recorder
Nice controls, build quality etc.
Decent battery life

Bad -

Memory card integration, needs to be accessed separately from the built in memory.
Battery isn't user replaceable.

Just a 4gb one ( +4gb SDHC card) and it's a great little player.

I read somewhere they're talking about introducing a new firmware that handles SD intergration better? Although 16gb should be enough for Music, the SD for files/pics etc.

Can you copy things off the SD card into main memory at all?

r0undb0y · 12 Dec 2007 at 16:28

helmutcheese said:
No it doesnt and I will argue till Im blue in the face it dont, go and read on the dedicated forums and see it dont.

I am talking about a Creative ZV:M no other as confusion earlier.

The only eay you can use it as a HDD is to set upto 16GB (Max allowed) aside for storage, then you cant use that partition for Media playback on the ZV:M.

I know the setting your on about and it still wont let you add any files to it like a HDD, it will only accept the Media Files that it accepts by default (example you wont be putting a load of Word .Docs on it), you can Right click and Copy to the ZV:M, or use Windows Explorer and Copy/Paste into it, you still need the MTP Driver regardless.

Apologies, I thought you were talking about the archos 202