New MP3 Player

Proc · 9 Apr 2006 at 15:22

Well i've looked around and i'm still not sure which one to go for, because ones within my budget that i like are the Ipod Nano 2GB, the Iriver H10 5GB, the Creative Zen Micro 6GB and the Sony NWA1000 6GB players.

Could anyone recommend one out of those?

SexyGreyFox · 9 Apr 2006 at 16:28

Proc said:
Well i've looked around and i'm still not sure which one to go for, because ones within my budget that i like are the Ipod Nano 2GB, the Iriver H10 5GB, the Creative Zen Micro 6GB and the Sony NWA1000 6GB players.

Could anyone recommend one out of those?

Personally and only because you want to use it in the gym, I would go for the Nano because its flash based.
I run everyday with my 5gb HD Ipod Mini and I've also ran with my 20gb Archos but it can't be doing them any good.
I'll also add that even though I run with a HD model and I'm heavy footed, it has never skipped.

Energize · 9 Apr 2006 at 17:06

You never have to worry about hds skipping because the song is cached into the ram.

james.miller · 9 Apr 2006 at 18:34

dmpoole said:
No because most 'cases' are skins and I would recommend anybody getting any model of MP3 player to look on the net for a skin which will cover it and protect their investment. I wouldn't let my daughter use her I-River until it was protected.

some players NEDD cases - like the ipod and some of the creatives. Iv'e never used the protective case for my iriver H10, and it doesnt have a scratch on it after months of abuse

TooNice · 9 Apr 2006 at 20:05

Pointless argument IMO. The word "need" mean different things to different people. This also affect what player people should buy. If someone -need- a player that look good, and deem the Apple product good looking, then yes, they will both -need- an iPod and a protective cover. If someone only -need- the features of an iPod with no -need- to sell it off to someone with the previous description/a player that is scratch proof, then they can just buy the player without a protective case. Likewise, if someone -need- a player with features not found in the iPod, they should look elsewhere. It's all about individual needs.
It's like microphones (among of other things). Not all of them are designed to be indestructable like the Shure SM58, and some of them are known to be quite fragile. But for some people, the later is still more suitable for their specific needs. Yes, it would be great if the Apple product is more scratch resistant, but I wouldn't call it a fundamental -need- for everyone if, and assuming that it does not affect the product's functionality.

james.miller · 9 Apr 2006 at 20:09

wel that's all fine, but at the end of the day i dont know anybody who wouldnt mind scratching their ipod to **** weeks or even days after they bought it. For those that do mind, they need a cover lol

TooNice · 9 Apr 2006 at 20:12

I suppose. There -was- enough complaint about this issue that forced Apple to include a case with the 5G I think. It is certainly a point to consider when buying an MP3 player. We'll see if Apple learnt from it in future products. It's all business. If this is a big issue for most consumers, then they'll have to start voting with their wallet and go with the alternatives.

Sol · 11 Apr 2006 at 10:21

Go for the iaudio u2. I bought one for my girlfriend last Christmas and have also used it myself. Very nice player...supports a few formats, very small and compact (size of lighter), good sound quality, and pretty easy to use. You can get a 1Gb for just over £100 and that should do you for gym use.

You could also get a 1-2Gb sony based player which is what I have done. Nano is ok I suppose but I've just heard so many people having issues with it and even people who have it seem to ward you off it (is most popular though).

I also have a Sony HD5 but I tried running with it and despite it probably being the smallest (large) hard drive based mp3 player it was a bit heavy. Also the HD5 has a feature to stop it breaking when you drop it so when you shake it a lot it shuts down to protect itself = not useful for running. Flash is more useful for sports.

Proc · 12 Apr 2006 at 20:06

Right heres what i'm thinking now, get a small, cheap flash-based player for going to the gym. Then get myself a larger 2+Gb player for everyday use, i'm also going on my hols soon and was wanting one for then.

Just got to make a choice on which one, i like the look of the Sony but have heard the software is really pants, so any suggestions from the ones i listed before?

thefranklin · 14 Apr 2006 at 02:51

Another thing to think about is what audio format it plays. If you buy a small capacity one, I would suggest buying one that can play normal mp3's and wma's. I have a sandisk mp3 player, and I can us DB Power converter to compress my mp3s, and the player will still play them just fine.

Sol · 15 Apr 2006 at 12:18

The software on the Sony isn't pants...Connect probably is but Sonicstage is fine. Once its all up and running and you have everything imported I haven't had any issues whatsoever.

From the players listed before (hard drive ones). I would chose none...

If you are going for the A1000 you would be just aswell getting an HD5 as they 95% the same in everything except looks and cost the same if you can find one. Creatives smaller players are ok but hardware issues are frequent (larger players are excellent). Had a H10 before and it looked nice but functionality was a bit off compared with the other players mentioned, of course this is just my opinion.

Nano I wouldn't even consider...

Flash Player Recommended: Sony NW-A608 or lesser model
Hard Drive Recommended: Sony HD5 or equivalent or Creative Touch/Sleek etc = cheap but not sexy...you can have the Sony flash player for that.

bigredshark · 16 Apr 2006 at 05:34

personally i have a 2gb nano for commuting every day (can't be bothered dragging my 60GB photo around) and it's perfect. small, light, screen, reasonable battery life but the reason i bought it, and the 60gb photo before it is the user interface, I've yet to find anything as good and I've tried a lot.

Energize · 16 Apr 2006 at 06:14

You bought a 2gb player when you have a 60gb one because it is slightly smaller?

bigredshark · 16 Apr 2006 at 06:29

Energize said:
You bought a 2gb player when you have a 60gb one because it is slightly smaller?

its significantly smaller than the 60gb photo, which is quite heavy, i don't take a bag to work, and i wear a decently cut suit so i don't like the bulk of a 60gb ipod, wallet, phone and keys.

besides, it's £140, peanuts tbh

Sol · 16 Apr 2006 at 14:44

Yeah but the only thing that the Nano has over the Sony is the wheel so why pay £10 extra? Itunes is possibly also better but Sonicstage works for what it does. I've had a 3rd gen ipod before and I know the navigation is good but it isn't really that much harder in a 2gb capacity player to find music easily. One benefit of iPods is that you get the 3rd party products en masse but who cares about that anyway...more overpriced stuff.

Sony has a 50hr battery life, I think better sound quality and small compression if you choose ATRAC (although ATRAC isn't as portable), FM option built in, looks as good if not better, and is a bit better built (arguable).

I'm sure whatever you choose will be fine though. I bought my flash player for running etc and it does that job well.

Proc · 17 Apr 2006 at 17:47

Think i'm gonna go for the A1000. I've had a look at the HD5 and not really a fan of the styling, besides if the A1000 has 95% of the same functions then that will do me. Most of my mates have Ipods, so i think the Sony will be a change and does everything i need in a player anyway.

Cheers for the advice/suggestions guys.