non-portable easy-to-use mp3 like device for pensioner

[Anchundan]

My aging dad has finally decided he wants to put his entire record, tape and CD collection into one kind of device which is easy to use (he's in his seventies, and is completely computer illiterate).

He thinks portable MP3 players are far too small and fiddly (especially with his eyesight), and he doesn't like the 'tiny earplugs'.

Is there such an mp3 device which might be large enough ('about the size of a video recorder') and easy enough for him to use? I would do all the ripping so he only needs to be able to search through the artists and select the album. Maybe a midi-sized device, preferably with remote control, and I guess a size of maybe 20GB.

 

[Vegetarian]

Hmm my mum has same problems with small MP3 players.

You could try the freecom media player - it conects to a TV and can play mp3, avi's and photos etc.

Other idea is a hifi that that can read MP3's. Some can read mp3s off CD.

 

["andy"]

how about knocking up a el cheapo pc just for playing mp3s ?

rip everythign to it and organise the folders etc decently , pentium 3 with windows 98 or linux etc

could be too big for your needs mind

i know you say hes compute rilleterate but is it possible he could be taught to click a mouse or type the name of an artist ?

 

[Anchundan]

I was starting to think along those lines too - there is a computer in the room, which might do the trick (it's very old, think it's only got a 20GB HDD) - but some media player software is really easy to use. with the help of my mother, he might get the hang of it!

I could also burn some DVD's, so he can listen through the TV - not quite the same sound quality, but it's an option.