MP3 Player vs Mini Disc Walkman

Oh boy - technology!

The Ipod is probably the best, however, like you said its expensive and a one dimmensional device. If you're going to spend that kind of money, buy a fancy handlheld with an expansion card so you can do more with it. I have a handhled that plays Mp3's and it's expandable to what ever size memory card I use (currently 2 GB). I use it because it cuts down on the number of devices I carry with me and I feel I'm getting more for my money. I can surf the web with it in wireless hotspots, check email, work on documents, keep my contacts and a calendar AND listen to MP3's for the same price these folks paid for thier Ipod.

I tried the cell phone MP3 player but the battery life is shit so don't bother.

Smackette has the same Nike MP3 player the GGW was talking about, but it freezes on her all the time. Maybe GGW is experinecing the same or a similar problem (but I think it's because she's a woman). The other problem is that it doesn't shuffle so you have the same set list every time which can get very annoying.

Kosmo is absolutely right about the inexpensive flash players - not a lot of songs. Which reminds me - rip your songs at 64KBPS for MP3 players because your headphones aren't going to be clear enough to notice the differecne between 128K and 64K, but you'll be able to store more songs.

A good mid-range price idea for lots of songs is the new MP3 playing CD players. Look for an easy to use display (trust me) and one that works with CD-RW's. Basically its a discman that plays MP3's, and if it reads RW's then your set with over 15 albums on one CD, but not locked into those albums. They're under $100 these days.

actually if the current minidisc players could be used as a portable hard drive it would be an attractive product for carrying music. it's small and sturdy. but because of the sw limitations it's just not the thing to buy. i'm still annoyed that the ipod can only be used on either a mac or a pc not both at the same time.

Before I got the ipod I just had an ordinary run of the mill CD player…. But it was big bulky didnt fit in my pocket and even with skip protection it got cross with me when I ran down the metro steps……

Nothing gains admiring glances from the ladies like a shiny white ipod.


SO Vansmack what handheld are you using??

Originally posted by poorlulu:


SO Vansmack what handheld are you using??

HP Jornada (which has been replaced by the Compaq Ipaq since the merger) because it uses Compact Flash Memory cards like the rest of my devices. And it's smaller than your Ipod, so ha.

And the CD playing MP3's don't skip like old discmans because the MP3 is loaded into the RAM.

Originally posted by vansmack:
Smackette has the same Nike MP3 player the GGW was talking about, but it freezes on her all the time. Maybe GGW is experinecing the same or a similar problem (but I think it's because she's a woman). The other problem is that it doesn't shuffle so you have the same set list every time which can get very annoying.

I have had no problems, although a guy I work with also has one and mentioned that he had some problem (but Philips sent him a new one - no questions asked). It's not a high tech device, but it's simple and fits my needs, and looks deck strapped to my rippling bicep.

the ipaq does look pretty handy. But its even more expensive, right? Plus it has a relatively small amount of memory, and if my memory serves me well it displaces a similar volume to the new ipod….

Horses for courses, then?

My old player had skip protection, so it loaded stuff into ram. Mine got really mad if I banged it about despite that though, I amagine the newer generation ones are better. Still I dont know if I would want to try running with one.

Originally posted by ggw:
I have had no problems, although a guy I work with also has one and mentioned that he had some problem (but Philips sent him a new one - no questions asked). It's not a high tech device, but it's simple and fits my needs, and looks deck strapped to my rippling bicep.

Thanks. I used it for 5 days and couldn't freeze it either. She manages to freeze in just under an hour every time…amazing.

And she too picked it out because it looks deck in the gym.

Originally posted by poorlulu:
the ipaq does look pretty handy. But its even more expensive, right? Plus it has a relatively small amount of memory, and if my memory serves me well it displaces a similar volume to the new ipod….

Horses for courses, then?

My old player had skip protection, so it loaded stuff into ram. Mine got really mad if I banged it about despite that though, I amagine the newer generation ones are better. Still I dont know if I would want to try running with one.

I bought the Jornada when they brought the new line out. I think I got it for around $200 then added 2 512 MB Compact Flash Cards for $79. It came with 64 MB on board which I use for synching with my desktop and the exapndible memory cards are for music and videos only. Each memory card holds about 300 songs each.

With Pocket PC 2003 coming out, you should be able to buy a Pocket PC 2002 handhled for about $200 relatively soon.

One other thing I would recommend for portable MP3 users is headphones with a volume knob/switch on the cord from the plug to the headphones. Mp3's vary so much in their volume - especially live and bootleg stuff that it's a must to save your ears. It's so much easier and allows you to put you player out of sight.

Originally posted by vansmack:

One other thing I would recommend for portable MP3 users is headphones with a volume knob/switch on the cord from the plug to the headphones. Mp3's vary so much in their volume - especially live and bootleg stuff that it's a must to save your ears. It's so much easier and allows you to put you player out of sight.

The ipod comes with a volume control just like your talking about, but I dont have that problem with mp3s since I rip them all from the cd and dont steal them. ;)

Originally posted by Bob Pollard:
The ipod comes with a volume control just like your talking about, but I dont have that problem with mp3s since I rip them all from the cd and dont steal them. ;)

So did the Nike Player, but my original Rio did not, so I thought it best to share.

Ever downloaded a live track from a bands web site? (well not with your one dimensional Ipod, I mean with your personal computer then trasferred to your Ipod?)

Ever heard an original analog recording converted to CD before remastering?

And just to use an example, ever heard the first Counting Crows album? It's the loudest album I've ever heard in terms of pure volume of the recording. It never plays well with others when shuffling. Not even against my hardcore stuff.

But yes, my bootleg "stolen" stuff is the worst of them all. It all depends on how close that bastard got to the stage. Can't they all just use the soundboard?

Once, ten years ago. And then thankfully never again. :)

Originally posted by vansmack:

And just to use an example, ever heard the first Counting Crows album?

Originally posted by poorlulu:

Originally posted by mjnova:
Gimme some europop recommendations.

Hjello Mjnova…..

Well the best current europop is the postal service…..
Oh wait they are not euro….

So I am not sure what you are looking for?

Baesement Jaxx, rooty

Air 10,000 Khz legend

Prodigy, cant remember album names…..

or older stuff

like:

Pop will eat itself

Carter the unstoppable sex machine

pet shop boys


is that what you meant by europop or did you want me to namedrop atomic kitten, s club 7, westlife and Kylie?


By the way this isnt poorlulu, right now. Normally I have completely different music tasted from you.

I was thinkin more the stuff at the bottom. I just got a Pet Shop Boys - Acutally. Which is great stuff, and I ordered the Kylie reissues off Amazon, which should be good driving albums. I doubt I could tolerate much westlife, although Atomic Kittens, Sugarbabes etc would probably be right up my alley.

Flogging a dead horse here i know….but my wife got me an ipod for my b-day a few weeks ago.

Damn I love that thing……taking 200 cd's with me wherever I go in something the size of deck of cards.

When i'm at home I hook it up to my stereo. I haven't fumbled with a cd for weeks. I hook it up to my car stereo too.

For windows (don't know if this has been mentioned or not) he'll need a firewire card (yeah you can use usb2 but then you have to go buy the cable and I don't even know if it's available yet) and don't bother with the included Music Match software for PC…it's a piece of shit. Go download Ephpod for free. Easier and works better.

Buy the boy an IPOD and he'll be yours forever!

10 gig ipod (old style) with remote…my favorite thing I've ever bought. Its interface is much better than any other mp3 player I've used. GET ONE!!! The old ones are still available for cheaper than the new ones (try macmall or the like). I think you can find an old 20gb for around $250.

I agree…use ephpod. I use mine on a PC and it works great. I use it in the car, at home on the stereo, and on my metro commute.

Originally posted by mjnova:
I was thinkin more the stuff at the bottom. I just got a Pet Shop Boys - Acutally. Which is great stuff, and I ordered the Kylie reissues off Amazon, which should be good driving albums. I doubt I could tolerate much westlife, although Atomic Kittens, Sugarbabes etc would probably be right up my alley.

Well going for the stuff at the bottom……

Carter the Unstopable sex machine is great…… 101 damnations is better than 30 something, I wouldnt bother with the rest.

Pet shop boys, I have been enjoying introspective again just recently. Its sooo gay though. If you like the pet shop boys you will love postal service. Its my favourite of the year (thanks Jadetree)

I just got a best of Pop will eat itself which can even make me smile on the way to work in the morning.

The other thing I think you might like if you dont have already is Depeche Mode Violater.

Also Erasure had some good albums in the 80s, Pop, the 20 singles is a good place to start.

from there you can go back to yazz(oo) and soft cell….

As for the cheesy girl band stuff, well the only ones that I thought were any good were all saints their first album or greatest hits are both fantastic. Pop at its best.

If you are really interested I could always burn some for you.

i'm actually thinking i might get him the MP3 discman…he just got an MP3 player in his car last and has been driving around in stereo dork ectasy for the past week

Originally posted by MaLo:
i'm actually thinking i might get him the MP3 discman…he just got an MP3 player in his car last and has been driving around in stereo dork ectasy for the past week

take a look at the iriver then… i'm completely happy with mine. it's got upgradable firmwire and a nice remote.

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
take a look at the iriver then… i'm completely happy with mine. it's got upgradable firmwire and a nice remote.

thats what i got him..the SlimX…i think he'll enjoy it..its pretty cool

thanks for all your help…

Okay, I want you all who are recommending the iPod to tell us if you're talking about the PC model.

I have the 20 GB iPod and love it to death (I also use it on my stereo and in my car, which absolutely kicks because it's 2400 songs at my fingertips). And I have about 5 friends who love their iPods as much as I.

That being said, I have a few friends who got the PC versions and have had loads and loads of troubles. I just think that Mac is king at that kind of multimedia capabilities, and they haven't made it fully compatible with PCs. Which I have no problem with, since just about everything else is made with f*&^in' PCs in mind.

Just something to get some more specific feedback on. Of the PC MP3 players, I've heard good things about Nomads and Rios. Just be sure to get at *least* 5 GB.

Originally posted by chaz:
Flogging a dead horse here i know….but my wife got me an ipod for my b-day a few weeks ago.

Damn I love that thing……taking 200 cd's with me wherever I go in something the size of deck of cards.

When i'm at home I hook it up to my stereo. I haven't fumbled with a cd for weeks. I hook it up to my car stereo too.

For windows (don't know if this has been mentioned or not) he'll need a firewire card (yeah you can use usb2 but then you have to go buy the cable and I don't even know if it's available yet) and don't bother with the included Music Match software for PC…it's a piece of shit. Go download Ephpod for free. Easier and works better.

Buy the boy an IPOD and he'll be yours forever!