As noted in my profile, my current portable is a Rio ce2100. Not only is it ridiculously scratched up, but the battery self discharges at an insane rate (I've had it for about 5 or six years now I think). I'm looking at getting a new player before I have a bunch of trips in a row. Right now I'm looking into touch screen players.
First a few things:
My library consists of mp3, wma (mainly from ruckus), and some flac (although all this means is that I can put those files into any format). My video library is split between H.264 and XviD in various containers (avi, mkv, mp4, mov).
Current candidates with my notes on them:
iPod Touch
The obvious choice in terms of market share. Has the most accessories. Closed environment, so can't use for storage. Debated sq from HP, not debated on LO. Huge amount of applications. Battery life unknown for current generation (wifi off, auto screen brightness). Audio format support mediocre for my library (have a bunch of wma from ruckus). Video format support very specific (H.264 in either mp4, m4v, or mov). LCD screen in HVGA 3:2. Not exactly wanting to get iTunes because syncing will be the only time I use it.
Zune HD
Supported by a major company in the US (although not necessarily major in said market), thus likely has decent accessories. Closed environment, so can't use for storage. HP supposedly nice. EQ is preset, unknown usefulness. Few applications, but the basic ones are either present or in development (e.g. facebook, twitter). Battery life decent. Format support fits my library (although my lossless is in FLAC atm). Screen quality excellent. Ability to dock and output to TV via HDMI with S/PDIF audio. Not exactly wanting to install other software since I'll only use it for syncing. I suppose Zune Pass is also worth mentioning.
Cowon S9
Relatively unknown company in the US (general market). Accessories are somewhat few and far between, although it is possible to get nice ones. Open environment (i.e. can use as a flash drive). HP sq debated. EQ/BBE has custom settings as well as presets (of debated quality). Ridiculous audio format support, mediocre video support ("unofficially" does H.264). Excellent screen. Community development of interface. Battery life varying from absolutely ridiculous to average. Drag and drop
.
At this point, I'm somewhat leaning toward the S9 because of its open environment (of course, there could be a hack for the iTouch that I don't knokw about), and because then it's not "just like everybody else". Sony X is not on the list because the current price is far above even the ipod touch of the same capacity. I don't remember why I'm not considering the Samsung P3. Opinions/suggestions/etc?
First a few things:
My library consists of mp3, wma (mainly from ruckus), and some flac (although all this means is that I can put those files into any format). My video library is split between H.264 and XviD in various containers (avi, mkv, mp4, mov).
Current candidates with my notes on them:
iPod Touch
The obvious choice in terms of market share. Has the most accessories. Closed environment, so can't use for storage. Debated sq from HP, not debated on LO. Huge amount of applications. Battery life unknown for current generation (wifi off, auto screen brightness). Audio format support mediocre for my library (have a bunch of wma from ruckus). Video format support very specific (H.264 in either mp4, m4v, or mov). LCD screen in HVGA 3:2. Not exactly wanting to get iTunes because syncing will be the only time I use it.
Zune HD
Supported by a major company in the US (although not necessarily major in said market), thus likely has decent accessories. Closed environment, so can't use for storage. HP supposedly nice. EQ is preset, unknown usefulness. Few applications, but the basic ones are either present or in development (e.g. facebook, twitter). Battery life decent. Format support fits my library (although my lossless is in FLAC atm). Screen quality excellent. Ability to dock and output to TV via HDMI with S/PDIF audio. Not exactly wanting to install other software since I'll only use it for syncing. I suppose Zune Pass is also worth mentioning.
Cowon S9
Relatively unknown company in the US (general market). Accessories are somewhat few and far between, although it is possible to get nice ones. Open environment (i.e. can use as a flash drive). HP sq debated. EQ/BBE has custom settings as well as presets (of debated quality). Ridiculous audio format support, mediocre video support ("unofficially" does H.264). Excellent screen. Community development of interface. Battery life varying from absolutely ridiculous to average. Drag and drop
.At this point, I'm somewhat leaning toward the S9 because of its open environment (of course, there could be a hack for the iTouch that I don't knokw about), and because then it's not "just like everybody else". Sony X is not on the list because the current price is far above even the ipod touch of the same capacity. I don't remember why I'm not considering the Samsung P3. Opinions/suggestions/etc?
