MuVo2 vs. iPod mini

[jamont]

Can anyone compare the unobtainable MuVo2 4GB to the unobtainable iPod mini? I currently have a Nomad Jukebox 3, which I think is quite good, but I'd like eventually to get something more compact.

 

[bangraman]

Could I request that people looking for reviews put a question mark at the end of these potentially misleading threads? No offense but just a note.

 

[pomegranate]

I've no experience with either, but I would suggest you think about the size of the screen on the Muvo (two lines) for navigating through 4gb of music files...

 

[ixeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman Could I request that people looking for reviews put a question mark at the end of these potentially misleading threads? No offense but just a note.

i second that.
if you really made me choose one, i'll probably buy the creative muvo2, take the 4GB microdrive out, stick it into a HP2210 Handheld PDA and store videos/movies on it..

Cost of a 2GB CompactFlash Card: US$ 450+
Cost of a 4GB Creative MuVo² MP3 Player: US$ 250
Dismantling the MuVo2 and using its 4GB drive as a CF Card: Priceless!
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article/mutlimed/259

okay on a more serious note. if i was forced to choose between them, i'd pick the mini. but their both equally bad if you asked me.

compared to the muvo2
+bigger screen
+looks cooler
+supports compressed loseless media
-low battery life
-unchangable battery (least it wasn't designed to be changed, muvo one is)

 

[rayofsi]

the muvo has a cheaper price and easily replaceable battery pack, but if your looking for something good, i would think ipod, their software is easier to use then the creative and more bugfree then others.

 

[Dylan]

Form factor, battery life, screen size and other differences are obvious.

One difference that isn't obvious is the different ways you load and organize music. The iPod is tag based and requires client software to load it. The Muvo is file based and mounts as a drive. You drag your music and playlists in explorer. There is no dynamic tag based browsing on the Muvo. Folders and static playlists are the only means of organization.

The Muvo's approach is fine for a flash player but I find it inadequate for 500-1000 songs. Others disagree with me and prefer that they don't need client software and don't need to keep their p2p acquired music well tagged.

 

[IpaqMan]

Personally, I chose the Muvo2 4gb for myself. I also have a NJB3 and was looking for something smaller. The Muvo2 4gb was available so I decided to get one. I figured that if I did not like the player, I would have an inexpensive 4gb microdrive for my PPC. It turned out that I did like the player. It worked with my NJB3 FM wired remote. I was also able to get a spare battery with a spare Muvo2 (downgraded Ebay version). With the spare battery, I have not worried about a loss of power.

The Muvo2 has very good sound and a good equalizer. With the FM remote, I can listen and record FM radio. The voice recorder function works very well with audio saved in IMA ADPCM format (about one hour of audio per 28 mbytes).

As far as anyone has discovered, the microdrive in the Mini Ipod cannot be reused. The Mini offers less battery life, no user replaceable battery, lower sound quality, no radio, and no recorder. It also offers a slick user interface and pizzazz.

 

[ixeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IpaqMan Personally, I chose the Muvo2 4gb for myself. I also have a NJB3 and was looking for something smaller. The Muvo2 4gb was available so I decided to get one. I figured that if I did not like the player, I would have an inexpensive 4gb microdrive for my PPC. It turned out that I did like the player. It worked with my NJB3 FM wired remote. I was also able to get a spare battery with a spare Muvo2 (downgraded Ebay version). With the spare battery, I have not worried about a loss of power. The Muvo2 has very good sound and a good equalizer. With the FM remote, I can listen and record FM radio. The voice recorder function works very well with audio saved in IMA ADPCM format (about one hour of audio per 28 mbytes). As far as anyone has discovered, the microdrive in the Mini Ipod cannot be reused. The Mini offers less battery life, no user replaceable battery, lower sound quality, no radio, and no recorder. It also offers a slick user interface and pizzazz.

thanks for pointing out about the unusable microdrive in the mini ipod. thats very important info.

then in that case, i would suggest going for the Muvo2. cause when the mini dies (battery dies) its gonna be a paperweight unless you pay big bucks to get it replaced. or if you buy a new mp3 player its gonna devalue and your gonna sell it at a loss. with the muvo2 you can just rip the 4GB microdrive out and the microdrive costs more than the whole muvo2 player..thats a profit imo.

you can then use it for your digital camera, pda etc.

 

[Dylan]

iPod batteries can be replaced for under $50. In 2-5 years that 4 gig microdrive won't be worth much. There are reasons one may want a Muvo but I don't see this one as being rational.

 

[ixeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan iPod batteries can be replaced for under $50. In 2-5 years that 4 gig microdrive won't be worth much. There are reasons one may want a Muvo but I don't see this one as being rational.

it is rational for a person who owns a microdrive compatible device, gives the user the option to make use of the drive if needed. of course, thats my opinion.

its called getting more than what you paid for. my 2 cents.

 

[Dylan]

I consider it irrational that the possibility of reusing what will be a $50 part in a few years would be more important then the considerations of how you will actually use the product for it's main purpose over those few years. If you have enough disposable income to buy a luxury product like this in the first place then it's hard to believe that the future value of $50 holds that much importance to you that you would subjugate your current desires.

Youl would likely realize more value by paying to have the battery replaced and then selling it used.

 

[LiquidFX]

Assuming the lifespan of the ipod and the muvo is x years (before there is a more worthy upgrade), after x years, people who bought the muvo now would be left with a 4GB microdive, while those who bought the ipod now would be left with nothing.

 

[IpaqMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan I consider it irrational that the possibility of reusing what will be a $50 part in a few years would be more important then the considerations of how you will actually use the product for it's main purpose over those few years. If you have enough disposable income to buy a luxury product like this in the first place then it's hard to believe that the future value of $50 holds that much importance to you that you would subjugate your current desires.

My IBM microdrive cost me over $400 (same as new 4gb md today) three and a half years ago. It still sells for over $150. I can't see the price of a 4gb microdrive dropping to $50 in a few years.

In any case, for about $250 (Muvo2 4gb plus FM remote), you get more value with the Muvo2 than with the Mini.

1) Better sound quality
2) FM radio
3) FM recording
4) Voice recording
5) LCD remote
6) Reusable 4gb microdrive
7) User repairable drive (replace with compact flash)
8) Longer battery life, up to 14 hours
9) Easy to swap rechargeable battery, carry a spare for about $20
10) Uses a common 5 volt DC input jack (fits Casio, Sharp, Ipaq power accessories).
11) No software needed, no ID tagging necessary.
12) No major reported hardware glitches.

The Ipod Mini apparently has a hardware problem related to a flexible case and a non-flexible connector. Flexing a non-flexible connector can break solder connections and produce crackling/staticky sound.

 

[ixeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidFX Assuming the lifespan of the ipod and the muvo is x years (before there is a more worthy upgrade), after x years, people who bought the muvo now would be left with a 4GB microdive, while those who bought the ipod now would be left with nothing.

you took it out of my mouth. thats what i was trying to relay

 

[Slimm]

No software needed? The Muvo is drag and drop???.

I thought you needed Creative's Media Center to get files on it, using ID3 tags?