Newbie looking for first mp3 player

[Waid10]

I am looking to purchase my first player. I have been reading several reviews but I still cannot decide on a player that meets all of my needs.

1. I will use it primarily for running and working out. So I am leaning toward a flash player. I have heard that many HD players will skip if used when running or lifting. Although, everyone I talk to says that the Ipod Mini does not skip.

2. The player must have a comfortable armstrap as that is how I will wear it.

3. I don't need huge capacity. 256MB will likely be fine. So a flash player might be fine.

4. An FM tuner would be a nice option. I don't have a large digital music library yet, so a radio option would be nice. Plus, I like to be able to listen to SportsCenter while running on a treadmill at the gym (and the gym provides TVs with the audio piped through a given FM frequency).

5. It must interface well with my Apple Ibook. It seems that some players work much better with PCs. I already have an Apple, so the player must work well with my computer.

Obviously, the Ipod Mini satisfies most of these requirements. I like it alot. It has a large capacity compared to flash players, but it doesn't have an FM tuner. I looked at the Rio Cali, but you cannot transfer songs from the Itunes Music Store. I also looked at the Iriver 3xx series. I just worry how it will work with my Ibook.

I don't know much about various transfer formats. I have recently popped some of my CDs into my Ibook and transferred some songs to the Itunes Library. I think it transfers them using AAC, but I am not sure. I have also purchased a few songs from the Itunes Music Store.

This is all new to me.

Any help/suggestions/recommendations is/are greatly appreciated.

 

[blessingx]

For Mac compatible flash players, you may want to read this article.

 

[Waid10]

Thanks blessingx. That is an interesting article. The Cali is an option but the Ipod Mini seems almost perfect (if it only had an FM tuner).

 

[GSTom1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waid10 Thanks blessingx. That is an interesting article. The Cali is an option but the Ipod Mini seems almost perfect (if it only had an FM tuner).

The iPod Mini is not a flash player but uses a mircodrive that could get damaged from running. For a flash based player, I would recommend the Muvo TX, which comes with 256MB of memory and a built-in FM tuner. The only thing I'm not sure of is if it works/interfaces with the Mac.

 

[Gummy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSTom1 The iPod Mini is not a flash player but uses a mircodrive that could get damaged from running. For a flash based player, I would recommend the Muvo TX, which comes with 256MB of memory and a built-in FM tuner. The only thing I'm not sure of is if it works/interfaces with the Mac.

I am sure it will since it is a USB drive and you can just dump songs on there right?

 

[adamwillson001]

why not try the iaudio4, its got what you are looking for -->

- radio
- Built-in Flash Memory (128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB)
- ect

cheak out --> iaudio


--> not sure about the apple music thingy though

hope this helps

 

[Waid10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamwillson001 why not try the iaudio4, its got what you are looking for --> - radio - Built-in Flash Memory (128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB) - ect cheak out --> iaudio --> not sure about the apple music thingy though hope this helps

Yeah, I looked into the Iaudio 4, but CNet did a review and stated the following:
"Keep in mind that the iAudio 4 doesn't support Windows NT, nor is it compatible with Mac for music transfers; at this time, the device works with Mac OS X for data transfers only."

 

[Gummy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waid10 Yeah, I looked into the Iaudio 4, but CNet did a review and stated the following: "Keep in mind that the iAudio 4 doesn't support Windows NT, nor is it compatible with Mac for music transfers; at this time, the device works with Mac OS X for data transfers only."

On iaudio's site it says it's supported now

 

[Waid10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gummy On iaudio's site it says it's supported now

Thanks Gummy. That's interesting. That must be new since the CNet review was released on May 28, 2004 (or the CNet review was wrong).

 

[Gummy]

Well, they say you can transfer mp3 files, but cannot use the bundled software with Mac OS X.

Wonder what that means

If you can just drag and drop songs onto the player and listen to it then you are all set.
On the other hand, if the software is needed to index the songs etc. then it would be pretty stupid

 

[Idiot MD]

Armbands are not that difficult to overcome. I went down to the local Army Surplus store and got an elastic velcro strap and a small magazine pouch with belt strap to put my modded Muvo^2 on my arm (or leg or whatever). Total cost: $7.50. Just make sure you get a strap that is long enough to wrap around your arm twice if you get a pouch with a metal belt clip. Initially I didn't and ended up with an impression of the metal belt clip on my forearm that lasted about two days.

 

[adamwillson001]

ya iaudio can help you , because they always come out with new features that you can download (firmware) and update your player, they have updated the firmware so that you wil be able to read *.txt files from the device. Maybe they may update to be compatable with Apple??