[caableguy]

So what is the way to go in portable? If you rip at a high sample rate in mp3 around 224 or so which is the better way? Battery life looks good for md players and some of thier editing tech. but I also like the idea of not haveing to carry disks around too!
hmmmmmm. so......... any ideas???

 

[RunsWithScissors]

Hi - I could give the absolute best recommendation based on MY needs but that may not suit YOUR needs - so tell us:

what features are important to you?

How will you use the portable device (work outs, running, just walking around, at a desk, on a plane/train...)?

Are you content with MP3 or do you need/want other formats?

How portable is "portable" in your mind? Shove it on my belt or in my pocket, or throw it in a bag (maybe a big bag)?

What music capacity do you need your portable to support? Just a couple CDs worth or Gigs to suit any mood at any moment?

Would you be uncomfortable dealing with several discs for MP3/CD or mini-disc - would you mind going to the trouble of burning discs before you actually listen to music or do you HAVE TO have the convenience of HDD transfer to listen to it NOW?

These are all the considerations you should be weighing in my opinion.

I have had a RioVolt for over a year and more recently obtained an iPod because I found it a hassle to constantly burn discs and carry them all around. iPod suits my needs now and while I still have my RioVolt, I use my iPod every day.

I have no experience with mini-disc so I can't/won't comment on something I know nothing about.

Let us know...

 

[Clutz]

I think it may also be useful to know which computer platform you're using... Mac or PC..

 

[lan]

If you are using MP3s already, you'll lose quality putting them on MD because they will be recompressed to ATRAC.

 

[fappar]

wait a bit, and buy the rio pearl. MD just doesnt stand up to a good hdd based mp3 player (well, if one is using an external amp..)

also, space consideration. either get a single unit, or a single unit + a ****load of Minidiscs, or a single (even bigger) unit plus a bunch of fullsized cds.

 

[caableguy]

I don't mind burning disks, but I just don't want to have to swap out disks all the time. As for portability, put in my pocket or on a belt. I have an iRiver imp 350 now and like ok; still looking for something better. I have a PC and an Powermac 6500/225. I just got this from my brother and don't know if it will work with an iPod, one reason for getting it as well as trying it for graphics. I guess I am leaning towards an hd player, but I just want to explore all options. I have used my Toshiba e740 for mp3's but the sound is not that great and battery life is very short. Battery live is important too as I work out in the field as a Data Tech.

Again Thanks for all your help and info!

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

if battery life is important...minidisc is the way to go..
also, if you like to record other people's music (cd players, mp3 players, or anything with line-out/headphones jack/mic) there's nothing more flexable then minidisc when it comes to on-the-unit-editing

but than...harddrive players hold a lot more. but much more fragile and short battery life

it all depens on YOUR needs

 

[caableguy]

durabulity is an issue too. it's gotta hold up to active lifestyle.

Man, how can I afford to have all the toys? hard drive for just lounging and listening and a md for active stuff I guess, ehh?

So what models and phones then. ARrrgggg, so many chices so little money... plus getting married in a month, tight funds now

 

[headache]

Quote:

Originally posted by caableguy durabulity is an issue too. it's gotta hold up to active lifestyle. Man, how can I afford to have all the toys? hard drive for just lounging and listening and a md for active stuff I guess, ehh? So what models and phones then. ARrrgggg, so many chices so little money... plus getting married in a month, tight funds now

My thoughts on this topic: CDs are very, very easy to handle. Ever tried to use UDF-CD/RWs with your iRiver? You can burn them with InCD or DirectCD and change the mp3s on your discs fast and easily - just like a HDD.

MD and HDD-Player are not able to play normal Audio-CDs. I regard this a huge disadvantage.

I already inadvertently dropped an imp-150 and 250. Guess what, nothing happened. Try this with a HDD-player - or better don't!

iRiver MP3/CD-Player use normal AA or gumstick-batteries. Get yourself an extra-pair and battery-life is doubled.

If you buy an iRiver you might have some $$ left. Do yourself a favour and get koss porta pros (or as a wedding present

). They are definitely the best portable headphones. And they sound even better after burning them in!

 

[the_Omniscient]

Of course, it fully depends on your personal needs. If you're happy with a basic MP3-player that's super-pocketfriendly, iPod (rev 1, 2 or 3) is the way to go.

Bear in mind though, that the iHP-100 is hardly any larger or more heavy than Apple's "precious". With this one, you've got everything an audiophile's gonna need (minus the Flac and Ogg-support), only its' pricetag is subject of critisism these days. Some ppl say it's highly overpriced, but when you would equip an iPod with all additional features found on the iHP-100, pricetags would be about on par.

As someone said b4: the SonicBlue Pearl is also a nice alternative, as is the Philips HDD100 or the Samsung YP900GT (though the latter one is postponed till September... omg, not again).

Problem is that they all have something unique about their precious little selves. iHP-100 has the ability to cut persons in twice with a flashy laserbeam... eh... and to connect any device to its' nice optical in and -out, whereas Pearl will come with the dockingstation + RCA jacks, and although the Samsung YP-900GT has neither of these feattures, its is able to transmit through FM-frequencies.

Choices, choices, and it ain't easy as far as HDD-players are considered. If it helps you out, I've balanced iHP-100 and HDD-100 from "neutral" perspective, and they respectively scored 77% (iHP) and 80% (HDD-100) but that's just lame previewing.

In between all of this, there are players like Bantam's BA-1000 with rather low capacity but high-end features (encoding mainly), so keep your eyes wide open and... smell the coffee.

So maybe kill the time with a really kewl old MiniDisc-player until some of these HDD-players come available, otherwise: iPod's ok for most mainstream-ppl.

 

[cola]

i wanna a 10G ipod

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally posted by caableguy durabulity is an issue too. it's gotta hold up to active lifestyle. Man, how can I afford to have all the toys? hard drive for just lounging and listening and a md for active stuff I guess, ehh? So what models and phones then. ARrrgggg, so many chices so little money... plus getting married in a month, tight funds now

Blow it now while you can

Having had Net MD, iRiver and iPod, I can tell you that for my use, the iPod is perfect. The iPod itself is not perfect, but it's a better and more convenient playback device than MD, and much smaller than the iRiver. You can do more with the iRiver but it's very convenient to just be able to sync your music collection in one button press.

 

[austonia]

Quote:

Originally posted by the_Omniscient iHP-100 has the ability to cut persons in twice with a flashy laserbeam... eh...

lol

good to see you posting here Rob

 

[Knocturnal]

To put it simply: iPod

 

[NewSc2]

Quote:

Originally posted by Knocturnal To put it simply: iPod

Get the iPod and never regret it. Get anything else and you'll be always looking at that shiny white mp3 player through the Apple Store window....