OMG, I'm buying an MP3 player! Help!

[Nuts]

Ok, now that I have your attention, I am searching for an MP3 player and I am so very confused about everything that it out there. Here's what I want, then maybe someone can recommend a particular model.

First and foremost, it must be small enough to strap to my arm, preferrably with an arm band included, but not necessary. (I frown on the Ipod armband for $30 Ouch!) I would would like a direct usb connection so I don't have to mess with cables, that would make things so much easier to use at work, home and my laptop.

Everything else is secondary. Obviously I would like something that has ease of use and seperate music folders would be a bonus, but not necessary. I considered the shuffle until I found out that you had to skip from track to track instead of seleting a set of songs. (I this true AJ? ;) ) I can't see any other reason to own the Ipod over any other for that matter. Storage would only be a factor if I could store a libary with direct access, otherwise 512mb would be more than enough.

Anybody have any suggestions?

[UED77]

My father has a PNY Vibe 128 MB. Site: http://www.pny.com/products/digitalent/
Only the 2 GB version has no direct USB plug, all other models have it built-in. A neat thing is that it comes with a detachable battery housing, and the USB port plugs into it in normal playing configuration. It supports MP3 and non-DRM WMA. It is small enough to be highly portable, although I don't recall an armband being included with it. You can wear it around your neck, though :)

EDIT:
Creative Labs also has a nifty product: MuVo TX FM (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=9771&nav=features)

It is small, portable, has a detachable battery module, features a direct USB connection, and armband is included in the box. The 512 MB version carries for $120.

UED77

[AJ]

Well the shuffle works in two different ways:

1) You can use the random function of iTunes to add a random selection of your songs to the shuffle and then you can use the 'shuffle' mode on the iPod itself which will play those randomly. This follows Apple's strategy of truly random music in your life, etc etc.

2) You can setup playlists in iTunes and then move those over to the shuffle. From there you can use the two modes of operation that the shuffle offers. Playlist mode, where it will play the playlist you built, in the order that you put the songs in. Shuffle mode just takes the songs that you put in that playlist (aka all the songs on the iPod) and plays them in the old 'shuffle' mode.

Hopefully that sums up the abilities of the Shuffle well enough for you.
And for $99 + $28 for the armband, you're at about the same price as most other players.

Note: another good armband option for the same price: http://www.xtrememac.com/ipodgear/sportwrap_shuffle.shtml
And the best price on the Apple Shuffle Armband ($28): http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10395780&loc=101&hdwt=0&sp=1

you had to skip from track to track instead of seleting a set of songs.
That's tough to answer, because the functionality of the Shuffle works such that you either get a track-by-track random shuffle of the songs, or it will play through the songs in the order you choose and put into a specific playlist that you put onto the Shuffle. (Which is nice because if that playlist gets old, you can just switch over to shuffle mode and catch the same tunes in a random order)

The only major downside to the Shuffle is its lack of an LCD, but that depends on what you're really looking for in an mp3 player. A lot of people see it as a positive because it's less breakable parts and less worry about an LCD screen, especially while jogging/working out.

[Whiteknight]

Bah, I see the shuffle as useless, I have too many songs. It works well for most people, though, people I know who have it have given it positive reviews.

How much money are you willing to spend for this, Nuts?

[CODEZERO]

hmm i heard the iriver was a good mp3
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10050999&catid=10205
and the curtis 512mb
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10056045&catid=10205
id say get the creative muvo n200 but u need a cable but yeah

[Seal]

Bah, I see the shuffle as useless, I have too many songs. It works well for most people, though, people I know who have it have given it positive reviews.

How much money are you willing to spend for this, Nuts?
i thought Shuffle's idea was near-automatic rehashing of the playlist, so you just need to plug it in and run iTunes to have a new set of music.

[AJ]

Essentially. It's meant to be the most basic of players -- the best for athletic purposes, due to its small size factor and extreme low weight. The lack of breakable parts is also pushed.

The shuffle aspect and random song chooser in iTunes are kickers, yeah.

[ZeroDarkStar]

In my opinion, Creative Labs (http://www.creative.com/) makes the best flash MP3 Players, in terms of features (most feature FM Radio and a voice recorder) and price (within the 100 dollar range). They also all come with a holder and an LCD screen, and some also come packaged with an armband.

[Nuts]

But what, if any, is the advantage of the Ipod over other similar mp3 players? If the only real difference is the ability to play itunes, then it's likely not necessary for me. I do admit, I like the Ipod, but I'm not sure how much I'm in love with the device or the idea. ;) Plus there's a level of security knowing you're buying something that should be the very best on the market.

Were I to choose another, I do like the Muvo, it's a really nice design and seems to have a good name behind it.

I want to thank everyone for their input, now I must decide. Oh and Whiteknight, I don't want to spend over $150, which looks like the most I would pay for most of these that have been mentioned. :)

[ZeroDarkStar]

Basically what you're paying for with any iPod is the "style" factor. When people see an iPod they go "oh wow, look, an iPod!" (though the shock factor has grown significatly less now that iPods are more or less commonplace). You're also paying for the Apple branding and the small size (iPods are the thinest hard-drive based players on the market by at least a tenth of an inch. While that may not seem like much, a player two or three tenths of an inch bigger in your hand WILL feel extremely bulky and cumbersome).

I generally find that if you're looking to follow the current trend and get an iPod, then what you're getting is a player that's smaller in size and looks great, but has less features (why the hell won't an iPod play .WMA files? That's the most common audio file, and overall the best, but Apple refuses to support it. I know that 90% of my music libary is .WMA, because it retains the quality of MP3 while having only 75% of the size).

[Neo]

Muvos also, I believe, don't push special programs for moving files over and such. Ie: you can plug it in, windows see it is a removable drive, you drop mp3s in it, tada your ready to go.

AFAIK, thats isnt how the iPod works at all.

Barring that anyways, the MuVo has always gotten strong reviews -- as opposed to the others out there. On top of that they are reasonable and have reasonable sizes -- for most people sizes from 256 to 512 are just fine, only the most extreme audiophiles are going to need gig or greater. And even if you want a gig, they arent to bad.

for ex:

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/FeedBack/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16855102169

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/FeedBack/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16855102130

Mainly the darg n drop is what would've hooked me. Though with any MP3 Player you'll prolly want to find some good headphones. Lol, that second link has a huge ass review from a self-proclaimed audiophile ^^

-Neo

EDIT: That has got to be such a load of crap -- WMA is the most common audio file? Uhm, Hello, what is it called? MP3s are probably a hell of a lot more common -- though more and more people are using OGG nowadays. iPod doesnt supoprt WMA becuase its not Apple. And doesnt the iPod actually convert your mp3s TO its specific format first? ;/

[Whiteknight]

Basically what you're paying for with any iPod is the "style" factor. When people see an iPod they go "oh wow, look, an iPod!" (though the shock factor has grown significatly less now that iPods are more or less commonplace). You're also paying for the Apple branding and the small size (iPods are the thinest hard-drive based players on the market by at least a tenth of an inch. While that may not seem like much, a player two or three tenths of an inch bigger in your hand WILL feel extremely bulky and cumbersome).

I generally find that if you're looking to follow the current trend and get an iPod, then what you're getting is a player that's smaller in size and looks great, but has less features (why the hell won't an iPod play .WMA files? That's the most common audio file, and overall the best, but Apple refuses to support it. I know that 90% of my music libary is .WMA, because it retains the quality of MP3 while having only 75% of the size).

.mp3s are much more popular than .wma, which is a windows format exclusive. Besides, itunes automatically converts all your songs to .mpeg4, which is much better in conserving space and quality than the competition.

Neo, I'd say bit the bullet and pay 50 bucks more for an ipod mini. It's small, stylish, and most importantly, has a screen. Only my biased opinion, though.

[Neo]

.mp3s are much more popular than .wma, which is a windows format exclusive. Besides, itunes automatically converts all your songs to .mpeg4, which is much better in conserving space and quality than the competition.

Neo, I'd say bit the bullet and pay 50 bucks more for an ipod mini. It's small, stylish, and most importantly, has a screen. Only my biased opinion, though.
Uhm....

Both things I linked to for reviews were like $66 and $90 ... the uhm cheapest Ipod Mini is $200...

And the MuVo has a screen -- its not as fancy as the Ipods, but uhm, so what.

Unless your an audiophile the quality of your files don't really matter -- besides that if the song is in mp3 format, the quality isnt going to get BETTER by converting, its already 'bad' (not that it matters to most people).

Personally I would much rather be able to do this:

Plug the MuVo into a USB port. Drag and Drop my files. Unplug it from the USB Port and go.

Instead of:

Jumping through hoops, forced to use iTunes, 'converting' files, etc...

I don't know. Plus I just don't see myself paying $200 to play some mp3s and stuff. Just becuase it 'looks cool' Id rather it look like shit so no one is tempted to try and steal it.

-Neo

[Nuts]

The MuVo is looking like a strong possibility right now.

Thank you

[ZeroDarkStar]

.mp3s are much more popular than .wma, which is a windows format exclusive. Besides, itunes automatically converts all your songs to .mpeg4, which is much better in conserving space and quality than the competition.

Neo, I'd say bit the bullet and pay 50 bucks more for an ipod mini. It's small, stylish, and most importantly, has a screen. Only my biased opinion, though.

.mpeg4 is not supported enough yet to actually be in the running for "best format". Hell, I'd take Apple Lossless over mpeg4 anyday. .WMA is widely supported (the iPod is the ONLY MP3 player I've found that does not play WMAs). I haven't even seen a player besides iPod that supports mp4.

[TimP]

I have a Creative Labs MUVO (the 4GB hard drive version) and I paid $160 for it about 9 months ago. It was $120 last time I checked. I know several people who have different Creative Labs devices and the opinions have all been positive. The battery life is great and the batteries are removable (unlike the iPod). If you're going to be using it for jogging and high impact activities I would recommend a flash based device over a hard drive based device.