Your mp3 player of choice

Aja on 15/11/2008 at 21:09

The (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Karma) Rio Karma is the best MP3 player ever made. I have my original 20GB model, as well as a modded 40gb one. But they don't last forever, and you can't buy new ones any more, so I gave in and bought a Zune 80, which is alright (I can't use an ipod because the touchwheel won't respond to my guitar-calloused fingers :( ).
For the most intuitive interface ever made and better sound quality than most non-portable devices (waaaay better than Ipod or Zune), the Karma still holds a place in my heart.

The Zune is still a fun piece of technology, though. Its interface is 2nd only to the Karma's, and the touchpad works better than Apple's. It's a bit laggy though, and the battery drains unless you put it into undocumented "off" mode by holding back/down for five seconds.

TBE on 16/11/2008 at 18:06

My choice is the (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/80gb-enhanced-fifth-generation-ipod-unboxed/) 5th Generation Video iPod. I love the ability to put my tv episodes of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on it. I hate using iTunes, but it's not the end of the world. Music is loud, battery life is good unless you skip around lot. I've got (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/core-cases-aluminum-case-for-5g-ipod/) this case for it, and it's nearly indestructible! I've dropped it about 10 times now. (It's the light blue one in case you're interested.)

I had a friend with one of the (http://www.mp3.com/archos-705-wifi-160gb/hardware/301/summary.html) Archos mp3 players. It seemed pretty cool, but they didn't seem to support models as they got older. The screen size was nice. Picture storage and navigation was ok. Music was ok too. Player was a bit bulky if you only wanted music ability.

Hey guys touting this Rockbox, what kind of benefits do you see on using this aftermarket firmware? I've looked into it, but can't justify installing it yet.

DJ Riff on 17/11/2008 at 10:44

For benefits of Rockbox see here:

(http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/WhyRockbox)

Personally, I was in need of loading about 1000 of small *.ogg files into player (for translating T3 into Russian ;) ), and when I tried to do it wia iTunes, it just freezed for 20 minutes and then crashed itself and the player too. Not to mention that I had to convert them into *.mp3 first. Then I installed Rockbox and just copied them to the player as if it was a simple flashdrive.

And of course I like the idea of fully-customized interface (screenshots above).

henke on 17/11/2008 at 17:32

Quote Posted by KoHaN69

but ipod+rockbox is a good alternative

Yeah that rockbox thingy seems cool. :D

I've had a iPod 30GB (5th Gen) for 2 years now but not bothered modding it for fear it'll get fucked up. But christmas is coming up and I'm halfway considering treating myself to one of those 120GB models so I might as well go ahead and get this rockbox thingy now.

The fact that you can, apparently, play Doom on it is what sold it to me.

Briareos H on 17/11/2008 at 20:17

Dream music player : Toshiba Gigabeat F40/60 using a custom 100 (120 ?) GB drive, custom extended life battery, with rockbox.
Excellent sound quality, plays everything from FLAC to MPC, I don't give a damn about video, usable as an external hard drive, fast bootup time, built-in and programmable DSPs, fully customised UI, fast and comprehensive search/database options, battery switch, almost no possibility to fuck the firmware up, clear and nice screen in an elegant aluminum case.

Right now, I still have the stock 60 GB hard drive and I broke my stereo jack plug but soon it will be mine.

EvaUnit02 on 19/11/2008 at 11:30

Quote Posted by henke

The fact that you can, apparently, play Doom on it is what sold it to me.

The Doom RPGs presumably? FPSes would likely be disasters on it. They're god awful on PSP (thanks to the lack of a 2nd analogue stick), I can imagine how bad they will be on device that wasn't designed specifically for games. The touch screen may help a little in that department though.

lost_soul on 20/11/2008 at 01:20

I carry around a 16-GB Cowon D2 with me and I have a 16-GB SDHC card in it. It's great because it gives you direct file access, plays Vorbis/FLAC and thus works on any OS. I used to use an Ipod, (still have it too) but I am getting away from Windows. I also didn't like the fact that the Ipod insulted/accused me. When I connected it to another PC of mine which was not "authorised" by big brother to play my files, Itunes also took the liberty of disabling the tracks on the Ipod without my permission. Now I use a device that doesn't insult/torture me when I connect it to a different PC. I've got Rockbox on the Ipod which is amazong, but the battery life isn't so good.

Aja on 20/11/2008 at 01:46

New Zune firmware removes most of the lag I mentioned, and adds a cool space blasting game! And I think the battery-draining issue might be fixed -- I left mine on overnight and it was properly shut off when I woke up.

lost_soul on 20/11/2008 at 02:02

I do wish the D2 could play some good ol" classic doom. There's talk of a rockbox port, which means it may happen eventually. My brother has a DS which can play mp3 files off of a flash card and of course Doom! :)