Personal Music Players

[GaryC 7]

CloneDVD Mobile works very well for DVD's and it is free. The iTunes program will convert almost any other type of video you can name as long as you have the correct drivers installed on your computer. So far I have had no problem.

[pedroh 21]

for pc movies, videora Ipod Converter

and for youtube clipss.. free dvdvideosoft free youtube to ipod converter ( u need greasemonkey script for firefox and youtube to me script)

bump

[Yaads 1]

Thanks for all the input! I am so not good at learning new technologies and there is an overwhelming amount. Right now I am only looking for something for music, the thought of watching movies hadn't even crossed my mind. Oh the options

Thanks also for the link to cnet.com

As to finding tunes to fill it, the library is your friend!

What an AWESOME idea! Thanks so much!

Edited June 4, 2007 by Jme3584

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Thanks for all the input! I am so not good at learning new technologies and there is an overwhelming amount. Right now I am only looking for something for music, the thought of watching movies hadn't even crossed my mind. Oh the options

Thanks also for the link to cnet.com

As to finding tunes to fill it, the library is your friend!

What an AWESOME idea! Thanks so much!

Also try ebay. What I used to do was buy CDs second hand via ebay, rip them and then sell them on. Costs practically nothing. Do the same thing with audiobooks too - once I have the files no reason to keep the CDs.

[Robor007 0]

man what converter do u use lol? my converter is fine! and free!

The one I use is proprietary. Which one do you do use?

BTW - had the same problem with DVD-ripping software. Works ok on the PC - but the sound gets ahead of the picture on a regular DVD player.

DVD Decryptor or AnyDVD to rip then DVD Shrink to compress/edit/burn works for me on standard DVD's (DVD9). I haven't tried ripping an HD-DVD yet.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

man what converter do u use lol? my converter is fine! and free!

The one I use is proprietary. Which one do you do use?

BTW - had the same problem with DVD-ripping software. Works ok on the PC - but the sound gets ahead of the picture on a regular DVD player.

DVD Decryptor or AnyDVD to rip then DVD Shrink to compress/edit/burn works for me on standard DVD's (DVD9). I haven't tried ripping an HD-DVD yet.

I wouldn't even attempt that - my DVD player is first generation. Can only record single layer.

[Robor007 0]

man what converter do u use lol? my converter is fine! and free!

The one I use is proprietary. Which one do you do use?

BTW - had the same problem with DVD-ripping software. Works ok on the PC - but the sound gets ahead of the picture on a regular DVD player.

DVD Decryptor or AnyDVD to rip then DVD Shrink to compress/edit/burn works for me on standard DVD's (DVD9). I haven't tried ripping an HD-DVD yet.

I wouldn't even attempt that - my DVD player is first generation. Can only record single layer.

I haven't done any dual layer burns either. To me the media is still too expensive and most movies fit on a single layer disc with no or little compression. I was referring to ripping an HD-DVD to the hard drive. I know it's possible but I don't have the capability to stream it to my HDTV and AFAIK there's no HD-DVD burners out yet but I could be wrong.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

After dropping my old iRiver H-140 that I'd had for 3 years I wouldn't personally buy any HD-based player. If you drop it - the HD is knackered, and even the new HD-players are not shockproof in anyway whatsoever.

I would never buy an iPod, for the main reason that you need iTunes to sync your music files. There’s no reason why MP3 players should be any more than drag and drop – anything else is a complication, and with iTunes specifically, synching your music library on an older computer without too much memory is asking for trouble. Similarly the newer iPods don’t work if your PC doesn’t support USB 2.0. Many older PC’s don’t – so its worth checking that out before you buy anything.

The iPod is also grossly overpriced IMO. Even the flash based nano is a rip – for about $10 more you can get one of these (I bought one last month) which plays video has an SD-Card expansion (new High Density SD Card are coming out which will offer upwards of 32 gig capacities), supports USB drag and drop as well as synching and has a rated 50 hour battery capacity.

Then there's the new iRiver Clix - also better reviewed than the iPod and around the same price. Also plays video. The ipod nano doesn't.

Do yourself a favour and check out cnet.com and read up on some of the reviews. There are plenty of MP3 players out there that offer more than the iPod, for the same price or lower.

I agree with you, HD players are overpriced and not very stable,

I have a Creative Muvo Sport Flash based Mp3 player it has 256 mg onboard with expansion slot, I have an 8g, and 3 2gb cards which i swap between my Mp3 player and My Treo Phone.

I simple load my music buy opening Windows Explorer and then drag & Drop the files simple and easy.

it also has a built in Fm tuner.

[balmytigeress 0]

My initial problem with my ipod happened after my laptop's d: drive broke. Using itunes, to add content using another computer would wipe off everything that I had put on the ipod.

I found I could use realplayer to add content, without losing the existing content.

All that HD, layer stuff, and cd ripping, that's beyond my current technology expertise.

BT

[Yaads 1]

All that HD, layer stuff, and cd ripping, that's beyond my current technology expertise.

Me too

So I have been busy here at work reading reviews and all sorts of information that my head is swimming... Couple more questions for you techies if you don't mind...

So I have tentatively narrowed it down to either a Zune or the Creative Zen Vision :M (probably the latter) Anyone have those? Heard anything about it?

Also I have been reading alot about DRM...anyone have the cliff's notes for what that means to me. I have read tons about it but not quite grasping the impact I would actually feel.

Thanks for putting up with all my questions

[homesick_american 1]

I have an iPod but I rarely use it because I loathe ear bud headphones and bigger headphones with decent sound seem to drain the batteries much more quickly.

[randolady 1]

My personal opinion is that people who use iPods are tools. They shell out tons more money for a music player that, 9 times out of 10, breaks right after the warranty runs out.

I have a Creative Zen Nano which holds 1GB. I like it a lot, although when it's not attached to your computer, you can't create playlists or search for specific songs very easily. I commute 2 hours every day while listening to it, and the (one AA) battery usually lasts two weeks. I paid around $60 for my ugly grey one a year ago; now you can get a pretty blue one for $42!

On the other hand, I had a friend who had a Creative something or other, 4 or 5 GB, that ended up dying after a year and a half. But she dropped it a lot.

Basically, I think iPods are trendy and cool, but not reliable. Unless you pay more for accessories, you can only charge the battery through a computer's USB (pain in the butt if you're traveling). Creatives don't have the cool dancey advertisements, so they're cheaper. And their battery life is waaaay better.

Edited June 5, 2007 by esjessi

[homesick_american 1]

My personal opinion is that people who use iPods are tools. They shell out tons more money for a music player that, 9 times out of 10, breaks right after the warranty runs out.

I got mine on eBay for half of what it costs to buy a new one. Yeah, I'm a total tool.

[randolady 1]

My personal opinion is that people who use iPods are tools. They shell out tons more money for a music player that, 9 times out of 10, breaks right after the warranty runs out.

I got mine on eBay for half of what it costs to buy a new one. Yeah, I'm a total tool.

hehe ok if you got it for cheapo, I will revoke my tool accusation. But just for you!

[pedroh 21]

I have an iPod but I rarely use it because I loathe ear bud headphones and bigger headphones with decent sound seem to drain the batteries much more quickly.

yeah i think they do, i have a good pair of earbuds and also regular headphones, and yea seems the big ones drain the power quicker..