Now that the aux port is finally available, I will be in the market for a portable MP3 player, and would like opinions on them. I would like to keep it in the $300 range if possible, and at least 20 gigs would be nice. I haven't done much research on them, so if anyone can steer me in a good direction I'd appreciate it.

I bought an Archos Studio Jukebox 10 on ebay for $165 delivered. It is ten gig, and seems to work fine. I don't think I will need more than ten gigs. I believe that is something like two hundred cds. Correct me if I'm wrong. I am looking forward to installing my adapter.

I've seen those Archos ones, how easy are they to connect to the computer and load songs onto? A friend had one, I can't remember what brand, and he would just plug it into his USB port and the computer treated it like another drive, and he just dragged and dropped files onto it. Does the Archos come with its own software, or do you not need any?

Hands down the best....

http://a772.g.akamai.net/7/772/51/1a..._top042803.jpg

Ant, how much does the IPod go for? Is it only an MP3 player, or does it do other things, like a PDA? I've seen many posts where people mention it, but don't know too much about it.

im goin w/ the iPod but the Archos Multimedia Jukebox w/ the color screen is also nice and a lot cheaper!! but it depends wat features u want... i dont think im gonna be watchin a full length movie on a little tiny screen, so i am going w/ the iPod 15 GB....

iPod vs. Archos Multimedia Jukebox

>>Ant, how much does the IPod go for? Is it only an MP3 player, or does it do other things, like a PDA? I've seen many posts where people mention it, but don't know too much about it.

Check the Apple website for prices. I forget what the new ones go for, In addition to MP3s it doubles as a firewire hard drive, it plays some games and it syncs your contact and calendar. But nothing beats its interface and ease of use as an MP3 player. It works with Windows now too, so you dont need a Mac and everytime to dock it, it automatically updates all the new tunes and playlists from your computer to the iPod.

The Neuros MP3 player, the new kid on the block is quite impressive. A friend of mine bought one, and it seems to be quite durable. The unit can be operated as a standalone 128MB memory MP3 player (for jogging, etc), but it also be operated as a 20GB unit (when the "backpack of 20GB is put on). A 40GB is in the workse. It broadcasts FM for playing in a car (tho the sound quality is ok, nothing great- funny if you park another car next to yours, the sound will play in their car also if their tuned to the same freq. :smile:, also records line-in and FM radio as well. Biggest downside is price $400 for the package...

I have an Archos Jukebox 20GB (Record mix-sets on it), it's ok, but I have had problems with it freezing from time to time (Recording off my mixer when spinning records seems to be the worst), but for about $200 on E-Bay, it's not a bad investment. Just be careful, it's fragile...

My $.02 (adjusted for inflation),

-Matt

iPod.

No contest.

another vote for ipod.
make sure you buy the warranty though!
i'm on my 3rd! hahahahaa

iPod all the way. I had a Gen 2 and now a Gen3 and they are awesome.

I'm thinking about getting one of these Nomad Jukebox Zen mp3 players. Does anyone own one? How do you like it? It apparently has better sound quality than the Ipod and is only slightly larger for its much greater capacity (up to 60 GB).



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another vote for the iPod here

the Nomad Zen is alright, if you wanna wait upto 20 seconds to load your playlists, its very slugish in the menus
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dont get the zen i got one thinking, 20 gigs 100 bucks cheaper than ipod 15. the warranty is crappy 3 month thats it and no repairs past that.mine crapped out at four month. igot an ipod now wow the extra bucks is worth the design and ease of use. :grin: :grin:

>>another vote for ipod.
>>make sure you buy the warranty though!
>>i'm on my 3rd! hahahahaa


wat warranty?? i have the warranty from best buy....

If money is not an issue I think the IPOD is the way to go. I have the Archos Recorder 20G. It's a USB hard disk, so you just copy files to it like you would any other drive. Costs about half of what the IPOD does, can record to MP3, doubles as a backup hard disk, and works great with the MINI aux input. If you get an ARCHOS go to Archos Open Source Firmware and update the firmware. Adds many great features!

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

The iPod has a firewire interface. USB will take a loooooong time to transfer songs from your peecee. I have about 2500 songs on my iPod and it takes practically no time at all to update my songs and playlists. Apple is always waaayyyy ahead of all the rest when it comes to design (both product and interface) You won't be disappointed with an iPod. I've got 3! One for the MINI, one for the gym and such and one for my wife (she actually got my 5GB when I got a new 10 and 20GB!!) And it fits perfectly in the MINI cup holder! :grin:

I worked at Creative for close to 5 years. I helped launch the entire Nomad line of mp3 players up through the development of the Jukebox 2.

I currently work for a company that licenses audio technology for portable devices including mp3 players so I have seen, touched and used nearly all of them.

Nothing is better packaged, more easily navigated, or well supported as the iPod.
I have a 30gb iPod and it's simply the best thing going right now IMO.

Some of these companies have questionable committments to the product long term. Apple is not going to vanish one day like some of these smaller companies are likley to, and the number of accessories for the iPod is exploding.

My suggestion would be the iPod.

So, does everybody get good sound plugging from the headphone jack into the Aux port?

Ipoid running through blitzsafe aux input via the cd-changer harness and the Ipod's headphone jack. Sounds GREAT!

Another vote for the Ipod, everything else is just a pretended to the throne.

>>iPod.
>>
>>No contest.

I agree 100% :grin:

Earl

Again

iPod

-WCC

I got and iPod for xmas. Connecting it through a Belkin 'car kit' to the Aux port. Happy camper. :grin:

I just got an iPod also, and connected it via the Dension ICE-link, which uses the CD changer port on the head unit and the headphone jack on the iPod. So far it is fantastic. :grin:

I have the 'DELL 20gig JukeBox' It is easy to load MP3'sand WMA files, it also doubles as a file storage device. It costs $299.00. The sound via the headphone jack and aux port is great. Also, I have loaded 17 albums and only used 1 gig so far. The download is fast from the PC.

Mini-Rolls