MP3 Players

[Captain Japan]

I'm looking to get a portable MP3 player. Right now I have the joke that is the iPod: 40gigs of pure gomi.

When I first got it two years ago I could maybe get through three albums before the battery died. The last straw was when I was walking home drunk in February with "Marquee Moon" on when it crapped out after maybe 30 minutes of use. I tried to sling it onto the pavement and put it out of its misery but the headphones broke free and only they went sailing across the street. The pod remained in my pocket.

I've searched through the archives looking for advice on a new one. Anyone have that new Toshiba Gigabeat model? Any others out there worth checking out? Creative Zen? I'm interested in battery life and sound quality. Not so interested in video playback.

[Taro Toporific]

I'm looking to get a portable MP3 player. Right now I have the joke that is the iPod: 40gigs of pure gomi.

When I first got it two years ago I could maybe get through three albums before the battery died.

Hey, I would just upgrade the battery if I were you. The battery replacement kit for my gen-1 iPod only cost 4,500yen and 5 minutes on my time to change.

[Charles]

iPod replacement batteries only cost about $20. Most aftermarket batteries have more capacity than the originals.

[Taro Toporific]

iPod replacement batteries only cost about $20. Most aftermarket batteries have more capacity than the originals.

The replacement batteries in Japan cost more the $20, but Charles is very right that aftermarket batteries much better than the originals.
My experience is that my replacement battery lasts about 20% longer (about 7 real-world hours).

[Kuang_Grade]

Do you have a 3G (buttons on the top of the wheel) or 4G (clickwheel)? You mentioned a few months back that you were moving back to the states, and if so, you might be able to have it replaced free of charge at an apple store in the US. As a part of a lawsuit over Apple's previous non-mention battery longevity issues, Apple doubled the warranty period for all 3G ipods (which would make it two years)...They started to talk about battery longevity and the possible lack there of under high use by the time they released the 4Gs, so those aren't covered. If they go for it, they will just give you another (refubished) 40gb ipod (probably a 4G) on the spot in exchange. And even busted ipods go for $65-90 on Ebay
http://search-completed.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&fcl=3&from=R10&catref=C6&frpp=50&satitle=broken+ipod+40&sacat=15057%26catref%3DC6%26curcat%3Dtrue&bs=Search&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D2&fgtp=&a14=-24&a41399=-24&a10244=-24&gcs=1821&pfid=2586&reqtype=1&pfmode=1&alist=a14%2Ca26092%2Ca41399%2Ca10244&pf_query=broken+ipod+40&floc=1&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&sadis=200&fpos=20740&fis=2&dfs=20060619&dfts=-1&dfe=20060619&dfte=-1&saprclo=&saprchi=

The improvements on the aftermarket batteries can vary by the generation...for 1G and 2G ones, you can find ones that push up to 20 hours from the orignal 10 or so hours, while the improvements on the 3G/4G are less substanical (mainly due to the lack of spare space for a bigger battery in the 3G/4G models). 1G/2G are relatively easy to do DIY replacement of the battery, while 3G/4G are a bit more tricky/more easy to break if you do it wrong

[AssKissinger]

Marquee Moon

You have good taste.

[Captain Japan]

Do you have a 3G (buttons on the top of the wheel) or 4G (clickwheel)?

There's four buttons on the top of the wheel.

while 3G/4G are a bit more tricky/more easy to break if you do it wrong

I cracked open mine and inserted a new battery a few months ago. I think I broke it during the process. When it is in the dock it seems to be functioning properly (I can access all the directories, it makes the proper clicking sounds, etc.) but when removed it is totally dead. Nothing. In the dock it seems like it wants to charge forever. So I guess the battery isn't getting juiced?

I think I'm going to take it into the Apple store in Shibuya and see what happens.

[Tiger Stripe]

In the dock it seems like it wants to charge forever. So I guess the battery isn't getting juiced?

[color="darkorange"]Try cleaning the metal contacts on the dock and the ipod with a pencil eraser.[/color]

[Taro Toporific]

[color="darkorange"]Try cleaning the metal contacts on the dock and the ipod with a pencil eraser.[/color]

Yep, I was about the say that it sounds like the new battery you installed is not providing any power because:

• the battery lead has a short (look for damage on the wire and connecting points)
• the battery lead is installed in reverse (switch the positive and negative poles)
• the charging contracts in the dock are corroded
• the "new" battery is crap (rare but possible)

[GomiGirl]

My honey has a 4G 60 gig iPod Photo that has had to be replaced three times in less than a year. Each time there has been a hard-disk crash.. ggrrrr.

It has just happened again at a really inconvenient time before a long overseas plane ride and he is about to trash it. Has this happened to anybody else? He is using it as directed and not mistreating it at all. It just freezes and then crashes and resetting it just doesn't do anything. Each time Apple have just replaced it with the same model and it keeps happening again. They will not let us upgrade to a 5G but just keep giving us the same ones again.

One of them only lasted a week before crashing!! GRRRRR

[Captain Japan]

[color="darkorange"]Try cleaning the metal contacts on the dock and the ipod with a pencil eraser.[/color]

But wouldn't the fact that it seems to function properly (it even plays) while in the dock mean that proper contact is being made? I'll give it a look anyway when I get home.

Taro, there is only one way to insert the battery connecting wire. I don't think I could have switched anything. I did indeed try pulling it out and reinserting it a few times. No dice.

AK, "Marquee Moon" is fantastic. But you know, Tom Verlaine's solo stuff can match Television. He's one of the few guys who've gone solo and can pull off making albums as great as the band he was in.

[Taro Toporific]

My honey has a 4G 60 gig iPod Photo that has had to be replaced three times in less than a year.

If you want durabilty, just use a flash memory device like the Shuffle.

BTW...Look at this Korean video iPod nee' Swiss Army knife....
http://sorell.co.kr/eng/

[kamome]

Given the level of Mac/Apple enthusiasts on this board, I have to say that this thread does not serve as a recommendation to buy an iPod.

I was considering purchasing one but I keep putting it off because of the expense and the mechanical issues I keep hearing about. Problem is, I haven't heard of any competing units that are better.

[GuyJean]

I was considering purchasing one but I keep putting it off because of the expense and the mechanical issues I keep hearing about. Problem is, I haven't heard of any competing units that are better.

Love my Nano.. Had it for awhile.. No issues at all]Microsoft[/URL] and Apple release the next 'big thing'.. Should be in a couple months..

GJ

[Kuang_Grade]

Captain, I don't know if the warranty extension on 3Gs applies to less litigious countries such as Japan, but its always worth a try. If it doesn't pan out, you might try a low tech hack of strapping on external battery pack of AAs...The branded versions can be a bit pricey, but you can probably find a Chinese knock off in Akiba for around 1000 yen in some of the more no frills stores off the beaten trial.

Getting back to the original question, I tried out one of Sandisk's products last year, a Sansa e100 and while it wasn't bad, I found it was not loud enough for my needs (I'm usually listening to this on trains or subways, so I'm not looking for ultimate fidelity but rather something to drown the ambient noise). I then tried out a shuffle, which I liked for both its relative sturdiness and since I'm in the US, its low stick up appeal as has value as well (as well as the availability of an external AAA battery pack that fits well on it, so you'll never necessarily be out of juice). But I now mostly use my 4GB nano nowadays and I've been quite pleased with it (although the disk is a bit small for long involved navigation with my big fingers), although I agree with GuyJean that you definitely need a good case for it.

There are rumors are that Apple will introducing new Nanos (new bodies and 8Gb versions) in mid Aug, so if you can hold off for a few weeks, you might find better prices on older style nanos

[Charles]

Given the level of Mac/Apple enthusiasts on this board, I have to say that this thread does not serve as a recommendation to buy an iPod.

Sure it does, we love our iPods. I have a 4Gb Mini (2nd Gen), it's absolutely great, rated for 18 hours battery life, and absolutely indestructible (I know, I dropped it onto concrete and put a big scratch in it, but it was otherwise undamaged). I only wish I'd bought the 6Gb Mini. You know, even though the Mini is discontinued, new unopened units are selling for well ABOVE the old retail price.

But some people just don't get the iPod. GG, your friend may not think he's abusing his iPod, but he still might be messing it up without realizing it. I bet he doesn't dismount the disk before unplugging it or putting the CPU to sleep, which could gradually corrupt your disk. But you still don't need to replace the drive, you just run the iPod utility and reformat it, and reload your music. It took me a couple of weeks to figure this out myself, my 3rd party USB2 card didn't dismount my iPod properly when I put my Mac to sleep. This isn't a problem on Macs with native USB2 ports, or FireWire. So I got a FireWire cable and now it ejects when the CPU sleeps, and no more disk corruption.

[canman]

Captain, I just sold my creative Zen Neeon and ordered an Apple video Ipod. The creative MP3 was ok, sound quality was good, but it didn't fit my needs. I like to listen to Podcasts while driving, and the creative player didn't have a bookmark function, which really sucked. As for battery life, it was pretty good. But using the machine was a little tricky, as the scroll wheel was very small and a little difficult to use.
I'm hoping I don't have the same problems that others have had with their Ipods.

[FG Lurker]

My honey has a 4G 60 gig iPod Photo that has had to be replaced three times in less than a year. Each time there has been a hard-disk crash.. ggrrrr.

[...] He is using it as directed and not mistreating it at all. [...]

Three times in less than a year? Either your bf has the worst luck (maybe you should unload him!) or he is doing something wrong without realizing it.

[cstaylor]

He's probably disconnecting the iPod without ejecting it first. There's a well known bug (feature?) in the iPod firmware that will keep an iPod from charging if you don't eject: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61705.

[GomiGirl]

He's probably disconnecting the iPod without ejecting it first. There's a well known bug (feature?) in the iPod firmware that will keep an iPod from charging if you don't eject: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61705.

Nope I do all his updating and I always eject it. He charges from the wall.

[Oradea]

I have an i-river. It's only a 1GB, but i have had it for three years, and it uses 1 AA battery which lasts about20 hours listening non stop.

It doesnt have many features, and the shuffle program sux, but the quality is excellent, and there are bigger capacity ones available now. The machine itself is smaller than the ipod shuffle, and its indestructable.

I'm waiting to buy a high capacity around 60gb ipod, but hearing these troubles is putting me off.

[maninjapan]

I recently bought a 60Gb Toshiba Gigabeat after some glowing reviews but the only gripe I have is that there is no inline remote. A tad annoying but apart from that an absolutely fantastic player!

[tatsujin]

Have a 4th gen 30GB Ipod for about a year and a bit and its never given me an ounce of trouble. I do feel the battery is a bit short on long haul trips, usually get around 5 hours or so.

I've read the new Toshiba Giga has questionable battery life. Don't know if I'm stating the obvious, but http://www.cnet.com is a great source of reviews and has always guided me right in the past.

[maninjapan]

Well I get 15 hrs out of mine on a full charge.

To be honest the batteries they use in the mp3 players are questionable really.

But the best thing about it is that you can just drag and drop .mpg files onto the drive and boom done!

[tatsujin]

Well I get 15 hrs out of mine on a full charge.

To be honest the batteries they use in the mp3 players are questionable really.

But the best thing about it is that you can just drag and drop .mpg files onto the drive and boom done!

Interesting...guess those guys at CNET aren't so clued in after all!

I do miss being able to drag and drop files with the Ipod, although I do highly recommend using Winamp with the Ipod plugin, kicks the shit out of Itunes in my humble opinion

[mr. sparkle]

Just got a 60 GB video iPod. A reward for getting back into the gym. Simply awesome. Finding myself listening to a lot of podcasts to take my mind off the treadmill. Podcasts are so addictive. I think a FG podcast would be freakin' KEWL.


Se ku shi Bu RAK u

Next purchase will be either a MacIntel tower or a MacBook Pro. I'll wait until after the WWDC conference, where Steve may announce new stuff.

[maninjapan]

Interesting...guess those guys at CNET aren't so clued in after all!

I do miss being able to drag and drop files with the Ipod, although I do highly recommend using Winamp with the Ipod plugin, kicks the shit out of Itunes in my humble opinion

have to admit it was the CNET review that convinced me to buy this beautiful piece of equipment - althought them being pissed off because its a two part ac charger (well dur it makes it easier to buy a new cable in another country and cheaper!).

Also the fact that you can also hook it up to your tv so you can take it round to your mates house with movies on and then voila lots of movies to watch also helped me decide!

[canman]

Got my 30gb I pod a few days ago and I'm lovin it. Oops that at McDonalds catch phrase. Anyway Not sure about the battery life as I haven't used it that much, but what a joy, listening to Podcasts as I drive to and fro. Sometimes I just want to keep driving, and regret reaching my destination. Thanks Apple!

[tatsujin]

have to admit it was the CNET review that convinced me to buy this beautiful piece of equipment - althought them being pissed off because its a two part ac charger (well dur it makes it easier to buy a new cable in another country and cheaper!).

Also the fact that you can also hook it up to your tv so you can take it round to your mates house with movies on and then voila lots of movies to watch also helped me decide!

Hmmm...your starting to make an interesting case...was going to buy an ipod for herself but may pick up one of these beauties instead. I do very much like the slinky design of the piece, and the mobile video would be something worth checking out.

Christ, I really have to get a cure for this magpie syndrome!

[maninjapan]

There's is a good reason why it got rated higher than an Ipod on cnet.com. Because it simply is better!