quote:

Originally posted by b1_ Webmeister, you're in Australia like myself so I would like to know where you purchased your Zen from and for how much? And does the Zen fit comfortably in your pocket or is it just a bit too bulky? Have you ever used it while cycling by chance, as that is what I need it for?

I purchased the Zen from a Creative outlet in Sydney CBD, www.capitolcomputer.com.au I think is their web address...

It does fit in your pocket, though my pockets are quite large It is a bit bulky, but once you get used to it being there its fine...

I've never used it while cycling, though I do a lot of walking with it, and have used it jogging once or twice. Bear in mind though, that jogging or doing aerobics (or anything overly physical) while carrying the spinning hard drive of the Zen or any other MP3 player isn't really a good idea. If you're buying an mp3 player to listen to during a workout, I'd recommend you get one based around a flash memory or something, as there's no moving parts to get disturbed by you jumping around

Hope this helps

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Well I have found the iPod the best mp3 player of them all!!!!! I wont get into the pros and cons because we seem to have all of them but, I will talk about the file transfers.

The iPod is seen as an external hard drive on any other PC that doesnt have MusicMatch. So all you do is go into the control panel, folder options and then hit the view tab. Now just click show hidden folders and icons. ITS THAT EASY!!!!!!!!

The only other catch is that to get the music files you have to go into iPod Control/Music. I can transfer files, music and contacts between computers with no problems what so ever.

To answer the battery, memory and software issues that I have heard with other mp3 players, I wanted to test my iPod. I killed the batteries on my iPod by just letting it play on shuffle through the entire tracklist. It died after 8hours and 20minutes.

So I tired to play it when it was dead and of course...dead battery symbol. So I plugged it in and left it for about an hour to recharge and all I got was an Apple on the screen. So I thought great...I will have to load all my songs or the software crashed. All I did was rest it and it was fine.

Oh yeah and if anyone has any other questions then just PM me.

mmmmmmm i want one :/ too bad i blow all my cash on vinyls

DUDE........
I wish I had turntables...its alright to have an mp3 player but, what i wouldnt give for some tables and a mixer with a stack of vinyls.

I guess when you have one you want the other

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Jon O'Bir
QUOTE
Real trance hopefully will never become mainstream.

Black is Sexy....Wax is smooth to the Touch
What else do you need.....

*UPDATE

Cnet review for the Nomad Jukebox Zen NX has just been posted. You can find it here.

A summary:
- battery is removable but proprietary - you must buy from creative. Jukebox3 battery was expensive; not sure what the price for an extra battery for the NX is though.
- 14 hr advertised battery duration is rubbish - more like 8 - 10hrs.
- 8mb RAM is sdram.
- Most agree the sound quality is superb, it's excellent value for money, but software is crap.
- Wired remote with radio and voice record on the way (not confirmed).

And in other news...
Another Jukebox is on the horizon: the 15GB Philips HDD100. Link to pic here . Currently in a beta test phase.

*UPDATE

The reviews for the iRiver iHP players are now in. Cnet review here.

First of all, there is now a 20 Gig version, the iRiver iHP 120, at $400. The iHP 100 is now $350.

The low down:
1. Windows (Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP) recognises the player as a harddrive automatically; drag and drop files using windows. In other words it doubles as a portable harddrive - brilliant.
2. Seperate FM radio remote comes with player as standard; no need to buy it as an addon. CORRECTION: FM radio is built in, but you still need to use the remote, or your own headphones, as they act as an antenna - also brilliant
3. Looks like you can expect 14hr battery life, or even some more. They're 16 hrs advertised battery life looks genuine. Battery is non-removable rechargable lithium-ion (CORRECTION: it's lithium-polymer 1300 mAh - better).
4. Sound quality is as good, if not better, than the iPod, but creative players still win here.
5. in/out line so you can connect to your stereo no dramas.
6. Microphone built in - all good.
7. As mentioned before, size and weight a fraction more than best (2nd to the iPod).
8. 1 year warranty
9. 10 MB memory buffer

Bottom line is, if you've got the money this is right up there with the best players on the market (drag and drop to harddrive very tempting). If you don't have the money go for the Zen NX.

Quality at a price.

Last edited by b1_ on Nov-15-2003 at 09:04

mate - if you want i can edit the top post for you to keep things up to date, i think theres a time limit as to what the original poster can edit the top thread, just tell me what can get deleted and what can get added and ill get it done

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Beware of killer hamsters and the random running dogs.

That would be good jon. I'd like to edit it myself, but if you can't disable the editing time restriction just slot the updates in if you could.

Cheers.

im gettin the msi superstick with 128 mb and digital fm tuner for only 99 euro
happy with it

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.

quote:

Originally posted by b1_ *UPDATE The reviews for the iRiver iHP players are now in. First of all, there is now a 20 Gig version, the iRiver iHP 120, at $400. The iHP 100 is now $350. The low down: 1. Windows (Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP) recognises the player as a harddrive automatically; drag and drop files using windows. In other words it doubles as a portable harddrive - brilliant. 2. Seperate FM radio remote comes with player as standard; no need to buy it as an addon. 3. Looks like you can expect 14hr battery life, or even some more. They're 16 hrs advertised battery life looks genuine. Battery is non-removable rechargable lithium-ion. 4. Sound quality is as good, if not better, than the iPod, but creative players still win here. 5. in/out line so you can connect to your stereo no dramas. 6. Microphone built in - all good. 7. As mentioned before, size and weight a fraction more than best (2nd to the iPod). 8. 1 year warranty 9. 10 MB memory buffer Bottom line is, if you've got the money this is right up there with the best players on the market (drag and drop to harddrive very tempting). If you don't have the money go for the Zen NX. Quality at a price.

Well i'm lookin to get a player around x-mas and so far from reading this thread i reckon the most suitable for me would be i-pod or iRiver(i do a lot of cycling and 8 hours playback sounds grand).
Its one thing reading specs and website reviews but i reckon i'll probably go with the ipod cos you just cant beat hearing peoples personal experiences with such machines. Pity nobody has the iRiver yet?


p.s. The iRiver machine does look pretty sweet all the same

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They have the internet on computers now?!

@ arj1o1

It may be in a few years the flash memory mp3 players will make obsolete the hard drive based players. They can be powered by a standard AAA battery and have no moving parts. Right now there are 6GB flash memory cards available but they are exorbitantly expensive. Give it a few years and you'll see 20GB flash based players. But right now the flash based players are only good for people using them on short hops away from their comp, like joggers.

@ CATHAIN

Personally I think the iPod looks better better than the iRiver, but I think it's undisputed that the iRiver has better features.

If you're a cyclist I would have thought the 8hr battery life of the iPod would put you off, when you can get the 16 hrs of the iRiver. This is the killer for me. When the iPod does away with the spectacularly inferior 630mAh Li-ion I will consider the iPod again.

But definately wait for the word on the iRiver. iPod has the advantage in that it's a established. The iRiver may have glitches unknown at this time. I would definately also try very hard to get a hold of one or both types of players and test the quality of the sound for yourself, because cyclists need decent volume at least to overcome traffic and wind noise.