Michael Klontzas said:I can't see why a quality keyring MP3 player wouldn't be as good as an
iPod really. These days they come with 1GB memory and are sold by the
likes of Sony and Creative.
I agree.
I had assumed when you said keyring player you meant something cheap
and cheerful, and wanted to warn you of my experience in that area.
Re-reading your post though, I see you didn't necessarily imply a
cheap player, my fault.
Along with the ones you mention, I also hear good things about iRiver
models.
Be careful if you end up looking closely at Sony players, until
recently their line of mp3 players actually /weren't/ mp3 players. You
were forced to convert any mp3 files (any audio in fact) into Sony's
own proprietary ATRAC format before their players would recognise it.
I used to have to do this with a Sony minidisc player and it was a
right royal pain in the [censored], for several reasons. Following [censored]
sales Sony have now seen the light and started to add native support
for mp3 and other common formats to their product line, but I don't
know how far advanced that process is currently. Something to bear in
mind at least.
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:This raises a safety issue of course,
being so isolated from traffic noise, but I'm satisfied it's possible
to properly compensate for this with thorough visual precautions.I find it incredible that the headphones can be that effective! Last time
I tried listening to an MP3 player while riding in traffic I could hardly
hear anything at all coming from the headphones. I should definitely give
those headphones a try.
I've used a pair of those for a year or so and they get my heartiest
recommendation, they really do. I think you'd be astonished at how
much external noise they cut out. If you decide to go for the iPod
Shuffle, the bundled Apple headphones will fetch about a tenner on
ebay (as long as you leave them sealed), which would help subsidise
the purchase of something more isolating.
Quoted message said:I am planning to use the MP3 player for podcasts -- mostly R4.
Sounds good (bad pun, sorry). I keep meaning to listen to more radio
content in that way but haven't got round to it yet. I think I read
recently that the BBC are planning on expanding the amount of material
they release in this way, which can't be a bad thing.
The only other bit of advice I'd offer if you are new to this sort of
set up, is that the method used to manage your music/podcasts and
transfer to and from your chosen player is absolutely critical. It
simply /must/ work well.
I previously used a Sony minidisc player that would connect to my PC
to load discs with music. The Sony software was an embarrassment and
even without the ATRAC conversion process the transfer method was
tortuous, and it made using the player a real chore. This meant I
didn't use it as often as I would have liked and I never felt I really
got proper value from the purchase.
What you need is something seamlessly efficient. A click, click of
your mouse, a brief pause and your files are on, or off, your player.
Wash and Go, as it were. When it's almost effortless to take with you
your latest podcasts and albums, you are more likely to take them, and
hence enjoy them, on your travels.
The Apple software is excellent in this respect. I understand their
next version of iTunes will actually automate the process of
downloading and sync'ing your favourite regular podcasts to your iPod,
which might be a particular benefit to you. Something like a simple
drag and drop interface would also work very well I think. Any player
that would require me to use some proprietary software to manage
transfers would likely raise a big warning flag in my mind.
"Bob"
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