MP3 players? Who's got 'em?

[jedishampoo]

So... I'm thinking about spending part of my tax refund-- most of which will pay bills or go into savings-- on an MP3 player. I have no clue what to get-- one of those iPod Nano 8GB thingies that cost about $179?

Or does anyone know of something cheaper and/or better? Recommendations?

Also, how does one play it in the car? Unless we just have to use the headphones... I really am stupid, but my car has a CD player. I remember back in the day I had a cassette player in my old car and a portable CD player, and there was this little accessory that went into the cassette player that played the CDs over the speakers. Is there something similar for MP3 players? If you know about these things, please tell me and don't make fun of me. All my technology money in the past went to Nintendo, Sony, and Dell, so this is new ground for me.

In other news, I've realized that I really like Kelly Clarkson's music. Should I be ashamed or is that OK?

Comments

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

I have an iPod Nano 8GB and it's very good. The newer versions allow you to take videos with a small in-built camera, and you can squish lots of music and files on them. I think they're well priced for what you're actually getting. Though if you only want one that will store music and play it, maybe a different mp3 player is the way to go. It depends what you're looking for.

As for the car, my friend has a cable he plugs his iPod into and then attaches it to the cigarette lighter. I'm sure you could find out online whether your car has a suitable socket for phones/mp3s, etc.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Hee, thanks! The iPod Nano 8G was the one I was looking at in the store... And my car has a lighter-like outlet, for charging phones and whatnot, but I wasn't sure how the sound would get to the speakers. But then, most technology is magic, as far as I'm concerned. :)

[sonowakaremichi.livejournal.com]

I have an 8GB 3rd generation iPod nano, which I love very much. ♥ It can play videos, but the screen is very small so I just use it for music. I think the iPod nano (5th gen, I think) you're talking about has a built-in camera, which is pretty cool, but if you're not interested in that then maybe you can find one of the different models for a lower price.

Based on prior experience, I would not advise you to get an mp3 player from Sandisk. I got one about four years ago, and it malfunctioned within a month. The company was not willing to replace it. :\ I'm sure that since then, they've fixed any bugs, but I don't ever want to buy from them again.

My brother (on many occasions) bought what he called a "transmitter," which was basically what you described, but you plug the little cable into an mp3 player's headphone jack. Those things break pretty easily though. He also bought this radio transmitter thing from S. Korea that did the same thing as the cassettes did but did not require long cables.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

The 8G is probably going to be enough for me! I'd like to have one with video but I want music more.

You're not the only one on here to have bad luck with Sandisk! And it sounds like the radio transmitter is how to play in the car... hmm, maybe I'll just have the MP3 player for portability. :)

Thank you!

[the-rotten1.livejournal.com]

iPod shuffles are cheaper, but they don't have as much storage space if that's what you're after. I have an older model 1GB shuffle, and I'm really happy with it so far. Sure, I can't fit my entire music collection on it, but there's still enough variation that I can listen to it all day without hearing the same thing more than once or twice.

My brother had some kind of device that connects his iPod with the car's speakers, but I have no idea how that works.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I've heard of the iPod shuffle! I really don't know how much room I'll need, but I'll probably just spring for the 8GB one.

Thank you! :)

[alienchrist.livejournal.com]

You can basically use the tape converter for your headphone jack in the same way. I do this when I ride with my dad in the car, and we shine fine musical moments.

I have an 8gig Zune. I like the format a little bit better than the iPod's because (I believe) the screen's a little bit bigger, the menus are clearer and over all I found it easier to navigate. I'd often find myself confused scrolling through stuff and the tiny text on my friends' iPods but not so with my friend's Zune. I also like the format of the Zune store, which is really helpful for an audiophile like me. For a monthly subscription fee you can download as much music as you want for use on your computer and Zune only - though you will not be able to keep them if you drop your subscription - and you also get 10 free mp3 downloads a month in addition to that. I get into phases where I want to download every album by an artist, but I don't necessarily need to own them and I might get bored with them in the end - I get the feeling iTunes would be a money sink for me. At first the Zune software was huge and clunky, but with recent upgrades there's a little player that hides on your taskbar that I like + think is adorable. The Zune software has some cool features that let you look at artists that influenced the one you're listening to and check them out, as well as compiling 'smart' playlists that mix in similar stuff from your library with other stuff from the Zune store so you find new things to listen to. You can also use it to listen to the radio, and you can send music to your friends with it, a feature I would love if anyone else I knew owned a Zune. ;;

I've never owned an iPod, only fiddled a bit with a friend's, so I can't rightly say how they compare, but in terms of usability I've had no problems figuring out my Zune.

Looking up prices (I believe I paid around around $180, but I bought a pair of headphones as well as the coverage policy with it, on the other hand I also had a Target employee discount), it's available in red on Amazon for $99.

I don't expect anyone to be converted by my own personal preference, and Apple is the tried-and-true when it comes to mp3 players, but this is my experience. I'm pretty happy with my little Zune.

As far as pop tripe goes - everyone has their vices. I'm a huge fan of Japanese girl bands, while simultaneously understanding they are one of the most obnoxious things in human existence.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I've seen someone else talking about the Zune-- I was wondering about those, so thanks. :) Eek, so their software is like iTunes-- you can't use most of the music for anything else, heh?

And I'm listening to Yui right now so girls singing in Japanese is not unheard of on my computer. ;) I usually don't go for girl singers except for Stevie Nicks and Heart (old school!), but there's some decent stuff out now.

Thank you for your input!! ::goes to look at Zunes, also::

[sharpiefan.livejournal.com]

I use the tape converter I got originally for my CD player - it just plugs into the headphone jack, after all.

If you have a CD player and radio in the car, I'd recommend you get a similar gadget that plugs into the iPod/MP3 player and broadcasts your music to the car radio, using any frequency not in use, and sending it at a low signal strength. My brother has one for his car. He says the only problem with it is when you do distance driving and the channel you're using is one for the local radio station, because then it's a case of finding another channel that's free.

My MP3 is a Sony Walkman and I love it.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Heh, when I got rid of the car with the cassette player I tossed the portable CD player AND its tape accessory-- I was so tired of it being fussy. ;)

That broadcasty thing seems to be the norm for cars. I'll see how easily I can figure it out.

And so Sony does MP3 walkmans, too! Thank you so much!

[kansouame.livejournal.com]

I love my ipod. It's an older model (Hogwarts special edition - a gift.) lol

I listen to books on tape on it and all my jrock.... everything. (watch Saiyuki as I flew back from Las Vegas!!)

You know I have a long ass commute everyday. I also do not have a tape deck in my car, just a cd player, so I had to purchase a road trip. I love my road trip. It was $100 but I have had it for years... just like my ipod and they both still work wonderfully. (Going on 5 years I think?)

My new toy.. my kindle. I love my kindle. ^_^

[rroselavy.livejournal.com]

OMG I have a kindle too! **loves**

[athena8.livejournal.com]

I have an iPod classic - 120 GB. I'll never have to worry about running out of space on this, which is kind of nice! I still go in there and clear out stuff I never listen to though.

I wish I had a car adapter thing. My daily commute in my car is very short though, so I've never really had much justification for it. I too, only have a CD player...but looking from the comments, it seems I have options other than replacing my system to get an auxiliary input. I thought for a while that the only way to plug in your iPod without a tape deck was through the radio. My dad had this device, but it kind of sucked, so I've been wary to get one. (However, this was many years ago, so maybe they've improved since then?)

Good luck!

And actually, I too, like Kelly Clarkson! At least, the 2 songs of hers I know. ;)

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Hah, I'm glad I'm not alone in the KC. I didn't used to go much for girl singers, but she has a couple of songs I just can't stop listening to. :)

And wow, 120GB? That's HUGE! My commute is 20 mins or so to work and about 40 minutes home (damn traffic grr). But I really shouldn't get rid of CDs anyway, I was just wondering if it was easy to convert iPods to the car. It might be more trouble than it's worth.

Thank you!!

[karuune.livejournal.com]

I've never owned a dedicated MP3 player myself, but for the past 4 years, I've had smartphones, which come with MP3 players, so I refuse to spend money on yet another gadget. (If you have a Palm or any kind of smartphone, chances are it has a music player on it already, and you'd just need to place the MP3s on a storage card for use.)

I wish I could tell you I know of a gadget that would allow you to use the player with the CD player in your car, but I don't. I have an auxiliary jack in my car, and a cable with which to attach my phone/MP3 player to for play via the radio. I'd recommend heading into a store like Car Toys for assistance. (I'd suggest Best Buy, but it's a rare person I speak with in there who knows more than the basics.)

I can't be mad at you for Kelly Clarkson, as I begrudgingly admit to loving Lady Gaga.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Hee, I bought Lady Gaga's CD on download for 5 bucks, also! I'm so modern (not).

My phone is just a Razor-- it needs to be replaced badly. And you're right about Best Buy-- GRRRR I'd rather go to Fry's-- it's so huge it's a city under walls, but the salespeople at BB are usually just twerps.

Thank you! :)

[rroselavy.livejournal.com]

I love my iTouch ^__^, so that's my rec. Besides music, you can play video and there's massive amounts of free apps to fiddle about with. I also recommend a subscription to eMusic, which lets you DL DMR-free songs.

As far as playing the unit in the car, if your car stereo has an AUX jack, you can plug your mp3 player into that (with a cable that you can buy at RadioShack or any other electronics store).

Hope this helps!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

The iTouch is a really good price on Amazon, I see. :) And I hate to be stupid, but what is DMR? Is that where they (like iTunes) try to make the songs completely untransferable?

I need to look at my car for the AUX. Someone has also suggested it might be in the glovebox!

Thank you so much! :)

[whymzycal.livejournal.com]

I have an iPod nano and an ooooooold non-iPod mp3 player, which is huge and bulky but really sturdy. I love them both for different reasons. The nano is really convenient for in the car and travel, and the big one is a nice backup for all my audiobooks.

My dad put an aux jack in my car for me since my stereo system didn't come with one. It wasn't very difficult, so if you know someone who's handy with electronics or sound system, they could probably do it for you in an hour.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

It's looking like the iPod touch or iPod nano is the way to go... despite the fact that I don't usually purchase Apple products. (They are so goddamned smug.)

Oooh, can your dad come out and do my car? Heh. :)

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

I love my iTouch, as well. But that might be more than you're willing to spend. Still, it comes with way more features and is easier to navigate than the iPod.

As for auxilliary jacks, you should also check in your glove compartment. Apparently some cars have them in there. RadioShack has an adapter for use with those: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3898889

My car, sadly, did not. So I went with one of the radio transmitter ones. It works okay. Not perfectly, but cheaper than a new stereo. I got it REALLY cheap at Sam's, so check with any friends who have warehouse memberships.
http://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-Car-Charger-LCD-Screen/dp/B001Q4RBA6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265037808&sr=8-2

Although, judging from the prices on Amazon, these have come down dramatically in cost.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

It looks like medical equipment!! Ha. I'll have to go look in my glove-box, then. :) Whod've thought?

The iTouch is the one with the screen like an iPhone, right? Does that one play videos?

You're right-- the prices on Amazon are not bad at all. Thank you for your thoughts!

[lawless523.livejournal.com]

I find Apple obnoxious, and mp3 players with the same amount of storage at a lower price are out there. I also hear Apple charges for accessories that might be included with others.

On the other hand, we also have had problems with Sandisks not lasting that long. Keep in mind, I don't use an mp3 player - I keep getting them and then giving them to my daughter when hers breaks. I hate to think of how many she's gone through. It's just never been worth it to me to sit down and learn how to use them.

As for how to play it in the car, even without the other comments, I was going to say that I was sure there was a cable or adapter you could use to do that.

Whee - I'm glad to know someone more technologically challenged than I am, though most of my knowledge comes from Mr. Lawless, who thinks I'm pretty technologically challenged to begin with. (I am, however, much more adept than he is at most software, especially Word. Actually, I'm probably more adept at Word then most of the secretaries at the firm I used to work for. Sad, but true.)

And don't apologize for liking Kelly Clarkson's music! I like those songs of hers I'm familiar with, and my daughter's listening to Lady Gaga has gotten me liking some of her stuff (and hearing it in my mind).

[lauand.livejournal.com]

I find Apple obnoxious, and mp3 players with the same amount of storage at a lower price are out there.

I wholeheartedly agree!!

I have a small 2GB mp3 player of unknown brand that works more than fine and sounds far better than the old 516MB one I had previously. I'd recommend something with bigger capacity, though, now that the prices might be lower than when I bought mine. It's reliable and very simple.

Everyone told you about the car options already ^^.

[nouvellebrielle.livejournal.com]

I love my iPod nano 8 GB, but I hate using iTunes. With a passion that's commendable. It just seems so stupid to have to convert everything through iTunes before I can dump it in the player, when Creative doesn't require that at all. (: But I say go for it, if you don't have that same problem as me.

If nothing else, they're way pretty. *g*

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Another person with the nano 8G! :) I don't care much for iTunes, either, just because the music is not transferable. I've been downloading from Amazon a lot-- it's easy and they're all MP3.

Thanks for your input! :) ::hugs::

[caeseria.livejournal.com]

I do not own an iPod, I borrow my sisters ;) It's fiddly because it's small, but useful because it is small! LOL

Kenren came with a jack whereby I can technically plug the iPod (or whatever) into the car, via a special ipod holder located in my cd case thing, which is located in the center console of the car. Here's the stupidity: when you plug in an ipod (or similar) into the jack it plays through the speakers fine, but you cannot shuffle, skip back or forth or anything like you do withyour ipod from the car stereo controls. What you have to do is do it manually from the ipod. Which is stuffed into your console and unreachable when you are driving unless you want to set off your airbag due to a head on collision.

Just sayin'. ;)

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Kenren is just loaded, right? Because you can see the names of the songs you're listening to? (Drives a Nissan Sentra and is therefore impressed with your technology.)

Heh, my car with the portable CD player did that, too. I had to reach down and try to hit the correct, tiny buttons on the CD player. As it slid under the seat. It was rather dangerous.

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

I watched the first season of American Idol. I will not lie, I voted for Kelly. I love her forever. It's sad but true. So you never have to be ashamed with me, dammit!

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON MP3 PLAYERS. I have an older iPod nano which is pretty much everything I could ever want from an mp3 player ever. BUT.

* You have to use iTunes, and iTunes is not as good on PC as it is on a Mac. I've had both, believe me.

* You have to be careful updating iTunes as after a while iTunes will get ahead of your mp3 player and they will no longer get along.

* iPods are more than a simple mp3 player at this point, which is good if you want more and no big deal if you want less, except that you're paying more.

My husband has a Sansa. These are DIRT FUCKING CHEAP. 40 bucks for 2 gigs cheap. They also show up in various forms on Woot.com all the time. They have no games and they are not as cute as the iFamily, but they wear pretty damn well, and if all you want is something to port around and play music, they're about half the cost at least of the average iWhatever.

Depending on how old your car is, it may have an auxiliary jack-- check your manual. It won't charge the unit but you plug one end of a headphone-type cord (it'll cost you about $5-10 at Wal-mart) into the mp3 player and the other into the auxiliary jack and voila! Music. It's much simpler than the radio-based players.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Haha! I didn't start watching Idol until season 4. Though lately I've found myself playing KC and finding her sort of awesome.

Sansa-- that's a new one. Eek, iTunes. Sigh. I appreciate the tips. :) And I just discovered that my car does have an "aux" jack in the stereo-- WOOT!

Thank you!

[minidrag33.livejournal.com]

I just use my phone. I never had an IPod. My current phone is a Samsung Moment (Sprint).

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I need to upgrade my phone at some point, too! I have a three-year-old Razor. I should probably check with AT&T-- they might give me a new one. :)

[lexsara.livejournal.com]

Well, I never did well with i!anything, so I bought a little MP3 player from Best Buy that's a Sanza 2G (it stores for me up to 200 songs, and that's MORE than enough for me--but they have larger sizes if you want). I use the auxilliary cable that plugs into a little aux slot (looks like a headphone jack) on my dashboard. I've not had any problems with it--but then again, I've not had a desire to have thousands of songs on it--200 does me fine! (And it was only like $90 at BB as compared to the more expensive i!stuff)

So that's what I do. And no worries on Clarkson. I'm right there with you, so I go for OK. And was horrified to find myself actually humming a Taylor Swift song the other day. I'm truly headed for hell.

Ah the tax return -- how well I remember the joy of you spending it last year when I was there--long live the Wii!

[liete.livejournal.com]

I have a 120GB Zune, and I love it. It suits my music obsession quite nicely. I prefer the setup and software of that over those of iPods, but I haven't had a ton of experience with iPods, so my opinion might be moot. It cost me $200, and I believe they make car adapters for it.

As for the Kelly Clarkson, I will admit that I like to pretend I have better taste than today's Top 40, but I totally own some of those songs.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Another Zune user! They look pretty cute, from what I've seen. And 120G is huge. I'm definitely going to give those a look at Fry's. ::filed my taxes today::

Haha, I avoid Top 40 like a plague, but I think I've rediscovered KC through FSTs. Some of her stuff is sort of... awesome.

[slyvermont.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm one of those smug people who love Apple products. I just haven't met a non-Apple computer that works without needing tech support every few weeks.

I can't comment on any non-Apple mp3 players. In the Nano vs. iTouch question -- if all you want is to listen to music, go with the Nano. (The new ones have radio too, I believe). The iTouch is like a mini-computer, with wifi giving you Internet access when you travel.

My family's experience with Apple tech support is very positive. They are easy to get in touch with, know what they are talking about and can walk you through just about anything. If you get an iPod, you don't need to buy Apple care immediately, but I do recommend you get it before the year is up.

You can play the Amazon mp3s on an iPod, although you do have to load them into iTunes.

If you go with an iPod or iTouch, you can buy some of the accessories (like extra chargers, cases) much cheaper on Amazon than through Apple.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Hee, you're a smug Apple person? ;) I'm a PC person, normally. They should put us in the commercial.

I think I'm leaning toward the iPod touch, myself... but I'm going to check stuff out at the store. Thanks for your input, because tech support is important, seriously. I will use it. :)

late comment is late

[sharpeslass.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should be ashamed. Very. I has telled you this already. And you say I have bad taste in music.

Re: late comment is late

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah.... Coyote-listener.

[helliongoddess.livejournal.com]

I don't have an MP3 player yet, either -- but I am always the last to get any of the technology, it seems. I just got a PSP3 (to use as a bluray player) - it's the first game system I have EVER had, and I have yet to buy a single game for it. I know that could probably get my official geek card revoked or something...

As far as Kelly Clarkson, yeah, she's good. The hubs recently caved to country finally when he discovered Brad Paisley - as a guitar player himself, he had to admit the guy is awesome. He also can sing, write songs, and is funny as hell. I used to HATE country, thinking it was all Hank Williams and Buck Owens, until Garth Brooks came along. Of course a lot of it is still dreadful, but that's true in any genre. But a lot of the best songwriters, musicians, and singers in the music world are working in country now. It ain't what it used to be, and I mean that in the best possible way.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Heh, I'm not exactly at the forefront of technology, either. I usually buy whatever Nintendo system is new (Go WII!) but other than that... as long as the phone dials and the car stereo sings, I'm good.

I'm not a huge country fan, but M is. There is some stuff I can listen to-- I have a soft spot for Shania Twain. :)