ipod mini or Zen Micro

[DJRice]

Which would you pick? Thx. new to the mp3's.

[Hack&Lube]

The Zen model is cheaper, better designed, has more space, and has more features than the Ipod like FM radio.

You're also able to use Mp3 and WMV unlike the Ipod which uses annoying itunes software and protected music files with digital rights management crap.

The Ipod is highly overrated and I would never be caught dead wearing one. They just aren't cool anymore.

However, the Creative Zen Micro is not very attractive because of all the controls on the front. So I say get the new...

Creative Zen Neeon.

http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/zenneeon/

It's also against my every inclination but if you really must have even small size as well, go for the new Ipod Nano.

[Devils'Advocate]

The Zen Neon is running Windows. 'Nuff said.

Decent comparison here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_162001358468

I'm an iPod owner, absolutely love it, and find iTunes very useful (not annoying).

BTW - you can use any MP3 on the iPods.

[DJRice]

thanks ^. Ya I used a shuffle for a day and found the sound to be bland, no bass and nothing to brag about - with no EQ, able to adjust bass/treble etc. Maybe on the IPOD?

I dont need stuff like radio, I mainly thrive for sound quality, then looks/size, price, batt life etc.

Zen micro isnt all that attractive IMO, just the front is too busy. Zen Neon looks better.

[photon]

I love my Zen Micro, though I got it for $80 so that may have something to do with it The easily replaceable battery is nice as well.

If you don't need the features of the Micro though the iPod is still good.

The Zen Neon is running Windows. 'Nuff said.

Um, iPod runs on Windows as well.. what does the client OS version have anything to do with it?

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally posted by photon@Sep 9 2005, 08:35 AM
Um, iPod runs on Windows as well.. what does the client OS version have anything to do with it?

Uhm, as far as I was aware, the iPod ran their own custom OS written by Pixio, which was recently purchased by Sun.

As for why it matters, it means that Creative Labs players are subsceptible to Windows viruses.

[Barnes]

WMA is a waste of time. AAC is by far a better format, smaller files better sound. Microsoft has made its living by ripping off technologies and crippiling support for far superior formats ie MP3, Java, AIFF and so on in favor of their own. AAC was created by Dolby. I think that they are pretty reputable as far as sound quality goes. If you want to see the new standard of audio and video, downlaod the new version of quicktime and watch the HD trailers on Apple's site with H.264 video and AAC sound. These take an extremly fast computer though.

BTW, Creative just shipped 3,700 players with a virus.
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Medical Marijuana Card

[photon]

Originally posted by Devils'Advocate@Sep 9 2005, 10:29 AM
Uhm, as far as I was aware, the iPod ran their own custom OS written by Pixio, which was recently purchased by Sun.

As for why it matters, it means that Creative Labs players are subsceptible to Windows viruses.

Oh, you're talking about the OS of the MP3 player itself? I thought you meant the OS that the client software runs on.

The Creative Labs players don't run Windows as their OS. Where'd you get that idea?

[DJRice]

Originally posted by Barnes@Sep 9 2005, 09:42 AM
WMA is a waste of time. AAC is by far a better format, smaller files better sound. Microsoft has made its living by ripping off technologies and crippiling support for far superior formats ie MP3, Java, AIFF and so on in favor of their own. AAC was created by Dolby. I think that they are pretty reputable as far as sound quality goes. If you want to see the new standard of audio and video, downlaod the new version of quicktime and watch the HD trailers on Apple's site with H.264 video and AAC sound. These take an extremly fast computer though.

BTW, Creative just shipped 3,700 players with a virus.

im guessing AAC is ipod format?

[Barnes]

Nope, not really. Think of it as MP4 i guess.

From Apple: AAC was developed by the MPEG group that includes Dolby, Fraunhofer (FhG), AT&T, Sony and Nokia?companies that have also been involved in the development of audio codecs such as MP3 and AC3 (also known as Dolby Digital). The AAC codec in QuickTime builds upon new, state-of-the art signal processing technology from Dolby Laboratories and brings true variable bit rate (VBR) audio encoding to QuickTime.


Because of its incredible quality at a wide range of data rates and ratification as an industry standard, AAC audio is gaining wide adoption in the marketplace. For example, all of the music sold in the iTunes Music Store uses AAC, for playback on desktop or iPod. AAC has also been adopted by the major standards organizations including the ISO MPEG (MPEG-4), 3GPP and 3GPP2, DVB, as well as XM satellite radio. As a result of its support for this technology, the audio you create with QuickTime is interoperable with a wide range of devices and media players.
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[Devils'Advocate]

Originally posted by photon@Sep 9 2005, 10:06 AM
The Creative Labs players don't run Windows as their OS. Where'd you get that idea?

I presumed from reading the articles that said that the Neons were shipped with the virus. I re-read and I now presume they mean that the Neons were just carriers, not infected. You would have to move the virus from the Neon onto your PC and then execute it.

From the first article I read, I assumed that it was INFECTED with the worm and running Microsoft's CE. My bad.

[DJRice]

I downloaded that QT barnes, wow...amazing! can really tell!

BTW, how are Sony MP3 players? Visions has a 20GB with OLED display for $244, that is an insane price considering its normally $500+

The sound on the IPOD mini should sound just like the shuffle right? Just too bad theres no way to adjust bass/treb.

[Barnes]

The mini has an eq that are presets like rock, vocals, bass boost etc. You can also normalize volumes but it uses more battery. you should also llok at the availability of accesories. You will spend just as much money on them as the iPod costs. There's some great accesories from Bose etc.
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[Faid1]

Get the Nano, the mini replacement.

[DJRice]

thanks barnes - ya im really tempted on the mini now, got offered a new one for $180. or a zen micro for $175.

The wheel on the Ipod is just so cool.

[Barnes]

If you can find one.

Which Sony is it? What are your needs. A 20gig is in a different category then the mini or the nano.
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LAMBORGHINI V12 SPECIFICATIONS

[Barnes]

Good luck. Let me know if you need help with the mini or iTunes.
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BBW BOOBS

[Bobblehead]

Sony is bad, they only play a proprietary format. They will accept MP3, but they transcode on the fly so you get sound degradation.

If you want a mini, get them fast. They are now replaced by the Ipod nano. Instead of a small hard drive, they are flash memory based.

And Apple is pushing AAC because it can include thier proprietary Digital Rights Management(DRM) system, which they license to MP3 makers. I don't think Creative players can listen to music downloaded from the Itunes music store (unless you remove the DRM).
Similarly, iPod won't play music encrypted with the Microsoft DRM system, while Creative players will.

They will all play unencumbered MP3 files (even if Sony does transcode them).

I will admit, a 20GB player for $244 is a pretty good deal, but with Sony's MP3 reputation, I wouldn't touch it.

[SupaDawg]

Just wait for the ipod nano.... that thing looks stunning.

[flamingchina]

Originally posted by Hack&Lube@Sep 9 2005, 08:41 AM


You're also able to use Mp3 and WMV unlike the Ipod which uses annoying itunes software and protected music files with digital rights management crap.

Umm, the ipod uses regular mp3's just fine. Unprotected mp3's at that.
It does use itunes, although there are other programs you can download.
Just about the only one that works properly without bthe software provided are the iriver ones, which act just like a hard drive.