CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Yesterday my cd player gave up the ghost, so I decided I wanted to buy an mp3 player. I don't want one with lots of random features (taking photos, video etc) just the basics (playing music) and good solid quality. I'm not a fan of iPod (heard many bad thing about them and their service and non-replaceable batteries).
I want something for about ($192 Aussie = $150 US) or below that. I know that's very difficult , if not impossible and it defiently means a very basic one but I just want a decent quality player - that plays music. A 2GB player would be nice.

Please remember I live in Australia and we may not have some of the products you have available in the US or Antartica or wherever you live.

(I know nothing about these sort of things, so credible reviews by you guys or others would be really appreciated).

Anyone recommend any good ones?

Thanks guys!

I dunno what you've heard about the iPod but having actually used two of them myself, they are excellent MP3 players. The only reason I got rid of the first one was because I wanted one with more space on it (the first was a 4 GB Mini and the second I've had is a 60 GB Video). I'd say give the iPod a chance yourself instead of going on hearsay. Everyone I know who has an iPod absolutely loves it. iTunes is also a really great music program. I enjoy it greatly.

Okay, thanks Kkun. I'll keep it in consideration. Do you think I could get one for my price bracket? Or not.

iPod Nano 2GB is the only one I can see (and at $214 Aussie it's a little over my price bracket but that's okay).

Anyone else with more recommendations?

I do believe the 2 GB Nano might be in your price range, and that was about the size you wanted, right? I'd say definitely find one that belongs to someone else and play with it first if you aren't sure about it, but speaking from personal experience, I love love love my iPod. I hope the search goes well, W4J!

Thanks heaps mate! I've read some more reviews. Seems I was wrong before. The very very very first iPod apparently was really a shocker, but they've improved tremendously since. Your a life-save mate!

No problem! Also, look around online and see if you can find one from an online retailer before going to a store and buying one. You might be able to save some cash, whether you decide to buy an iPod or something else.

Good idea!

Ack! Look at this (Aussie temperatures often get over 35C in Summer). Hopefully it's not kosher.

For the iPod Nano:

Operating temperature: 0° to 35° C (32° to 95° F)
Nonoperating temperature: -20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F)

iPod batteries can be a little iffy but my iPod mini ran for over a year without too much trouble. It's battery life is now hit or miss but I could always send it off to Apple for a battery replacement, I think it only costs about 50 or 60 dollars max. It really helps to have a proper wall charger, the battery seems to last significantly longer when one is used (rather than a USB cable)

That's my own experience though. Other than that I can't think of any complaints and the actual navigation is excellent. Oo! Though iPod headphones are seriously treble-ey and they tend to act up when you crank the bass. But that's easily fixable since you can just pick up a nicer set of headphones or plug in anything that you already own.

Hmm, that's also interesting with the temperatures. I wish I'd known about that. I've actually taken my iPod out in -30 to -40 degree temperatures (celcius). It seems to be okay, but then again it isn't a nano. I usually worry more about my laptop O_o

iPods are resilient beasts. I've read about people who use them in extremes outside it's recommendations, Antartica, Nevada desert. It should be fine.

Here's the link to the Aussie Apple store, if you didn't already have it. http://store.apple.com/133-622/WebObjects/australiastore

Samsung also makes a good MP3 player, their 2-4 GB models are cheaper than iPod Nanos and I have had good experience with their stuff: I own one of their flash players and have enjoyed it, and my sister has one as well, and finds it to be a great device. And cheapness, in this case, doesn't relate to quality, they're good devices from my experience, but competitively priced. The YP-Z5 is well rated, costs about $150 US for the 4 GB model (at least that's what I've found online) and my sister has had a great experience with hers.

Let me ask you: How much music do you have? Depending on how much you have, you'll have to decide whether or not you want a flash-based mp3 player or a hard drive based mp3 player. Hard drive ones, while they can hold tons more, are a bit less sturdy, larger, and can break more easily. Flash ones are smaller, compact, and more sturdy (because there isn't a drive that is rotating)

Though iPods technically do not have a replaceable battery. (Though it's 100% possible to open it up and replace it yourself) I will attest to that apple has some of the BEST customer support in the world. I will also say Samsung is also a good brand which I recommend. Buy an mp3 player that is according to how much music you have, in order to save money.

Warning about the iPod: you can only "sync" with one "host" computer. Meaning that you can only transfer music files to and from one computer. Not a problem in general. However, if you upgrade to a new computer or reformat and re-install your operating system, you will not be able to re-sync and get your music from your ipod to your computer. The ipod will require that you delete all music files and bind it to your new computer.

This doesn't affect too many people, but for me this is reason enough to avoid the ipod. It's a matter of wanting to be as free to do with "my" music as possible.

Both my sisters have a SanDisk and it works really well for them. One has a 250 MB and the other holds a GB. It's 60-70 US dollars(both of them). I use the 250 MB one all the time and it works great. And it's easy to use. ^^

Warrior 4 Jesus wrote:Okay, thanks Kkun. I'll keep it in consideration. Do you think I could get one for my price bracket? Or not.

iPod Nano 2GB is the only one I can see (and at $214 Aussie it's a little over my price bracket but that's okay).

Anyone else with more recommendations?

I'd check that price again. I bought my sister an 2GB ipod nano for $150 US plus tax. If that's still a little pricey for you, I STRONGLY suggest you try the online apple ipod store where you can buy Apple refurbished Ipods. You can buy a 2GB refurbished Ipod for $99.

Also, is the iPod shuffle available in Australia? They're the least expensive iPod, and they're good if you plan on staying on the go. Otherwise, I love my full-featured iPod.

Mangafanatic wrote:I'd check that price again. I bought my sister an 2GB ipod nano for $150 US plus tax. If that's still a little pricey for you, I STRONGLY suggest you try the online apple ipod store where you can buy Apple refurbished Ipods. You can buy a 2GB refurbished Ipod for $99.

He's referring to Australian Currency. =p The Australian Apple website does not lie!

The problem with the iPod battery is if you use the USB cable and plug it into your computer to recharge, it ends up shortening the battery life. Best ways to recharge the battery are connecting it to a wall outlet, or using the iPod car adapter that lets you plug it into the cigarette lighter and have the battery charge that way.

ikimasu wrote:Warning about the iPod: you can only "sync" with one "host" computer. Meaning that you can only transfer music files to and from one computer. Not a problem in general. However, if you upgrade to a new computer or reformat and re-install your operating system, you will not be able to re-sync and get your music from your ipod to your computer. The ipod will require that you delete all music files and bind it to your new computer.

This doesn't affect too many people, but for me this is reason enough to avoid the ipod. It's a matter of wanting to be as free to do with "my" music as possible.

That's interesting, because I have a 4th gen. iPod that I've been able to use on both my computer and my brother's computer; however, I did use his cord when I downloaded things from his computer, so could that be the reason why it didn't affect anything?

(EDIT: , SamuraiDragon... XD)

The iPod will pick up the link to any iTunes library in any computer that you plug it into. I know, 'cause I agreed to link my iPod to a library computer and then told it to update, all the songs on my iPod disappeared for about a day. My friend who's a computer tech suggested I connect my iPod to my home computer, and the songs came back.

Mr. SmartyPants wrote:
He's referring to Australian Currency. =p The Australian Apple website does not lie!

. . .

*Is confused. . .*

Didn't he say the upper range for his price window was $150 in American currency?

http://store.apple.com/133-622/WebObjects/australiastore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=32DAAC51&nclm=certifiedipod

Hmmm, well, the Australia Ipod store doesn't seem to feature refurbed ipon nanos, but it does have four gig ipod mini for $99-119 in Australian currency (the price depends on the battery life). That's roughly comparable in price to $100 US-- or, atleast, it's definitely in his price range.

Mangafanatic wrote:. . .

*Is confused. . .*

Didn't he say the upper range for his price window was $150 in American currency?

http://store.apple.com/133-622/WebObjects/australiastore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=32DAAC51&nclm=certifiedipod

Hmmm, well, the Australia Ipod store doesn't seem to feature refurbed ipon nanos, but it does have four gig ipod mini for $99-119 in Australian currency (the price depends on the battery life). That's roughly comparable in price to $100 US-- or, atleast, it's definitely in his price range.

I'm actually confused too. I was just trying to find a good reason to use my Phoenix Wright icons. XD

I'm not a big fan of refurbished equipment. Plus the new ones have a prettyful color screen! But I've had my old 4th gen for two years before I uh... killed it.

Mr. SmartyPants wrote:I'm actually confused too. I was just trying to find a good reason to use my Phoenix Wright icons. XD

I'm not a big fan of refurbished equipment. Plus the new ones have a prettyful color screen! But I've had my old 4th gen for two years before I uh... killed it.

Oh, I see.

*COUGH!SHOWOFF'D!COUGH!*

XD

Mangafanatic wrote:Oh, I see.

*COUGH!SHOWOFF'D!COUGH!*

XD

I'm not a show off!

[quote="Radical Dreamer"]That's interesting, because I have a 4th gen. iPod that I've been able to use on both my computer and my brother's computer]

That's strange; I've had 2 friends that had problems related to tis. One could not sync with their work computer and another had to delete their music library. Perhaps it has to do with what generation iPod you have? I'll have to look into this.

[quote="Radical Dreamer"]That's interesting, because I have a 4th gen. iPod that I've been able to use on both my computer and my brother's computer]The cord is completely unrelated to it; it's nothing more then a cord. Also, check your usage of "effect," Grammar Ranger.

Ryan (Mr. Smarty Pants), I have a little over two gig of music (I buy all mine) but I also would like to put the Complete Focus on the Family Narnia audio cds to mp3 (about 19 CDs worth!)

What's the iPod Shuffle? I know they are available in Australia. What does it do? (I need a decent mp3 player that I can travel good distances with)

That's great to know that mp3 players are fairly resilient in extreme heat (guess it was more a precaution?)

I'm not liking the idea of it only being able to be used with the host computer (that's a real turn off). This is so confusing, apart from that the Nano looks great (but the price is a little much for the size of gig.

At this rate a 4GB Samsung YP-Z5 seems the best bet (especially since I don't like flimsy things - I can be a little bit of a klutz at times).


Thanks for all the help guys and girls!

Still thinking and researching...

Holy Smokes!

The Samsung YP-Z5 isn't $192AUD at all, but $299.00AUD!
Ouch!

ikimasu wrote:Warning about the iPod: you can only "sync" with one "host" computer. Meaning that you can only transfer music files to and from one computer. Not a problem in general. However, if you upgrade to a new computer or reformat and re-install your operating system, you will not be able to re-sync and get your music from your ipod to your computer. The ipod will require that you delete all music files and bind it to your new computer.

This doesn't affect too many people, but for me this is reason enough to avoid the ipod. It's a matter of wanting to be as free to do with "my" music as possible.

There are legal programs you can get though that bypass this. When I got my new laptop this summer I was able to switch my entire Itunes library over to it from my old desktop. I'll try to remember the name of it, it was a friends program.

I've owned a Samsung YP-18 for over a year and I love it to death. The space for the particular model I have is small but I never any problems with file transfer, battery or durability. I'm quite impressed. I admit that I would pick Samsung over Ipod if I could get the same functions for less $$.

Here's a 2 gb by Creative for $80 American. I've never actually seen one of these, so I don't know how good it is, but the one I was going to recommend (The Creative Zen Nano or Nano Plus) apprently only reaches a 1 gb size, although I could swear they make bigger ones. I'll look into that and post back, because I've actually had experience with a CZ nano and know it's a good mp3 player.

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=15441 - This has voice recorder (like most Creatives), which is nice to have every once i a while, and I think the site said something about lyric playback or something, idk.

For $200 you can get the Vision:M 30 gb with pics and vid and all that, but you said you don't want any of that so I guess that doesn't matter. That's what I have, and I really like it, even though I doubt I'lle ver fill it or use much of the video option.