Anyway there has been some MP3 Players talk in this Lounge so I'd rather start this thread. Few months ago I was choosing between Apple Ipod Miini and Creative's Zen Micro Touch in the MP3 micro drive models. After doing a lot of further research and reading previews I decided on the Zen Micro(5GB) model. Although they both have excellent sound quality I chose the Zen because of its removable battery and pulsating blue led lights that surrounds the player. Too bad I didn't have those Limited Editions of the Zen Micro which provides an extra battery pack for the first 100,000 units in production. I love Apple because of its user-friendly(click-wheel) interface and good software but I still go for the Zen Micro because you can download music from a lot of online music store compared to the Apple's limited ones. It's kinda hard at first to navigate at Zen's touch screen interface but when you get used to it, its easy besides you can adjust the sensitivity settings. Creative's software is fair than better. Good thing Windows Media Player 10 saves the day. I used the Windows MP's WMA(128 bit) format rather than the MP3 formats in storing music to my player. Both have the same compressed file size but sound quality is better in WMA(128 bit) than the MP3. I would have liked FLAC(Lossless Audio Compression) but Zen Micro didn't support those types of audio format. Apple do support it. BTW the earphones that comes with the Zen Micro were awesome. You can hear every beats and back-up vocals and surrounds were much appreciated.
My MP3 Player is the IAudio M3. In Australia it is owned by JNC, so for all you ausies, look for the JNC SSF-M3. Its the exact same player. I've mentioned it in another thread. Its the smallest 20GB player there is (yes smaller than the IPod) and its sound quality is better than Apple's monster player. It really is a player that is loved by all who like using in'line remotes because that is what the player is based around. For those who like carrying around the entire unit in their hand just to navigate will not like this player because it doesn't have a screen on the unit itself. The In-line remote is very small yet still manages to contain a large that fits about 7 lines. Without a touch pad or click wheel, navigation isn't as quick as the IPod or Zen, and isn't user friendly to the newcomers. But these are minor complications that you get over once you get used to the player. The only other problem with the player is that the earphones SUCK! But like any other player you can just buy new ones. The player is feature packed with voice recording and in-line recording, radio, and of course, digital music player. It has a equalizer and bass boost for awesome sound quality, and is absolutely perfect for the person doodling aronud on a tiny little remote. The unit doesn't even ever hav to be seen. Can stay in your pocket or bag. The player has some really good pros. Its cons are minor things that can either be avoided or forgotten about. Its the perfect player for me.
Seems like we don't have a lot of iPod fans in here. I like that as it shows most, if not all, of us here are not blind followers of whatever's the fad right now. I myself have a Creative Zen Touch 20 GB, and I have a old 256MB for running and such activities. The Zen Touch is awesome. I bought a pair of better headphones and it's perfect. Long battery life, great looking design, good quality and functionality. I'm fine with a bit of extra size and weight, and Creative is the definition for quality. Besides, I'm a native Singaporean and Creative is a Singaporean company, so it's a bit of patriotism.
Oh damn looks like I'm the only one with an IPod mini. Got it for a christmas present so i really had no choice in the matter. Got it for free so I really cant complain. It's only 6gbs though.
No offense to you buzzer. Although Ipod is a good mp3 player you still have to buy a lot of accessories to maximize its functions. A lot of rival MP3 players like the brands from Creative, IAudio, Rio, etc... have built in FM players, Voice Recorders and has long battery life. So you're born on Singapore Trip and you're family moved to Canada? I know Singapore(Lion City) is a highly industrialized country and one of the richest in Asia. I have lots of friends and colleagues who worked there either on the field of IT or Medical field.
Yes its good to see a wide range of players that people use here. I was once thinking of getting the Zen for its superior battery life but too bulky for me. My M3 is the definition of compact and quality music in one. Battery life isn't as long as the Zen, but MUCH longer than the Ipod. It also has the fastest transfer rate of any Harddrive player 20bg or larger.
None taken man. I know about the disdvantages lol. If I want an FM radio I gotta buy the add on which cost like $100+ NZD which is quite a lot. But good thing is I didnt shell out any money on it in the first place so I'm happy lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> So you're born on Singapore Trip and you're family moved to Canada? I know Singapore(Lion City) is a highly industrialized country and one of the richest in Asia. I have lots of friends and colleagues who worked there either on the field of IT or Medical field.</div>My parents were in Canada before I was born, but they moved back about a year I was born. Then after I was born I stayed there until 2002, when we moved back to Singapore for the sake of my future, as my parents believed that Singapore was not big enough for development. I love it there though, good weather, lots of water , and good people. I actually plan on going to China or back to Singapore after I graduate, as I'd been learning Mandarin as a second language in Singapore, so going to Asia would be good money-wise and such.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">My parents were in Canada before I was born, but they moved back about a year I was born. Then after I was born I stayed there until 2002, when we moved back to Singapore for the sake of my future, as my parents believed that Singapore was not big enough for development. I love it there though, good weather, lots of water , and good people. I actually plan on going to China or back to Singapore after I graduate, as I'd been learning Mandarin as a second language in Singapore, so going to Asia would be good money-wise and such.</div> Yeah definitely man on the mandarin. China's industry is booming right now and I don't really think its going to slow down any time soon. The only problem is, if you work there the wages aren't too good and its harder to find jobs so it would definitely be wiser to find job somewhere else.
The wages in China definitely isn't too low if you have the right job. My dad was dispatched by his company to work in China while back in Singapore and he says that there are a lot of rich people. If I do go to China in the future, it'll most likely be in linguistics or something to do with both languages. Maybe teaching English there. The pay definitely will be good especially if you work for a private company, and the things there are way cheaper than here in North America.
Every country has rich people, even underdeveloped countries. In fact the reason why some countries have so much poverty are because of the Rich people at the top keeping all the $$$ to themselves.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting blueracer:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyway there has been some MP3 Players talk in this Lounge so I'd rather start this thread. Few months ago I was choosing between Apple Ipod Miini and Creative's Zen Micro Touch in the MP3 micro drive models. After doing a lot of further research and reading previews I decided on the Zen Micro(5GB) model. Although they both have excellent sound quality I chose the Zen because of its removable battery and pulsating blue led lights that surrounds the player. Too bad I didn't have those Limited Editions of the Zen Micro which provides an extra battery pack for the first 100,000 units in production. I love Apple because of its user-friendly(click-wheel) interface and good software but I still go for the Zen Micro because you can download music from a lot of online music store compared to the Apple's limited ones. It's kinda hard at first to navigate at Zen's touch screen interface but when you get used to it, its easy besides you can adjust the sensitivity settings. Creative's software is fair than better. Good thing Windows Media Player 10 saves the day. I used the Windows MP's WMA(128 bit) format rather than the MP3 formats in storing music to my player. Both have the same compressed file size but sound quality is better in WMA(128 bit) than the MP3. I would have liked FLAC(Lossless Audio Compression) but Zen Micro didn't support those types of audio format. Apple do support it. BTW the earphones that comes with the Zen Micro were awesome. You can hear every beats and back-up vocals and surrounds were much appreciated.</div> I got the zen micro too. What color do u have? I think black is the coolest color especially with the blue led lights. White is nice but it looks like a complete rip off ipod and u can easily see scratches if u get it scratcched. I don't really use the touch screen because I use the remote since the battery would last longer. I don't think it lasts 12 hours either since i keep changing the tracks often too. The ipod touch screen is definitely more effective than the zen but I still think zen micro has more advantages. The belt clip and stand is pretty cool too. I don't like the mini ipod because I think you hav to pay for each song while the zen micro i could just rip it off a free p2p program.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">I got the zen micro too. What color do u have? I think black is the coolest color especially with the blue led lights. White is nice but it looks like a complete rip off ipod and u can easily see scratches if u get it scratcched. I don't really use the touch screen because I use the remote since the battery would last longer. I don't think it lasts 12 hours either since i keep changing the tracks often too. The ipod touch screen is definitely more effective than the zen but I still think zen micro has more advantages. The belt clip and stand is pretty cool too. I don't like the mini ipod because I think you hav to pay for each song while the zen micro i could just rip it off a free p2p program.</div> Mine is silver. It's the only color available at crutchfield.com besides I got free shipping,no tax, and a $20 coupon. Then the next day my sister wants one too but she wants the neon green and it's not available on crutchfield.com as I've said. I finally found one on Creative's sister company. My sister even got a great deal aside from free shipping and no tax, she got a $25 coupon. Too bad we didn't get the special edition version, the one with a free extra battery pack. Nice suggestion drm2dnk about the wired remote. I might buy that one to preserve battery life. Like you've said I always change tracks too very often and charge the unit everyday. Those firmware downloads that creative.com offers didn't help much in prolonging battery life. Where can you avail of the free p2p program? Is that the one Napster has been offering? I mean unlimited downloads for $14.99 a month?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting blueracer:</div><div class="quote_post">Mine is silver. It's the only color available at crutchfield.com besides I got free shipping,no tax, and a $20 coupon. Then the next day my sister wants one too but she wants the neon green and it's not available on crutchfield.com as I've said. I finally found one on Creative's sister company. My sister even got a great deal aside from free shipping and no tax, she got a $25 coupon. Too bad we didn't get the special edition version, the one with a free extra battery pack. Nice suggestion drm2dnk about the wired remote. I might buy that one to preserve battery life. Like you've said I always change tracks too very often and charge the unit everyday. Those firmware downloads that creative.com offers didn't help much in prolonging battery life. Where can you avail of the free p2p program? Is that the one Napster has been offering? I mean unlimited downloads for $14.99 a month?</div> No man absolutely freE! But Ofcourse there are copyright laws saying (we can't download copyrighted music) but I still download the songs and so do a million other people I got my zen micro without the extra battery but I got it with a lot of cool accessories such as a remote, belt clip and stand, and carrying case. For a free p2p program there are a lot out there..such as limewire, or ares, etc. http://www.aresgalaxy.org BTW..u should have tried www.pricegrabber.com..they give u the cheapest price.
Talking about my battery life, I'm recharging my Zen Touch once a week, although it is used only for about an hour a day. I do change songs a lot though, so maybe ITunes' smart playlist thing would help. Btw, I just read in the paper something about Podcasting. Apparently, it's like MP3 formats of radio. Could anyone explain further? I didn't quite understand that article.
