iPods & MP3 players

[sbb_f1234]

Hi I would like to buy an Mp3 player but would like some suggestions.

I'm going to be using it for both video and audio
I'd like a lot of storage space
I'd like it to have video output AV
I don't want it to be too big though its not like im going to be using while working out
Good interface and organization

Suggestions welcome.

[Neihn Valued Contributor]

I think your 2 best options would be either the iPod Touch or the Zune HD.

iPod Touch:

Pros: access to the apple app store, beautiful screen, easy to use interface.

Cons: AV output capable only by use of certain cables Apple branded cables can run around 100 dollars. 3rd party solutions may be cheaper.

Zune HD:

Pros: HD Radio™, HD video out, Wireless Syncing to your PC

Cons: Uses the MS Marketplace which uses a point system rather then cash values.

[Tomoko]

Two big Cons I have with both of these devices that you may also want to consider:

Lack of a user serviceable battery, If something goes wrong with the battery you are out a device while it's sent off for repairs.

No expandable memory, via USB or SDHC.

[TheLexMachine]

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Tomoko wrote:

Two big Cons I have with both of these devices that you may also want to consider:

Lack of a user serviceable battery, If something goes wrong with the battery you are out a device while it's sent off for repairs.

No expandable memory, via USB or SDHC.

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99.9% of all portable A/V devices are designed that way. It's the nature of the beast. Should you find one of the low-end models that isn't, it never has any accessories available. No armbands, docks, belt clips, etc. You're pretty much stuck with an iPod or Zune these days. When I bought my first MP3 player several years ago, you had options galore. Many took AA/AAA batteries but only the high-end stuff had Li-Ion cells because they were not the right formfactor to house a cylindrical power cell. Now it's all thin and cell-phone like.

[Navi]

Hi,

You should probably google search some devices to get some good secifications.

My only disclike for the ipod and the zune are the file formats. you are stuck with either itunes or ms market. You can't play more than half the files you find on either of the players. Some choices not known to much are brands like Cowon, Archos, or Creative.

I used to have the Creative Zen Vision, and it worked great. The Archos 3 vision is really small and still has a 3'' touch screen, it will also play almost any format you throw at it. I dont have experience woth cowon but they are supposed to have some of the best sound quality around. I'm going to get the ARchos 5, but the 5'' screen would probably be to big for you.

Good luck.