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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > mp3 Player Advice

mp3 Player Advice
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Aug 18, 2004, 01:06 AM
 
Ok, I'm in the market for an mp3 player. I'm having trouble finding one that meets my needs, though. Here's the list:
  • Hard drive usable as external storage
  • Firewire connection
  • Decent battery life(negotiable)
  • Good Mac support
So far, everyone's saying iPod, right? Sorry, not that simple:
  • Ogg Vorbis support (not negotiable)

The ideal would be if Apple (or some third party - I'm not very scrupulous about this sort of thing) were to add Vorbis support to the iPod. Since that's not going to happen in my lifetime, what other players out there fit my needs? I'd like if it could play music from the iTunes music store, but this isn't essential as I haven't invested much into an Apple DRMed AAC collection.

Thanks in advance,
BlackGriffen
     
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Aug 18, 2004, 01:30 AM
 
Originally posted by BlackGriffen:
Ok, I'm in the market for an mp3 player. I'm having trouble finding one that meets my needs, though. Here's the list:
  • Hard drive usable as external storage
  • Firewire connection
  • Decent battery life(negotiable)
  • Good Mac support
So far, everyone's saying iPod, right? Sorry, not that simple:
  • Ogg Vorbis support (not negotiable)

The ideal would be if Apple (or some third party - I'm not very scrupulous about this sort of thing) were to add Vorbis support to the iPod. Since that's not going to happen in my lifetime, what other players out there fit my needs? I'd like if it could play music from the iTunes music store, but this isn't essential as I haven't invested much into an Apple DRMed AAC collection.

Thanks in advance,
BlackGriffen
ipod linux does Ogg ,Read this

Have not tried it ,but it looks like it may pan out someday.

P.S. You know your in the wrong place for anything but, "Dude, get an iPod anyway"
Joy!peffpwpc
     
Zim
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Aug 18, 2004, 09:18 AM
 
If you can wait, I'd hold off and watch for the new Rio's that http://engadget.com keeps talking about.

I own a 3G iPod, but quite frankly am frustrated by the fact that very little development/progress seems to be happening on the iPod, and that Apple shares none of this with owners of previous generation iPod. As such, I will be looking at non-Apple players next time, and am encouraging others to do the same.

I'm Apple since the II+, but not happy that for a "firmware upgrade" I essentially have to buy a new iPod. Its a computer inside and should be treated that way (I'd even pay for upgrades in the same way we pay for 10.1, 10.2, etc).


http://www.neurosaudio.com/ plays OGG, but is kind of a clunker. It has appeal from being "open"...

Mike
     
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Aug 18, 2004, 09:44 AM
 
Originally posted by BlackGriffen:
  • Firewire connection
  • Ogg Vorbis support (not negotiable)
Doesn't exist. Anywhere. You'll have to go USB2 or ditch OGG.
†ºn+°N

Got Vurt? Jeff Noon
     
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Aug 18, 2004, 10:16 AM
 
I just can't resist. What the heck is "ogg vorbis support," anyway?
     
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Aug 18, 2004, 12:10 PM
 
Originally posted by bbales:
I just can't resist. What the heck is "ogg vorbis support," anyway?

it's an audio compression "standard" that 12 people use...if you're one of the 12, you'll need a player to accommodate it.

okay, maybe 15 people use it...
"At first, there was Nothing. Then Nothing inverted itself and became Something.
And that is what you all are: inverted Nothings...with potential" (Sun Ra)
     
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Aug 18, 2004, 01:22 PM
 
Is Vorbis support really more important than Smart Playlists, iTunes integration and a logical UI?

I guess you could get some of the Rio's or an iRiver with USB2, but the UI on them is really poor. If Vorbis is a must I guess that's what you'll have to do though. I'd tend to the Rio, I think their UI is a bit better than the iRiver.

-matt
     
Zim
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Aug 18, 2004, 10:21 PM
 
Originally posted by ratlater:
Is Vorbis support really more important than Smart Playlists, iTunes integration and a logical UI?

I guess you could get some of the Rio's or an iRiver with USB2, but the UI on them is really poor. If Vorbis is a must I guess that's what you'll have to do though. I'd tend to the Rio, I think their UI is a bit better than the iRiver.

-matt
Unless I've missed something on my iPod, the smart playlists is an iTunes feature (not an iPod feature).. one could always use iTunes to make playlists, then export/convert them to m3u (or whatever) format for other players.

Speaking of bad interfaces, I find the OTG playlists on my 3G far too cumbersome to bother with.

Supposedly the newest Rios no longer have a poor interface. The new Karma(?) at 5G is supposed to give the mini a good run for its $$.

Mike
     
   
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