Hello Everyone, I am looking for a recommendation for a good MP3 player and storage device for my needs. Mainly for listening on flights and during the day. 10GB would be the minimum since I will also be using it for data storage mainly images in JPEG format. I was considering the Apple Ipods or Dell Jukebox device. Anything else you could add to the mix that you recommend?
Thanks

Hey,

Personally i'd recommend the iPod as the item of choice -- it's the perfect package -- great price, great package, great overall.

YGPM

Iriver IHP series. Cheaper than an ipod, standard USB 2 connector instead of proprietry (expensive) connector on the ipod and capable of on the fly recording into MP3. Plays OGG, WMA and MP3 and has an FM radio built in. Also comes with backlit LCD remote control.

The iPod is compatable with USB 2 with an included adapter...

YGPM fromYYZ_flyer

Which is pretty useless if you are on the road and forget the cable, especially with a spare cable costing a whopping $20. At least most other players just take mini USB, which is used on masses of equipment. Some players will even recharge through the USB port.

But if your computer and/or laptop has a firewire 400 port then that would be a mute point...

I am actually planning to return my Iriver (bought after my Rio died ).

-when using the database , unit takes nearly 5 minutes to start up
- no way to create on the fly playlists
- keeps freezing, more often then RIO did
- Sorting by Genre is very poor
- Doesn't seem to read or care about ID2 tags
- Bulkier then RIO was
- Doesn't remember which song it last played after being turned off. So if I was on the 28th minute of a 60 minute mix and need to turn off the player, it will will go back to the start of the mix when it's turned back on.
- No way to fast forward/rewind within a song.

Irive IHP

QUOTE=ScottC]Iriver IHP series. Cheaper than an ipod, standard USB 2 connector instead of proprietry (expensive) connector on the ipod and capable of on the fly recording into MP3. Plays OGG, WMA and MP3 and has an FM radio built in. Also comes with backlit LCD remote control.[/QUOTE]

This is a bit off topic but you can store more MP3s on your player by recording them at 56 or 64kbps instead of 128. You won't hear any difference on your headphones. This way, you can have more space for JPEGs.

If you are looking into an iPod, you might want to look around for clearances on the older 3rd generation. You might be able to get a good deal on a 15G or 20G player. Keep in mind that the 3rd gen. 20G iPod comes with the dock and remote whereas the 4th gen. 20G iPods include neither. Of course, neither of these may be important to you (you don't need the dock to use the iPod and I almost never use my remote). And there's the fact that the 4th gen's have greatly improved battery life.

Ipod is a little smaller in size than the Dell, which makes big difference sometimes on the road.

Minidisc recorder + 3 disks (including the one in your player) = huge amounts of music and 24 hours of battery life. I record everything optically (brings back memories of making mixed tapes) and use Sennheiser PX200 cans. Great sound, and somewhat isolating.

David

So how do you use it as a mass storage device as the original poster requested?

FWIW, I use an iRiver H120, and have had zero problems with it. I don't use the database function and keep my music filed in folders by genre, artist and album (startup time is roughly 8 seconds). Finding what I want quickly is not a problem.

On-the-fly playlists will be nice, and that feature (along with a plethora of others) will be available in the next firmware release due within the next couple of weeks.

Battery life is tremendous; I usually get 15-16 hours with 192KB/s VBR MP3s, and it doesn't use power when it's off (unlike the iPod's sleep/resume method of operation).

How much data can be stored on a Minidisc?

Very true.

But after 5 hours the Ipod turns into a paperweight and the Dell will still keep you entertained for another 10 hours.

Didn't Iriver promise new firmware back in April and never delivered?