Need help choosing a player!

by Rxq Dec 23, 2005 10:03AM PST

Hi! new to cnet.

I want something that can do
-mp3
-videos
-ebooks
-fmtuner

I was looking through products and came across Cowon Iaudio X5, ipod video, archos gmini402,creative portable media player. These are all around the same price, i dont want the iaudio bercause of its screen, so which of the ones above should i get? Im edgeing toward the Archos, but the creative media player's price drop down a lot. Problem is, its bulky but i like the screen.

None of these could do e-books though, not much of a loss.

I might be getting off topic but...

I also came across the Palm Tungsten E2 w/ Wifi. IF does everything i could possible want in something portable, (documents, internet, music, videos,e-books).
Its also cheaper than all the hardrive players above.
Problem is, sd cards are pricey and they dont hold alot. Most of the features are useful too, but i would be using them a lot. i also dont see a lot of good reviews.

Well, if you guys recommends the pda, should i get the E2 or the dell axim 51 416mhz?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Go for a PVP...

by John.Wilkinson Dec 23, 2005 11:21AM PST

I don't delve into the PV/MP3 player world much, so I'll leave the comparisons and recommendations to the 'experts.' However, given the primary duties of your new device, I'd recommend sticking with PVPs instead of wandering into the handheld department for a couple of reasons.

* PDAs do not have FM tuners.

* The others may not be able to handle e-books, but the Iaudio X5 can read .txt files and you can create your own e-books for the iPod. (Click here for instructions.)

* The sound and video quality, while acceptable, is not as good on a PDA as it is on a dedicated multimedia device.

* The battery time on a PDA tops out around 4 hours of continuous use, and that can drop down to 2 hours if you are watching video. There are extended batteries available for PocketPCs (including the Dell Axims) which will double the time, but the Palms (including the TX) do not have user-replacable batteries, and even if they did, they would not last nearly as long as a PVP.

* You're right...SD and CF cards can get pricey ($30-$90 per card), especially if you want to carry around 20GB of media. Also, you probably won't want to carry around 10-20 memory cards. (PDAs can't handle memory cards larger than 1GB or 2GB in capacity.)

Given all of that, I'd check the Cnet reviews of the PVPs your looking into and wait to see what others recommend as well.

Hope this helps,
John

P.S. Welcome to Cnet! I hope you enjoy your stay here, and if there's anything you need, just hollar.

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by Rxq Dec 23, 2005 12:24PM PST

I see. So thats another one toward Gmini. If i get PVP, would you guys recommend Creative Portable media player or the gmini?

These are the characteritics i see of the two players.

Creative
-A 50% price drop (thats A LOT)
-Big screen
-Big and bulky, not very portable

Archos Gmini
-Small
-Small screen
-no speakers

What would you guys recommend?

PS. How do i navigate to the forums? I dont see a button that says forums. I had to google it up evertime or check my profile.

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Navigating the forums...

by John.Wilkinson Dec 23, 2005 2:08PM PST

Towards the top of every page, just under the forum search option in green, you'll see ''Back to:'' followed by two links. The first will take you to the forums main page (same as clicking here, and the second will take you to the front page for the forum you are in.

Other forum tips:
* If you have what may be a common question give the forum search a try, as there are tons of answers contained in the Cnet forums database.

* Clicking on a person's username (including your own) will let you view that person's profile.

* Provided the user has enabled the option, you can contact the user privately by going to his/her profile and clicking on the ''e-mail member'' button.

* If you would to to enable others to e-mail you (all e-mail is anonomyous, sent and received with Cnet being the third-party handler), or modify your profile, you can use the ''edit profile'' link below your name in the left-hand column.

* You can search for product reveiws by going to cnet.com and entering the product/service name into the search box.

* Including your computer information in your profile will help others help you, should the case arise, so you do not have to include your specs in every posting.

Again, enjoy your stay.
John

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yes, plus..

by Chip_Leader Dec 23, 2005 2:19PM PST

once you get to the 'main' Forum page, just save it in your fav's

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okay

by Rxq Dec 23, 2005 3:15PM PST

So can i get back to the mp3 players?

SO archos?

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Both are good

by cool_vaio Dec 23, 2005 4:07PM PST

but the two are very different products: the archos is a 250 bucks mainly mp3 player, and the creative is twice as expensive, but if it's the same price, than certainly the creative, since it got a better/bigger screen and the media center

maybe also consider Creative Zen Vision:M, it got everything you want, but won't be in US til mid-Jan

merry christmas

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Portability

by Rxq Dec 24, 2005 4:15AM PST

THe creative is about 20 percent more expensive than the archos. I would get it but what about its size? any good for carry around?

ANyone know when the Vision M would come out to Canada?

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What?

by wasnot Dec 24, 2005 6:43AM PST

The X5 kills the rest, unless you don't care about all the features it has that the others don't. I do believe (know) it does display text files (dBooks?not sure). If it's primarily for video, you need to say so. If it's not, the the iAudio is the hands down winner (even though it does video well too).

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