Mp3 Help seriously computer challenged

upperwests

upperwests

Cathlete
I really want to start using Cardio Coach for running and need to purchase an MP3 player. I know nothing about the new technology. Can anyone recommend a brand. I want one that would be easy to wrap around my arm while running and has decent headphones that won't pop out.
Paula
 
I love my iPod Nano and you can get an armband for it to use while running. I don't like the headphones that come with it so I bought some that are meant for active use. A Google search for sport headphones will yield several results.
 
I have a Creative Zen V Plus that I really like.

It's small, easy to use.

I like the type of earphones that came with it (though somehow the cord to one of the earphones got bent after about a week and almost broke through, so I had to replace them...replacements are easy to find. I got some at Walmart.). I bought a armband from Amazon (a kit that came with a silicone cover, and armband, a tacky metallic laniere (sp), and a plastic screen cover, for something like $5) and it works well (I thread the earphone cord raps oback under it, and under the close straps of my weighted vest (if I didn't wear the vest, I'd thread it through the armhole of my top on the same side as the Mp3 strap), so the cord doesn't get in my way.

The Zen V Plus does have a hard drive, so might not work as well for running (higher impact and jarring could make it skip). There are other Creative styles that have flash memory, which is better for high impact activity. The best prices I've seen are actually on the creative site ( www.creative.com ).
 
I would second the Creative Zen. Small and easy to use, however, those IPODS are really nice if you want to invest a little more money.
 
ipod shuffles are really nice. cheaper than a full size ipod, but will still hold a lot of stuff. it's really small and it clips on to anything. only downside is that it doesn't have a screen to see what is playing...

Shelby
 
iPods score for:
a. sleekest most well finished players on the market. no other player is winning in a beauty contest
b. reliable and high quality
c. excellent customer service (though pricey after warranty)
d. ease of use - itunes is very simple and intuitive for people who arent techno-inclined
But they do cost a premium.
I dont like the shuffle model because it does not have a display so you cant navigate and find the workout / music you want very easily (you have to keep forwarding!) The Nano is a great little mp3 player if the primary objective is working out. It can do a whole lot more besides - and most people use their mp 3 players for new stuff that they never imagined doing once they get it. Many different choices of armbands.

If you dont want the option to play video on your player, two cost effective but good options are:
a. Sandisk Sansa Clip - a tiny player that you can wear on your clothing - no arm band needed. Stays put and out of the way when you workout. It is available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB models.
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1215104510&sr=1-1


b. Creative Zen Stone Plus
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=16696
This model has workout features like a built in stop watch. There is also a version with a built in speaker, in case you want to listen without headphones - but the sepakers are too small to deliver powerful sound.

The Creative Zen is a good player - comparable to the ipod Nano. It includes FM unlike the Nano. It is available in many different capacities (GB). It takes a little longer to learn than an iPod but once you read through the manual it is reliable and very easy to use. The advantage is that it supports SD cards. So if you run out of space on the player, you can start storing content on SD cards. I bought one for my sis and she loves it. Armbands are available for this too at amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Port..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0MWXVMG6696V8AK5ZM4K


~* Vrinda *~
 
Thanks to you, I just ordered the SanDisk-Sansa Clip Player brand new for only $35.00 I liked what all the reviews said about it. THanks again for your input.
Paula
 
Hi Paula,

Congratulations!

A common mistake people make with all brands of mp3 players is to disconnect it from the computer without ejecting it first. That can cause problems. Remember to use the "Eject" feature (if you are using Windows, there is an eject icon in the "tray" of icons on the last row, right side, in the gray band) always, before you disconnect your Sansa Clip from the USB port.

~* Vrinda *~
 
>A common mistake people make with all brands of mp3 players is
>to disconnect it from the computer without ejecting it first.

Hmm...I've never noticed any kind of eject feature with my Creative Zen. But I do wait to disconnect until after it's done downloading or synching.
 
Windows XP puts a little icon in your system tray to indicate a device plugged into a usb port. You click on that icon and a popup menu lists the devices connected. Click on the device and it should dismount, Windows will then tell you it's safe to remove.
 
>How much GB would you need for the CC and Itreads?

You dont need to store all your workouts on the mp3 player. You could store your workout library on your PC and download a few at any point of time to your player. This is what I do. I change the workouts on the player every weekend. 1GB is plenty if you dont mind doing this.

All the 8 CC volumes so far would fit on 1GB, but you wont have place for too many iTrains. If you want to store your entire workout library on the player consider getting at least a 4GB if you plan to collect a lot of audio workouts. For a small collection 2 GB will do.

~* Vrinda *~
 
>>A common mistake people make with all brands of mp3 players
>is
>>to disconnect it from the computer without ejecting it
>first.
>
>Hmm...I've never noticed any kind of eject feature with my
>Creative Zen. But I do wait to disconnect until after it's
>done downloading or synching.

Kathryn, See Dave's answer below for how to eject. MP3 Players are susceptible to read errors if removed from the USB port without ejecting. It isnt a major problem that is caused usually. Restoring is mostly possible, but it is a pain to do.

~* Vrinda *~
 
Kathryn, the icon is a little white check mark in a green circle. It says:Safely Remove Hardware, when you touch it with the pointer arrow.

Do you see that?

Sarah
 
Also you might have to expand the system tray to see it, if you "hover" your cursor above the right caret ( < ) on the system tray it will probably show you more icons.
 
>Kathryn, the icon is a little white check mark in a green
>circle. It says:Safely Remove Hardware, when you touch it with
>the pointer arrow.
>
>Do you see that?
>
>Sarah

Nope, I don't see it.

The only time I see an icon is when the Zen is synching, or when I'm actively downloading.

I also reread my Zen manual, and it says nothing about this. It just says to not disconnect the player from the computer when it's showing a certain symbol on the player screen.
 
>Also you might have to expand the system tray to see it, if
>you "hover" your cursor above the right caret ( < ) on the
>system tray it will probably show you more icons.

I've tried that (though just hovering doesn't work, I have to click on the < ).
 
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