HD MP3 players as USB storage

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pika2000

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
132
Hi, I'm looking for a HD based MP3 player that is recognized by win2k/XP as USB mass storage without the need to install any drivers so that I could use it to transport files to/form any win2k/XP PC. As far as I read the reviews online, the iRiver iHP does not need any drivers, the Dell DJ and Creative Zen still need driver installation, and the Rio Karma requires its own software. I also heard that the iPod does not require any driver. Are those assumptions correct? Any suggestions is appreciated. :)
 
So, only the iRiver and iPod that can be used as mass storage drive without any driver installation. How about the iPod mini?
 
pika2000 said:
How about the iPod mini?
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It should work the same. A friend just bought one (it really is tiny) so I will check with him to see whether the mini works the same as the regular.
 
The iRiver does indeed function as a USB 2.0 hard drive. Better sounding and longer battery life than the iPod too. I'd recommend it over the iPod, same size anyway, so its not like you're getting anything bulky.
 
After reading more user reviews, I found out that with the iPod, you still need iTunes to transfer songs. Songs that are transferred via the HD mode are not playable. What a bummer.

The iRiver seems to be the most flexible. No drivers needed and no extra software needed to transfer music. :) Now, I haven't seen/held the iRiver, but I've seen and held an iPod, ant it is really slim, thin and small. From the pictures, the iRiver looks like the Zen (ie. thick/brick like). Anybody can comment on this? Maybe a picture comparison? Thanks.
 
pika2000 said:
After reading more user reviews, I found out that with the iPod, you still need iTunes to transfer songs. Songs that are transferred via the HD mode are not playable. What a bummer.

The iRiver seems to be the most flexible. No drivers needed and no extra software needed to transfer music. :) Now, I haven't seen/held the iRiver, but I've seen and held an iPod, ant it is really slim, thin and small. From the pictures, the iRiver looks like the Zen (ie. thick/brick like). Anybody can comment on this? Maybe a picture comparison? Thanks.
Click to expand...


I can't give you a pic comparison, I could if I had one of my friend's iPods. The iRiver is essentially the same size as the iPod (like I already said, you paying attention?). It's a little thicker (about 1mm or so), although to me it actually looks smaller than the iPod if you just see either of them sitting there with no sense of scale. And it's a sturdy little sucker too, won't scratch up the front as easily as an iPod, if you care about stuff like that.
 
emorphien said:
I can't give you a pic comparison, I could if I had one of my friend's iPods. The iRiver is essentially the same size as the iPod (like I already said, you paying attention?). It's a little thicker (about 1mm or so), although to me it actually looks smaller than the iPod if you just see either of them sitting there with no sense of scale. And it's a sturdy little sucker too, won't scratch up the front as easily as an iPod, if you care about stuff like that.
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Yeah, one of the bigger problems with the iPod that people don't mention is that you need a case to keep it pretty, which adds to the size.

pika2000 said:
Now, I haven't seen/held the iRiver, but I've seen and held an iPod, ant it is really slim, thin and small. From the pictures, the iRiver looks like the Zen (ie. thick/brick like). Anybody can comment on this? Maybe a picture comparison? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Don't forget you can look at the dimensions for yourself instead of asking. A good comparison site is www.dapreview.com
 
zachary80 said:
Yeah, one of the bigger problems with the iPod that people don't mention is that you need a case to keep it pretty, which adds to the size.

Don't forget you can look at the dimensions for yourself instead of asking. A good comparison site is www.dpreview.com
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For me, looking and holding the real thing is better then just reading the measurements. Like most PCDPs, their measurements are not much different. But when you look/hold at the real units, you can feel the difference between the regular and the slimmer units.

Also, that link is for digital camera reviews. :confused:

It seems the iRiver would be my choice. I have a friend that has an Archos, and IMO it's really big and thick. I hope the iRiver is much slimmer than that. I'll take emorphien's word for it. Too bad my local BB only has an iPod and a Phillips out for demo. :(
 
just go with iRiver. i have mine since november. its a true drag and drop player. battery life is amazing, u will NOT regret buying it
 
pika2000 said:
For me, looking and holding the real thing is better then just reading the measurements. Like most PCDPs, their measurements are not much different. But when you look/hold at the real units, you can feel the difference between the regular and the slimmer units.

Also, that link is for digital camera reviews. :confused:

It seems the iRiver would be my choice. I have a friend that has an Archos, and IMO it's really big and thick. I hope the iRiver is much slimmer than that. I'll take emorphien's word for it. Too bad my local BB only has an iPod and a Phillips out for demo. :(
Click to expand...

I was looking for www.dapreview.com , check out the DAP.db
 
pika2000 said:
For me, looking and holding the real thing is better then just reading the measurements. Like most PCDPs, their measurements are not much different. But when you look/hold at the real units, you can feel the difference between the regular and the slimmer units.

Also, that link is for digital camera reviews. :confused:

It seems the iRiver would be my choice. I have a friend that has an Archos, and IMO it's really big and thick. I hope the iRiver is much slimmer than that. I'll take emorphien's word for it. Too bad my local BB only has an iPod and a Phillips out for demo. :(
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Pika, what is wrong with you? If you don't believe me, look up the dimensions on the iPod and iRiver. I'd do it so you would just stop wallowing in your self doubt, but it's not worth the effort to me. If you don't believe me go to the iPod and iRiver websites and look it up! sheesh
 
You know what, nevermind. I was on dareview.com and decided to get the info... here it is:

iPod: 104x61x16 (20gb)
iRiver: 105x60x19mm (20gb)

The extra depth in the iRiver probably comes from the increased audio functionality and (mostly) the larger capacity battery.
 
I got a iHP-120 and it works prefectly as a external hard drive.
Good battery life and transfer pretty fast with USB 2.0

here are some pictures I took a last year here
 
mp3ans.gif
 
It should be noted that while the iRiver it technically superior in just about every way to the iPod, and that it's even the same size, it doesn't play nicely with Macs. (drivers). It will still function as a HD.

Whats that Windows Media PLayer 10 thing about the iRiver for anyway? I just drag and drop.
 
emorphien said:
It should be noted that while the iRiver it technically superior in just about every way to the iPod, and that it's even the same size, it doesn't play nicely with Macs. (drivers). It will still function as a HD.

Whats that Windows Media PLayer 10 thing about the iRiver for anyway? I just drag and drop.
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incorrect, ipod DOES have better sound, and it can navigate and fetch songs much faster because it uses file tagging(hence the need for itunes).
 
roll your eyes and live with incorrect information if you want

Iriver = 90 dB
Ipod = 94
Karma = 96
Zen Xtra = 97
 
CzarDestructo said:
roll your eyes and live with incorrect information if you want

Iriver = 90 dB
Ipod = 94
Karma = 96
Zen Xtra = 97
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:rolleyes: Published specs mean nothing until a product is tested. A good receiver rated at 55 watts can put out over 80 watts of clean power compared to a sony receiver rated at 80 watts that can't even come close.
 
you need some sort of basis to make the decision of buying whichever player initally, the ratings are correct plus or minus 2 or 3 dB depending on your setup.
 
CzarDestructo said:
you need some sort of basis to make the decision of buying whichever player initally, the ratings are correct plus or minus 2 or 3 dB depending on your setup.
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Hardly an accurate assessment, but since your argument against me has fallen apart, its just not worth pursuing why that's wrong.
 
what arguement? you haven't brought anything into this thread other than wrong information that the IRiver is better and a terrible analogy about amplifer wattage ratings. the iriver has its place with gadget lovers but it certainly doesn't do all that while holding sound quality. stop being such a pompous little shit.

both the karma and ipods hold up to their maker's signal ratings plus or minus as i said prior, i can't find any specificas on the iriver however. its probably not even worth the trouble.
 
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