Hard Drive based MP3 player comparison table
viper
the newest players including the Ipod, the Mini Neo and the Archos
Multimedia player. There is also the Rio Riot and the Nomad 3.
Hope it helps. It is located here.
http://www.hotmp3gear.com/ComputerInnovation/Comparison1.htm
Scott
www.hotmp3gear.com
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] I have updated my hard drive based MP3 player comparison table to include
I would beg everyone to compare the comments, in this table (from a
dealer), to the "where to buy" column. The best comments seemed to be
laid upon the units that the dealer sells (I could be wrong -- judge
for yourself). I'm just saying that from my point of view, this is not
an objective comparison.
Chris
--
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by things you didn't do than by the things you did do."
-- Mark Twain
Remove X's from my email address above to reply
[These opinions are personal views only and only my personal views]
Larry
I don't know actually what this dealer sells, and while I heartily
applaud the work necessary to collect all this information, my problem
with the chart is that subjectivity abounds - and that is not good for
a chart if it is to be a simple comparison and not an editorial
opinion.
The bias toward most of the Archos models is very clear; I mean, the
multimedia model which is indicated as not being available, still
receives a 5 star rating. OK - yeah, he prefaces it with "could be"
but why do that at all? He doesn't do that with the Nomad 3 (his
ridiculously low rating of the Nomad jukebox shows where the spin in
the chart is as well and clearly highlights the rampant subjectivity).
But most annoying for me is the use of red and green type for
specs/functionality "considered" especially bad or good. Again this
must be opinion from the person who created the chart but it really
does a disservice in this kind of presentation. The customer should
draw his own conclusions and should not be swayed by another's bias.
For me, some particularly bothersome colored type includes how, if a
device does not appear as a drive in Windows, it is listed in red in
the software category. Well, I need to transfer song files to my
device - if I can do it as I have with the Nomad Jukebox, then I am
happy. I don't need to see it as a drive to store any files other than
music. That is not why I buy a music player. This is definitely a case
where colored type is very inappropriate given that this is purely a
decision to be made by the consumer regarding how he is happiest using
the device.
One other example that seems incredibly bizarre involves the Neo Car
Jukebox. I haven't used the device but the comment, "Is not a
portable" is listed in red. That's a bad thing? It's a jukebox for the
car - of course you shouldn't expect to carry it around like your
typical MP3 device.
I could go on and on but I think I have taken up enough space. In
short, use the chart to gather some decent objective specs on the
various devices, but realize this is a skewed presentation and take
all that bias with huge grains of salt.
Not A Speck Of Cereal <Xchriss...@Xattbi.comX> wrote in message news:<p6l5au8i0603vm378...@4ax.com>...
viper
others make a decision. I have personally used every player listed (that
are available) and in fact have sold almost all of the players in the table.
It is a question of which came first the chicken or the egg.
I sell what I think are the best devices. I am very biased towards MP3
players that do not force you to use their software but are as simple to use
as external hard drives. Obviously if I do not like a player I wont sell
it.
In any comparison there are subjective views involved. I have been in the
hard drive based MP3 player business for longer than anyone I know. I
distributed the world's first, the MPMAN. I try to offer my opinions on the
players available.
As for your comments on the Multimedia player and my rating....
I attend all of the large shows..CES, COMDEX etc and have played with the
protypes of the new players and if the final product is anything like the
protypes it will be impressive. I was not so impressed by the Nomad 3.
As for comments about my red and green text. I would agree it is kind of
lame and I will get rid of it. This table has evolved over months and has
gotten a lot more difficult to maintain and these text colors I agree should
be removed and I will do so.
The hard drive MP3 based market is a very complicated market. I sell these
yes..well at least I sell the ones I feel are the best..that is my opinion.
I try and make the decision process easier by making a table like this which
I do give the facts but also add my own opinions and I do welcome anyone to
ask me for more opinions.
Thanks for your criticism of the table...it helps to keep me on the ball.
Scott
hotmp3gear.com
--
Larry <lb...@wiley.com> wrote in message
news:ce5add92.02032...@posting.google.com...
Alan Pollock
All I can say is I've used that comparison table and checked some of the the
evaluations against user's comments in the requisite yahoo groups and they
usually jive. There's always going to be somebody who's not satisfied, but I
for one and glad it's there because I go to it often and it's useful to
me.
There was once a small error which I mentioned in a post in this NG. An hour
later it was rectified. I like the idea that somebody with a good site and
industry connections is into the trip enough to be on all the related forums
and NGs. It's pretty rare.
Give you an example: at ABC news
(http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/TechTV/techtv_archosreview020326.html)
there's a review of the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 wherein they state
categorically:
"Cons: Small display; no hold button."
There is a hold button. Their error is not embedded deep in some verbose
paragraph, but in a line by itself as a conclusion. Beeep. Mistake.
How long before They find out, eh? (I emailed them this afternoon) And how
long before Ray Weigel and James L. Kim fix it?
They might have asked in any of the Archos forums or an NG but hey, these guys
are too big for their boots to congregate with just plain folks: Us, the
actual users of those players.
Screw 'em.
No, the previous criticism of viper while it may have a valid point or two is
misdirected.
So be productive: go criticise the corporate proxies, The snivelers who don't
deign get their hands dirty, or participate in popular discussions because
what, they're afraid of a flame or two? Nah, because they have an agenda, and
that agenda certainly has nothing to do with either writing thorough,
well-researched reviews, our best insterests, Or a search for the best player.
Viper, thanx for the comparison tables, and thanx for being around. Nex
Larry
I wasn't saying so much that you shouldn't have your opinions (hey,
you can sell what you like), but I just felt that with so much
objective data in the table, the otherwise personal or subjective
information may not be as valuable, or even misleading, to the average
user.
I mean, I have to say that I completely disagree with your assessment
of the Nomad Jukebox. I too, while not all of them, have still tried
several models from Rio, Archos (a group of players I am completey
disenchanted with) and even the iPod, along with various Nomads. So I
was just trying to get across that people should make their own
decisions because they may be disappointed if they make a purchase
based on your ratings on the chart, as I know I would have been.
"viper" <vi...@cgocable.net> wrote in message news:<exLo8.3511$xB.6...@read2.cgocable.net>...
Larry
an avid Archos user so I would expect you to be particularly pleased
at how viper plays up much of the Archos line. While I would expect
the Archos to be praised in its own groups, I don't believe it has
been that well-received overall in comparison with other existing MP3
players, and rightfully so, in my opinion. (my opinion, yes, but my
opinion based on using the recorder and jukebox models for several
weeks each).
While I already tried to explain myself a bit more to viper, I still
stand by my statements and find that his subjectivity hurts his cause
deeply. I still go to his chart to look up a fact or two, but I find
myself quickly leaving the chart because his opinion is just too much
in my face and is not conducive to my making my own decision.
And your defense is based on the objective features of the devices (ie
hold button) which may indeed be misreported elsewhere. But upon
reading my initial comments, you should have read that I praised viper
for the sheer work and collection of facts, and even encouraged peple
to go there and seek that information out as it would be useful to
them. But also, they should be aware of what else the comparison
presents regarding high degrees of personal preference.
And whether his opinions jibe or not with postings in newsgroups,
etc., that is where such opinons should be, and not in the chart
itself, IMHO.
Alan Pollock <ne...@king.cts.com> wrote in message news:<zjQo8.74$j12.23170@news20>...
Alan Pollock
> Hardly misdirected. And dare I say it, from your post, you seem like
Yes, I agree, and perhaps when I said "No, the previous criticism of viper
while it may have a valid point or two is misdirected" I should have
emphasized the 'valid point' part more.
I used your post as an excuse to bring out the point about badly-researched
reviews and to give viper the kudos he deserves because he does a great job
and I for one appreciate his good efforts. My own two valid points.
I used you. and you were alert enough to notice. I'll be more careful in
future to gauge intelligence of usee first. (cough)
Sorry about that - Nex
Larry
I appreciate your comments.
Once again I will add my kudos to yours, as Viper's table is the most
comprehensive I have seen anywhere. And thank you to you and Viper for
at least taking my comments as they were intended, and NOT as a
condemnation of his overall efforts.
Now, if products like Rio Riot and Nomad 3 can actually be widely
released so that I can make up my own mind..........:-)
Larry
Alan Pollock <ne...@king.cts.com> wrote in message news:<0T1p8.697$j12.60800@news20>...