/ Register

help with mp3 players

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by dougjwray, Nov 3, 2005.

  1. Nov 3, 2005 #1
    dougjwray

    dougjwray

    Jul 20, 2005
    Hello... I'm a Luddite.
    I get no kicks from electronic gadgets.
    I do need some recommendations for mp3 players.
    Fellow musicians have started sending me new material to collaborate on, in the form of mp3 files (a fine idea). I've already had an RCA player and an iRiver one, and I've ditched both of them because unless I maintain a "relationship" with the companies -- continually download new versions of the file management software -- my PC won't even recognize the player. I have no patience for that.
    This is what I'd like in an mp3 player:
    I plug it into the CPU, and its icon pops up on the desktop, just like another drive. To transfer files into it, I drag those icons into its icon. To delete files from it, I drag those into the Recycling Bin. I search its directory by double-clicking the icon and viewing the files. That's it. No other software.
    Of course, it goes without saying that the player itself would have to have a display, so that I could search its directory and play selected files.
    I run Windows XP with a recent version of Windows Media Player.
    I realize that if additional formats came out (WMA, is it? WMD? ;) ), I'd need to have a "relationship" with the company and upgrade the software. I don't care about that-- I'd rather just throw the little sucker out and buy a new one.
    I don't need or want an FM radio, a condenser mic, a GPS system or a 3-inch plasma TV screen on it.
    I need to store maybe 25-50 files at a time.
    I want to spend $50 or less.
    HELP! Any recommendations?
    If this doesn't work out, I'll continue making music files portable by holding the condenser mic on my $30 CASSETTE RECORDER up to one of my PC's speakers to record them. (No, I'm not joking...)
     
  2. Nov 3, 2005 #2
    bigbeefdog

    bigbeefdog Who let the dogs in?

    Jul 7, 2003
    Mandeville, LA
    I understand perfectly; I'm the same way. Easy and cheap is what I look for.

    I recently bought one similar to this:

    http://www.surpluscomputers.com/store/main.aspx?p=ItemDetail&item=CES10679

    Goes on your keychain. Functions as flash memory when needed; can be used to transfer files from one computer to the other. Just plug in USB; after a 15-second "installation" the first time, XP recognizes it as a "removable disk". Drag & drop using Windows Explorer. And if you put MP3 files in the root, it can play them (mine can't find them in subdirectories, but again, mine is slightly different).

    You need a SD card to go with it. Pair it with something like this from the same site, and you'll bust your $50 budget.... but only barely....

    http://www.surpluscomputers.com/store/main.aspx?p=ItemDetail&item=CPM10259
     
  3. Nov 7, 2005 #3
    dougjwray

    dougjwray

    Jul 20, 2005
    Okay, I guess there are no other respondents.
    Thanks for your help, Dog... this looks like it might be exactly what I need!
     
  4. Nov 7, 2005 #4
    MJ5150

    MJ5150 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 12, 2001
    Olympia, WA
    I have an idea for you Doug. Head over to Target, and buy this one: 128MB MP3 Player. The website says it is out of stock, but they have them at my local Target. Just go to Target, they have a few that fit within your criteria.

    -Mike
     
  5. Nov 7, 2005 #5
    dougjwray

    dougjwray

    Jul 20, 2005
    Mike,
    Thanks... the description of that one mentions software, which scares me... but I'll check it out.
     
  6. Nov 7, 2005 #6
    Particle Man

    Particle Man Guest

    Aug 24, 2004
    This one's over your budget, and I honestly have no idea on the quality of it, but I love the concept.<Link>
     
  7. Nov 14, 2005 #7
    dougjwray

    dougjwray

    Jul 20, 2005
    Okay, I picked up one which suits me perfectly. It's made by a company called Creative. It was on sale for $40, and after I traded in some old CDs, I had to lay out only about $15.
    Thanks for all the suggestions.
    (I got a big laugh from the Pez one...)