Recommend a MP3 player

[nwgarratt]

I had a Venturer MP3 from Argos which I liked a lot and it recently stopped working (thought it was charging when it wasn't as turned itself off). I got a refund but now need something else.

I want these features -

20GB minimum
Charge by USB
Drag and drop music to player to save having software on
Abilty to view MP's as files and folder like the Venturer
As close to £100 but will go up to a bit more if needed

So far, I like the Sony A3000 players best and I have seen it for £130. I am impressed by its supposed 35 hour battery life. However, it looks like it hasn't got drag and drop. Can it view by files or is it my the ID3 info only?

I have my music in folders by Artist and then Album. I liked using that way to view the files on the Venturer.

Will this do all the things I want?

ADMT Storm 20GB (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BTOW40/thedvdforums-21)

[GProject]

I beg you (as I do everyone shopping for MP3 players) to take a look at the Cowon range of players, especially the iAudio X5. It will do everything you ask and so much more. In fact, one of the things that people don't like about them is that you have to use the file-tree system of organisation, but since you're specifically asking for it then this recommendation couldn't apply more!

To get you started, here's the official X5 Cowon page (http://www.cowonglobal.com/product/product_X5_feature.php)
And an iaudiophile.net full review (http://www.iaudiophile.net/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.24)

[nwgarratt]

Looks good but at £200 it is too much.

It doesn't do USB charging but I like the look of this one and the price is ideal.

Archos Gmini XS202 (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CFBU4I/thedvdforums-21).

[mbuckhurst]

I bought my partner one of those for Christmas, it's a lovely player, considering it's size and weight, like all MP3 players it has it's limitations and irritations, but I've been impressed with it. The player was bought for the primary function as an external hd so she didn't have to lug her laptop on the bus to work everyday, for this it is excellent. It seems totally happy with my mp3 structure of artist/album so should be fine for you. It has crashed a couple of times, but not any more than my iRiver or my brothers Ipod.

I haven't found it charges from the usb port though, when I was searching I couldn't find any definitive information that said yes or no, but ours certainly doesn't seem to - but a usb->mini power socket cable was relatively cheap so thats how I do it now.

mike

[blair]

I beg you (as I do everyone shopping for MP3 players) to take a look at the Cowon range of players, especially the iAudio X5.

agreed. I bought the 30gb version of the X5 a few weeks ago, it's excellent

[nwgarratt]

I bought my partner one of those for Christmas, it's a lovely player, considering it's size and weight, like all MP3 players it has it's limitations and irritations, but I've been impressed with it. The player was bought for the primary function as an external hd so she didn't have to lug her laptop on the bus to work everyday, for this it is excellent. It seems totally happy with my mp3 structure of artist/album so should be fine for you. It has crashed a couple of times, but not any more than my iRiver or my brothers Ipod.

I haven't found it charges from the usb port though, when I was searching I couldn't find any definitive information that said yes or no, but ours certainly doesn't seem to - but a usb->mini power socket cable was relatively cheap so thats how I do it now.

mike

Thanks. It does seem that no player is perfect and I would hate to pay the prices of a Ipod and get the same problems. I don't need anthing fancy and all I want is something that plays MP3's easily as possible and I prefer the drag and drop way of transferring music. I have my MP3's in folders as Artist then Album. I find it a easy way to find what I want.

I don't need it as a external drive as I have a Archos 20GB mini hard drive but another 20GB could be useful.

My Venturer was also only charged by the mains and caused it to wrong. I charged it up and disconnected the charger. However, it still thought it was charging when turned on and then turned itself off. As I have my computer on most of the day, I thought it would be easier to charge off one my USB sockets.

Do you know how long the Gmini lasts on a charge?

[mbuckhurst]

Do you know how long the Gmini lasts on a charge?

I think I got around 20hrs, but to be honest I don't know for certain, my misses isn't around at the moment, so I can't confirm.

mike

[nwgarratt]

I think I got around 20hrs, but to be honest I don't know for certain, my misses isn't around at the moment, so I can't confirm.

mike

Thanks, I would be pleased with that and it would also equal the Venturer I had.

I think the Gmini is the one to get at the moment.

[nwgarratt]

@mbuckhurst.

Would it be possible to do a photo of it. I have seen a 3D graphic of it but would rather see a actual photo rather than somthing that has been photoshopped.

I am now trying to decide between this and the Sony NW-A3000 which I can get for £15 more than the Archos.