Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Latest Crop of MP3 Players

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the still-very-cool dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "A couple of interesting new MP3 portables were announced this week. The first one is Bantam's BA1000 that has near-identical size and weight dimensions to the iPod, but offers a number of features the older Apple doesn't like the ability to record from an internal FM radio. Choosing to offer the player in only 2GB and 5GB capacities, it looks like it is shooting to be the first sub $200 portable utilizing Toshiba's petite 1.8" drives. The other player announced was Samsung's Yepp YP-55, which claims to be the first Surround Sound MP3 flash portable. Using SRS Labs' surround sound simulator, the unit comes in 128MB and 258MB units. MP3newswire.net also offers an older, but nicely explained article on how this technology works using only two headphones to replace six speakers."

7 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. What about Frontier Labs? by zonix · · Score: 5, Informative
    ... Surround Sound MP3 flash portable

    Come on, geeez!!! :-)

    On a more interesting note, Frontier Labs recently released their new MP3 player, the NEX IA. From the site:

    Supports multiple formats (MP3 and WMATM) and emerging formats such as Ogg Vorbis through firmware upgrades.

    It's almost official then, go OGG! Can't wait!

    z
    --
    What would an EWOULDBLOCK block, if an EWOULDBLOCK could block would? -- me
    1. Re:What about Frontier Labs? by ahaning · · Score: 5, Informative

      I'd just like to point out, since I was confused about this once, as well, that OGG is just a containter format and Vorbis is the audio codec. You could just as well have an ogg file with mp3 data inside.

      AVI is also a container format. Thus, you'll see lots of different codecs inside. These days, some incarnation of Divx is what people put in AVIs.

      --
      Withdrawal before climax is very ineffective and those who try this are usually called "parents."
  2. 2 Gig 2 Small by malia8888 · · Score: 5, Informative

    It is amazing how fast I filled up my own iPod with 5 Gigs of sound. Go for the player with the largest capacity one can afford. In this case size really matters.

    --
    Harpo Tunnel Syndrome--my wrist feels funny.
  3. Neuros Player Soon... by SWroclawski · · Score: 5, Informative

    All I know is tha the Neuros upgrade will be out soon that will let me use it in GNU/Linux *and* be the first portable hardware player that can do Ogg Vorbis, and in the future, Ogg Speex and FLAC.

    I've waited years for these features, and soon my wait will be over.

    If there were another player with the same features out now, I'd buy that.

    Oh, and the Neuros will also let you record from FM and has a low-range FM broadcast so you can use it in your car.

    - Serge Wroclawski

  4. Re:blah by PhoenixK7 · · Score: 5, Informative

    While walking, I've never had it skip once. In fact I use it to listen to music while walking between classes, work, home, etc.. Running it does OK, though you may need to pause every 20 mins or so (length of skip protection) for it to buffer up more tracks. I haven't had it skip on me while jogging though.

    So far battery life has been good (especially with the latest firmware), transfers are speedy, the interface is simple and elegant. I really haven't had any trouble with it :)

    This is with a 10 GB iPod I purchased in January.

  5. FM Radio in Headphones makes iPod best still ... by adzoox · · Score: 3, Informative
    I really think if you want an FM radio you should buy some that are integrated into the headphones. You can practically pay for a set if you sell the iPod headphones on eBay. Sony makes these and Radio Shack makes and sells several as well. (Headphones with built in tuner, some for AM FM TV Weather that also have line out)

    The iPod has yet to be beaten in my opinion, when comparing features the iPod's firewire interface (slower in theory, but not real world tests than USB 2.0), Amazingly simple integration and hard drive DATA capability are excluded. Plus they have great quality and have an INSANE number of support products and now battery & hard drive replacement services on the cheap.

    I would hold off on any MP# purchase to see if the newest iPods will be compatible with a new Apple Music service possibly later this month.

    I fully expect the new iPods to surpass anything on the market with a twist (as the the current ones do) for another year upon introduction.

    --
    Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
  6. Size of Bantam vs iPod by Drakonian · · Score: 3, Informative
    From the article:

    The BA1000 has dimensions that are almost identical to the iPod's. The unit comes in at a svelt 194 grams vs. the iPod's 185 grams. Dimensions of the unit are 106mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.2") vs. the iPod's 102 x 62 x 20 mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.78"). In both cases the iPod is still smaller, but marginally so.

    31 mm thick vs 20 mm? That is a huge difference. Thickness makes all the difference in the world in being able to carry it in your pocket. The iPod is justtt small enough. (I consider Palm Vs/m500s just about perfectly sized). An extra 1.1 cm would make this thing uncomfortable to carry in your pocket.

    --
    Random is the New Order.