After deciding that the standard MP3 players are not quite worth it and I'm still not sold on the MP3 HD units...I've decided to get a personal CD unit that plays MP3s...

From a bit scouting around the two best models appear to be from Sony and Panasonic....

The Sony has the benefit of using MD tech to cram loads on a disc with it's burner software and the Panny is cheaper and lighter..

So here's the links...please have a look and tell me what you think...

Cheers...

http://products.sony.co.uk/productde...p?id=1_62_2596

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/product/p...d/SLCT800S.htm

Have you thought of a portable VCD player? I have one at home that plays CD's, MP3 CDR's, Video CD's and JPEG photo CD's. Bought it new for £55 off E-Bay. It's the same size as a Sony Discman, but much more versatile.

Ok i have a protable Vcd/Mp3/Cd/Cdr/Cdrw Player a NapaDav it's excellent, and uses rechargeble batterys.

I paid £65 about 2 years ago, but seen it really cheap for about £35 on this site.

http://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk

Search for Mp3 and it's £29.99

But just looked and it's not a VCD player

Up to you of course

VCD is not important..if I wanna look at something like that the laptop's fine

Must admit I'm veering towards the Panny..because I think my PC will get upset with both Nero and Sony's SonicStage burning software on it...and I can't find the info on the quality of the compression that the Sony unit uses...apart from the fact it's based on MD...

I like the look of the Panasonic ,if i was going to buy one ,that would be the one i would choose...

Current player is a 10 year old Technics and that's served me well...so with the Panny being the same family, I have no doubts about quality...I'm just curious about the Sony unit and that's what's stopping me from making a decision...

Dunno if someone can tell me but I presume these players can cope with VBR and differing bit rates?

Just checked with both Sony and Panny's support lines and neither supports VBR which is a bit of a sod...now looking at the units here

Been told they all do VBR but the battery life on them is not impressive in comparison to the more commercial products...could be a tricky decision...

Does anyone know if you can convert VBR to CBR without any further major loss?

Seems that Cdex does a decent conversion as does dBpowerAMP Music Converter...(but I'd choose Cdex over it every time)...

So the Panny it is....

Seems you've already made you mind up,

but if not,

take a look at Iriver products - they were in at the beginning of MP3 CD players and since they were flash upgradable (at that time) they were able to take on board users suggetions to improve the product - user interface etc via active user group on mp3.com. So it became a very polished product which features an usabilty far above the competition at the time

As a previous and current user I highly recommend them

see here

or here for review of Iriver SlimX

Hi,

I got this one after reading the Review in T3 Magazine..

DCP-400

http://195.157.53.162/PRODUCTS/1/ST01189P.JPG

It's now available from IWantOneOfThose and the picture (above) really shows it off...!

The dcp-400 was a little expensive at £109 considering it isn't made by Sony or Panasonic, but I reckon it can cut it with those guys. And it plays WMA and MP3. It's also got SRS and TruBASS like Windows Media Player and sounds great..

Ruffas

Prob with both of those products are the low (comparitively) battery times..

Not with the Iriver !

My one which is a Rio Volt (aka Iriver 1) gives somything like 12 hours, allegedly the newer SlimX's gives nearer 24 hours

Yeah but both the Sony and the Panny put in 30+

Oh .. I see

Stands corrected !

I have owned an iRiver SlimX for about 1 and half years now, and I really cannot praise it enough.
The sound quality is superb, the build quality i excellent too! It's even got a radio tuner.

If this one ever does conk out on me, I wouldn't hesitate in buying another.

I've found the killer blow to the main brands.....

You can't fast forward or rewind within an MP3 with the Pannys or Sonys...

Which makes listening to audio books or mixes really awkward if you miss something or want to skip through...

I now think I'm almost certain that I will have to buy one of the specialized units....

The RioVolt 1 ( with latest firmware) can remember the last play position of up to the last 10 CD's played, so is ideal for audio books and the like. (and of course FF and Rew are standard issue)

Im sure the Iriver SlimX will have such a capability being derived from the same original product as the RioVolt was.
Hopefully AlanMarshall will update us on that specific.

As I said before it was things like this which were added specifically at users request ( because they could due to use of Flash memory) that realy made the Iriver name - i.e. they listened and responded to their customers needs and tegh way they used the product rather than just pushing out a product / user i/f designed in house.

Checked with the guy at advancedmp3players.co.uk and the IRivers definitely support skipping through and rewinding....

Perhaps it's worth waiting for the new model out shortly that looks a gem...

Not likely to be cheap though...

You mean the iMP-550
All that and 55 hours playback !!
Amazing

Still once it come out, there may be a price drop on the 350 , which is still a good product - often pays to keep off that 'bleeding edge' of technology

True...but it don't 'arf look good...

Not a personal cd but this caught my eye when I was having a browse...ORACOM ORC200 128MB MP3 PLAYER @ 89.00 with advancedmp3....

Nice - if only it had a CF slot, in addition or as well as the internal memory

While shooting all my previous arguments about mp3 players requiring a decent ID tag based menu structure down in flames
you can't get much more cheaper and cherrful than this

It even does FF and Rew in track

user manual on www.freecom.com
battery life only 7 hours ?

Is it available anywhere else as I know ebuyer don't accept phone orders?

I notice the SNR ratio is a tad poor...

A quick look shows scan.co.uk have it but not at such a good price. i.e.£46
But they do have this for £34 also an 8cm player which DOES have id3 tag display an search, and FF and Rew
colour scheme a bit er garish - still i'll be in you pocket most of the time
full info
some review comments
Last edited by chrisbartley : 22-07-2003 at 07:38