Need advice on buying mp3 player

[Krayola]

I have never used an mp3 player before and I am usually behind the times when it comes to the latest gadgets. But I would like to buy an mp3 player to listen to bible studies while I putter around the house. That is probably all I will use it for. Probably won't listen to very much music with it at all and I don't want to spend a lot of money. The cheaper the better, although I do not want one that uses batteries.

Anyone got any advice for me on what kind to buy and where to buy it? Are there any features I should be wary of in the cheaper models? I don't have any experience in this area. Any advice is appreciated!

[Hootmon]

Do you have a cell phone? A lot of them already have the ability to play MP3's.

[ghetto guy]

Get a little $40 one at an electronics store.
Something that has 2GB of storage and not and iPod.
I say no to iPods because they are more expensive than other players and only compatible with iTunes, which I find very annoying...

[icebear]

i got one of the cheapish RCA ones at walmart for under $50

and i have one of these Sansa ones that has fm radio in it too
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sansa+mp3+player&oe=utf-8&cid=8147335798400253186

i like the Sansa, the most it has plenty of memory for around the house use, i think i can put up to 12 hours of stuff on it- i usually put stuff like Jan Markel's weekly radio program on it, stuff i get from www.oneplace.com (http://www.oneplace.com) and parts of J. Vernon McGee's Thru the Bible on it. since it has radio, i can also listen to the programs on talk radio or the local Christian stations.

if you get an Mp3 player that takes disposable batteries (mine take AAAs) consider investing in a rechargable kit, i would have easily blown a few $100 in batteries alone if i did not have rechargables, i have some ready at all times, i use my player every day and most evenings!

[Krayola]

Do you have a cell phone? A lot of them already have the ability to play MP3's. I have a cell phone but it is just a very basic model. It does not have a camera or ability to play mp3's.

Get a little $40 one at an electronics store.
Something that has 2GB of storage and not and iPod.
I say no to iPods because they are more expensive than other players and only compatible with iTunes, which I find very annoying...
Yeah, I've seen some in the $40 - $50 price range with 2GB storage.

So regarding the iPods, you can only download audio from iTunes? I can't just go to my favorite ministry website and download a sermon? That stinks!

[Krayola]

i got one of the cheapish RCA ones at walmart for under $50

and i have one of these Sansa ones that has fm radio in it too
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sansa+mp3+player&oe=utf-8&cid=8147335798400253186

i like the Sansa, the most it has plenty of memory for around the house use, i think i can put up to 12 hours of stuff on it- i usually put stuff like Jan Markel's weekly radio program on it, stuff i get from www.oneplace.com (http://www.oneplace.com) and parts of J. Vernon McGee's Thru the Bible on it. since it has radio, i can also listen to the programs on talk radio or the local Christian stations.

if you get an Mp3 player that takes disposable batteries (mine take AAAs) consider investing in a rechargable kit, i would have easily blown a few $100 in batteries alone if i did not have rechargables, i have some ready at all times, i use my player every day and most evenings!

I like the idea of being able to listen to radio stations too. I will look for one like that. Does yours only allow you to pick up FM stations or does it also allow AM stations? (I like to listen to talk radio too but it only comes on AM stations in my area)

[icebear]

i know you can download itunes for free and i did that, i used it for podcasting, worked for a while, but am having issues (which i came in here to post a help Q about) so i just dnld straight from the source and load it on my Sansa

[ghetto guy]

So regarding the iPods, you can only download audio from iTunes? I can't just go to my favorite ministry website and download a sermon? That stinks!

As far as I know. That's one of the reasons I don't have an iPod. I have an Archos 604 WiFi. It's a higher end Mp3 player but the next step up, the Archos 605, is rated higher than the iPod touch because it's higher quality and a lot cheaper.

[icebear]

I like the idea of being able to listen to radio stations too. I will look for one like that. Does yours only allow you to pick up FM stations or does it also allow AM stations? (I like to listen to talk radio too but it only comes on AM stations in my area)

i think this one is just FM- but pretty good reception.

its a shame manufacturers are dropping AM reception

[ghetto guy]

You can get little AM-FM radios pretty cheap too.
I got a AM-FM-Cassette Walkman at a yard sale. I plugged a tape deck into my computer and recorded my music onto a tape. I used it for a long time. I still have it somewhere...