MP3 Playerz

[Marshal Murat]

I'm having trouble deciding between two MP3 players. I abhor iPods (overpriced) and the Zune has much the same problem, so I've looked into many different MP3 players. Two have caught my eye...

1. Insignia Pilot (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8452863&st=Insignia+Pilot&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1183767792576)

Pros: I like the look, it seems to have a decent capacity, battery size. Okay overall

2. Sansa View (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8553424&st=Sansa+View&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1188561248278)

Pros: Larger and sleeker, $50 more.

I like both, but I've heard some negative things about the Sansa. So I've come here to ask if anyone has either player and what they like about it, anything they've heard, and any suggestions you have.

[Lemur]

I don't really understand the urge to play videos in my hand. A music player makes sense to me, a movie player less so. What's the benefit? I ask this seriously, 'cause I'm not understanding why everybody wants a movie player ...

-edit-

To explain my disconnect further:

Can you watch movies while working out at the gym? No.
Can you watch movies while driving? Not really.
Can you watch movies on a subway? Bad idea, since you'd have to crank the volume up to ear-damaging levels.
Can you watch movies at work? Very bad idea.

And most of the rest of the time you're in range of a computer or TV. So what's the big whup with a portable video player?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Do you want videos, and how many songs do you want? That's the key question to ask.

[Raz]

What about an iPod Mini or iPod Shuffle. They're cheaper (I think :thinking:) and they can't play videos so you're not paying for a feature that you're not going to use. :yes:

[Mikeus Caesar]

I don't really understand the urge to play videos in my hand. A music player makes sense to me, a movie player less so. What's the benefit? I ask this seriously, 'cause I'm not understanding why everybody wants a movie player ...

-edit-

To explain my disconnect further:

Can you watch movies while working out at the gym? No.
Can you watch movies while driving? Not really.
Can you watch movies on a subway? Bad idea, since you'd have to crank the volume up to ear-damaging levels.
Can you watch movies at work? Very bad idea.

And most of the rest of the time you're in range of a computer or TV. So what's the big whup with a portable video player?

Actually, i've found my MP3 player's ability to play movies a godsend. Moved here to Australia three months ago, and i've found that it's good to pass the time away watching my 4 favourite movies over and over. Sad, i know, but i enjoy it and it passes the time brilliantly.

It was also very convenient on the flight over here, and for when i'm on the bus. Which, by the way, is no problem with hearing if you have decent earphones.

[Subedei]

Please bring on the pros & cons, as I got the same decision to make as Marshal Murat....:smash:

[Lemur]

Okay, bus rides and plane rides. I guess that's the argument for a movie player. I really don't know, though. For a portable anything I want it to be cheap and durable. Something like this (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8501249&st=ipod&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1186004971548). Especially for workouts -- I don't wanna stress about losing it, dropping it, or sweating all over it.

Clearly I'm not connected to what the Youth of America want. Those darn youngsters! Get off my lawn!

[woad&fangs]

I have an Insignia. It's not like "O My XENU, this is :daisy: AWSOME!1!!11!!" but it plays music just fine and it is incredibly durable. Not sure what else to really say about it :shrug:.

[Mikeus Caesar]

I just thought - it all depends what exactly you'll be doing when listening to your music - if, as Lemur suggested, you're working out or something, a cheap 1GB player is perfect. You can just buy one of the many cheap brands coming out of China or something.

On the other hand, if you want to do something to burn up lots of time (you do alot of travelling or something) then one of the more pricey video-capable players is definitely worth the money.

[Quirinus]

A somewhat unrelated note: I listen to music all the time (and occasionally watch videos) on the subway. I didn't feel the need to crank up the volume a lot....



On-topic: I'd say, get the Sansa View. The two players seem pretty balanced, but there's one major point for the Sansa:

MicroSD/Secure Digital High Capacity media slot for additional memory capacity (media not included)
Meaning, if you should ever feel that it's not enough, you don't have to buy a new one-- just buy a MicroSD card.

[woad&fangs]

I forgot to mention something about the Insignia. The earphones are not very comfortable so I would advise buying new earphones if you decide to buy one.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Is there an mp3 player solution that rougly equivalent to a non-video non-shuffle iPod without DRM issues?