No hassle MP3 player?

[averageguy]

Hi. I am behind the times when it comes to MP3 players.

A friend came over the other day with an ipod shuffle he received as a gift.
He has no computer and his unit needed charging and he complained it didn't seem to be operating properly.
I downloaded the manual and was surprised by it's 80 page length.
I then downloaded Itunes and was surprised that I had to download quicktime as well (I don't want quicktime on my computer). Additionally Itunes seemed to incorporate some type of subscription service. I also noticed references to 128K quality limit.
I uninstalled itunes and told him I could be of no help.

I called a tech friend and he indicated this was probably the best system out there and that it is what he uses.

Here's what I'm looking for - a simple player with simple interface - not interested in any association with a subscription service - must accept files with greater than 128k quality - doesn't attempt to download software other than what is necessarry to interface with the player (download or upload of MP3 only).

I just have a bunch of MP3s on my hard drive that I've picked up here and there - I want to be able to transfer them as easily as I do photos with my Kodak EasyShare digital camera system.

Is there such a simple and benign player as the one I've described?
What would you recommend given my concerns (possibly unfounded)?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[phatch]

Any of the Creative MUVO players should be that easy. They're basically a USB drive with a battery operated reader/player. Generally considered to have some of the best sound and earphones too.

Interface is as easy as drag and drop from Windows Explorer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=creative+muvo&x=0&y=0

Not huge capacity, but small, light, easy and easy to work.

 

[narcemea]

check out this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464094

 

[averageguy]

That's excellent phatch, just what I'm looking for - thanks a bunch guys.

 

[jstewart16701]

I have a Creative Muvo V100 1 gig player. It's very simple and easy to use. Like phatch stated it's just a USB drive with a battery attached. Only cost about $50 at Walmart. The ear buds it came with are complete crap IMO though, but I'm kind of picky about those things.

Jamie

 

[rebeltf]

If my Chi-pod takes a dump I would get one of those Muvo's in 2gb , that is exactly the kind of player I would want.
No hassles , no additional "helpful" software like itunes and runs on a very common battery.
The drag and drop apsect is a must IMO.

Mine came with a cheesy set of buds that were okay for the time being , after investing in a better pair at Best Buy , mine now sounds much , much better , I would recommend dropping another $20-40 on earbuds unless you want the really nice ones which can run easily over a hundred.

 

[jdm61]

If you are just worried about convenience and capacity, then you have options. But I feel that saying that any MP3 player has "good sound quality" is like saying that McDonalds has just introduced a new line of gourmet salads and sandwiches. ALL MP3's, even ones processed through software like Burwen Bobcat are going to sound inferior to native "Redbook" CD resolution or one of the good "lossless" formats. Some would say that Burwen processed MP3 files sound about as good as most lossless files, but if you compare them to full rez files processed the same way, then it is no contest apparently. I have a 60 gig IPod and rip all files at either full resolution or at lossless. i haven't tried the new higher rez unprotected I Tunes files, but the regular stuff is damn near unlistenable on any decent system. Keep in mind that I am comparing this to a Sony ES series SACD player and vinyl, so yes, I am an audiophile weenie...lol.