Hi All

SWMBO wants an mp3 player for her birthday and I'm looking for recommendations. It's just for the gym so it doesn't really need 1Gb+ of storage (say 512Mb - 1Gb) but it should be reasonably robust (rules out an ipod nano ). An FM tuner would be nice too.

The main requirement is that it should have no form of DRM protection whatsoever, partly because I oppose DRM on principle and partly because I've never paid for an mp3 in my life and don't intend to start now. If I rip a CD that I own I refuse to buy something that will restrict what I do with that content. :rant:

Anyway, any suggestions please?

I bought SWMBO a Creative Labs Muvo Slim 256Mb - it is small, quite robust and takes WMA or MP3 files so I get about 7 albums worth of 64k encoded WMAs on it. It does not support DRM at all, and it has an FM tuner. It recharges its LI-Ion battery off the USB as well.

Overall I've been quite impressed - the packaged software is easy to use and supports automatic reduction in the quality when copying from PC to player if you don't need high quality on the move.

More stoarge than you need but i just bought SWMBO a Thomson Lyra PDP2842 MP3 Player. Very s-exy (the mp3 player that is).

It has 20Gb storage, fm radio and facility to record from the radio. You get 8 hours playback from a charge and can use the separate charger or charge via USB. Got it in Makro for

Surely all MP3 players only have to support DRM if you download from something like Napster etc.

It's away of protecting downloaded files and then you have to use a specific download mechanism, e.g. MSN Media player etc to transfer the certificate that comes with the downloaded file...wma, aac etc.

If a MP3 player supports DRM it's not going to stop you from downloading your own converted music as there's no certificate added.

Surely all MP3 players only have to support DRM if you download from something like Napster etc.

It's away of protecting downloaded files and then you have to use a specific download mechanism' date=' e.g. MSN Media player etc to transfer the certificate that comes with the downloaded file...wma, aac etc.

If a MP3 player supports DRM it's not going to stop you from downloading your own converted music as there's no certificate added.[/quote']

Sounds right to me

Look here for some bargain's on Creative MuVo's. They are refurbs but should come with a warranty.

Cheers, good suggestions there, I think I'll get her either a MuVo TX or a MuVo Micro or a Zen nano (the last two look exactly the same, anyone know if for example the Muvo Micro is discontinued, or is there different accessories in the box :confused: ?). The MuVo slim looks more designed to carry in a pocket more than wear round neck/on arm-band, still nice though.

I don't know how DRM works at all, but I thought that if you have an ipod for example then you have to use itunes software to put tracks onto it, and itunes won't let you do that with an mp3 not bought through itunes or if you have already ripped a CD using another programme? I guess these creative labs drag-and-drop as a virtual drive in windows jobbies are less restrictive.

Didn't see those offers on the creative site before - think I'll definitely get a refurb audigy soundcard from there at least

Surely all MP3 players only have to support DRM if you download from something like Napster etc.

It's away of protecting downloaded files and then you have to use a specific download mechanism' date=' e.g. MSN Media player etc to transfer the certificate that comes with the downloaded file...wma, aac etc.

If a MP3 player supports DRM it's not going to stop you from downloading your own converted music as there's no certificate added.[/quote']

even if it has DRM this will get around it http://www.muvaudio.com/

but it should be reasonably robust (rules out an ipod nano ).

The Nano's getting too much negative feedback, check ou this link to discover how strong the Nano actually is!

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/3

People are getting jealous of the iPod's reign! People find the screen breaks if you drop it from 6 foot onto concrete, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? There's been a small number of iPod Nano's (1 in 10,000) which have a proper defect with the screen, but Apple are replacing them!

It's the best selling mp3 player for a reason, it's the best!

Yes, I do happen to have one and it kicks butt!

The wholw thing about DRM is that it is associated with the file that you have bought...it has nothing to do with the player.

In most cases DRM is associated with WMA files...not sure about MP3 but they would work on the same principle....you buy a file, to download you need to use an associated download mechanism, e.g WM Player as it needs to recognsie the DRM certificate associated with the bought file. The certificate and file can then be transferred to the player through the same mechanism.

The files wil not play unless the certificate is present on the player.

Howver if you convert your own track into MP3 or WMA there is no DRM certificate so you can then just drag and drop.

You can transfer the 5 copies of the DRM certificate to different PCs but after that the fMP3/WMA can still be transferred but will not play.

Not enitetly sure about iTunes but it uses AAC format files and I guess it works using DR as well although again, I'm sure if you rop using your own CD is should be possible to play.

The Nano's getting too much negative feedback' date=' check ou this link to discover how strong the Nano actually is!

[url']http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/3[/url]

People are getting jealous of the iPod's reign! People find the screen breaks if you drop it from 6 foot onto concrete, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? There's been a small number of iPod Nano's (1 in 10,000) which have a proper defect with the screen, but Apple are replacing them!

It's the best selling mp3 player for a reason, it's the best!

Yes, I do happen to have one and it kicks butt!

...still doesn't have a lanyard though :P

The wholw thing about DRM is that it is associated with the file that you have bought...it has nothing to do with the player.

In most cases DRM is associated with WMA files...not sure about MP3 but they would work on the same principle....you buy a file' date=' to download you need to use an associated download mechanism, e.g WM Player as it needs to recognsie the DRM certificate associated with the bought file. The certificate and file can then be transferred to the player through the same mechanism.

The files wil not play unless the certificate is present on the player.

Howver if you convert your own track into MP3 or WMA there is no DRM certificate so you can then just drag and drop.

You can transfer the 5 copies of the DRM certificate to different PCs but after that the fMP3/WMA can still be transferred but will not play.

Not enitetly sure about iTunes but it uses AAC format files and I guess it works using DR as well although again, I'm sure if you rop using your own CD is should be possible to play.[/quote']

Oh OK think I'm beginning to get it now

It's clever and evil technology...

Ipods are nice pieces of kit but completely over priced. Your stuck with itunes too. Theres' too much of a bit brother thing going on the ipods.

You can get 20Gb MP3 players by various manufacturers for less than the price of a 4Gb Ipod! Ipods are a complete rip off.