11/24   I'm thinking of buying a HD based MP3 player.  And I'm considering
        iRiver iHP-120, iPod, and Rio Karma, in that order, so far.  Just
        want to know what people use and think.
        \_ I've used them all and iPod is the most well rounded players of
           all in terms of reliability, support, weight, and ease of use.
           iPods do cost more, but you really get what you pay for.
           \_ is it possible to elaborate at all? ie, specify a few key
              features where iPod is better? your post is helpful but
              still sounds like an Apple commercial.
                                          -!op, also considering purchase
              \_ there was a cnet article recently re: 5 bad things
                 about the ipod. you might want to search for it. what i
                 remember is something about if 6 hrs battery life isn't
                 enough, and the battery not being replaceable.
                 \_ I've found the iPod works well for me, though I do wihs
                    it had an FM tuner. It has a nice UI, works very well with
                    my mac, has a fast transfer time, and is reasonably small.
                    (I also use it to store phone numbers/addresses) Not an
                    apple commercial, I just like it, and it saved my ass
                    by being easy backup when my hard drive crashed. There is
                    also an official apple battery replacement program now,
                    though I'm not sure how long the batteries are supposed
                    to last. -chialea
                    \_ Too bad it has issues playing back variable bit rate
                       mp3s.  Specifically the r3mix'd kind.
                       \_ really? I've been playing r3mixed and alt-preset
                          standard vbr mp3's on it for almost a year with
                          no problems at all.  what are these issues you're
                          talking about?
                    \_ http://www.ipodsdirtysecret.com
                        \_ I've got a 5 gb original iPod and the battery
                           hasn't had any problems. Most of the people
                           I know with iPods haven't had any problems
                           either. These people sound like a bunch of
                           whiners.
           \_ Actually, the iRiver costs more than the rest, I think.  BTW,
              do iPods do crossfading?  That's one reason I'm not jumping on
              the iRiver, and considering Karma.  -op
        \_ You may want to consider one of the Creative Nomad Jukebox
           players. I have a Nomad Zen 60 GB and I'm happy with it.
        \_ you're all just a bunch of music stealing pirates.  god will
           punish you all with non stop britney on a short loop with her
           lesbo mother/daughter kiss burned into your retinas.
           \_ i was stealing music long before digital music.
           \_ I get really turned on by mother/daughter lesbian porn.  Actually
              watching Gilmore Girls that's all I think about!
                \_ sounds like incest, not lesbian
                   \_ who says you can't have both at the same time?
                      \_ California Penal Code Section 285.
                         \_ i film my privately, not for pay.
                            \_ Read the Code:  Any incest is illegal.
              \_ ew!  now I'll never enjoy m/d porn again!