If I want an MP3 player but hate iTunes?

Gorefiend · 04-03-2009, 02:41 PM

I think the subject is pretty self-explanatory; I accidentally broke the screen on my old-ass, randomly-won't-play-songs, just-waiting-for-and-excuse-to-replace-it mp3 player, and am now ready to seriously look at replacing it with something that will work. I kinda want to get an iPod; I know it'll work perfectly for as long as it lasts, and the huge size of my current player was always a problem... But I don't want to have iTunes, as in my previous experience, it's not a program that I want. But then, what kind of player do I want? Or is iTunes not that bad? I'm hesitantly considering a Zune, and already know I don't want to do business with iRiver (the brand on my shitty mp3 player: even though I think its a generic, their customer service was non-existent, and I'll hold that against them). Anything else anyone would recommend, before I commit?

MasterOfMagic · 04-03-2009, 02:48 PM

I have an ipod, and I don't use iTunes. Its not a necessity. Plenty of programs will let you manage the songs on it without ever having iTunes installed. I personally use winamp, but that's just 'cause I've always used it to play my music.

You can, of course, get something other than an iPod for other reasons, but this one's not really an issue.

Gorefiend · 04-03-2009, 03:01 PM

I didn't know that! ^^' Thanks!

Viridis · 04-03-2009, 04:28 PM

For the solution I use, google 'SharePod'. It is a tiny program for managing iPods. It's so small I put it on my iPod so I can mess with my songs from any computer I plug it into.

synkr0nized · 04-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Yeah, Winamp has a module/plugin/compatibility/whatever they are calling it these days for iPods. MusicMatch should still work with them [and I knew a few folks who preferred it], and Hell I wouldn't be surprised if someone rigged up a way to manage it in Windows Media Player (assuming MS still hasn't). And there are other tools like the one mentioned above there, though I'd have to look for them to know their names.

I don't find much wrong with iTunes, at least within the OS X environment (it's integrated quite well, anyway). Since I have a Mac laptop, I just use that. I prefer other programs in other OS environments, though, so I totally get the interest in not using it. Without knowing what your aversion / disinterest in it is, though, I can't really claim it's better.

As to the players themselves, if you're in the market for the 20+ GB range, MS's Zune is the only other real competition. Fortunately, when you can find users of the device, folks seem to be very pleased with them. I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't consider an iPod, but maybe read some of the reviews about the features and specs of the Zune and see if that tickles your fancy.

Lost in Time · 04-03-2009, 05:26 PM

I do enjoy my Zune very much, I watch a bunch of videos on the go, and the large screen helps a ton with that, when comparing it to the classic ipod, I enjoy the zune more. The software isn't the best, but it's not bad at least. But if you are one that enjoys legally downloading your music, I like the zune pass.

Seil · 04-03-2009, 05:45 PM

I'd go for a PSP. It can do a ton more than the average MP3 player, and has much better games than any of them out there. It's click-and-drop instead of iTunes, and you get memory cards - right now I have a 2GB card inside mine - that lets me hold pretty much all the music I want on it. But If I want to swap it out on the fly and put in one loaded with... I dun know - techno music, I just keep both with me and swap them when I want to.

synkr0nized · 04-03-2009, 05:52 PM

Some of us prefer our digital music players to be digital music players and not multimedia devices.

But if you want to pop in some movies and/or download them [get the bigger memory sticks] and have a nice screen that can also be used for some fun games, a PSP might indeed also be an option to look into.

Fifthfiend · 04-03-2009, 06:27 PM

I have previously heard good things about Cowon's line of personal media players although I personally can't speak for them.

Seil · 04-03-2009, 08:23 PM

Apparently Shiney is the Zune. Go figure. ( That's just something I found while searching for this: )

This is a previous "What MP3 player should I buy" thread, and the only reason I searched for it was to get this picture:

Yeah. It's an Archos 605, and I don't really thing it's an MP3 player pers�, but it does play MP3's. Damn it looks sexy.

04-03-2009, 02:41 PM	#1
Gorefiend That Guy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The city that doesn't sleep Posts: 1,039	If I want an MP3 player but hate iTunes? I think the subject is pretty self-explanatory; I accidentally broke the screen on my old-ass, randomly-won't-play-songs, just-waiting-for-and-excuse-to-replace-it mp3 player, and am now ready to seriously look at replacing it with something that will work. I kinda want to get an iPod; I know it'll work perfectly for as long as it lasts, and the huge size of my current player was always a problem... But I don't want to have iTunes, as in my previous experience, it's not a program that I want. But then, what kind of player do I want? Or is iTunes not that bad? I'm hesitantly considering a Zune, and already know I don't want to do business with iRiver (the brand on my shitty mp3 player: even though I think its a generic, their customer service was non-existent, and I'll hold that against them). Anything else anyone would recommend, before I commit? __________________ The world of truth has no certainty. The world of fact has no hope. "Environmental laws were not passed to protect our air and water... they were passed to get votes. Seasonal anti-smut campaigns are not conducted to rid our communities of moral rot... they are conducted to give an aura of saintliness to the office-seekers who demand them." - Frank Zappa, prelude to Joe's Garage Ever wonder THE TRUTH ABOUT BLACK HELICOPTERS?

04-03-2009, 03:01 PM	#3
Gorefiend That Guy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The city that doesn't sleep Posts: 1,039	I didn't know that! ^^' Thanks! __________________ The world of truth has no certainty. The world of fact has no hope. "Environmental laws were not passed to protect our air and water... they were passed to get votes. Seasonal anti-smut campaigns are not conducted to rid our communities of moral rot... they are conducted to give an aura of saintliness to the office-seekers who demand them." - Frank Zappa, prelude to Joe's Garage Ever wonder THE TRUTH ABOUT BLACK HELICOPTERS?

04-03-2009, 05:18 PM	#5
synkr0nized synk-ism Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: throughout the Wired Posts: 6,857	Yeah, Winamp has a module/plugin/compatibility/whatever they are calling it these days for iPods. MusicMatch should still work with them [and I knew a few folks who preferred it], and Hell I wouldn't be surprised if someone rigged up a way to manage it in Windows Media Player (assuming MS still hasn't). And there are other tools like the one mentioned above there, though I'd have to look for them to know their names. I don't find much wrong with iTunes, at least within the OS X environment (it's integrated quite well, anyway). Since I have a Mac laptop, I just use that. I prefer other programs in other OS environments, though, so I totally get the interest in not using it. Without knowing what your aversion / disinterest in it is, though, I can't really claim it's better. As to the players themselves, if you're in the market for the 20+ GB range, MS's Zune is the only other real competition. Fortunately, when you can find users of the device, folks seem to be very pleased with them. I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't consider an iPod, but maybe read some of the reviews about the features and specs of the Zune and see if that tickles your fancy. __________________ Find love.

04-03-2009, 05:26 PM	#6
Lost in Time Fungus Among Us Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: On Your Nightstand Posts: 1,967	I do enjoy my Zune very much, I watch a bunch of videos on the go, and the large screen helps a ton with that, when comparing it to the classic ipod, I enjoy the zune more. The software isn't the best, but it's not bad at least. But if you are one that enjoys legally downloading your music, I like the zune pass. __________________ Eat me!

04-03-2009, 05:52 PM	#8
synkr0nized synk-ism Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: throughout the Wired Posts: 6,857	Sometimes I just post to agree. Some of us prefer our digital music players to be digital music players and not multimedia devices. But if you want to pop in some movies and/or download them [get the bigger memory sticks] and have a nice screen that can also be used for some fun games, a PSP might indeed also be an option to look into. __________________ Find love.

04-03-2009, 02:48 PM	#2
MasterOfMagic ahahah Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,456	I have an ipod, and I don't use iTunes. Its not a necessity. Plenty of programs will let you manage the songs on it without ever having iTunes installed. I personally use winamp, but that's just 'cause I've always used it to play my music. You can, of course, get something other than an iPod for other reasons, but this one's not really an issue.

04-03-2009, 04:28 PM	#4
Viridis oh, what fun we will have! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 1,773	For the solution I use, google 'SharePod'. It is a tiny program for managing iPods. It's so small I put it on my iPod so I can mess with my songs from any computer I plug it into.

04-03-2009, 05:45 PM	#7
Seil Super stressed! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 8,081	I'd go for a PSP. It can do a ton more than the average MP3 player, and has much better games than any of them out there. It's click-and-drop instead of iTunes, and you get memory cards - right now I have a 2GB card inside mine - that lets me hold pretty much all the music I want on it. But If I want to swap it out on the fly and put in one loaded with... I dun know - techno music, I just keep both with me and swap them when I want to.

04-03-2009, 06:27 PM	#9
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	I have previously heard good things about Cowon's line of personal media players although I personally can't speak for them. __________________ check out my buttspresso

04-03-2009, 08:23 PM	#10
Seil Super stressed! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 8,081	Apparently Shiney is the Zune. Go figure. ( That's just something I found while searching for this: ) This is a previous "What MP3 player should I buy" thread, and the only reason I searched for it was to get this picture: Yeah. It's an Archos 605, and I don't really thing it's an MP3 player pers�, but it does play MP3's. Damn it looks sexy. Last edited by Seil; 04-03-2009 at 08:29 PM.