Copying files to MP3 players

[Richard Fangnail]

I've never owned an MP3 player. Can you copy MP3 files to the player
from Windows by just using Windows Explorer? Or do you have to use
Itunes etc?

I got a Nikon camera that came with some software, but I just use
Windows Explorer (XP) to copy the photos from the camera. I've never
even loaded the Nikon software.

 

[Cyberbear]

I've never owned an MP3 player. Can you copy MP3 files to the player
from Windows by just using Windows Explorer? Or do you have to use
Itunes etc?

I got a Nikon camera that came with some software, but I just use
Windows Explorer (XP) to copy the photos from the camera. I've never
even loaded the Nikon software.

It depends on the player you want to use. The iPod requires the
use of iTunes software on Windows to put music on the player.
Some other MP3 players require specific software to move files on
and off the device.

But many other devices work as an external USB drive and you can
simply move files onto them in Windows Explorer. I use a Sansa
E260 player, and I can use Explorer to put MP3 files onto the
device. However, it requires its own proprietary software to put
pictures or videos onto the device.

It would probably be worthwhile to check the manufacturer web
site of any device you are interested in before you make any
purchases. Make sure you check the file formats supported. Not
all devices will play all formats, although they will all
probably play mp3's just fine.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[Onsokumaru]

I've never owned an MP3 player. Can you copy MP3 files to the player
from Windows by just using Windows Explorer? Or do you have to use
Itunes etc?

I got a Nikon camera that came with some software, but I just use
Windows Explorer (XP) to copy the photos from the camera. I've never
even loaded the Nikon software.

Never do!!

Most of these file copying bits of software are terrible. I've seen a number
of them where they are much slower than Windows Explorer, hang, crash or
won't work with a limited account. If you can avoid them, do.

I have had two mp3 players. One was a cheap and cheerful one which was
great, (worked just like a thumb drive), and I brought one with greater
capacity that supports DRM. Not that I use any protected songs.

The DRM one takes quite a while to be recognised by XP, you cannot play a
song from it, through the PC, the file needs to be copied to the HDD first.
You cannot edit the name of the file when it is on the player. It asks to
connect to the internet to synchronise the internal time on the player, (no
visible time display). The only thing it has going for it is it has 4 times
the capacity, an internal battery and does sound better, (not that I am a
huge audiophile) .

Try asking a sales person to demonstrate the one you are interested in. You
should think about how you are going to use it.
The first one I owned had great intuitive controls you could use with one
thumb without having to look at the player. The second one has a row of six
small identical buttons I need to count with my thumb so I won't push the
wrong one.

Good luck.

 

[Richard Fangnail]

It depends on the player you want to use. The iPod requires the
use of iTunes software on Windows to put music on the player.
Some other MP3 players require specific software to move files on
and off the device.

But many other devices work as an external USB drive and you can
simply move files onto them in Windows Explorer. I use a Sansa
E260 player, and I can use Explorer to put MP3 files onto the
device. However, it requires its own proprietary software to put
pictures or videos onto the device.

It would probably be worthwhile to check the manufacturer web
site of any device you are interested in before you make any
purchases. Make sure you check the file formats supported. Not
all devices will play all formats, although they will all
probably play mp3's just fine.

Why do they make ipods so you have to use Itunes to move stuff to the
ipod? Remember my counterexample of my camera.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Why do they make ipods so you have to use Itunes to move stuff to the
ipod? Remember my counterexample of my camera.

Because Itunes uses a proprietary - i.e., DIFFERENT - format for files
that are downloaded for use than other players do.

 

[Tim Slattery]

Why do they make ipods so you have to use Itunes to move stuff to the
ipod? Remember my counterexample of my camera.

To lock you into their system, of course. MS does pretty much the same
thing with the Zune player. It does *not* show up as a drive, and can
only be updated via their own, proprietary, software.