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#1
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
I'm investigating MP3 player/recorders and so far the Creative Nomad
Jukebox 3 looks like the best fit for my needs. However, I haven't been able to find much information about it, even in the manual, which I downloaded from Creative. So my questions a Can I treat the Nomad Jukebox 3 as an ordinary hard drive on my system? Can I drag MP3s to it using Windows Explorer and then be able to play them? That is how I prefer to put MP3s on a player (the iPod doesn't let you do this--rather, you can put any files on it manually, but if they are MP3s, the iPod player won't see them, and you also can't take MP3's OFF of the iPod onto a computer--big downside IMO). Recording is important to me. Has anyone tested the NJ3's recording capabilities? I'm interested primarily in recording live audio using a high-quality external microphone (if there is no ext mic jack, line in is OK as I have a mic with a preamp to bring it to line level). I read somewhere that the NJ3 can record directly to 44.1 WAV as well as MP3 at any bitrate you choose. Is this true? What is the UI like for recording? I want it to be as simple as possible--you press a button and it starts recording (unlike the archos). I'd prefer it if there was an automatic recording level option. Is there? If you make one recording and then another (without renaming the first recorded file), will it overwrite the first recorded file? What is the sound quality like on recordings made by the NJ3? Is it suitable for music or just voice recordings? Comparable to minidisc or DAT? Overall impressions of the NJ3? My important criteria a sensible UI, ease of managing thousands of mp3s by various id3 tags as well as file/folder structure, ability to generate playlists based on same, repeat/shuffle options for these playlists, etc. I'd also like to store non-audio files on it (that is, use it as an external hard drive). Sound quality? Battery life? I know it's kind of big compared to the iPod. It looks like a CD player. Does it in fact play CDs as well as everything else? I thought I read something to that effect. If that is true, does it play MP3 cd's as well? Thanks for any answers you may have.....you can post a reply. If you prefer to email me, change the word garbage in my email address to another word, specifically the word dan. And if I am in the wrong newsgroup, please direct me to the correct one. Thanks. |
#2
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
you should look he:
www.nomadness.net "d.d.t" wrote in message om... I'm investigating MP3 player/recorders and so far the Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 looks like the best fit for my needs. However, I haven't been able to find much information about it, even in the manual, which I downloaded from Creative. So my questions a Can I treat the Nomad Jukebox 3 as an ordinary hard drive on my system? Can I drag MP3s to it using Windows Explorer and then be able to play them? That is how I prefer to put MP3s on a player (the iPod doesn't let you do this--rather, you can put any files on it manually, but if they are MP3s, the iPod player won't see them, and you also can't take MP3's OFF of the iPod onto a computer--big downside IMO). Recording is important to me. Has anyone tested the NJ3's recording capabilities? I'm interested primarily in recording live audio using a high-quality external microphone (if there is no ext mic jack, line in is OK as I have a mic with a preamp to bring it to line level). I read somewhere that the NJ3 can record directly to 44.1 WAV as well as MP3 at any bitrate you choose. Is this true? What is the UI like for recording? I want it to be as simple as possible--you press a button and it starts recording (unlike the archos). I'd prefer it if there was an automatic recording level option. Is there? If you make one recording and then another (without renaming the first recorded file), will it overwrite the first recorded file? What is the sound quality like on recordings made by the NJ3? Is it suitable for music or just voice recordings? Comparable to minidisc or DAT? Overall impressions of the NJ3? My important criteria a sensible UI, ease of managing thousands of mp3s by various id3 tags as well as file/folder structure, ability to generate playlists based on same, repeat/shuffle options for these playlists, etc. I'd also like to store non-audio files on it (that is, use it as an external hard drive). Sound quality? Battery life? I know it's kind of big compared to the iPod. It looks like a CD player. Does it in fact play CDs as well as everything else? I thought I read something to that effect. If that is true, does it play MP3 cd's as well? Thanks for any answers you may have.....you can post a reply. If you prefer to email me, change the word garbage in my email address to another word, specifically the word dan. And if I am in the wrong newsgroup, please direct me to the correct one. Thanks. |
#3
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
"d.d.t" wrote in message
om I'm investigating MP3 player/recorders and so far the Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 looks like the best fit for my needs. However, I haven't been able to find much information about it, even in the manual, which I downloaded from Creative. I own one, how about that? So my questions a Can I treat the Nomad Jukebox 3 as an ordinary hard drive on my system? No. Can I drag MP3s to it using Windows Explorer and then be able to play them? No. All PC access to the NJ3 has to be through CL utilities. They are drag and drop, but you need more than just the Windows Explorer. That is how I prefer to put MP3s on a player (the iPod doesn't let you do this--rather, you can put any files on it manually, but if they are MP3s, the iPod player won't see them, and you also can't take MP3's OFF of the iPod onto a computer--big downside IMO). Look at the iRiver IFP-120. Recording is important to me. Has anyone tested the NJ3's recording capabilities? Yes. They work very well. I'm interested primarily in recording live audio using a high-quality external microphone (if there is no ext mic jack, line in is OK as I have a mic with a preamp to bring it to line level). There's no mic jack. There are analog and digital line-in connections. I read somewhere that the NJ3 can record directly to 44.1 WAV as well as MP3 at any bitrate you choose. Is this true? Pretty much. I've done both. What is the UI like for recording? Basic. You can set levels, but shouldn't. You can select recording mode. You can start and stop the recording. I want it to be as simple as possible--you press a button and it starts recording (unlike the archos). I'd prefer it if there was an automatic recording level option. Is there? There is no ALC (good!) If you make one recording and then another (without renaming the first recorded file), will it overwrite the first recorded file? No, the recordings are named with time and date stamps. What is the sound quality like on recordings made by the NJ3? Near-CD quality, very near. Is it suitable for music Very much so. or just voice recordings? Comparable to minidisc better than MD or DAT? About equal to DAT but more time capacity and more robust. Overall impressions of the NJ3? Big and bulky compared to its newer competition but sounds great. You can change the batteries without tools. My important criteria a sensible UI, ease of managing thousands of mp3s by various id3 tags as well as file/folder structure, There really is no folder structure on a NJ3. You can have playlists which are in a separate list. However, the actual music files are in a flat structure. ability to generate playlists based on same, You can do that. repeat/shuffle options for these playlists, etc. They are there. I'd also like to store non-audio files on it (that is, use it as an external hard drive). You can store other kinds of data files on it, but all file access has to be through Creative's utilities. Sound quality? Essentially CD quality for recording and playback. Battery life? Depends on how you use it. With 2 batteries I get about 8 hours recording or playing .wav files. I rarely use it for MP3s, but my limited experience suggests that MP3 files dramatically extend battery life because of the vastly reduced hard drive activity. I know it's kind of big compared to the iPod. It looks like a CD player. Does it in fact play CDs as well as everything else? Nope, the NJ3 is just a hard drive player. I thought I read something to that effect. If that is true, does it play MP3 cd's as well? Nope. Not a chance. |
#4
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
"d.d.t" wrote in message om I'm investigating MP3 player/recorders and so far the Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 looks like the best fit for my needs. However, I haven't been able to find much information about it, even in the manual, which I downloaded from Creative. I own one, how about that? So my questions a Can I treat the Nomad Jukebox 3 as an ordinary hard drive on my system? No. Can I drag MP3s to it using Windows Explorer and then be able to play them? No. All PC access to the NJ3 has to be through CL utilities. They are drag and drop, but you need more than just the Windows Explorer. That is how I prefer to put MP3s on a player (the iPod doesn't let you do this--rather, you can put any files on it manually, but if they are MP3s, the iPod player won't see them, and you also can't take MP3's OFF of the iPod onto a computer--big downside IMO). Look at the iRiver IFP-120. correction: IHP-102 |
#5
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message Look at the iRiver IFP-120. correction: IHP-102 Correction: IHP-120 |
#6
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message Can I treat the Nomad Jukebox 3 as an ordinary hard drive on my system? No. WRONG....you just need REAL software....www.redchairsoftware.com....why should you suffer with poor software when there are better alternatives Can I drag MP3s to it using Windows Explorer and then be able to play them? No. All PC access to the NJ3 has to be through CL utilities. They are drag and drop, but you need more than just the Windows Explorer. see above |
#7
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
(d.d.t) writes:
Recording is important to me. Has anyone tested the NJ3's recording capabilities? I'm interested primarily in recording live audio using a high-quality external microphone (if there is no ext mic jack, line in is OK as I have a mic with a preamp to bring it to line level). I read somewhere that the NJ3 can record directly to 44.1 WAV as well as MP3 at any bitrate you choose. Is this true? WAV, yes. mp3 I don't know. I have original NJB and it records only to WAV at any bitrate I select. I have an extensive page on NJB recording and mic selection that may interest you. You don't have to spen a ton on a mic to get excellent recordings. You don't even have to spend money on a preamp if you pick the right mic. http://toddh.net/music/njb/ What is the UI like for recording? I want it to be as simple as possible--you press a button and it starts recording (unlike the archos). I'd prefer it if there was an automatic recording level option. Is there? No, not that I'm aware of. Any recording level adjustments are just doing digital math and throwing away high order bits--there's no analog recording level adjustment support in the hardware. The UI involves pushing the EAX button, scrolling to the Recording section, pressing the ARM soft button, hitting the Play button, and engaging the lock switch if you wanna make sure it keeps going. REcording is stopped by hitting hte stop button, then hitting the Save soft button to save the track. A subsequent recording is made by hitting the ARM soft button, and hitting the play button. Having never used the ARchos, I can't offer comparative analysis. But I can say it's not as simple as hitting a record button. If you make one recording and then another (without renaming the first recorded file), will it overwrite the first recorded file? No. It names the files automatically with numeric suffixes. What is the sound quality like on recordings made by the NJ3? Is it suitable for music or just voice recordings? Comparable to minidisc or DAT? It's been excellent in my experience with the original NJB. . As for your file storing requirements, I think that's possible. nomadness.net is a great web site and has links to vendors of such software. I don't think the junk Creative software works with it out of the box. I'm a big fan of the notmad jukebox from Red Chair software. It is an excellent piece of software that allows you to forgo the creative software entirely. Best Regards, -- /"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H \ / | http://www.toddh.net/ X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/ / \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice." |
#8
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
I have been using one for about 1 1/2 years for live recording and
mobile mp3 playback. Just a few things... 1. The original os had auto level control. If that is so important then you could perhaps get that firmware, though I wouldn't want it myself. 2. Data transfer is not fast, even with the firewire port, so I would not recommend using it as a harddrive unless you are talking about very small files. 3. It records very well. If you have a good mic preamp, probably better than most portable DATS. 4. Buy it from somewhere to which you can easily return it. I have several problems with mine (my first one worked perfectly, but it got stolen) and get an extended warranty if available. Also, Is there really anything else out there which works as well as a portable recorder? I have seen nothing. Robobass |
#9
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
robobass wrote: Also, Is there really anything else out there which works as well as a portable recorder? I have seen nothing. You might have a look at our PDAudio system: http://www.core-sound.com/HighResRecorderNews.html -- Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912 |
#10
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Should I buy a Nomad Jukebox 3? Questions....
In article , "Arny Krueger" wrote:
"d.d.t" wrote in message . com I'm investigating MP3 player/recorders and so far the Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 looks like the best fit for my needs. However, I haven't been able to find much information about it, even in the manual, which I downloaded from Creative. I own one, how about that? So my questions a Can I treat the Nomad Jukebox 3 as an ordinary hard drive on my system? No. With certain software you can store and move back and forth regular data files on the Nomad. Can I drag MP3s to it using Windows Explorer and then be able to play them? No. All PC access to the NJ3 has to be through CL utilities. They are drag and drop, but you need more than just the Windows Explorer. Not true, this software and many others can communicate with the Nomad series. Even Media Player 9 on Xp can talk to the nomad directly now. I use this from dbpoweramp http://www.dbpoweramp.com/sveta-portable-audio.htm "Sveta Portable Audio replaces the cumbersome program that was supplied with your mp3 player, no longer do you need to go through 1 million steps just to send a file. Sveta is compatible with most mp3 players, check here to see if yours is supported. " Sveta Portable Audio does it all: Rip an Audio CD straight to your portable player, Smart Conversions - high bitrate files to lower bitrates, or one audio format to another automatically on the fly!, Combine multiple memories into one (eg. Internal and External Flash), Send files with just two clicks! Large number of players supported, handles all audio formats: mp3, ogg, wma, FLAC, mp4, aac Works with Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT4 / 2000 / XP (** Windows 95 is not USB compatible **) That is how I prefer to put MP3s on a player (the iPod doesn't let you do this--rather, you can put any files on it manually, but if they are MP3s, the iPod player won't see them, and you also can't take MP3's OFF of the iPod onto a computer--big downside IMO). Look at the iRiver IFP-120. Recording is important to me. Has anyone tested the NJ3's recording capabilities? Yes. They work very well. Agreed, i use it regularly to rip audio from DirecTV music stations and dub to CDR I'm interested primarily in recording live audio using a high-quality external microphone (if there is no ext mic jack, line in is OK as I have a mic with a preamp to bring it to line level). There's no mic jack. There are analog and digital line-in connections. You can use a amplified mike. Read the manual I read somewhere that the NJ3 can record directly to 44.1 WAV as well as MP3 at any bitrate you choose. Is this true? Pretty much. I've done both. What is the UI like for recording? Basic. You can set levels, but shouldn't. You can select recording mode. You can start and stop the recording. I want it to be as simple as possible--you press a button and it starts recording (unlike the archos). I'd prefer it if there was an automatic recording level option. Is there? There is no ALC (good!) Agreed, with a ALC , you get the annoying breathing sound that you so commonly see in cheap VCR's now with not volume adjustments.Its better NOT to have it. If you make one recording and then another (without renaming the first recorded file), will it overwrite the first recorded file? No, the recordings are named with time and date stamps. What is the sound quality like on recordings made by the NJ3? Near-CD quality, very near. Is it suitable for music Very much so. or just voice recordings? Comparable to minidisc better than MD or DAT? About equal to DAT but more time capacity and more robust. Overall impressions of the NJ3? Big and bulky compared to its newer competition but sounds great. You can change the batteries without tools. My important criteria a sensible UI, ease of managing thousands of mp3s by various id3 tags as well as file/folder structure, There really is no folder structure on a NJ3. You can have playlists which are in a separate list. However, the actual music files are in a flat structure. ability to generate playlists based on same, You can do that. repeat/shuffle options for these playlists, etc. They are there. I'd also like to store non-audio files on it (that is, use it as an external hard drive). You can store other kinds of data files on it, but all file access has to be through Creative's utilities. Sound quality? Essentially CD quality for recording and playback. Battery life? Depends on how you use it. With 2 batteries I get about 8 hours recording or playing .wav files. I rarely use it for MP3s, but my limited experience suggests that MP3 files dramatically extend battery life because of the vastly reduced hard drive activity. I know it's kind of big compared to the iPod. It looks like a CD player. Does it in fact play CDs as well as everything else? Nope, the NJ3 is just a hard drive player. I thought I read something to that effect. If that is true, does it play MP3 cd's as well? Nope. Not a chance. |
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