Creative, why no OGG Vorbis? So, another player released, with better CPU horespower and device functionality. Why not make use of a free (as in free of patents and software) high quality audio container and codec? So many people have, but can't throw money at you since you don't support their chosen format. What is holding you back? Creative, why no OGG Vorbis? So, another player released, with better CPU horespower and device functionality. Why not make use of a free (as in free of patents and software) high quality audio... » Read More Creative, why no OGG Vorbis? So, another player released, with better CPU horespower and device functionality. Why not make use of a free (as in free of patents and software) high quality audio container and codec? So many people have, but can't throw money at you since you don't support their chosen format. What is holding you back? « Show Less
331003
I absolutely agree. I have recently switched from the patent-encumbered MP3 format and will now no longeruse anything but Ogg (or another free format). It's terribly disappointing that these manufacturers can't pull theirheads out of their nether regions long enough to realize the value in supporting a format like Ogg.
331004
@JohnMy old ears don't hear any significant difference between ogg/mp3 encodes, but I do prefer ogg because:* the same-sounding encodes are smaller* the FOSS angleI suspect the cheap Chinese players you mention support ogg more for the free-to-use angle than out of any great love of FOSS. Still, I take your point.
331005
"free for me to use"It's not free, it's just that the licensing for the encoders and hardware decoder chips are passed along in the price.Most of my collection is .mp3, and I continue to buy .mp3 from Amazon. I rip my own CDs to .ogg and play them on rockboxed iPod/Sansa: http://www.rockbox.org
331006
I must agree wholeheartedly with this reply. Personally, I use OGG for listening to my own music, as a musician, simply due to the fact that it sounds better. In particular, high-pitched percussion such as cymbals, snares, hihats and the like are crisper and better preserved.
331007
"Most music" is still on CD. You can rip to any format you want--and OGG sounds better, and of course is completely free. There are dozens of other manufacturers who support OGG. Why wouldn't I just look there instead of being coerced into ripping in an inferior format?
2104599
The library's a great suggestion -- thanks! I called both SanDisk and Audible to complain about their mutual incompatibility and was told by both that it was up to SanDisk. Anyway, my lesson from all of this is that I should look into these things more thoroughly before I buy another player (which hopefully won't be any time soon!).
1089686
It's funny that we're not getting the same arguement over all the other media players out there. There's players from Sandisk, Toshiba and Creative that are getting less attention. Could it just be a little of the PC vs Mac war spilling over? Hell, most posters have only 'heard' from someone else that the Zune sucks without seeing it firsthand. I love the iPod but I'm gonna check out the Zune for myself before I comment. I recommend all other intelligent posters do the same and there's not need to remind them.
2167333
Eli - great questions. I am wondering the same things about this player. Cracking DivX function would definitely get me to buy this item. Hopefully Leonardo will get back to you before long.
1146604
The player supports lossless audio formats like FLAC, APE. Using those you can enjoy crystal clear and 'juicy' sound in comparison to mp3 of any level of compression. The earphones are quite nice. But you always can buy some other... :). 32Gb can make you happy because FLAC or APE files are typically 10 times bigger than mp3.However, iPod also supports lossless audio format - ALAC (.m4a). So the choice is yours... Hope this helps
1903448
http://support.gracedigital.com/hc/en-us/articles/202219920-Audio-Formats-Supported FLAC and OGG are supported.
178217
Looking for the same info and zilch- even from the makers website. Luckily after a quick google search i found this review that confirms you can use it, but don't bother downloading the software as it's for PC only. http://www.russandrews.com/src/CPmeridian/product-XITEL-INport-Deluxe-USB-Recording-Soundcard-4701.htm(weird that any company worth their salt or trying to grow would skip putting an effort into this, causing them to potentially lose out on a large customer base...)I'll give this a try soon, will post thoughts once i've given it a solid run through. Looking for the same info and zilch- even from the makers website. Luckily after a quick google search i found this review that confirms you can use it, but don't bother downloading the software as it's for PC only. http://www.russandrews.com/src/CPmeridian/product-XITEL-INport-Deluxe-USB-Recording-Soundcard-4701.htm(weird that any company worth their salt or trying to grow would skip putting an effort into this, causing them to potentially lose out on a large customer base...)I'll give this a try soon, will post thoughts once i've given it a... » Read More Looking for the same info and zilch- even from the makers website. Luckily after a quick google search i found this review that confirms you can use it, but don't bother downloading the software as it's for PC only. http://www.russandrews.com/src/CPmeridian/product-XITEL-INport-Deluxe-USB-Recording-Soundcard-4701.htm(weird that any company worth their salt or trying to grow would skip putting an effort into this, causing them to potentially lose out on a large customer base...)I'll give this a try soon, will post thoughts once i've given it a solid run through. « Show Less
1692318
You can save whatever files you want to it locally (on your lan) outside of that you will be limited in speed and perhaps file size. Really, if you don't want to build your own server, it's the best way to go. I was just a little disappointed that features that were once free are now paid upgrades. Still a very good product.
1978757
It has Amazon VOD. The player didn't originally have it, which might be why the specs don't mention it. But, don't worry. The latest software update for the player includes it.
277610
I'm waiting for a 128gb flash player that SOUNDS good, and can be loaded with a standard usb cable, and not requiring some proprietary software (read itunes). I test drove a 64gb ipod touch when it first came out, because my 16gb cowon iaudio7 is too small, but it sounded terrible, admittedly it was a stock set of tunes ripped at a low bit rate, but when I wanted to load up my own max bit rate tunes to it, the geniuses at the apple store couldn't fathom why someone would want to listen to tunes they'd ripped themselves, or how to make it happen. Hopefully someone raises the bar on storage space and sound quality, neither of which should be hard at this point. I wish someone would swing for the fences and do a flash 256gb player. I have to admit, I'm anachronistic, in that I don't want internet access, apps, videos, etc. just a gigantic music player that's not disk based (use it on a motorcycle, drop it constantly on the commute), that sounds fantastic and has great battery life. The more things a device does, the performance of each of those things suffers.
1419685
We were never able to get recorder setup, therefore can only speak from presumption...recording off the air was one of the main reasons we wanted to invest in this player. As I mentioned product eval. earlier, setup was a bust. We finally got recording capabilities via cable...not orig. choice, but sanity saver!,
2104600
While Audible.com cost money, I bought this player (over IPod knowing an IPod is *FAR* superior) because the library near me allows free viewing only if the device supports Windows PlaysForSure media format.Translation: If you buy an IPod the device is great but the books are costly. If you buy this, the device is OK, but the books are *free*.
2167900
I am happy with my Creative system. It plays to my satisfaction with no issues. I think it also depends on certain downloads you may have; say on your IPOD. If they aren't the best quality & sound fuzzy, they can also playback with the same results. Having said that, I think for the money they are great. Hope this helps!
1903447
http://support.gracedigital.com/hc/en-us/articles/202219920-Audio-Formats-SupportedFLAC and OGG are supported.
1535262
The Gigabeat supports divx 100% every sapec sheet produced by toshiba, and by every major review magazine back this up. So for 100% FACT it does support divx. As far as windows media player goes, if you're using version 11, which is a beta! Beta being an untested peice of software, then of course you are going to have issues some times! Go ahead and use version 10, which works with no problems whatso every. It also comes with it's own software, so you can choose which one you want to use. If you have any other questions feel free to reply to this post, I'll be keeping an eye on it. I hate it when non-technical people try to give definitive answes without going to the manufacturer, or other magazines. So take it from a tech, it works great, just as good if not better than our over advertised counterpart the ipod!
53914
Yes, it supports MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE and WAV. It's just that for videos, it can't play MKV or FLV.
1883965
we're not supposed to because they have an anti-piracy device, but you can buy an anti-anti-piracy device for about $85,a DIMAX or something gadget of some sort. I'm packed to move & can;t find the box & can;t get to it without messing up my system. Just ask about it online - that;s how I found it.I can record anything off the tv with it.