[mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick

[Michael Rudas]

--- Wolfger wrote:

> Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg support, if you can find it.

In THAT vein, here's an item that may be of interest:
"Refurbished Sansa c240 music player"
<http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0278626>

It's a STEAL at $18 (sale price)  -- though it does not play OGG
files, uses a custom USB cable, and has no direct support under Linux
(see below), it does have a kick-ass FM tuner (tuned RF), voice & FM
recording (decent), rechargeable 15-hour (claimed) Li-polymer battery,
and a MicroSD slot.

That's where the indirect Linux support comes in.  The player itself
plays MP3/WMA/WMA-DRM (the deprecated "Plays For Sure" -- uh-huh) and
its internal storage is managed using WMP 10 or 11 -- but files copied
to a MicroSD card, either externally or internally, play fine.
"2GB 4-in-1 SD Mobile Media Kit"
<http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0265993>

Another side benefit, for those running Windows -- the
free-to-download "Sansa File Format Converter" software is pretty good
and treats the c240 as a dongle.

The other Windows-oriented downside is that the unit NEEDS a firmware
upgrade that can only be done under Windows.

The provided earbuds are decent, but I'm not a big fan.  If you scan
dollar stores, the COBY Model CV-H47 headphones are comfortable and
REALLY decent-sounding -- for $1.00!

~~ Michael Rudas
    My home page: http://MRudas.2Ya.com
    My blog: http://FaveSoft.blogspot.com