as so many people write that they find Rick Steves's podcasts helpful as tour guides, I have downloaded them to my computer, but now I need to buy an MP3 player to play them when I am in Italy.
What qualities, functions do I look for in an MP3 player?
How much should I expect to spend?
Any recommendations on a particular brand, type?
I am not interested in playing music, only Rick Steves podcasts (and perhaps listening to Italian audio tapes, from my Italian class).
Thank you.
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
For Italian class reminders, you want something that lets you rewind and fast forward easily. For the RS podcasts, something that has a visual indicator for when to pause can be helpful, not necessary, but helpful. Most of all you want something you are comfortable with and is easy for you to work. You may want to look at eBay or Cragislist for used items if its something you may only use for your trip. If it is something you may use more, go to a local store (Best Buy, Walmart, etc.) that has many types on display and see what works for you. You can easily find something for less than $100 these days, it really depends on what features you may want. Apple is expected to announce new iPods in the next two weeks, sometimes that lowers costs on existing ones, who knows though these days. The trick is really to find something you like and works for you.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
52 posts
how do I get the podcasts from the computer to the MP3 player.
How many gigabytes does the MP3 player need for Rick Steves Italy tours?
I saw a 4 GB player at Radio Shack for $65 (sale price) and a 2 GB player for $49. The 4 GB player has a built in SD/SDHC slot to pop in micro SD cards; it has 24 hours of audio playback and states that the battery is not replaceable.-- is this a mistake to buy?
My cell phone does not have MP3 player and I would be using my camera when I want to listen to Rick Steves (and I do not know if it functions as an MP3 player -- it is a Nikon Cool pix L11 -- only 6 megapixels).
Thank you.
Posted by
Freedonia
17383 posts
Does your computer have an SD card slot so you can transfer files onto it?
Have you read Rick's Podcast FAQ page? It can be found here.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
52 posts
yes, I read the FAQ, but I am not MP3 literate, and still do not know how to download the audio tours; I am going to the store where I bought the MP3 player to see if they can help me with the installation of the audio tours.
thanks.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
52 posts
I found the answers to some of my questions at the store where I bought the MP3 player. One of the people in the store was nice enough to set up the MP3 player for me.
In order to copy files from my computer to the MP3 player, I needed to download the zipped MP3 files to my computer, and then use copy paste to transfer them to the MP3 player. According to the store, Apple will no longer let you use I-tunes to transfer files to any MP3 player that is not an Ipod.
The tours of Rome, Florence and Venice total about one-half GB; so a 2 GB player is sufficient for me (and it was on sale today for $33.
To recharge the MP3 player without a computer, I bought a AC to USB power adapter, which plugs into the wall, and of course, I have adapter with the plugs for Europe.
So, thank you, everyone for your suggestions and advice.
The only problems that I have now is to make certain that I can scroll through the playlist to find the appropriate tours; I tried to place them in order of when I will visit them, but they are in alpha order.
My only other question is that in his 2009 Italy guidebook, Rick Steves recommends downloading his audio tour of Pompeii; I could not find this tour on his website to download. http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/italy_downloads.htm