Why do ALL MP3 players have so many faults?

[thwi]

Hi,
recently I was wondering why basically EVERY MP3 player which is current available has lots of flaws and faults. I´ve scrolled through various forums from Apple, iriver, iAudio, Sony (of course) - it´s always the same. The devices keep crashing, they freeze, they simply die after a short time, the harddisks make strange noises, files don´t sound right....the list seems to be endless.
I would assume that devices which aren´t the cheapest toys should be manufactured more carefully. Looking back at the "good old days" analogue devices like the original Walkman worked for ages.
Maybe it´s the price for digital technology that almost nothing works completely right.
In the end there is one "good" thing about it: For every complaint about the Vaio Pocket you´ll find at least the same amount of complaints for iPods, iRivers, etc.
Amazing - but this can´t be right.....or am I expecting too much?
Opinions are appreciated 🙂
Cheers,
Thomas

[seb21__]

Mmmh, seems that Flash players in things like these are much better.
But the price per MegaByte is much more expensive too.:smileysad:

[Akanksha]

I think the problem is that this is the initial stage of development and right now each of these companies are at format war to establish monopoly so all the R&D is not focussed on providing a reliable player rather its on competing on the features!

And in the whole process, they are producing masses of these unfinished products!

I do expect them to get better by the end of the year when the market will be settled and then I will buy one myself!

[kee-lo_]

Everyone is in a hurry to release products these days, as Akanksha said they don't test them throughly, which is a real shame. They expect the users to give them feedback so they can fix it in the next firmware.

Touch wood iPod has been pretty plain sailing for me

[robpaxton]

Never had any problems with my iPod Photo . . . . yet . . . . . Although I did turn myself deaf in one ear due to over enthusiastic insertion (the left ear) of my nice Shure E3C headphones - which I can highly recommend once you get the fit right.

[seb21__]

LOL, for nearly 9 years ago I have payed that price fo my HD565 Ovation.

[kee-lo_]

Yeah very nice earphones.

Rob: not got the car kit?

[robpaxton]

Rob: not got the car kit?

I ran out of money when I bought the iPod photo & the phones

Seb - I'm still use my HD565 Ovations now and then but the Shures stop just about all background noise and have much better channel definition. It's a bit like having the sound directly injected into your brain.

[seb21__]

My HD565 is broken. 8 years usage was too much.:smileyrolling_eyes:
I have bought the HD570 which has sounds a bit more powerful. But I miss some details.:smileyrolling_eyes:

I think not that was my last Sennheiser.

If I get the feeling I need a new one then I will upgrate to the HD650.:smileycool:
(cost a small fortune but that should be ok:smileycool: )

[robpaxton]

If I was buying new open headphones then Sennheiser would probably be my first choice too.