I have recently bought the sansa clip 2gb. However, when I dragged my music (mp3 files) to the device, and tried listening by albums, it didn’t show me any albums at all, just an “unknown” bulk which holds all my files. Now all my mp3 have id3tags, tried v.1, 2.3, 2.4 unicode this and unicode that. I have the latest firmware updated.
But it gets even more strange: After looking over this board, I tried syncing the same files via media player 11. And to my surprise, now it shows the correct albums names. Because I do not want to redo this thing with media player, but just drag my files into the sansa and forget it, this is very VERY annoying.
I agree. I hope that Sandisk recognizes the need (and desire) to organize by folder. My old 512 MB Lexar did this very well. I could load it without any other software - just plug into my computer and drag the folders over. Each folder could be selected, and the device started and it would end on the last file. I have a stereo system at home that takes this a step further. I can load a bunch of folders and it will give me the option to play just what’s in a folder (album) or to play the contents of each folder in succession.
I hate any software (or product) that tries to outguess what I want. The BEST device that allows me to dictate how I want it to operate, and ironically, this is the simplist operation to create. It’s very difficult to put “smarts” into a device, and no device on earth can be all things to all people. Just build it with flexibility and let the USER decide how to use it. :smiley:
The best user interfaces are the ones that allow the user to customize it they way they like it. I have been programming embedded systems for over 25 years and this is my rule of thumb. (BTW these MP3 players are embedded systems - microcontroller systems with a dedicated function).
That’s a very important point, CyberRon, but I what meant is even simpler: I’m not talking about reading folders, which again is a very convenient and needed thing, but that the sansa won’t read my id3 tags!
I disagree and find the id3 tag methor more convenient. Folder hierarchy is a step into the past, and not wanting to transition is like not wanting to go from VHS to DVD. Id3 tags are a lot more flexable, with playback by artist, genre, songs, whatever. Where as in folders, I am limited to what is saved in a respected folder. No thanks.
A choice b/w the two isn’t a bad idea, but I also think that theres not enough of a need for it. Everyones transitioning, apple, zunes, sandisk…coding for 25 years? do you still code in dos? are you still using windows 98? Probably not.
try changing your tags with a different program. WMP or media monkey. Possibly formattin your player and reloading your stuff just to make sure it got all the new data (assuming its not that inconvenient)
I disagree and find the id3 tag methor more convenient. Folder hierarchy is a step into the past, and not wanting to transition is like not wanting to go from VHS to DVD.
Some people say the same thing about automatic transmissions vs manuals. Just because there is something “new and improved” out there, it doesn’t mean it’s better. I’ve seen LOTS of people asking to be able to manage their own music, so obviously it’s something people want regardless of whether or not there’s a “better” way.
I’ve gone through the whole ID3 tag route, and no matter what I do, or which program I use, something ends up askew, and it’s usually the album name appearing where the artist should be.
Before something can be “better”, it has to perform consistently across platforms. If it doesn’t, it’s just another source of headaches and people will want to revert back to the old way.
I disagree and find the id3 tag methor more convenient. Folder hierarchy is a step into the past, and not wanting to transition is like not wanting to go from VHS to DVD.
Some people say the same thing about automatic transmissions vs manuals. Just because there is something “new and improved” out there, it doesn’t mean it’s better. I’ve seen LOTS of people asking to be able to manage their own music, so obviously it’s something people want regardless of whether or not there’s a “better” way.
I’ve gone through the whole ID3 tag route, and no matter what I do, or which program I use, something ends up askew, and it’s usually the album name appearing where the artist should be.
Before something can be “better”, it has to perform consistently across platforms. If it doesn’t, it’s just another source of headaches and people will want to revert back to the old way.
I would say “most” people aren’t having a problem. The amount of people vs the people that come on the forum to say they prefer folders is a huge difference. Most people just switching over to id3 tags because of the ipod craze.
If you wanted the mp3 world to switch to folders, you would have to convince apple to do so before anybody followed suit. In my opinion anyway.
I disagree and find the id3 tag methor more convenient. Folder hierarchy is a step into the past, and not wanting to transition is like not wanting to go from VHS to DVD.
Some people say the same thing about automatic transmissions vs manuals. Just because there is something “new and improved” out there, it doesn’t mean it’s better. I’ve seen LOTS of people asking to be able to manage their own music, so obviously it’s something people want regardless of whether or not there’s a “better” way.
I’ve gone through the whole ID3 tag route, and no matter what I do, or which program I use, something ends up askew, and it’s usually the album name appearing where the artist should be.
Before something can be “better”, it has to perform consistently across platforms. If it doesn’t, it’s just another source of headaches and people will want to revert back to the old way.
I would say “most” people aren’t having a problem. The amount of people vs the people that come on the forum to say they prefer folders is a huge difference. Most people just switching over to id3 tags because of the ipod craze.
If you wanted the mp3 world to switch to folders, you would have to convince apple to do so before anybody followed suit. In my opinion anyway.
well thanks fijasko, but already tried this one, too… What makes windows media player sync process different so it shows the correct tags on the sansa?
And Enigma, that’s the weird part: I didn’t change any of my tags with wmp, just used it to sync the files. only when I synced it with wmp, it showed the tags on the device! Crazy??!
You may not have used the appropriate settings in mp3tag. Follow the instructions in this thread
If I missed it in the thread (skimmed the debating parts), make sure you get the latest firmware version because pre-20 had serious id3 tag problems (thus the reason for the linked thread).
If you’ve done all this already, my apologies. But I retagged all my MP3s and have zero “unknowns” now…
Thanks Click, but it didn’t work (followed the instruction word by word). only if I drag the files to wmp and sync the files, only than the device recognizes the tags…
Interesting…I wonder if your files have any nonstandard tags that might be throwing off the Clip? WMP is apparently adding tags and who knows what else it’s doing!
You might try setting the option to remove the already existing tags (they are then replaced with all new ones) in mp3tag, I set that option and may not have included that in the instructions. Try it on a few files and see if that fixes it.
I assume you’ve updated your Clip to the latest firmware, yes?
Sorry, wasn’t near a computer this weekend. well, tried what you suggested, even manualy erased and refilled the taggs again (mp3tag). No go. I have the latest firmware, however it is localized officlial firmware - Israel zone (via sansa updater). maybe this has to do something with my problem?
One “last” thing you can try … if you can get an MP3 that you know should display properly on a Clip (either from a friend, or from a website such as amazon.com MP3 downloads), try copying it to your Clip. If it displays properly, you know the tags on your other songs are wrong (and then you can compare them to the tags on the song that displays correctly). If it doesn’t display properly, it’s a firmware issue.
