Ok, I am a complete enigma. I do not give a hoot about music files. I am a huge movie nut. I have over 300 DVD’s and 400 video tapes of movies. What I want to do is begin converting those to Mpeg4 so that I can take them with me and watch them while I am traveling.
With either of these products, I am guessing that I can store my movies to microSD and then watch them on the units.
First question is: Is that a correct assumption. After ripping my movies to MP4, can I, (just like with music MP3 files), just copy them over to a microSD and pop that microSD into either the FUZE or VIEW and watch my movies?
Second question is: Which would be BETTER for doing what I want to do?
Final question: Do either of these players have an output port so that I could connect them to a TV? (that would be nice to do if I am traveling.)
Your description fits the Sansa View perfectly. It even has a TV output selectable from the device GUI, and video output at the 30-pin connector.
The latest firmware is working well overall, solving many issues with the earlier version.
Difficulties with the View seem to be hit-or-miss, as many users out there have enigmatic devices that have never exhibited playback issues, or battery life issues.
The Fuze is excellent for watching converted video, as it plays easily from the internal memory or µSD card. Its advantage is a great reduction in size, but the screen is also small. The pause / resume video addition when leaving one particular clip is very convenient, as well as video bookmarking (single point).
The View is optimized for video compatibility and playback, though remember that video is processor intensive, consuming battery reserve faster than mere audio.
Ok, I am a complete enigma. I do not give a hoot about music files. I am a huge movie nut. I have over 300 DVD’s and 400 video tapes of movies. What I want to do is begin converting those to Mpeg4 so that I can take them with me and watch them while I am traveling.
With either of these products, I am guessing that I can store my movies to microSD and then watch them on the units.
First question is: Is that a correct assumption. After ripping my movies to MP4, can I, (just like with music MP3 files), just copy them over to a microSD and pop that microSD into either the FUZE or VIEW and watch my movies?
Second question is: Which would be BETTER for doing what I want to do?
Final question: Do either of these players have an output port so that I could connect them to a TV? (that would be nice to do if I am traveling.)
Thank you,
Jeff
I own a 16 GB View. I am on my 5th one since January. All of them had to be RMA’d, sent back and replaced, due to problems I experienced. I do not for one second believe the posters in the View forum claiming to have never had a problem with their device.
My advice? Run… do not walk… RUN away from the View. I’m serious. You WILL be disappointed.
If Satan’s feces were a PMP, it would be the View.
hmmmm…now I am more concerned than ever about which one to buy…if at all.
I have an iTouch iPod, that I REALLY do not like. (it was a gift, so its not like I am out any money)…as an MP3 player its fabulous, but as a video player it absolutely ■■■■■! You can not natively play Mpeg4 vid’s on it, you have to convert it, after ripping it of course, to a format that is compatible for the iPod.
And that process takes forever.
I was leaning towards getting the SanDisk VIEW, because of it’s screen size, but now after what one of the posters wrote, I am not so sure I should spring for the money.
Does ANYONE actually watch movies instead of just listening to tunes with these players?
The Fuze definitely doesn’t play MP4 natively. I’ve yet to hear of anyone who has gotten video to play without transcoding it specifically with Sansa’s converter software. Even then it doesn’t play well - every video I’ve tried stutters. The Fuze is outstanding for music, but terrible for video.
You’re on the right track posting to a user forum, though - you’ll learn things the vendors won’t tell you.
Ok, I am a complete enigma. I do not give a hoot about music files. I am a huge movie nut. I have over 300 DVD’s and 400 video tapes of movies. What I want to do is begin converting those to Mpeg4 so that I can take them with me and watch them while I am traveling.
With either of these products, I am guessing that I can store my movies to microSD and then watch them on the units.
First question is: Is that a correct assumption. After ripping my movies to MP4, can I, (just like with music MP3 files), just copy them over to a microSD and pop that microSD into either the FUZE or VIEW and watch my movies?
Second question is: Which would be BETTER for doing what I want to do?
Final question: Do either of these players have an output port so that I could connect them to a TV? (that would be nice to do if I am traveling.)
Thank you,
Jeff
If you want to watch videos, the View would be the better choice of the two without a doubt. Easy choice there. It has a larger screen and the video out feed via the 30-pin connector. The View is larger and thus not as portable, but the tradeoff should be worth it to you if you’re mostly interested in watching video. Someone mentioned the PSP, which is not a bad idea. You might also want to consider some of the smaller portable DVD players on the market. It all comes down to the balance between portability and screen size, I think. Only you can decide where to draw the line.
@rpn777x wrote:
This may not fall into your plans or budget but why not consider a Sony PSP?
Interesting. Why the Sony PSP? Does it also have a microSD port, so that I could expand it?
I have a PSP and a Fuze. The PSP is great for videos with its 4" screen. It has a port for Pro Duo memory cards (not microSD). I have a few Sandisk 4GB Pro Duos that I picked up for $39 each. I use the Fuze for music and the PSP for games, videos, pictures, web browsing, some music and Skype phone service.
Ok, I am a complete enigma. I do not give a hoot about music files. I am a huge movie nut. I have over 300 DVD’s and 400 video tapes of movies. What I want to do is begin converting those to Mpeg4 so that I can take them with me and watch them while I am traveling.
With either of these products, I am guessing that I can store my movies to microSD and then watch them on the units.
First question is: Is that a correct assumption. After ripping my movies to MP4, can I, (just like with music MP3 files), just copy them over to a microSD and pop that microSD into either the FUZE or VIEW and watch my movies?
Second question is: Which would be BETTER for doing what I want to do?
Final question: Do either of these players have an output port so that I could connect them to a TV? (that would be nice to do if I am traveling.)
Thank you,
Jeff
If you want to watch videos, the View would be the better choice of the two without a doubt. Easy choice there. It has a larger screen and the video out feed via the 30-pin connector. The View is larger and thus not as portable, but the tradeoff should be worth it to you if you’re mostly interested in watching video. Someone mentioned the PSP, which is not a bad idea. You might also want to consider some of the smaller portable DVD players on the market. It all comes down to the balance between portability and screen size, I think. Only you can decide where to draw the line.
Yeah, I have a portable DVD player. But it is a little bulky to watch on a plane, or just sitting around in a lobby. I also started looking at the Creative Zen Vision W. Which might be a good choice, (although I do not like the idea of this big PCMCIA-type adapter sticking out, just to load up a microSD card.)
Basically, it seems like there are not any GOOD options for someone like me, who wants to put movies on a microSD and then plug it into a very lightweight portable device with a decent screen and good battery life. Seems like all anyone wants to do is play music…which gets really old when you are traveling 5-8 hours.
Products like the iTouch iPOD have a very good display but a REALLY crappy interface and storage support, because it requires video conversion to a specific playable format, plus has no expansion or output slots/capability. Other options like the PSP are good, but are a bit bulky. The Creative Zen Vision W and the Fuze/View also seem to have some drawbacks.
Do people just not watch movies that they own? I BUY movies, and then watch them over and over again. Just like people listen to music that way. So, I am kind of surprised there are not any better options out there. It seems like the PSP and maybe the Creative Zen Vision-W are my best bets.
@rpn777x wrote:
This may not fall into your plans or budget but why not consider a Sony PSP?
Interesting. Why the Sony PSP? Does it also have a microSD port, so that I could expand it?
I have a PSP and a Fuze. The PSP is great for videos with its 4" screen. It has a port for Pro Duo memory cards (not microSD). I have a few Sandisk 4GB Pro Duos that I picked up for $39 each. I use the Fuze for music and the PSP for games, videos, pictures, web browsing, some music and Skype phone service.
Yes, the more research I do, the more the PSP and the Creative Zen Vision-W come up. At least for vid stuff. The PSP is a bit of overkill, because I doubt I will EVER use it to play games. But it is an interesting choice.
