I've been searching tonight and reading bits and bites of info on the MG-25\35\45 all over the place and I think I'm a little more confused than I was 2 hours ago..lol

I'm currently using my 2 gig iPod nano 2nd gen to play my mp3 files through my stereo which works well enough and sounds pretty good but I'm wanting more storage space and some remote control capabilities. Rather than buy a higher capacity iPod and a remote control type dock I've been scoping out the hard drive type Mediagate MG series players that my local computer shop stocks but I can't seem to find simple answers to the few important questions I have before I lay down the cash for one. Oh and my preference is leaning towards the MG-25 as I really don't need the thing to be network'able (ie: MG-45) since my PC is only a flight of stairs away...that's not to mention that I'd probably just load up my tunes and that would be that until I bought a new CD or some new songs off of iTunes.


So....


First question...how's the sound quality of these things through a decent receiver in comparison to an iPod?

Second question...will they play mp3's that have been ripped at a high quality VBR setting with LAME?

Third big concern is that I've read that these things have trouble with mp3's that have album art...is this true? It would certainly be a royal pain in the rear end re-tagging thousands of music files just to remove the album art!!


Thanks in advance for your help...


Rock.

Hi Rock,

Couple of questions.. so I can better help you..

1)Do you mean the "Mediagate" MG25/35/45 , as opposed to "Mediasonic" they are two totally different brands

2)I may be wrong here , but I think songs from Itunes are protected with DRM encryption , as far as I know you can only play these on Apple branded equiment - if they are DRM encoded , other brands wil not be able to decode the files..

Regards,

Teddy

Oh darn, sorry it was late and I was exhausted when I was posting last night and yes I meant Mediagate...I will try and edit my original post to fix that error :o


As for DRM iTunes does offer non DRM music... ie: iTunes Plus and as well a good portion of my CD music collection that I use in mp3 format has been ripped in lame at the HQ vbr setting.

Actually now that you mention Mediasonic I see my local computer shop has the Mediasonic HM2-U2TV for 70 bucks.

It appears that unit may do what I want as well but again the same questions I posted above apply.

@Rock..

Its ok mate , I know how it is , real life , wife , kids , work etc etc..

ok to answer your ?

1) I don't own a receiver myself , but we have not had any adverse reports on quiality , we have had some saying they were suprised how good it was for a $120.00 media player.

2) and 3) - again, no adverse reports I can remember - but If you want to upload a sample of each to www.rapidshare.com and then pm me the link here , I will gladly test them for you on both the MG35 and MG-450..

Regards

Teddy