I’m looking into a mp3 player with a 30g HD capacity. I’ve looked through all the models and have narrowed my search to the Toshiba Gigabit and the Creative Labs Zen. A plus for the Gigabite is that it’ll accept recorded shows from my Tivo Series II unit, a great layout, able to download photos from my camera. Anyone have real world experience with either of these two units.

Anyone have and ideas comments? Did I post in the wrong area?

Take a look at that Cowon IAUDIO X5. It supports several lossless audio codecs such as FLAC. The audio quality that comes out of it is leaps and bounds better than the IPOD. It also has a 30GB drive and even another model with 60GB if I'm not mistaken. It also supports video and photos though I think the IPOD might have an edge in quality for that aspect. But if it's just audio you're concerned with, you can't go wrong with that player. Mine is wired directly into my Pioneer car audio system. I did a blind A/B test with a few friends and they could not tell the difference, using Sting's All This Time album as the reference material, between the X5 playing FLAC files or the original CD (and neither can I).

Well, I have the Toshiba Gigabeat and it's pretty awesome. Sound quality is top notch and the screen is very detailed. The only lows I would say is that it puts a copy protection on all songs so you can't take songs from the gigabeat and record them. The battery also doesn't last as long as the Creative MP3 players but for me last a good 10-12 hours.

You brought me out of lurk mode.

I have an X5 running on RockBox and LOVE it. But it is more for the techy types :)
I got a Zen for my wife and it is a great product as well! Very simple to use and great sound....given a good IEM.

I would reccomend the ZVM to anyone. It is great for the person that just wants to listen to music and has the quality to make an audiofile happy. Prices are good too.

And thank you for not jumping on the iBandwagon :D

I have to make 4 more post before I can post you some links, sorry....
I will try to PM them to you.