The creative Zen Mp3 player isn't recognized as a hard disk when you plug into a usb slot. You have to use a special file manager to u/l and d/l files.

I understand the iPod is recognized as a hard disk when you plug it into a usb port.

In reading the various reviews, I find it unclear about some of the others.

Anybody know, or have experience with the Dell DJ 20 or any of the iRiver products?

Well, there are some good mp3 player forums out there. So far looks like the Dell DJ is not a good for transferring files. Have to use the Music Match software and some say it isn't that great.

iRiver seems to have a good USB interface and the unit is recognized as a hard drive and apparently can even host a digital camera.

I'm seeing lots of negatives on iPOD.

All preliminary, but I'm going to take a closer look at iRiver

I bought an iRiver 20GB player today. The only way to go. The usb cnnection recognizes it as a hard drive on any pc. (xp, of course) . Works famously. Best purchase I made this year.

I rejoined a gym today that I quit last October thinking I was too old. I'm 67 and found out that life after youth is strickly optional . Just push the button and enjoy the "rest". Multiple choice.

This new iRiver gives me a lot of latitude for u/l mp3 files. I am junking the Creative Nomad 20GB USB2.0 unit I bought last year. Iy is a POS.

The unit is neverthless a 20 gig hard drive. Anyone int he Toronto region wants it, let me know.

iPod is recognized as a HD as soon as you plug it in to USB/Firewire slot. Great for transferring data and playing music.

I bought a Nomad Zen soon after they came out and it promptly broke 2 days later so I returned and exchanged for the iPod. Best decision I ever made. I love the iPod and I will swear by them. They may be expensive...but worth it for all that I have experienced.

Good luck.

I think the iRiver is the way to go. They also have a 40 GB version. One nice thing - "USB on the go" permits a direct camera-iRiver connection. And the inbuilt FM radio makes a nice touch.

I bought the iRiver 20GB version and it is a fantastic unit. Works as advertised. The internal mike dictating capability is very good and much higher quality sound than I expected. The "usb on the go" model still isn't available in Canada and I was hot to trot.

The only operating feature that is clumsy on the 20GB model is the menu system which operatest with a joy stick kinw of button on the face. Takes a bit of getting used to. Looking at the picture of the usb capable model, it looks as if they've added buttons--better idea, I think.

I added a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones to the mix, and, is this evere a fantastic combo for the noisy guy, where I listen to my Italian language course while I do my fitness stuff. :)

My old Zen Nomad 20GB is a piece of crap next to the iRiver and I wish it had broken. You were lucky Sigma!

As an update. I did a lot of voice recording of old people during a family reunion. The iRiver is senssational. Besides that, I use it at the gym every day with a set of Bose noise cancelling headphones, listening to my Italian language course. This thing is great.