MP3 player suggestions Options

[Mommy]

Alright, I'm in the market for an mp3 player to buy as a gift for someone. I need some suggestions. I have been out of the mp3 player game for about a year so now Im a little lost. First off, I thought harddrive based mp3 players were better than flash; however, after visiting a few sites, it seems as if they are converting back to flash memory??? I dont know. Im so lost. Also, I dont want to spend over $200. Finally, I absolutely detest iTunes, and since Im the one that is going to be loading the music for a while, I refuse to buy an iPod because I refuse to use iTunes. So, please give me some suggestions on mp3 player brands, whether I should go harddrive or flash, etc. I need to buy the gift Friday so I would like to get some good suggestions going so that I can read consumer reports and product analyses before I buy. Thanks for your help!

[Mommy]

OK as far as size: its the guy that was in the car accident, and he gets bored during the day so it doesn't need to be super small for jogging because thats not really an option for him right now. In like a year it will be, though, so I don't know if I should consider that when buying him one.

I don't know about video compatibility either. I mean, he watches TV a lot at home so I don't think he really needs that.... he just wants the music. It would be kind of neat though to be able to put some movies on there for him. *shrug*

I want excellent battery life and something that doesn't have to be charged using a computer like the iPods do from what I have heard. He doesn't have a computer at his parents' house right now.

Storage size is my big "i don't know." I mean, I would want something with a ton of storage, but does he really need it? I would say he definitely doesn't need more than 20 gigs; however, I also don't want to get him something with only 2 or 4 gigs. I would say 8 gigs at the least.