Portable CD MP3 Player

Samsung YP-D1 (1GB) Review

CNET Asia has posted a review for Samsung YP-D1 (1GB) on their site and give it an ‘Excellent rating, or 8.0 out of 10. They write

The good: Detailed sound; simple video conversion; good video playback time; camera function.

The bad: Occasional color banding in video; average audio playback time.

The bottom line: It’s a great improvement on the YP-T8, fully feature-packed, but there are still some kinks to be worked out.

SanDisk Sansa e270 (6GB) Review

The SanDisk Sansa e200 series includes the e250, e260, and e270. The 2GB, 4GB, and 6GB are a new breed of high capacity flash based MP3 player set to compete in features, as well as price, with the Samsung Z5 and iPod Nano. The Sansa e200 has a few advantages over the two, such as a brilliant 1.8” screen, video playback, expandable memory, and a user replaceable batter.

Today CNET has published a review for SanDisk Sansa e270 (6GB) and gave it an ‘Excellent’ ratting 8.0 out of 10.

The good: The SanDisk Sansa e200 series combines copious features such as subscription compatibility, an FM tuner/recorder, voice recording, and photo and video playback into a compact and durable device. We like the tactile navigation wheel, as well as the well-designed software interface. The user-removable battery and the Micro SD slot are nice touches, and the device has decent sound quality, processor performance, and battery life. Finally, the Sansa e200 is durable and attractive, and it offers a competitive price in a high-stakes world of high-capacity flash players.

The bad: The buttons surrounding the SanDisk Sansa e200’s scrollwheel can be difficult to press; the mechanical scrollwheel can tire out some thumbs; photos and video must go through conversion with bundled software; the expansion slot can be used with music only, not photos or other media or data; and recordings are made only in WAV. The scrollwheel is not as easy to use as the iPod Click Wheel. Low levels of system noise can heard through headphones at low or zero volume.

The bottom line: The SanDisk Sansa e200 series offers a boatload of features for a reasonable price, in a package that is much nicer than that of past SanDisk models. For those looking for a high-capacity, compact, skip-free MP3/WMA player, start with the e200 series.

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters on Wednesday announced a new accessory for the iPod nano which they say is the only accessory specific to that player you’ll ever need. The new DLO nanoTube is priced at $69.99 and available now.

The DLO nanoTube , the company said, has a combined size with the nano which is smaller than a cell phone. Features on this versatile device, which connects to the nano through the dock connector port, include wireless FM transmission of audio over a nearby radio, the ability to receive and play signals from FM radio stations, amplification of the volume through headphones by 25 percent and an integrated protective case which doubles as a desktop stand.

“The nanoTune might be the only accessory an iPod nano owner will ever need,” said Jeff Grady, CEO of DLO, in a statement. “In designing the product, we realized that protecting the nano was critical. Then, with a transmitter, FM radio and headphone amp, we were working with an end-all, be-all nano accessory.”

Apple iPod Hi-Fi Reviews

Not long after iPod Hi-Fi was released a few weeks ago in February, PC Mag posted a reviewed about it. PC Mag editor gave it a rating of ‘Very Good’ with the following comments

What they like about it

Excellent sound quality. Can run on alkaline batteries or AC power. Optical and analog audio inputs.

The cons

Menu button on remote doesn’t activate the iPod’s menu system. No video pass-through. Not available in all black.

And the bottomline

It’s no surprise that the new champ among iPod speakers/docks comes from none other than Apple. It’s versatile and loud enough for almost any listening needs, though it lacks video output.

Read the full review here

Get the latest price for Samsung YP-Z5AS 4 GB Digital Audio Player at Amazon.com

Samsung YP-Z5 (4GB) Reviews

CNET Asia has posted a review for the upcoming Samsung YP-Z5 (4GB). They write ‘It’s a pretty player, though not terribly exciting by any long stretch in terms of features. But given that Samsung makes the same flash memory chips for the nano, it would be very cool if the final retail version could come with an 8GB capacity.’

Click here to watch Samsung YP-z5 videos from CNET.

Get the latest price for Altec Lansing InMotion iM7 at Amazon.com

Altec Lansing inMotion iM7 Portable Audio System for 3G, 4G iPod Photo & iPod Mini Review

CNET editors’ rates Altec Lansing InMotion iM7 as ‘excellent’ and gives it 8.3 out of 10.

The good: Seamless integration with any dock-connecting iPod; eye-catching design; includes remote; charges the iPod while plugged in; works on AC power or batteries; impressive sound with thumping bass; auxiliary line-in port for use with other audio devices.

The bad: No meter display for bass, treble, or volume adjustment; a bit too bulky for ultimate portability; remote can’t navigate through menus on the iPod.

The bottom line: The Altec Lansing iM7 offers good sound quality, flexible listening options, and handy features, making it a solid choice for any iPod owner in the market for a complementary sound system.

Get a latest price for Philips HDD1630 6GB GoGear Digital Music Jukebox at Amazon.com

Philips GoGear Jukebox HDD1630 (6GB) Preview

CNET editors’ rates Philips GoGear Jukebox HDD1630 (6GB) as very good and give 7 out of 10.

The good: The attractively priced Philips GoGear HDD1630 boasts a sharp, full-color display, and it’s loaded with features such as an FM radio and a voice recorder. The included earbuds are surprisingly decent.

The bad: The Philips GoGear HDD1630’s glossy, black surface is highly smudge prone, and the touch-sensitive controls are ultrasensitive. The player’s processor isn’t always up to speed.

The bottom line: The Philips GoGear Jukebox 6GB (HDD1630) will please penny-pinchers and patient power users alike, but if you demand a speedy processor in your MP3 player, look elsewhere.

SanDisk Sansa e270 (6GB) Preview

Memory goliath SanDisk continues its assault on the flash-based MP3 player market with the CES launch of the flagship Sansa e200 series and the budget-class Sansa c100 series. The e200 series represents a departure from previous Sansa players, thanks to a higher-quality form factor and a bushel of cutting-edge features. The SanDisk Sansa e200 comes in 4GB ($250) and 2GB ($200) varieties, as well as the flagship 6GB version, which is notable, as it’s the highest-capacity flash-based player in the world. The players, which are physically much more polished than SanDisk models of the past but come with price tags to match, will be available in March.

Philips Active PSA612 (4GB, blue) Review

CNET editors’ review has given Philips Active PSA612 a good rating of 6 out of 10

The good: The Philips PSA612 packs 4GB into an attractive, fitness-friendly design that features a unique rocking-face control and an antishock option that decreases risk of damage to the hard drive. The simple weatherproof player includes an FM tuner and a talking stopwatch, and it’s compatible with music subscription services. It ships with decent wraparound headphones and a stylish armband.

The bad: The buttons on the Philips PSA612 are too stiff to operate easily, and the back cover must be removed to recharge and transfer music. The device’s antishock feature is limited, and the display can be difficult to read in daylight. The player will lock up if subscription tracks have expired.

The bottom line: The Philips PSA612 is decent as a high-capacity fitness player, but if you can spare some change, the 4GB Apple iPod Nano is a better choice overall.