|
MP3 PLAYER
ROUNDUP
AIWA MM-VX100
Unmistakable
style references to the trendy Apple iMAC are evident in the VX100’s casework
and blue see-through in-line remote control, though ironically the supplied
operating software for this player (and pretty well all other models) only
works with Windows PCs. There are a number of technical similarities between
the VX100 and several others but it is far from being any sort of clone and it has
a unique personality of its own. It is also a little unusual in that it’s only
available on-line from the Aiwa web site but the price does include post and
packing. The 32Mb on-board flash memory can be supplemented by SmartMedia
cards, which fit into a slot on the base, there’s a useful voice recording
facility that stores over two hours of speech on the internal memory, and voice
recordings can be uploaded from the player to the PC using supplied utility software.
The player hooks up to the PC by a parallel cable, there’s no bypass so like
most other players the printer has to be disconnected to use it. The large LCD
is easy to read and includes track and title information but it could do with a
backlight. Control layout is good and the buttons are clearly labelled.
The VX100
Manager program has a three-pane Windows Explorer type interface and uses
normal drag and drop conventions to manage and transfer files to and from the
player. Configuration is reasonably straightforward but the software is
insistent that the PCs printer port is set to ECP mode. RealJukebox is included
on the CD-ROM and this provides web integration via the PCs Internet browser
and features a basic CD ‘ripper’ utility to convert tracks on an audio CD into
MP3 files, albeit only in mid-quality compression mode.
Little knobbly
bits moulded into the hard outer surface of the in-ear phones suggests that
they could be uncomfortable but they actually fit quite snugly, and stay put if
you shake your head. Bass response is a little better than average, treble
tails off a shade early but the mid range is quite lively and the overall sound
is passable, though it’s definitely worth experimenting with some good quality
headphones.
Typical price £129 (available online only)
Media SmartMedia
Memory
(int/sup) 32Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P100
of higher/32Mb/10Mb free/Windows 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software VX100
Manager (MP3 I/O library), RealJukebox (CD ripping), APDCM drivers (audio file
upload)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 1 x AA/15 hours
Size 86 x 63 x 22mm
Weight 83g
Features 4-mode
equaliser, fwd/rev track skip, A-B repeat, repeat 1/repeat all/shuffle,
title/artist display, voice recording (128 mins), carry case
Contact Aiwa (0990) 902902, www.aiwa.co.uk
LG MP MF-PD330
LG have been
brave with the bold and wacky casework, at any rate it makes an interesting
change to the usual boxy offerings. The play, track select and volume controls
are on the player; a duplicate set of controls and transport buttons, volume
thumbwheel plus a tiny track number/mode/status LCD display are on an in-line
remote control unit. It’s quite fiddly to use and the LCD could do with a
backlight as it can be difficult to read in poor light. The PD330 has slots for
two postage-stamp sized Multimedia Memory Cards (MMC) on the side of the unit;
two 16Mb cards are supplied. Getting them in is no problem but extracting them
is another matter, they either get stuck halfway or fly out. MP3 file download
(and upload from player to PC) is via a parallel port cable, there’s no bypass
so you will have to unplug the printer. A soft carry case with a belt clip is
included in the outfit.
The MP3
Explorer software has a familiar Windows Explorer feel to it with a set of
buttons for the main functions. It’s not terribly sophisticated and the program
assumes a basic understanding of PCs and file downloading from the Internet. It’s
dealt with in one abrupt sentence in the instruction manual: ‘Buy and store MP3
files on your PC from the Internet site, CD ROM etc.’, you’ll get no
mollycoddling here…
Thin and tinny
just about sums up the in-ear phones, which is a shame because the sound output
from the player – heard through a decent set of phones or cans – is actually quite good. There’s plenty of
treble and midrange detail, bass is a bit light but with the X-Live bass boost
on it’s liveable. It’s rather basic, the controls are a pain and the price is a
little steep but you have to admit that it’s different…
Typical price £130
Media MMC
Memory
(int/sup) 2 x 16Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3,
GU3
PC min sys P90
or higher/32Mb/7Mb free/Win 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software MP3
Explorer (MP3 I/O, library)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 2 AAA/6 hours
Size 71 x 95 x 19mm
Weight 60g
Features 2
mode DSP, fwd/rev track skip, intro scan, repeat/random, bookmark, carry case
Contact LG Electronics (01753) 500 470, www.lge.co.kr
LG AHA-FD770
This unusual,
not to say unique hybrid combines an MP3 player with a tape deck and an FM
stereo radio, together in one convenient Walkman-sized package, at least that’s
how it looks until you see the chunky bolt-on battery pack, which rather spoils
the effect. A rechargeable battery that fits inside the case is available, but
only as an optional extra. The MP3 spec is pretty much the same as the PD330, it
has slots (inside the lid of the tape compartment) for two MMC cards and it
comes with two 16Mb cards as standard. Once again most of the controls and the
display are consigned to a little remote control module downstream of the
earphone lead. With all of the extra functions and buttons it’s even harder to
use. The tape deck is an auto-reverse design with intro scan, blank skip and
recall functions; the FM radio has 15 station presets. Audio functions include
a ‘3D’ spatial sound effect and X-Live bass boost mode.
The FD770 comes
with MP3 Explorer software and uses the same kind of parallel port interface as
its stablemate. The cable plugs into a socket on the top of the unit, however,
the connector is not protected and the fine contacts looks vulnerable to
contamination from gunge and grime.
The tape deck
sounds quite good though it could do with a more efficient anti-roll mechanism,
it doesn’t take too kindly to knocks and bumps. The tuner is fine though
without an external antenna it needs a fairly good signal. MP3 playback is also
satisfactory, and a definite notch up on the PD330, thanks to the slightly more
responsive in-ear phones. There’s a whisker more bass plus a more energetic
mid-range, which helps create a livelier, more robust sound. The FD770 is an
interesting concept but since there’s no interaction between the
technologies -- you can’t record from tape
or tuner to MP3 for example -- it doesn’t quite gel. It’s hard to see who would
want to pay the thick end of £200 for such an odd-ball combination of
technologies.
Typical price £200
Media MMC,
FM stereo, Compact Cassette
Memory
(int/sup) 2 x 16Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P90
or higher/32Mb/7Mb free/Win 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software MP3
Explorer, (MP3 I/O, library)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 1 x AA/4 hours (optional
rechargeable)
Size 109 x 78 x 24mm
Weight 150gg
Features 2
mode DSP, fwd/rev track skip, intro scan, repeat/random, bookmark, FM tuner
with 15 station memory, auto reverse cassette player with intro scan, recall,
blank skip, sleep timer, carry case
Contact LG Electronics (01753) 500 470, www.lge.co.kr
PHILEX MPRESS 3
Look beyond the
naff cosmetics and the dubious back loop headphones and Mpress3 has the makings
of a useful little player. It has a number of useful and unusual features,
including voice recording, flexible playback options (proper ‘fast forward’ and
‘rewind’ instead of just track skip), a versatile equaliser with bass boost,
the file transfer software is a cut above the norm and it’s one of only a tiny
handful of players to have a line-input facility. The display looks large
enough for track and title text info but it actually only shows numbers and
status indicators. There are a couple of red lights at the sides of the display
that glow when you touch a transport button. We hoped it was some form of
backlight, but it doesn’t work like that and as far as we can see is just a
battery-sapping decoration.
Files are
stored on an internal 32Mb flash memory and SmartMedia cards, which slip into a
slot on the side, a parallel port cable plugs into a socket on the base. The
Mpress3 Manager program is one of the best we’ve seen with easy to use
click-and-go icons, and you can play back MP3 files on the PC using the
integrated player. It can be a little tricky to install – printer port settings
are critical -- and it is prone to the occasional glitch but when it works it’s
a delight.
The headphones
may not be to everyone’s taste -- the box suggests they’re worth £25… Quite honestly
they’re horrible and will not stay in place, but you can easily swap them for
something else. Their only saving grace is that they don’t sound half bad, at
least the bass and mid-range are quite solid but treble notes can be a touch
strident at higher volume levels. It’s fair value for money and features like
line input, voice recording and superior software make it worth considering.
Typical price £150
Media SmartMedia
(3.3v type only)
Memory
(int/sup) 32Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P90
or higher/32Mb/7Mb free/Win 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software Mpress3
File Manager (MP3 I/O, library, player)
Phones back-loop
headphones
Power /life 1 x AA/10 hours
Size 89 x 70 x 18mm
Weight 75g
Features 4-mode
equaliser (inc. user setting), mega bass, fwd/rev & track skip, voice
recording, repeat/replay 1/replay all/ shuffle/repeat shuffle, line input, belt
clip
Contact Philex (03245) 573479, www.mpress3.com
PINE D’MUSIC
SM-320V
This is a
rather smart looking little unit; the discrete black rubber-feel case makes a very
pleasant change from some of the gaudier designs. It fits snugly in the palm
and the round four-way control pad and function buttons are in exactly the
right position. For the price the feature list is covers a lot of ground and
includes voice recording (2 hours 15 minutes on the internal 32Mb flash memory),
A-B repeat, track/title display, a 5-mode equaliser (Flat, Pop, Classic, Jazz,
Ex Bass), fast forward and rewind and it comes with a good selection of software.
Extra memory takes the form of SmartMedia cards, which are loaded through a
slot on the top of the case. Sadly the alphanumerical display on the front is
quite small and unlit but if you get it in a good light it can be most informative.
Pine include a
branded version of the popular MP3 Manger up/download and file organiser
program, the CD ROM also contains a shareware CD ripper (Audio Catalyst) and Jukebox
player (MusicMatch), plus a voice file upload utility and a selection of MP3
tracks to get you started. Software installation is relatively painless and the
player connects to the PC using a basic (i.e. no through port) parallel lead. Files
are moved between the player and PC using standard Windows drag and drop or
icon-clicks.
The in-ear phones
have a limited low frequency response and the player’s mid-range is a little
narrow but with the equaliser set to Ex Bass it produces a passable sound. They
can be quite hard on the ears though and start to irritate after half an hour
or so. There’s a lot to like about the D’Music, including the price, being
small cute and cuddly also helps and the range of facilities and fair to
middling sound means it is definitely worth shortlisting.
Typical price £130
Media SmartMedia
Memory (int) 32Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P90
or higher/32Mb/7Mb free/Win 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software D’Music
MP3 Manager (MP3 I/O, library), Music Match (shareware player), Audio Catalyst
(shareware CD ripper), Voice Driver (voice file upload)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 2 x AAA/10 hours
Size 85 x 63 x 17mm
Weight 68g
Features 5-mode
equaliser, fwd/rev & track skip, A-B repeat/repeat/replay 1/replay all/
shuffle/repeat shuffle, title/artist display, voice recording (128 mins)
Contact Pine (01908) 218243, www.cductive.com
SAEHAN MP MAN,
MP-F30
No prizes for
spotting a certain similarity between this and the Schneider MPMan F20, in fact
under the skin they are virtually identical, however, there are differences in
presentation and cosmetics, and the way they are sold, so we’ll treat them as separate
products. There’s not much to see on the outside, the ‘mode’ and ‘info’ buttons
either side of the miniscule LCD select replay mode (repeat, shuffle etc) and
the 3-stage bass boost. The play/stop and forward and reverse track skip
buttons are on the top, next to the volume up/down buttons, and that’s about it
as far as the controls are concerned, apart from a Hold switch on the side. The
display really is far too small and deeply recessed, it’s very difficult to see
what’s going on and that’s in good light.
The player has
a 32Mb internal flash memory and a slot on the side for a SmartMedia card. PC
to player transfers are handled by parallel data cable, which plugs into a
covered socket on the underside of the machine, the outfit includes a CD-ROM
with a MP3 file management program called MPManager. In addition to downloading
files to the player’s flash memory this enables two-way file transfers, from
memory card to PC and vice-versa.
For once the
earphones deliver a fairly respectable level of bass though the mid-range is
constricted and treble notes have a bit of a struggle making themselves heard
on busy tracks. In the scheme of things it’s not too bad but compared with some
other players there’s a more of a sense that the high level of compression is
missing out a lot of information, especially on material you are be familiar
with. The tiny LCD display and limited functionality do not help but keep it in
mind if you’re on a tight budget.
Typical price £100
Media SmartMedia
Memory
(int/sup) 32Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P100
of higher/32Mb/10Mb free/Windows 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software MP
Man Manager (MP3 I/O, library)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 1 x AA/4 hours
Size 70 x 91 x 18mm
Weight 95g
Features 3-stage
bass, fwd/rev track skip, repeat/replay 1/replay all/ shuffle/repeat shuffle
Contact (01234) 344206, www.mp-man.co.uk
SAMSUNG YEPP
YP-E32
Yepp has to be
one of the cutest looking players on the market, the brushed ally fronted case,
sensibly sized controls and display are nicely understated, it’s one of those
covetable little gadgets that you want to pick up and play with. This model has
32Mb of on-board memory and this can be expanded using SmartMedia cards, which
fit into a slot on top of the unit. The eject lever has a neat little lock, to
stop you popping it out by mistake. The most unusual feature is a voice
recording facility, via a built-in microphone on the front panel; the 32Mb
memory has a 128-minute capacity, the quality is not very good but it’s
perfectly adequate for speech. The LCD includes track and artist information,
along with the usual mode indicators, it’s a good size but it definitely needs
a backlight. The parallel data transfer cable plugs into a socket on the side
of the case; it could do with a cover, as the contacts look a bit exposed. A
USB to parallel port adaptor is available as an optional extra.
The CD-ROM
installation disc includes Yepp Explorer and a trial version of Audio Catalyst,
for converting audio CD tracks to MP3 files. Yepp Explorer has a two pane
window display, for copying files form the PC hard disc to the Yepp’s internal
flash memory or a memory card. It’s all fairly intuitive and easy to use but it
does assume some prior knowledge of MP3 file downloading and management.
The large
display and well thought out controls makes it easy to use, though only in good
light as the LCD contrast is not very good. Audio performance is okay but the
supplied in-ear phones are not very comfortable for prolonged listening and
need to inserted quite firmly to achieve any kind of bass response, treble and
mid-range are handled fairly well, though. A good all-rounder, worth
considering.
Typical price £150
Media SmartMedia
(3.3v, proprietary file format)
Memory
(int/sup) 32Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P90
or higher/32Mb.20Mb free/Win 95/98
PC I/O parallel,
USB adaptor optional
Software Yepp
Explorer (MP3 upload, library) Audio Catalyst (CD Ripper)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 2 AAA/10 hours
Size 87 x 65 x 17mm
Weight 72g
Features 4-mode
equaliser, fwd/rev track skip, repeat/shuffle, title/artist display, voice
recording (128 mins), carry case
Contact 0800 521 652, www.samsungelectronics.co.uk
SAMSUNG YEPP
YP-E64
Whilst the
YP-E64 looks almost identical to the YP-E32, and the two players have a similar
set of MP3 features, there are some very significant differences. It begins
with the price, the E64 costs around £50 more and the most obvious reason for
that is a doubling in size of the on-board memory capacity, from 32 to 64Mb.
Look closely at the case and there are other, more subtle differences. Around
the back there’s a mounting hole for the supplied belt clip, and labelling on
the controls indicates a number of extra functions. These include A-B repeat
during playback and a 3D spatial sound mode, tied in with the 4-mode equaliser
facility. The increase memory size doubles the voice recording time to 256
minutes, and there’s now the option to store up to 350 phonebook entries in the
Yepp’s memory and shown on the LCD screen. A contact book can be created from
scratch on the PC, or imported from existing database files, such as those used
in Internet Explorer or those using the ‘.wab’ file format.
One of the
biggest changes has been to the software package supplied with Yepp; the trial
version of Audio Catalyst has been replaced by a full version of Real Audio’s
RealJukebox. In addition to the program’s more intuitive interface and
integrated web browsing facilities it has an audio CD ‘ripper’ feature that
creates MP3 files from your favourite CD tracks. Te YP-64 can also be used with
Samsung’s optional USB to parallel port adaptor.
Handling and
MP3 performance are unchanged from the YP-E32 – same controls and murky LCD –
and it comes with the same uncomfy in-ear phones, it’s worth budgeting an extra
£10 to £20 on a decent set of in-ear phones or headphones to bring out the best
in this potentially great sounding little unit. The extra £50 is well spent,
making an already competent and well-specified player even better!
Typical price £200
Media SmartMedia
(3.3v, proprietary file format)
Memory (int/sup) 64Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P90
or higher/32Mb.20Mb free/Win 95/98
PC I/O parallel,
USB adaptor optional
Software Yepp
Explorer, RealJukebox, (MP3 upload,
library, CD ripping)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 2 AAA/10 hours
Size 87 x 65 x 17mm
Weight 75g
Features 7-mode
equaliser & 3D spatial effects, fwd/rev track skip, repeat/shuffle,
title/artist display, voice recording (128 mins), phonebook memory (350
entries), detachable belt clip
Contact 0800
521 652, www.samsungelectronics.co.uk
SCHNEIDER MP
MAN F20
It’s okay,
you’re not suffering from deja vu, the F20 is a dead ringer for the Saehan
MP-F30, apart from the all silver livery that is. Once again the most
distinctive, and least appealing feature, is that horribly small LCD display,
which to be honest is worse than useless, unless you have 20:20 vision and are
standing beside a bright light. The characters on the display are tiny and
because the panel is quite deeply recessed, graphics along the sides and edges,
like the battery level meter and bit-rate display can be very difficult to see.
The cover for the SmartMedia card is small and detachable and just asking to
get lost, though the rubber bung for the data transfer socket on the base is a
good idea, that some other manufacturers might want to take note of. However,
it’s not all bad news and the F20 is powered by a single AA cell that slots
into a compartment on the underside, under normal conditions it should last
between 8 and 10 hours.
The supplied
software and in-ear phones are also the same for this unit as the Saehan F30,
though the MPManager has been lightly customised. Otherwise it looks and works
pretty much the same with a 3-pane window, showing the standard Windows
directory tree on the far left and on the right side the screen is split
between the player’s flash memory and a SmartMedia card. MP3 files are copied
across from the PC’s hard disc to the player or card using drag and drop or
copy and paste functions.
Audio quality
is fairly average, the in-ear phones manage a little extra bass but it’s a flat
and uninvolving sound, okay for a bit of background music when you’re on the
move but not really up to serious listening. The price is not very competitive considering
a near identical model is available for significantly less.
Typical price £129 (available online only)
Media SmartMedia
Memory
(int/sup) 32Mb
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3
PC min sys P100
of higher/32Mb/10Mb free/Windows 95/98
PC I/O parallel
Software MP
Man Manager (MP3 I/O, library)
Phones in-ear
Power /life 1 x AA/4 hours
Size 70 x 91 x 18mm
Weight 95g
Features 3-stage
bass, fwd/rev track skip, repeat/replay 1/replay all/ shuffle/repeat shuffle,
bit-rate display
Contact www.bymp3.co.uk
THOMSON LYRA
The Lyra is an
advanced second-generation product loaded with advanced features like 20-track
program play plus an unusually large and informative backlit LCD display that
shows artist/track/album information (downloaded from the net or keyed in
manually) as well as mode and status indicators. The player is housed in a
stylish and reasonably compact curvy-cornered box with a two-tone silver/grey
finish, it is the only model currently supplied with proper headphones. Audio
files in MP3 and Real G2 format are stored on a 64Mb Compactflash card
(supplied) that slots into a compartment on the side. Power comes from a pair
of AA cells (alkaline recommended) that runs the player for up to 20 hours.
Files are
downloaded from the PC to a card writer module using a rather elaborate
parallel lead that draws power from the computer’s keyboard. The supplied
software is Real Audio’s RealJukebox, which can also handle a variety of other
file formats. Web integration is good and it will launch the PC’s browser and
go straight to selected download sites. The program features extensive library
and file management facilities and a built in ‘ripper’ to transfer tracks from
audio CDs to the PCs hard disc. RealJukebox is highly configurable; it supports
four MP3 compression levels and is very easy to use.
The controls
are neatly laid and easy to use; the combined volume/track select button on the
side is a neat idea, making it easy to use when the player is attached to the
user’s belt. Despite looking a bit cheap and cheerful the headphones are quite
comfy and deliver a surprisingly fulsome sound. The preset and manual equaliser
helps but bass notes are a touch lumpy and although treble and midrange
responses are clean and reasonably flat vocals and instruments lack the crisp
precision of native CD. Well specified, versatile, definitely worth
considering.
Typical price £199
Media Compactflash
Memory
(int/sup) 64Mb (supplied)
Memory (max) 64Mb
Formats MP3,
Real G2
PC min sys 166MHz
PII/32Mb/4Mb free Win 95/98/NT
PC I/O parallel
Software RealJukebox
(CD ripper, library, browser integration)
Phones headphones
Power /life 2AA/20 hours
Size 115 x 42 x 21mm
Weight 147g
Features 5-mode
DSP & manual equaliser, display contrast, ff/rev & track skip,
track/artist/album display, auto resume, repeat 1/repeat all/shuffle/20-track
program, belt clip, Sound Pressure Control
Contact Thomson Multimedia, 0800 028 7956 www.Thomson_lyra.com
---end---
Ó R. Maybury 2000, 2502
CREATIVE LABS
NOMAD*
Sarah Watson,
11/02 launch June
Typical price £
Media
Memory
(int/sup) --
Memory (max)
Formats MP3
PC min sys
PC I/O parallel/serial/USB
Software
Phones
Power /life
Size mm
Weight g
Features
Contact
DIAMOND RIO
300*
Typical price £
Media
Memory
(int/sup) --
Memory (max)
Formats MP3
PC min sys
PC I/O parallel/serial/USB
Software
Phones
Power /life
Size mm
Weight g
Features
Contact
DIAMOND RIO
500*
Typical price £
Media
| 
