CrunchGear

Nothing like insulted your readers - can’t imagine what ugly stick you’ve been hit with. So you don’t know - you’re just going to assume - And who gave you a job? With reviews like this I would hire you either - I guess that’s why you’re writing about mp3 players and not something more interesting -

I own one of these. Hardware design-wise, I consider it one of the best on the market. User-replaceable battery, multiple headphone jacks, universal mini usb plug, price is great and the build quality is decent as well. The model i have does not have blue tooth, but the expandable memory, FM tuner and recorder more than make up for it. I’ve been watching video on the screen and the quality of video is absolutley great. The video encoding software really slims down the video perfect for the screen so there is no noticeable loss in quality when watching it on the player itself. I dont know why there is much negativity over the appearance of this device, I’ve found it looks somewhat like the LG Chocolate, and people love that phone, Also it has a bigger screen than the equivalent iPod and the 16:9 aspect ratio is perfect for on the road movies. I chose this over the Sansa e260 and have not looked back. Also I’ve found sync’ing is easy on this device as media player easily connects and synchronizes files as needed

Great performance and value, no doubt about it

Im not in it for the looks…its whats on the inside that counts. But this is what I like about it…..Especially for you musicans out there read this:

This unit is sturdy, has a replacable battery, MicroSD Card slot and MOST IMPORTANTLY from a new feature point of view a Proaudio analog line input.

So for about $119 for have a 2G Byte 16bit, 44.1KHz or 48KHz analog to digital converter to create WAV files (44.1KHz 16 bit is what CDs use). Like the package says you actually can record at CD quality thru the analog line input.

It will also do 44.1KHz 128KBPS WMA recordings from the analog line input.

So what? People who want to record live music take note. If performing you can have the sound person feed a line input signal into this unit and when your performance is over you will carry home the evening’s performance in actual CD quality uncompressed wav format. Pop it into Cakewalk Sonar or your favorite recording software via the drag and drop of the files and burn a CD at the PC.

Or just record in WMA at 128KBPS to have a reliable recollection of practice sessions etc.

If possible use a preamp to provide a line level signal from your live performance. You want to use the consumer RCA Tape Out connectors on your mixing preamp, not the higher voltage pro-audio line level outputs.

If you do not have a mixer at all and just want a recollection of a band rehersal, then stick a small self powered condenser mic into the line input with no preamp at all. You will never clip, but you music needs to be of the louder variety. Once you move the recorded files into the PC normalize them to get the max unclipped audio level. I did it. It sounds ok if you just want to use it for rehersal practice type of work. In fact it vounds very good, but we all like the signal higher before we normalize for music we plan to sell.

Have your mixer’s preamp only peak out at about -3db or -6db in the loudest passages, not at 0db like with tape. This unit has no internal metering other than what you hear on the headphones (read below). This will avoid clipping the input signal before it goes to the analog to digital converter stages.

This unit has no built in microphone. This unit has no input level metering.

This unit has line input PLUS an extra headphone output so a poor man’s level adjustment meter is to listen to the headphones and make them not too loud when recording and using a preamp. Or use no preamp (you will never clip then) and normalize later.

As a recordist of digital you want the sound to be too soft upon playback inside the unit. Then you go to the PC and use recording software to apply normalization, EQ, compression, reverb, whatever.

Folks I know of no other unit that does this uncompressed CD quality recording with rechargable battery (replaceable too) , headphone monitoring, in this size and for about $120 for the 2Gig model.

And oh yes it will play, videos, pictures and mp3’s, but every unit sold does that well these days. The live recording uncompressed at CD quality is what makes this unique. This recording capability is the best I know of at this size and price point.

Anyone know of a better live digital recorder for the price. Let me know, I would want it.

Wishes - It would be nice if this had at least a basic mono built-in mic and with input level adjust. Then you could get unclipped recollection of practice of songwriting ideas instantly. Also would like metering for line input levels. Then you would have stealth and need to carry less gear. Everyone has a voice recorder, but this unit.

best mp3 in the market

i got one of these from a friend but he didnt give me the cd that gives it videos… does anyone know where i could get the cd? my email is kylethecrocadile@hotmail.com but the i like it overall

I got this mp3 player for christmas and it work so well!!!! I enjoy it so much!!! It hold alot of music and video and pic all together!!!! I think who id looking fora cheap one it the best you looking for…it will safied you!!!!