SanDisk Sansa View 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought my Sansa View 16GB two weeks ago and I am mostly satisfied.After downloading the latest firmware (.06A) I found most of the initial quirks have been addressed.
First, you will notice the construction which is very solid and, despite those who think the Sansa View is ugly, I find it elegant.The size is very appropriate, fitting easily in the palm, without feeling huge and not so small you will fumble and drop it (i.e.Zen V!)
Other reviewers have complained about the menu icons......This is really foolish since I did not purchase the View for it's "flashy" icons.Look it...the icons are obvious and glide smoothly along the screen in conjunction with the rotation of the data wheel.
The video functionality is very good.I use a Neuros MPEG Recorder II and it works flawlessly.I have had a bit of trouble with syncing videos with WMP 10, but I would sooner blame Microsoft not the Sansa View.
The downloaded Sansa Media Converter utility is not the best software, taking a long time to transcode files and lacking a lot of file support but I have many applications for this so it's not a problem.
Music files transfer easily with WMP with fast transfer speeds. (USB 2)
It's important, however, to make sure that "one off" downloaded songs and such are properly tagged, otherwise they will end up difficult to find.
The sound quality of the Sansa View is exceptional with no clicking, pops, or distortion.Volume levels are easily able to get above noisy environments, even without isolation type ear buds.The equalizer functions very well and your settings are held in memory.
Building playlists can be done with WMP or simply on the View.Browse your tunes and just press and hold the center function button and the song gets added to the playlist.Unfortunately, only one list can be assembled on the unit, although multiple lists can be imported with WMP.
You can also drag and drop audio and jpeg files right into the Sansa View Explorer pane.Non jpeg photos can be quickly transcoded with the Sansa Media Converter.
The Cons:Presently, there is no audio bookmarking function for long podcast files or audiobooks.(Bookmarking is available for videos)
Some video files within the advertised specs will not play.
Uses a proprietary usb cable
Virtually no cases available as of yet except one DLO case (which I bought) that is "hodge-podgy" and obscures the beauty of the Sansa View.
Although battery life is quite good, it is not as good as advertised.
The battery is not accessible and would require a factory replacement.

Other than these few cons, the Sansa View is a truly exceptional player.I am banking on future Firmware upgrades that allow Audio Bookmarking and better Video File Support, as well as address a few other quirks and stability issues.The hardware is excellent and obviously capable.
Considering prices for the 16GB around $200. (the price of the 8GB Nano) you really cannot go wrong with this device.....and, yes it does support non-DRM AAC files from your present itunes collection.
I'd say....."Buy it!"

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Product Description:

Sansa® View MP3 Player
Expand your MP3 experience with the Sansa® View player-a sleek yet simple MP3 player with our most advanced photo and video capabilities, so you can take your favorite memories, movies and shows with you wherever you go.

Plus, you can add another memory card whenever you like-and just keep growing your entertainment library.

Listen
Keep thousands of songs or hours of audiobook listening at the ready wherever you go. Or tune into FM radio for news and fresh music anytime.

Watch
View your favorite flix, pics and album art on the "big screen in your pocket" featuring a bright and brilliant 320 x 240 2.4-inch full-color screen-and enjoy picture-perfect clarity on JPEG photo files up to 16 megapixels.

Record
With the built-in microphone, you can record memos, lectures or all those unexpected, mic-worthy moments throughout your day. When you're ready, transfer the files to your PC via a USB cable for listening and sharing.

Store
Store up to 12 hours of video***, 1,000 songs** and 2,000 JPEG photos† on your 8GB* card-and load up quickly thanks to USB 2.0 connection. Just drag and drop files from your Windows Media Player 10 or 11 applications.

Grow
While the Sansa® View player comes with built-in memory, you can also continuously swap out memory cards-to hold your whole universe of entertainment.

Get together
The Sansa® View player supports MPEG4, WMV, and H.264 video files and audio files saved in MP3, secure and unsecured WMA, non-DRM ACC, and WAV file formats††.

Power up
Powered by the long-lasting, rechargeable Li-Poly battery, the Sansa® View player can support up to 35 hours of audio playback or up to seven hours of video playback with a single charge†††.

So what's in the box?
Sansa® View player, 30-pin to USB 2.0 cable, CD with user and quick start guides.

* 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes. Some capacity not available for data storage.
** Approximation based on 4-minute songs at 128kbps.
*** Approximation based on 512kbps video stream.
† Based on 2MB average file size.
†† Videos (MPEG-4, WMV, H.264, DivX and other video file formats supported through Sansa® Media Converter software available from SanDisk.com), music (MP3, WMA, secure WMA and Audible audio file formats), photos (JPEG). For additional specifications, please go to sansa.com for more information.
††† Based on continuous audio playback at 128kbps MP3; video playback at 512kbps/MPEG4; battery life and performance may vary depending upon usage and settings; battery not replaceable.

Choose Sansa®, a smarter way to play
Sansa® products are brought to you by SanDisk, the minds behind flash memory. Around the world, wherever people take pictures, listen to music, use cell phones-or do much of anything at all with digital devices-you'll probably find SanDisk products. Maybe that's why, after more than 20 years in the business, SanDisk has never stopped innovating.

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