Panasonic SV-MP020 Digital Audio Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Introduction:
As a consumer, it is important to know the fine prints and features of a product you are purchasing. I will briefly state two things about Ipods. When you buy an ipod, you will be stuck to itunes store because they don't support WMA format which is used by every other music vendors. Most importantly you will NOT be able to transfer back your music collection from your Ipod-player-to-PC should anything happen to your PC.

Then of course the price of ipods, absurd proprietary control over Apple product/software, less features, fragile build quality are some of the things why I myself avoid Apple products and recommend everyone to do so. I will now focus on MP020 and compare it to Apple ipod shuffle since they fit the same category. I am avoiding comparing MP020 to hard-drive players. The Panasonic MP020:

Memory: I like flash based players. All of my digital music players are flash based. Flash memory is more expensive than hard-drive disk space. The problem with hard drive players is they are very fragile. I would rather take something rigorous, less space. Both MP020 and "shuffle" use flash memory.

Shape+Size: Think of two cubes that are about an inch long joined together. Voila, you have MP020. Alternatively think of a fancy compartment for your AA battery. The figures are: L-2.25 inch, W-about an inch, H-about an inch. This shape is very good because it fits easily and comfortably in your palm. Ultra thin players using rechargeable batteries (NOT good, read on) "rests" (or lays) in your palm, they can't be "hold" or "grabbed".Ipod "shuffle" is much longer, thinner because of the built-in battery (NOT good, read on.)

Build Quality: Over 95% of digital audio players are made of plastic. So is MP020. However it does not have the "cheap" feel like many others. You can hold it and actually feel it. The ipod "shuffle" is made of cheap plasic, and it feels cheap as well.

The look : MP020 looks very stylish with curvy design, padded buttons instead of physical buttons making it flat. It also comes in two colors - blue and white.

Weight: It is the perfect companion for people always on the run, whether you are chasing pretty girls on the street, or exercising. It is extremely transportable due to its weight. Most of the weight will actually come from the AA battery. "shuffle" is also light.

Battery: MP020 uses AA battery whereas "shuffle" has built-in rechargeable battery. As you know they die out after certain times of charging-recharging process. That's why I like cheap, something diseposeable. AA batteries are just that. They are found anywhere there is civilization. I don't need to have a computer to recharge Apple "shuffle". Then the battery life is also of no comparison. Even after several years now, all the ipod battery lives are below standard. All other manufacturers have gained/increased battery lives on their prodcuts while Apple remained unchanged. Now the actual numbers. MP020 lasts about 80 hours in one single AA battery. Let me repeat, EIGHTY HOURS on a single AA battery! Compare that to "shuffles" 8/9 hours life. And not to mention, after several months of use, it won't even last that long.

Control : I'm a total control freak. So I like to be in control. I don't want my gadget to control me. The MP020 has a padded side where all the control buttons lie. You don't have to take it out from your pocket to control it. YOu can play, stop, go forward, go backward, change volume with your eyes closed. This is generally not true for hard-drive players. Majority of them will require you to look at them when controlling. Ipod "shuffle" is the only apple player that is controllable without looking at it.

Features: This is where "shuffle" is of no comparison. It lacks a display, avanced control and much more.

On a relevant note, lets elaborate the idea of "shuffle". As you know its a randomized list. This feature existed long before any mp3 players evolved, long before Apple ipods were born. It shocks me to see people think Ipods are the only players that shuffles music! This is a common feature in every mp3 player that don't need highlighting. You know nobody paid attention to this feature until Apple produced their "shuffle" line of ipods. Its quite amusing and irritating at the same time when everyone goes "oooohhh how cool ofipods to shuffle" or when Apple embeds YEARS OLD technonlogies in their products.

The MP020 of course shuffles music. It offers normal (goes in alphabetical order), repeat-1, repeat-all, and obviously shuffle mode to play your songs. Apple "shuffle" has one mode only. And it should be noted, if the shuffle algorithm is not mathematically random enough, you will end up listening to same songs more often than a random song.

Here's a list of features Apple ipod "shuffle" lacks but built-in to MP020:
- Display : Bright orange with black texts. You can adjust the contrast, backlight. The display shows equaliser mode, Surround mode, remaster mode, battery life, track number, track lenght and it scrolls the ID3 tag every few minutes.
- Sound Control : MP020 has very advanced sound control settings. You can adjust bass, preset equalisers, or make your own, SURROUND mode, and something called "remastered".
- Play mode : I like when I'm given choice instead of relying on the mercy of the gadget. MP020 lets me choose what mode I want to play unlike the Apple "shuffle".

- Transferability : As mentioned earlier, MP020 will let you transfer MP020-to-PC or PC-to-MP020. Apple products don't allow doing that unless you circumvent their security measures. This is done so that Apple has more control over what you do. Imagine you not being able to transfer back your music collection from your mp3 player to your PC. What happens when your PC crashes? What happpens when you buy a new PC?

- Music Formats : I do prefer MP3 format over WMA format but I will not buy any player that does not support WMA. Why? Because WMA is the format all other music vendors use except Apple. This translates, either you pirate (illegal download) or buy music from Itunes store and itunes only bcause your ipods won't play WMA format. MP020 supports MP3 and WMA.

Another relevant note. When Apple bundles softwares to Mac OS, its not a problem at all. When Apple practically forces you to buy music for your ipods from them, hardwares from Apple its still not a problem. However its irksome when everyone starts scratching their rears when Microsoft only bundles softwares with Windows OS. Its not like Microsoft are preventing people from using alternatives or forcing to buy from Microsoft only. So I think Apple should be sued first instead of Microsoft.

To sum it up, avoid proprietary products. Always go with generic, easily available, disposeable products. I refuse to be controlled by Apple, I refuse to be an ipod-zombie like others. Its just beyond my comprehension why people like being ripped off by Apple again and again when there are much bettter products available for cheap.

Buy MP020. Its a great product. With my boring and detailed review, hopefully you will now know why people should avoid Apple.

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Product Description:
pan 2gb mp-3*white*80hr ply bk on 1-aa batt*2 line screen*plys for shure* (eta 04-20-06) Panasonic's SV-MP020 Digital Audio Player was designed for the music lover on the go. It's got 2GB of memory, for storing thousands of your favorite songs in something the size of a tube of lipstick. Its 2-line LCD offers an easy-to-read screen, and it has high quality D-Sound and Re-Master for your WMA and MP3 music. Full PlaysForSure support lets you download new tunes off the popular music store. You even get incredible playback time: Over 80 hours total, from a single AA battery. The Panasonic SV-MP020 comes with a headphone, CD-ROM (USB driver), USB cable and is available in white or blue.