MARWARE Sidewinder - Hard case - black - iPod with video (5G) 30GB, iPod classic 80GB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this case when I bought my 80 gig iPod, and it has saved my iPod on countless occasions.I have dropped my iPod on many different surfaces, from plush carpet to concrete, and while my case has taken a lot of abuse, my iPod doesn't have a scratch on it!

But when I dropped it on concrete for what was probably the 40th time (I really need to find a better way to carry it when I run!), the case itself started separating at the side seams and needed to be replaced.

There are a few downsides:

1) It doubles the size of the iPod.

2) The flap on the bottom that covers the cable port broke off and couldn't be replaced.This wasn't a really big issue for me, since I use that port several times a day.

3) "The slide-and-hide" arm has come off a few times, but I was able to slide it back in place every time and continue using it with no problems.

And finally,

4) Be careful winding your earphones around the arm, wind too tight and it damages the cord.

All in all this has been the best case I have ever owned, and was well worth every cent (for the first one and the second replacement case).

Click Here to see more reviews about: MARWARE Sidewinder - Hard case - black - iPod with video (5G) 30GB, iPod classic 80GB

Product Description:

Intelligent hard case featuring a slide-and-hide arm that stows away while cords are in use and slides out for cord storage. A retractable kickstand supports the case on a desktop for easy video viewing.

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Samsung YP-Z5QB 2 GB Digital Audio Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a mac user (99% of the time). I've been using iPods since they first came out. Then, I discovered Rhapsody which, unlike other music subscription services, is avaialable also for the Mac users as streaming-only music. I decided to upgrade my service to, "To-Go" so that I could take my music with me. I used to buy tons of music from the iTunes store and thought getting this "To-Go" service would save me some money. I wish this feature was available to Mac users but it's available only to PC users (though I haven't tried it on Virtual PC on a Mac). Now, I have 2 desktops running under my desk. You MUST have high speed USB2, Windows XP and Windows Media Player 10 to operate the Z5.

I did some research and went shopping for a device that I could use to download and listen to subscription-based music. I found that most of the new PC-based portable music devices that are coming out have "Plays for Sure" logo on them- that,they should be recognized by subscription based services like Rhapsody (as well as Napster, and Yahoo). When I got to the store, there were quite a few more new portable players that I haven't read up on. I guess as an iPod user, I was drawn to this Samsung player for its looks and slim size. I decided to give it a shot.

YP-Z5 vs Nano:

Packaging: Strikinlgy similar to the iPod Nano in design, size, and varnish finish. (tied)
Earphones: Give Samsung earbuds a shot, I think they perform really well (even better than my 50 dollars Sony EX81 ear buds.)YP-Z5 wins here.
Display: Nice and bright display. Larger screen than Nano but slighlty inferior resolution (more pixalated type face/font display but larger font size and not-as detailed album art). I prefer the Nano.
Navigation: Once you get used to the sensitive "touch pad" navigation becomes easier. iPod touch (jog) wheel is still better. Sansung shares a very similar menu as the iPod. What I find nice on the Z5 is that it displays a small album cover on the side of the screen when you scroll through albums.
Sound quality: Playing MP3 files @ 192kbps, output sound quality is almost identical. But, using Z5's equilizer (3D sound) adds a slight improvement over the iPod sound quality. HOWEVER, iTunes Apple Lossless quality (and music bought from iTunes store) sounds noticeably better than "to-go" non-purchased WMA-DRM10 files. I have yet to purchase any music from Rhapsody so my comparison is a bit unfair.
Overall: I think it'd be hard to find PC-only-based, "Plays-for Sure" flash music player better than the Z5. Getting a play-for-sure device with a subscription service is the way to go if you love listening and are constantly exploring (and buying) different music. I hate to admit this-but, if Apple iTunes music store becomes subscription based, I'll be back on the iPod, no doubt. I would love to hate the iPod (for gross advertisement campaigns, annoying little white earbuds that don't even sound good, and all the over-priced accessories made for iPods), but, I can't deny that I haven't found anything better.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung YP-Z5QB 2 GB Digital Audio Player (Black)

Product Description:
The 2 GB flash memory Samsung YP-Z5 digital audio player is a great choice for carrying your music collection with you wherever you go. But it also works seamlessly with PlaysForSure online music stores and subscription services such as MTV's Urge, Napster, Rhapsody, and Yahoo,

The YP-Z5 supports online music stores such as Urge, Napster, Rhapsody, and Yahoo. allowing you portable access to tens of thousands of songs downloaded from these services. It features compatibility with MP3, OGG Vorbis, WMA, and WMA-DRM10 (digital rights protected), JPEG image viewer, a long lasting rechargeable battery for up to 35 hours, and a 1.8-inch color screen.
Weighing in at just 2 ounces, this ultra-thin, elegantly crafted player has a durable aluminum body that prevents scratches and smudges and offers large tactile buttons and a multi-directional touchpad. It also features an intuitive and visually delightful GUI (graphical user interface) designed by former Apple iPod software designer Paul Mercer.
The brightly colorful 1.8-inch LCD displays album art, and you can also show off photo slideshows from transferred JPEGs (while music plays) and even customize the screen's wallpaper with your favorite picture. It features eight EQ presets and Samsung's proprietary DNSe portable 3D sound technology (with three 3D settings plus a user customizable setting). You can choose to shuffle all tracks or only within a certain artist, album, genre, composer, or playlist. Other features include browsing by database (artist, album, genre, title) and timer settings for the display's backlight and sleep mode. It connects to PCs via a USB 2.0 connection (cable included) and it's compatible with Windows XP SP1/SP2 systems with Windows Media Player 10 software.
The Samsung YP-Z5 uses PlaysForSure technology. Look for the PlaysForSure logo if you're shopping for a portable music or video device and you want to make sure the digital music and video you purchase will play back on it every time. Match the PlaysForSure logo on a large selection of leading devices and online music stores. If you see the logo, you'll know your digital music will play for sure. Choose from a large number of digital music and video stores, including MTV's Urge, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and many more.

What's in the Box
2 GB Samsung YP-Z5 flash memory digital audio player, earphones, USB cable, installation CD-ROM, and printed operating instructions.

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RCA Lyra RD2765 5 GB Digital Jukebox with Color LCD Screen Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This player is very attractive to look at and the controls are better than some other players. The battery life doesn't come anywhere close to what is advertised. I have found some flaws which I'll discuss below.

1. The player requires Windows Media Player 10 in order to be recognized by Windows. If you get a message that the unit is malfunctioning, just hold down the center button continuously while plugging it in the USB port and it will reboot.

2. I am using WMA files at 64kbps. I know that these files are fine because they work perfectly in other devices. In this Lyra there is a tendency to skip a few times each song. No lockup, just skipping. After backing up the default folders and clearing the songs I did a format as this usually fixes the problem. After reloading the songs I found the problem still there. Not good.

3. The unit gets VERY hot if you are downloading for a long time. I wonder if this has contributed to the meager battery life. I am fortunate to get 3 hours between charges.

4. Do NOT let the player profile songs by itself after a hotsync. You will wind up with album titles but the song selection will say "track 1", "track 2" etc. The right way to profile after downloading is by doing it on the computer. In the taskbar there is a LYRA icon. Right click and select profile songs. Everything comes out perfectly and it takes seconds instead of minutes the other way.

5. If you are in the middle of an album and have to turn the player off don't expect to be returned to where you left off. Every time you turn it off you go back to square one and have to start all over again. I think that this is the most annoying trait of the Lyra. Very, very annoying.

6. The included case is well above average but the power button couldn't be in a worse place. You have to hit it when taking the player out of the case and it sometimes engages while in your pocket. Also, when you activate the hold function to lock all the buttons, it doesn't really lock the power button. Here's why. You get a message to unlock the player on the color screen. And it stays on until you unlock. I took the player out with a full charge and on hold. It was in my shirt pocket. I unwittingly must have pressed against the power button. It is so easy to do. Well, a few hours later I went to use the thing and noticed the unlock message. It must have been on for some time because after unlocking it the thing died. Dead battery. I recharged the battery and then duplicated the situation. Sure enough the message stayed on; the screen stayed lit and the battery died after only an hour. This is unacceptable. Overall, I would have liked to give this Lyra 2765 a higher score. It is the right size and the controls are very user friendly. However, it seems that on the whole this player was not well thought out. There are other players out there for the same money that do a much better job. It made me wonder when I first opened the quick start guide that the first thing you read is a notice that if you are having trouble with WMP 10 go to a certain website for a fix. Apparently RCA doesn't have much confidence in their product either. I hope this review helps anyone thinking about buying the Lyra 2765.

Click Here to see more reviews about: RCA Lyra RD2765 5 GB Digital Jukebox with Color LCD Screen

Product Description:
RCA LYRAJukebox 5GB Hard Disc Drive - Color LCD Screen with Icons, JPEG / Cover Art Viewer and LYRA DJ - automatic smart playlist!

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Philips 2GB GoGear Flash audio video player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I picked up this item at a low discount from a mass merchandiser the day after Thanksgiving.It was designed as something for me to use at the office or the gym-simple, easy, etc.Its fine in a lot of ways - sound quality is fine, it holds plenty, etc., but it is also very, very CHEAP in a lot of ways too!

When pressing the buttons, they will randomly access a different function, such as when I press the "return" button, it may pause the song, etc.Also, the *most* frustrating thing for me, is that when on random or shuffle play, it inevitably returns to a particular sequence of songs!Not a playlist, just a sequence of songs it has decided upon and will be the same every time I use the player until I change out songs on it.It will play other music randomly for awhile, but then it inevitably returns to that sequence.Likewise, every single time I turn it on and it starts out on the last song I stopped it during, the next song is the same as every other time and then it plays a sequence of songs!

Essentially, this is an okay item for maybe a kid (although I cant imagine it would hold up to ANY wear and tear), or it may be useful for people who regularly use pre-set playlists.But for those of us who like 'shuffle', its very frustrating!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Philips 2GB GoGear Flash audio video player

Product Description:
Enjoy your videos on the move With music and photo playback Enjoy total multimedia entertainment with the Philips GoGear digital audio/ video player SA3020. Easily navigate through music, movie and photo files on the 1.5" color screen. Simply drag n' drop your music or data via the USB connection.

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Archos 704 80 GB WiFi Portable Digital Media Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I like this player a lot.3 minutes out of the box I was connected the home WiFi. 2 minutes later it found my Infrant ReadyNAS (ReadyNAS NV+, 1.0TB (4 x 250GB pre-installed Seagate Barracuda ES SATA HDD), X-RAID, 256MB memory, Silver, SFF desktop NAS) and was streaming MP3s and video to the player flawlessly.
Size:
It's thick and heavy. It has a similar footprint to a Sony ebook reader, but much deeper and heavier.It's just about as wide and tall as a DVD case, but again, much deeper (almost 3/4 of an inch deep).
Formats:
I do not have any media formats that this won't play. I did purchase the optional .VOB codec from the Archos site.It plays my WMV (including DRM stuff), Divx, AVI, MP3(all kinds).
Accessories:
It comes with a nice woven nylon case and a 120V power adapter.It has headphones (with inline volume) and USB in and USB out.
Connections:
It has audio out (headphones), power, USB (mini in, mini out, two Archos plugs for docking and that's it. Everything else needs a dock to work.
Screen:
The touch screen is vibrant and very bright.I have big fingers so I do better with a stylus for controls.The high resolution is amazing.
Sound:
The speakers are "OK" but headphones could be louder.I took this on a plane yesterday and the included headphones were not loud enough to hear over the engine noise.I had to use my Sure E5c headphones to hear anything on videos and MP3s (Shure E5c Sound Isolating Earphones).
Internet:
It comes with Opera and surfing was fine.A great device for webmail or shopping (it comes with am eMusic 50 free MP3s certificate).I will take this (instead of a laptop) on my next vacation.
Sync:
The platey can snyc (USB) as a Windows Media Device or a USD hard drive.I love that option (it asks you each sync).
Issues:
1.I would have liked a place to "plunge" the stylus in the device for storage (the case has a tiny pocket).
2.I would have liked Svideo out without buying a dock.
3.Audio out should be louder.
Wishes:
1.I would love to see this use a bluetooth phone as a DUN to the hit the net.
2.I would love to have and SD Card reader on board to help move media on the road.
Other Issues:
1.Be careful with Unbox video.The resolution of this player far exceeds most mobile players.One of my goals was to start buying Unbox videos instead of ripping my DVDs all the time.Problem: the "mobile" size of Unbox video looks very poor on the screen (please try an inexpensive one for yourself)due to low resolution.And Unbox does not allow you to sync (no snyc rights) the larger video that you download.So I have a video that I "bought" that I cannot use on this device because the low version looks so bad, and the high-res version has DRM restrictions that won't let it play on the 704 Wifi.Not terrible, but it will keep 704 owners from renting or buying from Unbox for sure.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos 704 80 GB WiFi Portable Digital Media Player

Product Description:
More than just a Portable Media Player (PMP) with a bright 7-inch screen and the ability to store all your favorite movies, tunes and photos, the groundbreaking Archos 704 is also outfitted with Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11g). Through your home wireless network, you'll be able to browse through your multimedia library stored on any computer on the network. You'll also be able to connect to online video stores to download content directly and wirelessly to the 704 WiFi. It features an 80 GB hard drive (providing capacity for about 70 DVD-quality movies), a 7-inch bright LCD touchscreen, and integrated speakers. Additionally, when paired with the optional Archos DVR Station docking station, you can easily connect the 704 WiFi to your TV to watch movies and photo slideshows on a larger screen as well as turn the 704 into a digital video recorder (DVR) to take your favorite programs with you wherever you roam. It measures 7 x 5 by 0.75 inches and weighs just 22 ounces.


Amazingly compact at 7 by 5 inches, the Archos 704 WiFi is also easy on the pocket with a weight of just 22 ounces. Wide Touch screen
The Archos 704 WiFi features a wide, high resolution (800 x 480) 7-inch color touch screen that allows you to navigate through menus easily with a stylus or even a fingertip. The size of screen enables a great visual comfort.
WiFi
The integrated 802.11g wireless interface is perfect for those who want to access their media wherever they go, including surfing the Web, sending and receiving email from Web-based mail applications, and connecting the device to a home network to transfer files or play content directly from the network.

With 704 WiFi, you can set it in your living room, hook it up to your home entertainment system with the optional DVR Station, and wirelessly stream movies and music stored on your PC.
Video player
The Archos 704 WiFi is the perfect companion for people on the move: its 40/80 GB hard drive capacity allows you to store up to 50/100 movies encoded with a PC. Play them on the built-in 7-inch LCD color screen or playback on TV in high resolution up to 720 x 576 (DVD quality) with the DVR station. Play a large variety of video files, including MPEG-4, WMV and protected WMV and read MPEG-4 AAC/H.264 (.MP4 QuickTime files), MPEG-2, and VOB with optional software plug-ins (available on this website). The Archos 704 WiFi also offers many more functionalities such as slow motion, adjustable screen size, video editing and even a video bookmarking function.
Record TV or external video sources
Transform your Archos 704 WiFi into a Digital Video Recorder with the optional DVR station. Record TV or most video sources such as satellite/cable box, VCR, DVD player or camcorder in MPEG-4 format. Set up the DVR station by connecting it to the external video source; simply slot in your ARCHOS and record instantaneously or make scheduled recordings with the included infrared receiver that controls the external video sources.
Turn your ARCHOS into a camcorder
ARCHOS allows you to transform your device into a camcorder by connecting most digital cameras to your Archos 704 WiFi, or by connecting the optional high resolution helmet camcorder. The Archos 704 WiFi records video directly on its 40 GB hard drive in MPEG-4 format, up to VGA resolution (640 x 480).


The Photo Wall shows thumbnails of all your stored photos. Photo wallet
Transfer your photos directly from a digital camera with the USB 2.0 Host interface. Store and view up to 800,000 photos (JPEG, PNG and BMP formats) and display slideshows with music and transition effect. Manage your files and folders directly on the device for a better mobility. Enjoy the large size of the screen and the cool sleek design of the product to display the Archos 704 WiFi in your living room and use as digital photo frame.
Music Player
Store up to 40,000 songs on the hard drive and play most popular music files such as MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA files. Easily organize songs with the enhanced ARCLibrary and customize your view by artist, album, type of music, title, year, and create your playlists without having to use a computer. Use the voice recorder to store notes quickly for a later use.
Charge and sync
Charge your Archos 704 WiFi with the included power adapter. Purchase, download, subscribe to or rent protected video and music content from online stores on your PC, and, using the high-speed USB 2.0 interface, the Archos 704 WiFi will easily auto-synchronize this content with Windows Media Player 11 each time you connect it to your PC, or convert your Windows Media Player 11 library content to one of the many compatible formats (MP3, WMA, WAV, protected WMA, MPEG-4, WMV and protected Windows Media Video).
What's in the Box
Archos 704 WiFi, headphones, USB 2.0 cable, USB 2.0 host adapter, DVR Station saddle, 2 styli, remote control, power adapter/charger, protective pouch, QSG, legal and safety notice

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Digital Blue DS18800 Disney Mix Micro Blue MP3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this for my son so he could have his own "MP3" type player, but I was really diappointed. You have to buy expensive mix chips and the music is hardly kid friendly. If I had it to do over again, I wouldnt purchase this for anyone! It is a waste of money, if you care what your kids listen to.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Digital Blue DS18800 Disney Mix Micro Blue MP3

Product Description:
The little brother of Disney's Mix Stick, the Mix Micro audio player is the most fun way for kids in the know to listen to their favorite digital music. It plays any MP3 or WMA audio files downloaded from the internet, or Disney Mix Clips, complete albums of music on a tiny memory card. With fun designs, cool colors and Disney flair, the Mix Micro will have Disney fans jamming out in style.Disney Mix Micro Audio Player * Blue chrome design * Comes with bonus Disney Mix Clip SD card * SD card slot supports up to 2 GB of memory * Supports all Disney Mix Clip titles * Plays for up to 8 hours on one "AAA" battery * Plays WMA and MP3 audio formats * Measures 2.5" x 1.5"

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Creative MuVo V100 - Digital player - flash 2 GB - WMA, MP3 - black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had a larger Archos gmini 400 MP3 player before this, but got tired of recharging it so frequently, especially as the battery life started shortening. I mainly use it with a Mac running OS 10.5, my collection of 192kbps VBR MP3 files, and JV HA-FX33 "marshmallow" in-ear buds.

Pros
-Good battery life, making it perfect for long trips. Even the Plain Jane AAA that came with it lasted quite awhile.
-It's a USB mass storage device, so it's cross-platform and doesn't require drivers! I just plug it into my Mac, then copy files over in my file manager.
-It is USB-powered when it is plugged in, unlike my Archos. Definitely convenient there, especially if you plan on using it with a car stereo that supports USB devices.
-Custom equalizer that can be toggled on or off, plus a separate bass-boosting control for music that's on the thin side.
-I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality seems to be decent. No unnecessarily huge gaps between tracks, and no distortion that I've heard.

50/50
-No-frills, grayscale interface with (optional) backlighting. I don't care about having a flashy color display for something so simple, but other people might.
-The toggle switch is easy to work, but I wish it was softer on your thumb!
-It's a comfortable size to hold in your hand (IMO, of course), but if you're looking for something ultra-thin this is not it.

Cons
-Included documentation is useless. Instead of giving you a printed manual or a PDF, they include it in some strange (video?) format that I haven't been able to open.
-You can't have more than 3 "Library" folders + the root level of the drive. You can, however, set it to repeat the current subfolder, and use the file browser in the menu to switch folders.
-The play option icons aren't as intuitive to figure out as some of the other features. I had to go online to Creative's website to confirm which one was the "album" play mode.
-Slow USB transfer speed. My Archos MP3 player was a true "Hi-Speed" USB 2.0 device and definitely transferred files at a faster rate.
-It's a bit slow to start up when you have it fully loaded.
-The battery cover sometimes comes off. Most of the time, though, it happens when I'm trying to pull the main player out of the battery pack so I can plug it in to my computer.
-It doesn't let you see what track is coming up next (which the Archos does).
-I wish it came in larger capacities. Unfortunately, at this point a lot of manufacturers are moving away from AAA batteries in low-capacity players in the quest for ultra-thinness, so I'm not sure if Creative will ever make one in 4GB or 8GB (for example).

This is definitely not for people who want to carry their entire collection with them, but it makes a nice replacement for the old DiscMan + stuffed CD wallet combo. If you're shopping around at smaller vendors, I wouldn't recommend paying much more than $50 for this (I've seen some people asking for $70!).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative MuVo V100 - Digital player - flash 2 GB - WMA, MP3 - black

Product Description:
The Creative MuVo V100 is the portable audio player for people who appreciate simplicity as well as performance. Its compact, two-piece design delivers MP3 and WMA with Lyrics support - great for joining in the music! Its player module can store up to 500 songs and a single standard AAA battery can provide up to 18 hours continuous playtime. The MuVo V100 connects to the PC via USB and supports 'drag and drop' selection of data or music. Its built-in microphone is great for voice recording.

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