Positives:
[+] Much space at a low price
[+] Power supply by AAA / AAA batteries (or if need be appropriate batteries) - when "empty" changed in ten seconds when worn by sufficient charging cycles guaranteed even newer replacement available
[+] USB connector type A, thus usually not necessary cables to connect
[+] USB mass storage device, that is, no special software is required for filling
[+] "Hold" function (disabling the other controls) via slide switch
[+] "Resume" function (unit starts paused with an incorrect time stamp, but after pressing the Play button to continue playing it in the right place and the time display will also corrected)
[+] Device works based directory (no lengthy database update at startup)
[+] 32-step volume control of fairly quiet until much too loud (at least to my ears / headphones)
[+] Also playing MPEG-1 Layer 2 directly from (filename extension .mp2, eg DVB radio recordings)
Negatives:
[-] Very slow memory (H2testw v1.4: write rate: 1.69 MB / s, read rate: 8.33 MB / s)
[-] Somewhat unfavorable position of the headphone output (on the long side of the device, next to the Hold switch)
[-] Joystick is also without Wurstfinger only with fingertip / -Nail precisely controllable
[-] Strange font in the main line of the display (filename or alternately Title / Artist / Album in existing ID3 tag): Non-proportional, high / narrow letters with serifs (somewhat reminiscent contained in Ming computer fonts such as MS Mincho dt /. lat. alphabets), just does a pretty uneven typeface
[-] Some settings are at removing the battery lost (eg language, Equalizer, play mode, Resume Position [only time, that you end up back at the beginning of the last played file])
[-] Playback mode and EQ are set in the configuration menu would be to achieve more rapidly in the main menu
[-] No firmware / rescue system enclosed or downloadable - after I already could revive some asphyctic MP3 players by re-uploading the firmware in the circle of friends, I have to hope that this will not be eventually necessary in this device
So far everything no real leg fractures when taking into account the competitive price, but unfortunately there are also a few points that bother me properly and thus nibble on the vote:
[-] Files and folders to playback mode not in alphanumeric order in "normal", but in the order in which they were copied to the device, displayed and played.
[-] Cumbersome Directory Navigation: Sadly you can not quickly switch between folders - when you select the function "folder overview" in the main menu you end up in a list of * files * of the current directory, must only then back to "one level" icon navigate on top of the list and select it before you actually can choose other directories. Played but is then not, you have to scroll again until about a file, select it, and "Play now" then to choose in a kind of pop-up menu (the alternative is "Delete?"). You are currently "in the middle" of a well-filled directory that degenerates unfortunately right into work.
[-] In really quiet location with a very low volume level (scenario "in bed just before falling asleep") unfortunately make noise caused by the device noticeable. When playing join at a very quiet noise a little more noticeable, very short and regularly occurring several times per second sounds (something between totals and cracking, hard to describe). There seems to be a connection with the bit rate of the file being played to exist, because VBR-encoded files can observe beautiful as the frequency increases according to the fluctuating bit rate display / reduced. When playback is paused even a very faint, synchronous with the running of the advertising copy "ticking" to hear.
Conclusion: Actually, would have a really recommendable solution for all can be, but are looking for a low-priced machine with lots of memory with little gimmicks. Unfortunately but was saved at the user friendliness - the main problem is as already described above with as much memory just too complicated for a device folder navigation. But the would-be ordered by order of FAT entries is a relic that is really unacceptable in 2009. The manufacturer could create here with the release of an improved firmware Remedy, making the product would significantly upgraded my opinion (with better navigation and sorting would be four stars in it safely, depending on Implementation maybe more ...). But whether one can hope it / should I can not say, though flaunts a "Firmware upgrade" logo on the back of the package, on the websites of the manufacturer but I could discover no downloadable firmware updates at the time of writing this text (also not for other, already much longer offered models).
What might otherwise still interested:
Setting options:
o Equalizer: Normal / Pop / Rock / Classical / Jazz / Bass
o Playback mode: Title, Single / Repeat track / title all / random / folder simply / folder all / folder randomly
o contrast (6 levels)
o Lighting time: Always off / 5 seconds / 10 seconds / Always On
o Power Save Mode: Off / 2 minutes / 10 minutes / 30 minutes
o Language: German / Spanish / Italian / Portuguese / Polish / Russian / English / French (?)
Other Features:
o housing matt black, silver controls, indicator lights blue
o Firmware version of the device supplied "VER: 081 226 SDK: 009 005"
o Disk with FAT32 preformatted
Another package contents:
o Earphones
o AAA battery
o USB Cable A Male to A Female, Length 1m
o Quick Start & Warranty leaflet, User Manual
