Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox (Blue)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of our biggest frustrations with MP3 players has been their limitedstorage capacity. You'll typically get 64 MB via internal memory or memorycards, which provides just a little over an hour of near CD-quality MP3 audio.So when we heard that Creative was releasing a 6 GB player that can hold over100 hours of music, it sounded perfect. Soon we'd be rifling through a massivecatalog of tunes on our little player, from Elvis Costello to LL Cool J to MilesDavis, whenever the whim struck.

The Nomad Jukebox is essentially a portable hard drive with software that willplay MP3 audio. Since hard drives include spinning and moving parts, this playeris not ideal for active MP3 users from joggers to snowboarders.

We cracked open the box, inserted the rechargeable batteries (two sets of fourAAs are included), plugged in the AC adapter, and waited the recommended 12hours for them to charge initially. This is a very important step. This was oursecond set of batteries--we didn't bother to heed Creative's initial chargingdirections when we first got the product, and our first set of batteries soonlost the capacity to be recharged.

After installing the included software (we tested the Jukebox on a Macintosh G4using SoundJam MP; for PCs, Creative includes PlayCenter 2) and connecting theUSB cable, we quickly deleted 2 GB of starter MP3 and audiobook files andstarted loading our own music. We started with about 500 songs, but noticedafter the load had finished that not all the songs made it onto the Jukebox.Also, the SoundJam software didn't like us doing any other work on our Mac G4,stalling out the load whenever we switched to another program.

We found it was best to load in smaller numbers and to keep SoundJam up as theactive application (unfortunately, not the most efficient use of computer time).The transfer rate is about 6 minutes per 100 MB, which translates to around 25songs. (So far, we've loaded 861 songs and we still have over 2.3 GB left ofstorage.)

Once music has been transferred to the Jukebox, you need to create an activeplaying list by navigating one of three lists--artists, albums, and genres--thenadding songs to the queue. (This points out the need for creating thorough ID3tags, an electronic label that can include song title, track number, year, andmore. ID3 tags can be created via the PlayCenter and SoundJam software manuallyor be imported from the online CDDB database. For more information abouttagging, see the Amazon.comMaking MP3s Guide.) Playlists canbe saved in the Jukebox, though it can be a bit tedious (there's no keyboard),and you can't add songs to an existing playlist.

The Jukebox also sports some nice additions. It has a line-in recordingcapability (using an external microphone) that records WAV files that can beadjusted for optimal (or low-end) sound quality, and it can play audiobooks.

The biggest downside to the Nomad Jukebox is its portability. As noted, it doesrun on rechargeable batteries, but they'll last far less than the advertised twohours. Also, this isn't the device to take jogging; its internal hard drive,though somewhat shock and motion resistant, just won't take that kind ofactivity. It's really made for stationary play using its included AC adapter.

It also has a few playback glitches, the biggest being that you can't fast- forward or rewind within a song. Also, there's no bookmark feature for audiobooklistening--a necessity for long files.

Ultimately, the Creative Nomad Jukebox isn't perfect and isn't suited foreveryone's MP3 needs. But it has become a staple of our gadget life--it travelswith us daily to the office and hooks in nicely into stereo systems, both athome and at friends' houses. Someday, we'll all wonder what we did without anMP3 jukebox. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• 6 GB of storage is massive--over 1,000 songs
• Several methods for selecting playlist songs (artist, album, and genre)
• Line-out for connecting to stereo systems, and line-in for recording

Cons:

• Battery power is sucked up quickly
• Prone to skipping/stalling when used in heavy activity

... Read more

Features

• MP3 Audio
• ADPCM
• Portable digital audio player with 6 GB of built-in storage (over 100 hours of CD-quality music)
• Plays MP3 files; upgradable to support other formats (such as WMA) and is SDMI compliant
• USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac
• Weighs only 14 ounces and measures the size of a portable CD player
• Comes with headphones, rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, and carrying pouch; "In the Media: ""Creative Lab's Nomad Jukebox is a monster product for the serious digital music freak."" --Pen Computing"

Reviews (100)

Dies after one song
For me, this mp3 player is great for holding all of my music-I downloaded all my Cd's and still have room for more.

My problem is this:When I unplug it from teh wall to take it out running, it plays, then dies after one song.I replaced teh rechargeable batteries, but it keeps doing the same thing.It just freezes up and I can't press any buttons.Then I have to wait until it says "shutting off, not in use" before I can try turing it back on again.

Best MP3 player for its time
When this item first came out, it was the best thing ever invented. I had it for about 8 months before I upgraded the hard drive to a 30gb. I took this thing everywhere with me (even to bed at night). It became an obsession. I purchased the car adapter kit from jukeboxaccessories.com so that I could take it along with me for long trips and listen to kiyosaki audio books.

Great when Jukeboxes were first coming out
Well, I own the original Nomad Jukebox 6GB, and I've had it for a year and a half. No lie, a year and a half, functioning. But I'm upgrading to a Nomad Jukebox 3 in a couple weeks. I'm obsessed with music. Anyways, Lets start with the main annoyance, the battery life. You can get four hours if you're really lucky, but count on three and a half. If its plugged into the wall though, you obviously wont have to worry about anything. The player itself is pretty shock-proof; I haved dropped it many times, and it still works to this day. It IS a bit bulky but hey it's better then carrying around 150 CD's. You will have to restart it alot, especially when the batteries get low. Don't even bother with that stupid reset pin, just yank out the batteries. The sound is more than great, I can definetly give it that. People shouldn't complain about the headphones supplied with it, because honestly; who actually USES stock headphones? Of course they [are bad]. The sound is nice and loud, and the presets make it even better. Navigating on the player was always pretty easy for me once I got the hang of it, and the green backlight is nice, you'd be suprised how bright it is. The Playcenter 2 thing is the only thing I have ever used so I can't complain about it. It's kind of annoying at times though, be prepared to restart your computer once in a while. As for transfer speeds, my computer is ancient so I know nothing but USB 1.1. It's pretty slow compared to a nice computer with FireWire or USB 2.0 but I usually only rip CD's so it doesnt matter. As old as this MP3 player is, people will still get incredibly jealous of you. It all depends what you're looking for. With things like the iPod and the Nomad Jukebox 3, and even that hideous looking Archos thing, this MP3 player doesnt really stand up to the competition. However it IS cheaper then most of the new jukeboxes, and if you can stand the battery life and you're on a budget then this is a great MP3 player to invest in, if you TAKE CARE OF IT! If you arent to short on cash and you're big on features, memory, and battery life then I suggest looking elsewear. The Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 is a good alternative in that case. ... Read more

Asin: B000026D6I
Subjects:  1. 6 (MB) megabytes    2. MP3    3. mp 3    4. Portable Audio    5. MP3 MP 3 Player    6. Jukebox    7. MP3 Player (MP 3)   

U.S. Robotics USR6003 SoundLink Wireless Audio Delivery System
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $104.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Easy to set up and use; includes a transmitter unit and a receiver unit
• Listen to MP3 and Internet radio from your PC on your home stereo
• Operates on 900 MHz frequency
• Long-range wireless transmission up to 1,000 feet
• Compatible with any audio device's 3.5 mm or RCA output jack

Reviews (38)

Good for the price
Works great to play MP3s from the computer to the stereo if the A/V line is plugged directly into the stereo.Not so great if you try to use the FM transmission on a boombox or radio.

sweetsoundlink
just got this little toy and it performs exactly as advertised. it takes about 3 minutes to set up and then you are listening to music from your computer.sound quality is good;at least as good as fm ,maybe better. probably not good enough for a serious audiophile. sound is best when receiver is plugged into stereo receiver rather than on fm broadcast. this is a quick,simple and inexpensive($40.00)way to get that music out of your computer and put some serious wattage behind it.

This thing Sucks
As my title states, this thing REALLY sucks. I tried every channel, and pressed scan..and everything..and it wouldn't lock on to the signal. Even when it was 5 feet away in the same room. The only thing it would pick up was a bunch of junk, and other peoples phone conversations.

And what did come through was all distorted...

Summary: NEVER buy this...in fact..call up US Robotics and ask them why they made such a horrible product. I bought this because i've had good experiences with USR before....oh well.
Piece of junk. ... Read more

Asin: B00005ICD2
Sales Rank: 6322
Subjects:  1. Portable Audio    2. MP3 MP 3 Player    3. Digital Audio Receivers (Stereo)   

Kodak MC3 Portable Digital Camera/Camcorder and MP3 Player - 64 MB
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $84.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Think of Kodak's MC3 as the Swiss Army knife of electronic gadgets. This sleek handheld unit functions as a portable video camera, digital still camera, and MP3 player. We found the device to be well designed, easy to use, and, most importantly, a lot of fun.

As a video camera, the MC3 captures QuickTime format movies with sound at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Users choose from two settings--a high-quality 20 frames per second (fps) mode captures more detail, but fills the CompactFlash memory card at a rate of 15 MB per minute. A more e-mail friendly mode shoots at 10 fps and uses greater compression. This mode makes movies a bit choppier, but still looks fine for most applications and only consumes around 2 MB of memory per minute.

A 1.6-inch color LCD screen on the back of the camera lets you see exactly what you're filming and can also play back footage you've recorded. While most manufacturers use illuminated LCDs, Kodak has opted to use a reflective display instead. In a reflective display, the traditional backlight is replaced with a mirror. This arrangement is thinner, uses less energy, and is less expensive. It's also easier to see when you're outdoors. Unfortunately, it's more difficult to see in low-light situations--seeing what you're shooting in a restaurant will be a challenge.

The videos you create aren't as detailed as those from a camcorder, but the MC3 isn't designed to replace those traditional tape-based devices. Although the movies can be viewed on your TV (with an optional connecting cable), they're really designed to be seen on a computer screen, saved on your hard drive or CD-R, and shared with friends via e-mail.

Though it's not designed primarily as an MP3 player, the MC3's musical abilities are quite good. You get the full set of standard controls (including cue and review within a song), plus several equalizer settings, shuffle mode, and repeat. In addition, the LCD shows artist and title information, plus system settings. The built-in speaker (included primarily for audio playback of your movies) can also be used to play music, though sound quality is much better with headphones. Standard MP3 song files are transferred from your computer to the MC3 via a USB cable, using included software. There's no copy protection, so if you have a dedicated CompactFlash card reader, you can even transfer files directly to and from the memory card.

As a still camera, the MC3 is just OK. Resolution is 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels), which looks fine on a computer monitor but lacks enough detail to create photo-quality prints, even at snapshot sizes. Photo capabilities are simple to the point of crudeness--there's no flash, the lens is fixed focus, and everything is completely automatic. Still, it works fine for outdoor snapshots, which is where Kodak thinks you'll be using the device most often.

Kodak's software suite that comes with the MC3 adds a whole new dimension to your creativity. The simple-to-use VideoImpression program lets users blend footage and stills with their favorite songs, letting even absolute amateurs create professional-looking productions in a matter of minutes.

Instructions come with the MC3, but it's so well designed that they aren't really necessary. Using the device is as easy as sliding the four-position switch on the back to the appropriate mode (MP3, movie, still, or playback) and turning on the power. When you're ready to try the more advanced features, a screen-based menu system makes it easy to find your way around. Battery life was good, allowing us several hours of MP3 playback and lots of video recording and playback before we needed to replace the three AAA cells. The use of three batteries is a bit odd--most batteries and chargers are sold in twos or fours, so you'll either need to get your batteries 6 or 12 at a time, or use rechargeables and find a charger that lets you charge just three cells.

The MC3 uses standard Type I CompactFlash cards--the same type of cards used by many digital cameras and some PDAs and MP3 players. The device comes with either a 16 or 64 MB card, depending upon price, and cards are currently available from a number of manufacturers in capacities up to 256 MB. Our sample unit came with a 64 MB card, which gave us around 27 minutes of lower-quality video, 4 minutes of high-quality video, 65 minutes of high-quality MP3 music, 500 still pictures, or any combination in between. For our tests, 64 MB was ample, letting us store a dozen songs and leaving enough room for about 12 minutes of lower-quality video. When we started to run out of space for movies, we just deleted our least-favorite songs and started shooting again.

Public reaction to the MC3 has been incredible. Whenever we took it out for a test, strangers stopped us to find out more about it and try it for themselves. Something about the design--its sheer simplicity or its friendly design, perhaps--brings out users' creative sides. We found ourselves compensating for the lack of zoom by thrusting the camera closer to the action and shooting videos of scenes we'd never captured with a camcorder. Sure, the MC3 is more of a toy than a tool, but it's an extremely fun toy. It's not much more expensive than an ordinary MP3 player, but the added fun is immeasurable. Kodak has a hit on its hands.

Pros:

• For about the same price as an ordinary MP3 player, you also get a video camera and digital camera
• Well designed, with quality construction and simple controls
• Lots of fun to use

Cons:

• Reflective LCD panel hard to see in dimly lit areas
• Power choice of 3 AAA batteries is a bit awkward

... Read more

Features

• Combination device plays MP3 music files and captures digital stills and movies
• Movies recorded in Quicktime format at 320 x 240 resolution
• Included 64 MB CompactFlash card stores up to 26 minutes of video or 60 minutes of audio
• Features a 1.6 inch color LCD display
• Included software lets you mix video, audio, and stills on your computer

Reviews (37)

Just an update
I have had this for over 2 years now and I still love it. The camera part is great fun, though low resolution is noticable in prints, prints look good.I upgraded to a 128 mb card which holds about 1.5 hours of music or 900 photos or 45 minutes of video. The best thing about this is it's TOUGH. I have dropped it numerous times, it has gone flying off of my desk. Sometimes the card pops out and the batteries always scatter, but it is always fine. It works just like the day I got it. Although there is one thing that I did not like. When Realplayer updated Jukebox, they did not upgrade the drivers for MC3. I eventually was not able to transfer files to the unit, so I bought a CF card reader. It works amazingly fast and lets me transfer my files through Windows Media Player. It now works like a charm, I would recommend this for anyone who uses Windows XP. If you can get a card reader, don't install the included software!

Not quite up to speed
Ok, repeatedly people state its a toy, and yes it is, I bought it for my son, and he uses it to listen to mp3's and take an occasional happy snap. As far as it goes it's ok doing that. No it doesn't have a flash, so obviously you aren't going to try and take pics in subdued lighting. The movies are ok, low quality, but enough to have some fun with.

My biggest bugbear is that firstly theres no ability to have an external power supply. Secondly seeming that it is a USB device, why hasn't Kodak written some NEW software so it can be used as a WEBCAM? A previous review stated it could be, well for the life of me I haven't found anywhere on the web where it lists that capability, and in this day and age it is something you could actually use.

So anyway if you are looking for a toy like this it works fine, but you may find other such toys with more features.

Kodak of course could extend the life of the product by releasing some upgraded firmware patches that will allow it to be used as a webcam, adding one more feature to its arsenal.

There should be quite a few of these cams floating around second hand these days.

Fun, but not for serious use
I bought one of these after they stopped making them (somehow I got a brand new one), and was pleased with the camera.It uses a non-backlit display and this increases battery life dramatically.There are quite a few options for altering sound, so MP3 playback is great.The camera and video recorder both record at surprisingly high quality.This isn't a camera I'd use on a vacation, but something I bought just for on the go and fun daily use.The device can also be used as a webcam, which is fun.If you can find a brand new one (careful, many sell refurbished), then I'd say go ahead and buy it for under $100. ... Read more

Asin: B00005AR3I
Subjects:  1. DC 3200    2. Digital Camera (Cameras)    3. Photograph (Photography)    4. Camcorder (Camcorders)    5. MP3    6. Portable Audio    7. MP3 MP 3 Player   

Sennheiser RS-40 Wireless Headphone
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $129.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Sennheiser's RS40 wireless stereophone lets you enjoy top-quality stereo sound and the high performance you expect from Sennheiser, without the hassle of tangled cords. If you enjoy listening to music around the house or in the yard without having to drag long cords behind you or having to stay close to the stereo, this is the headphone for you. With an extended range of over 100 meters, three transmission frequencies for multiroom and interference-free operation, and a special RF input filter to eliminate TV interference, the RS40 provides clear signal reception conveniently.

The audio capabilities of the RS40 include a frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz with a THD ofless than 0.5 percent. The supra-aural design affords warm, spatial sound reproduction, exceptional clarity, and powerful bass response.

For added convenience, the RS40's transmitter automatically recharges the battery when the headphones are placed on the base unit.

Sennheiser headphones come with a 2-year warranty on parts and labor.

... Read more

Features

• Includes NiMH rechargeable batteries
• Wireless supra-aural hi-fi stereo headphones
• Extended range of over 100 meters
• 3 transmission frequencies for interference-free multiroom operation
• Cloth-covered earpads and lightweight, slim design provide exceptional comfort

Reviews (22)

Good product spoiled by AGC
I bought these for listening to classical music late at night without disturbing my apartment neighbors.I use a computer to play all my music, and hate being tied to my workstation while listening by a cord, so I was willing to compromise on audio quality for the sake of wireless convenience.In fact I was pleasantly suprised by the sound, which is rich and full, and not at all lacking in bass.Range is adequate for my small apartment, and interference noise has not been any problem for me.
But, there is one problem which makes them almost useless; they have Automatic Gain Control (AGC), which compresses the dynamic range of the output.To explain a little -- popular songs are recorded at a near-constant level, so setting the output amplification automatically to give a constant average signal is not noticeable, but most classical music varies very widely in audio level.A big orchestral climax, with every instrument going full blast, might be followed by a solo flute playing very quietly.Or, a long diminuendo in a piano sonata might fade to a brief silence, and then, for dramatic effect, comes a big fortissimo chord.What happens here is that the volume automatically cranks up during the diminuendo keeping it almost as loud as the loudest of passages, then I hear hiss during the silence, as the gain is too high, and then the loud chord that follows is momentarily deafeningly distorted, and then very quickly the AGC cuts down the volume to be about the same as the overly amplified preceding very quiet passage.This largely ruins the music for me.
If I could only turn the AGC off, these headphones would be fine for me, but it is not even mentioned anywhere in the tech specs nor in the user manual.
I believe in fact all wireless headphones have this feature, although it is seldom mentioned.I now wish I had bought the AKG brand, because I found in their user forums a hack to disable the AGC on the transmitter unit, although this requires soldering on the circuit board.Unfortunately Sennheiser does not seem to have forums, so I guess I'm out of luck with these.

It's time to cut the cord - these are worth the $$$.
I work around ridiculously loud coworkers, so I always listen to headphones at work.Problem was, I hated being tethered to my computer.After reading reviews on amazon.com, bestbuy.com, and circuitcity.com, I decided to try the Sennheisers. They were definitely the best choice of quality and value.

I admit I've only had them for a day, but they sound as good as my wired headphones and were a breeze to begin using. They also help tune out everyone else (bonus!).I don't know what was going on with the few bad reviews I read - operator error maybe?I was listening to music within 2 minutes (literally) of plugging into my PC. The headphones are not heavy and they are nicely padded - really comfy to use.

As of right now, I highly recommend these headphones.The only reason I gave them four stars instead of five is because of my limited time having them and the battery is limited to four hours of continous listening. I'm planning to buy an additional battery pack since it can charge while I'm using the headphones (also available on Amazon) and that way I can listen all 8 hours while at work.

If you're still skeptical, the vendor who sends the product through Amazon has a return policy of 30 days (just double check this) so they're definitely worth trying.

It's time to cut the cord - wireless is the way to go.

Not For Office Use!!
I needed a good set of headphones for some of the work that I do. I thought that by the information presented in the write up about this product that I was purchasing a good, or even great, addition to my office.

NO GOOD!If you have typical office construction, that is metal studs in walls, metal ceiling grids holding up tiles and lights, and other typical office furniture this product will not make you happy!

Bad info advertisement related to this product. ... Read more

Asin: B00004YAHK
Subjects:  1. rs40, rs-40, wire, less, head, phone, senheiser, senhyser    2. seinheiser, sennhieser, music, audio, portable,    3. Headphones (Headphone, Head Phones, Phone)   

Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player (Black)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $149.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Panasonic's DVD-RV31K DVD-video player delivers a combination of qualityvideo and special features usually found only in more expensive players, if atall. Among many other features, the DVD-RV31K offers MP3 playback, robustconnectivity, and an advanced version of Panasonic's simulated surround soundwith proprietary Bass Plus technology and a dedicated subwoofer output.

This unit's state-of-the-art component-video outputs allow for digital videotransmission to compatible video equipment. It also offers standardcomposite-video outputs and an S-video output. A built-in 27 MHz/10-bitdigital-to-analog video converter maximizes picture quality from these outputs,while brightness, color, and contrast controls let you fine-tune picturequality.

A digital-cinema mode illuminates the picture and fine-tunes color, even inlow-light scenes. Additional video features include one-touch cinema memory,freeze frame, frame advance, and black-level controls.

An optical digital-audio output channels a bit stream for DTS and Dolby Digitalsurround sound, fostering glorious home theater sound when decoded with anappropriate surround receiver.

Advanced Virtual Surround Sound simulates a surround effect using only your twofront speakers. Furthermore, the DVD-RV31K's dialogue enhancer pumps up thecenter-channel output to emphasize a movie's spoken audio. A 96 kHz/24-bitdigital-to-analog audio converter and dynamic-range compression (for late-nightviewing) complete the DVD-RV31K's robust audio arsenal.

If you're not quite ready for 5.1-channel audio but already have a poweredsubwoofer, you'll appreciate the versatility of this player's discrete subwooferoutput. The DVD-RV31K's pair of analog-audio stereo outputs along with itssubwoofer output simulate theatrical sound by setting up a two-channel-plus-bassoutput that sends all low-frequency information to your subwoofer.

A built-in stabilizer and twin-laser pickup offers improved playability with theDVD-RV31K. Playback formats include DVD-video, Video CD, audio CD, MP3-encodedCD, CD-R, and CD-RW. (Please note, however, that MP3 playback may vary dependingon the content and disc type used.)For your viewing convenience, Panasonic's high-speed scan comes with fivespeeds, and the player also offers chapter preview, updated onscreen menu icons,a front-panel jog-shuttle dial, and a multibrand remote control.Panasonic's DVD-RV31K comes in black and is Energy Star compliant. This model iscovered by a warranty for a year on parts, 90 days on labor. ... Read more

Features

• Also includes S-video output, component-video outputs, multibrand remote control, and front-panel shuttle dial
• DVD/VCD/CD player with MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW playback
• Optical digital-audio output for Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound
• Features Panasonic Advanced Surround (VSS) system with Bass Plus, 1-touch cinema memory, and dialogue enhancer
• Discrete subwoofer output routes home theater sound to your subwoofer

Reviews (207)

Consumer reports gives Panisonic repair excellent NOT THIS 1
Used 2 years by parents that used DVD twice a month.
H02 error
H05 error
called repair said motor and laser errors
although I have taken apart laser at least lights and motor does go. Can get it to read disc if unit is 45deg but will only read for 1 min.
Very modual design if I could get the assembly for $40 I might repair but then again my $30 DVD player is still working with similar use.

H02 error
I got this error today and read the hints on this page. Ran a laser cleaning cd and all OK - so don't freak out, just clean the laser.

H02 Error!!!!!!
I bought this unit on Ebay. So I don't really know how old the machine is. But only in couple of months I got this dreaded H02 error. From other posts it seems the usual way for this item to go. Would not buy another Panasonic DVD Player! ... Read more

Asin: B00005AR4L
Subjects:  1. sd2710, 2710, RV31, rv31, RV-31K, RV31K, rv-31k, rv31k    2. bargain, Bargain, bargaindvd, Bargain DVD    3. b00005ar4l, B00005AR4L    4. DVD Player (Digital Versatile Disc Players)