MP3 World

Memup ViewTouch and V-Slim

hipicaca — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:12:00 +0000

Memup ViewTouch and V-Slim, with 2.4-inch screen
The French manufacturer has announced its new portable video players and music, which come with a 2.4-inch screen as the main element to highlight. Its design, by the way, it is not bad either.
The most attractive is that you see in the image above. The MP4 player is called Memup ViewTouch and is available with internal memory of 4 and 8 GB. We can, if they think fit, expanding the memory with microSD cards. As we have commented on its main attraction is the considerable screen where power 2.4-inch video at 30 fps. No need earphones if we do not want, then brings in speaker.
The controls of this Memup ViewTouch are not physical and join the fashion of touch.

We turn now to analyze the autonomy of this player, which the manufacturer says that for 5 hours of video and audio for 24 hours straight. Good for autonomy. The price of the player are tight, with a cost of 65 euros a 4-GB model and 80 euros for the increased capacity.
Slightly different is introduced Memup V-Slim, who also has a 2.4 inch screen and 262,000 colors.
This player is available with the same capabilities of 4 and 8 GB of ViewTouch, but in this case is forgotten most of appearances and focuses on the specifications. That’s why the price may go down to 65 and 80 respectively.
The functionalities are the same as the top model: player, photo viewer, audio recorder and FM radio. In this case the autonomy is increasing, with especially noteworthy the 10 hours that leaves us play video without interruption. It also leads, we forgot, slot for memory cards microSD.

Sony Walkman S series

hipicaca — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:12:00 +0000

Sony Walkman S series brings music to our state of mind
Sony has shown at the fair IFA its new 2008 series S, E and B Walkman portable players. We stayed with the S series for a couple of interesting details that bind to the normal music players and video from Sony, its design and extraordinary autonomy.
We started talking about the noise cancellation system that comes standard serial and active manner that reduces background noise when you’re listening to music. In this way, we do not have to increase the volume of the player to enjoy a sound loud and clear. The system for canceling what we enjoy in the EX headphones with noise reduction included but we can also enjoy the technology from other devices via a cable accessory to connect to the source and hence goes to the player Sony set S.

The other intriguing technology of this player is called Sony SensMe. What makes this system is to analyze our music collection and suggests channels or playlists (until 11) that marrying different moods, based on the speed, pace and overall atmosphere of the subject.
As for the characteristics of the players themselves, have a thickness of 7.5 mm, is very lightweight and the screen, although not OLED, is good looking. It is 2.2 inches. Of audio and video formats has opened a lot of hands and we will not have problems with almost none.

Samsung YP-Q1

hipicaca — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:11:00 +0000

Samsung YP-Q1, with DNSe 3.0
In addition to many TVs, the IFA also brings plenty of music-related products. In the case of Samsung are already submitted its U4 and a new model, the Samsung YP-Q1, which wants to offer a high quality sound.
To that end, includes technology DNSe 3.0 (Digital Natural Sound), very similar to the Creative X-Fi, and it also incorporates features such as 3D Speaker, to improve the perception of stereo music, and Street Mode, which keeps the volume according to the general level of music, to better capture small details.

Additionally, it incorporates an automatic equalizer, which proposes appropriate adjustments depending on the type of music you are listening.
The Samsung YP-Q1 has a 2.4-inch LCD display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, which can display video, and will be available with capacities of 4, 8 and 16 GB, with models in black, white and silver.

Cowon S9

hipicaca — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:10:00 +0000

Cowon S9 in Europe
By presenting the Cowon S9 much we feared it would be one of those players who never see the light outside Korea, despite its excellent features and spectacular design. But the talks with distributors in the IFA have had to bear fruit, and October was the month chosen for the launch in Europe.

Some of its features have had to be adapted or removed to adapt to the European market, such as T-DMB tuner, a technology that is not available here. Apart from that, the rest remains. In addition, there have been published all its specifications, so little more than the price we need to know of this player.
The Cowon S9 has a 3.3 inch screen in widescreen format, which offers a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. It’s kind of capacitive touch, which would allow it to be multitáctil, although it remains to be seen if Cowon has taken this technology.
As is customary in models of this manufacturer, the number of supported formats and sound quality are two of the most prominent factors. Among the audio formats are MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, and APE in a future firmware and AA.
Regarding the video, provides support for MPEG-4, WMV9 and H.264, allowing the use of subtitles in SMI. It also displays photos in JPG, GIF and PNG.
The autonomy of the Cowon S9 is 40 hours audio playback and up to 8 hours of video playback and can find a couple of models with capacities of 8 and 16 GB, although in future it is planned launch of another 32 GB.
Other features of this player are the inclusion of an FM radio receiver and inclusion of an accelerometer for automatic rotation of the screen. Also provides Bluetooth connectivity with which we can use a headset without wires.
If the price is right the Cowon S9 is emerging as an attractive option than for this Christmas.

Zune 3.0

hipicaca — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:09:00 +0000

Zune 3.0
The rumors that pointed to developments in the Zune have been confirmed with the official presentation of new hardware and software for the players, who represent a significant leap in functionality.
This new platform, which could be called Zune 3.0 on the characteristics of these players to the iPod touch, transforming the device into something more than a player, rather a platform that combines music, video, games and an online store accessible from within the Zune.
These new benefits, which come in the form of a firmware update will be available both for the new models being offered for sale to existing models, placing them all on the same level of functionality.
The most interesting is the ability to access the Zune Marketplace from within the player through the wireless connection of this, so similar to iTunes Mobile on iPod touch, so that we can acquire new music without the need to be tied to the computer.

As in the past, it offers a subscription service called Zune Pass, which you can download all you want at a cost of 14.99 dollars a month. Music is downloaded is rented, so if we leave the subscription service will not be able to continue listening.
The Zune Marketplace allows us to find the songs that we want, in addition to including a list system with which we can see updates to the store and the songs and downloaded more disks, categorized by genre.
Besides, it incorporates Buy from FM, a system that recognizes the songs that are playing on the radio, using RDS, which allows dial songs that we like to acquire subsequent to the Zune Marketplace. When we are connected to an access point, these songs will be downloaded automatically.
It is not the only way of discovering new music. The Zune Marketplace will provide us with recommendations based on the music we have heard, as well as the other users who listen with profiles similar to ours. Finally, the channels we offer lists created by radios, musical revues, … to which we can subscribe.
Also music playback has been improved with a playback screen that provides much more information. In addition to pictures of the artist who is playing, we can see biographical information on this and other data from the online service
The last two developments are related to support new features. One is the ability to listen to audio books and the other are the games. By default, the new firmware includes two games, Hexic, and Texas Hold’em, but some time that Microsoft has an SDK to develop for the Zune, so it would not be surprising that soon and may acquire in the new Zune Marketplace .
All these developments point to refer to the software, hardware, but also in the news. Increases the maximum capacities of the two versions, both available as a hard disk that works with the SSD, up to 120 GB and 16 GB, respectively.
There he was joined new colors, with a pattern in blue and silver and one totally black. Prices are $ 250 version of 120 GB, 230 U.S. dollars for the 80GB, $ 200 for the 16GB, $ 150 for the 8 GB and 130 U.S. dollars for the 4GB.
News quite interesting but, for now, remain without reaching Europe, which is a shame because Zune 3.0 is presented as an interesting platform, with features not found in most players and a good store to get behind music .

iPod touch 2G

hipicaca — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:08:00 +0000

iPod touch 2G
The new generation of the iPod touch does not represent a leap too important for the previous version, at least from the standpoint of hardware, which has been interesting but minor modifications, but whether the software.
If the first generation of these players surprised us with a minimum thickness, which is kept in touch iPod 2G, the external design varies slightly, closing much of the iPhone in form, not color, since the rear remains chrome, but now made of steel. Hopefully this will serve to scratch less.
If, before the only buttons that we found were the start and the on-off switch, the 2G iPod touch adds an extra pair to control the volume, something that previously was done from the touch screen, activating this previously.
These buttons are combined with the speakers that are included. Do not expect too much of her quality, but more a way to share music quickly and in addition to games that are available on the App Store. That’s because Apple wanted to approach the iPod touch 2G almost more as a platform for games and applications as a music player.

Little more physical point, apart from the device itself Inclusion in the receptor for Nike, which is complemented by specific software for this. This means you only need to buy the add-on that is installed on the slippers to use, which costs 19 dollars, instead of the full kit and other iPod models.
We turn to paragraph and software, where the big news comes from the hand of the features that are integrated into all the players, both in their own laptops as iTunes, which has received an upgrade to version 8 for incorporation.
These are focused on creating smart lists, which have called Genius. When we are playing a song we see an additional button that, when pressed, we created a list of songs that fit with her. We will have to prove if these selections are good, but the demonstration was done in the presentation seemed to work very well together and songs that really "stick" to one another.
This is joining the rest of improvements made in the firmware 2.1, which are based mainly in solving problems, avoiding a good number of crashes in the downloaded applications, and increased autonomy for the player.
Thus, the autonomy of the iPod touch 2G is now 36 hours on audio playback and 6 hours on video playback, compared with 22 and 5 of the previous model, an increase considerably more than that and hopefully be extended to the original update its firmware.
Prices have fallen considerably, so that we can find the 2G iPod touch with 8 GB capacity for 199 euros, the 16GB capacity for 269 euros and 32 GB for EUR 359. Anyway, we still lack running on older disk sizes, since even the 32 GB does not go far enough for many of us who have much larger music collections. In that case, there is no further choice but to opt for the iPod Classic, which incidentally has lost its 160-GB model, to be replaced by a 120-GB.
In conclusion, this is a minor update, but welcome bearing in mind that brings interesting new features and represents a drop in the price of the product.

Home Cinema Scarlet

hipicaca — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:02:00 +0000

Home Cinema Scarlet, also in the design home theater
LG has moved beyond the design of their TVs last Scarlet also the home theater systems of the mark. The Home Cinema Scarlet is the first to be put up for sale in Spain. And it is beautiful.
The home theater system HT953TV Scarlet LG develops a total of 1.000 W power, there is nothing, and comes with LG Virtual Sound Matrix (VSM) to create virtual three-dimensional sound effects.
In total there are five speakers with slightly rounded shapes that emulate a 10.1. They come with the technology of LG Simplink to control multiple computers with a single remote control. The DVD player is responsible for raising the quality of current high-definition DVD to 1080p, and is compatible with DivX, DVD, CD, MP3, WMA and JPEG. In addition converts audio files from CD to MP3, allowing save them directly into a USB stick. If you are an iPod users also have a connection to these players, Apple.

In a purely design, the LG Scarlet HT953TV carries a control panel in touch with a black and the navigation screen, which is also touch.
The price of this home theater equipment 1,000 W (155 W x 5 + 255 W) is 1,000 euros.

Sony renews its Apple-related products

hipicaca — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:02:00 +0000

Sony renews its Apple-related products
Sony has not been slow to renew its products related to the players and Apple iPhone. The new models are RadioCD with an alarm clock functions, a BOOMBOX that is compatible with both the iPod and the iPhone, a base with speakers and a radio system targeted to be used as a complement to iTunes.

The model is the most retro radioCD alarm that it has a slot for CDs and listen to radio, incorporates for the first time a base for the iPod and Apple’s iPhone. The screen is big and the clock is responsible for recharging the Apple players, who need it very much.
The sound system Sony ZS-S4iP in this version adds compatibility with Apple’s iPhone, and incorporates the Mega Bass to improve the reproduction of the bass. The base recharges the iPhone and the placement of the player and Apple’s phone is made available so that we can remove a cover to directly control the touch-screen computers. If you wish, we can maintain control of them with a remote control included. It also incorporates radio and CD drive.
The product that I have found most interesting is the Sony XDR-S10HDiP model, which incorporates enhancements for a bigger sound, and surround-type low-rich, in the Apple players. In addition, Sony is the first of its kind in offering iTunes Tagging to mark the songs that we like to be able to acquire digital radio and later the store of Apple.
If we want to connect equipment other than Apple can do it through the line input.
The final product announced today by Sony is based SRS-GU10iP with loudspeakers, with the finished piano black. This sound system the players and recharges the phone at Apple, leads line input and can be used with batteries in mobility.
As for the price of equipment, model and ICF ZS-S4iP-CD3iP cost $ 100, pretty good price, the SRS-GU10iP of up to 150 and the most expensive, cost 180 dollars, is the XDR - S10HDiP HD.

120 GB Zune

hipicaca — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:01:00 +0000

120 GB Zune on track while new iPods
If you follow the world of rumors about Apple in Applesfera, as you know with the utmost detail that next on September 9 that it is more likely to be carried out in an event that music will again have much prominence. It is hoped the event of a renewed and comprehensive range of iPods, plus a new version of iTunes that can handle with ease all the gadgets that we can connect, and perhaps also new Macbooks and Macbooks Pro.
But for those who may not have dated only a new range of iPods, but Microsoft could have prepared their new Zune. Do them out in Europe? Recently it was at the point.
In the words of Microsoft itself, and have ready the following plan for the new Zune, which not only will new developments at the hardware level but also on the part of software and services. It could also be some surprises in the price of new Zune players.

What was announced almost certainly will be the Zune 120 GB model that was a few days ago on the website of the U.S. FCC.
We have linked this with the rumor of the new iPod, because it appears that Microsoft’s strategy of a player for audio and video with flash memory and elongated format could be imposed. The last photo circulating on the Internet on the new iPod nano is the bottom, and as you see, would become the classic format that changed with the previous generation of iPods, but that the Microsoft Zune seems to maintain at all costs.
A strange way when everyone expected the technology multitáctil would also jump to the small range of the iPod screen.
As for the Zune, there is at present rumors that the screen to become a touch. Sitting still waiting in Europe.

iPod Nano 4G

hipicaca — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:04:28 +0000

iPod nano 4G
The iPod nano is one of Apple products that most renewals are suffering. Today is back to pass, and it has done so with a return to the elongated format of the first two versions. For the story is flattened and the iPod nano 3G.
However, this iPod nano 4G, in addition to the redesign, introduces important new level of software. It resembles the interface much more to their older brothers. But WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, which could have provided an excuse to upgrade, falls back into the limbo of what Apple never brought forth. Or if it does, it will be in the form of accessories. It seems incredible that much more complete players, with WiFi, Bluetooth headsets or simple quality, without penalty or glory pass by the windows.

iPod nano 4G

Returning to Apple’s new iPod nano, its screen adopts the widescreen with a size of 2 inches and resolution of 320×240 pixels, backlit white and blue. Accompanying this change of the display is a new, more colorful, with menus more attractive, cover art and complete system Cover Flow. It also has the function Genius ordering a playlist as we are listening.

To make the screen rotate and change its format to vertical landscape has been incorporated an accelerometer that also acts as an element to change the song to shake the player. Recall that this role and incorporate some of Sony Ericsson mobile music, so it is nothing new, nor brings a special value to the player. Well yes, a pocket important for Apple encourages us to buy games from the Apple Store to take advantage of this functionality.
The design of the new iPod has been careful enough. Now available in 9 colors more vibrant, and something new is that the full range of colors are available for both versions of the iPod nano, the 8-Gb leaving by 139 euros and 189 euros for 16GB. It was just so absurd condition of capacity when we want a color or another, and that Apple remains on the iPhone for example. Vagaries unnecessary.
The thickness, as we see in the picture below, has been reduced to 6.2 mm, and has been equipped with a completely curved at the ends. Material that is manufactured with the new iPod nano are conveniently bent aluminum and glass.
We will not repeat the usual shortcomings of the Apple iPod (bluetooth, FM radio …) but he has especially disappointed that the iPod Touch will incorporate serial receiver for the Nike iPod system and that in a player like this iPod nano, more focused on the sport, has been ignored. These are small details that leave a bad taste in your mouth.