Go To Latest Video ReviewsIFA 2008: Samsung Reveals Lossless MP3 Player
| Author | Gordon Kelly |
| Published | 29th Aug 2008 |
13 comments
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TrustedReviews NewslettersSamsung may have already played its major hand at IFA when it unveiled its MacBook Air/Lenovo X300 rival the X360 but it does one have more trick up its sleeve.
The ‘YP-Q1’ – referred to as the ‘Diamond’ for its well, diamond-shaped four way rocker controls is the Korean monolith’s latest addition to an MP3/PMP player portfolio which has never truly won over critics or consumers. To be brutally honest, I am unsure whether the Q1 will be the player to break new ground for Samsung either since it smacks of competency rather than daring or panache.
Specs wise of course the vast majority is well and good: DNSe 3.0 Sound is inside to boost audio quality, there’s a particularly vibrant 2.4in LCD, FM tuner, voice recording, a text viewer and landscape widescreen video playback. The Q1 also shows some rebellion from the established order by backing up its support of the established MP3 and WMA codecs with Indie favourite OGG and purist’s wet dream, FLAC.
On the other hand while Samsung quotes an impressive 30 hours of battery life for continuous audio playback, video suffers at a measly four meaning this is no substitute PMP for regular travellers. Still with 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities available there will be a wide range of choices.
In sum then, there’s nothing really wrong about the Q1 – even its interface is nice and responsive, but at the end of the day it simply feels like another player to bulk out an already overcrowded market. OGG and FLAC support may win it a fair share of fans, but I think we’ll need something with a little more fire and brimstone if Samsung is to finally make a mark in the one IT sector it appears unable to crack.
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haim said on 31st August 2008
Technology changes, and so should you. said on 1st September 2008
Oh dear.
The moment geeks start talking about sound quality from a portable music player is the moment that a company has a losing product.
If you're that worrie... more
Mikko Lahti said on 1st September 2008
Oh dear,
"Mr. Technology changes and so should you", why the hostility towards HiFi-hobbyists? Are you calling me a geek because of that? I don't even... more
Gordon said on 1st September 2008
@Technology changes - every time I hear someone refer to the 'iTouch' a little part of me dies inside.
@haim, everyone seems to forget we're actually quite A... more
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heheh, seems a few people are getting on the bandwagon with these 'Slaves to Apple/the ipod/the iphone/(anything I don't personally like)' attacks on TR.
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