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Looking for a recommendation ...

  • 24-11-2009 1:50pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭


    Hi people,

    A friend is looking for a portable media player that can play Dixv/Xvid encoded files and has video out for watching video on tv(Using a normal video composite cable) and has a drag & drop facility in windows.

    Basically she doesn't want to have to convert files, just drag and drop in Windows and then connect up to her tv using a video composite cable for playback.

    Price or screen quality not a huge issue.


    Comments/Opinions Welcome.


Comments

  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    Look for an old Cowon A2, if you can get it cheap you'll be laughing.

    Then again....

    Is capacity a non-issue?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    Mactard wrote: »
    Look for an old Cowon A2, if you can get it cheap you'll be laughing.

    Then again....

    Is capacity a non-issue?

    Hi Mactard and thanks for the input.

    She's looking for something new that she can put through her business.

    Would the newer Cowon models also have the video out feature ?

    Thanks again.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    To a degree....they're now more reliant on specific video out cables (I think...citation needed :P)

    The S9 has xvid/divx support and vid out via a specific dock connection cable, the O2's video out goes out through the usb port. They've a new model (W2) coming out but I've no info on that yet.

    Creative's newest Zen Xfi (the long one) might support xvid/divx without restrictions and might support video out but as you can see I've stopped following what creative release.

    Archos pmp's might be a good choice if she's not pushed about ****ty customer service but she will have to rely on buying a video out mini dock.


    Apologies for asking again, but is capacity really a non issue? when I think of video I think of needing a lot of space...if that's the case then you can at least rule out the flash based models with no expansion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    Mactard wrote: »
    To a degree....they're now more reliant on specific video out cables (I think...citation needed :P)

    The S9 has xvid/divx support and vid out via a specific dock connection cable, the O2's video out goes out through the usb port. They've a new model (W2) coming out but I've no info on that yet.

    Creative's newest Zen Xfi (the long one) might support xvid/divx without restrictions and might support video out but as you can see I've stopped following what creative release.

    Archos pmp's might be a good choice if she's not pushed about ****ty customer service but she will have to rely on buying a video out mini dock.


    Apologies for asking again, but is capacity really a non issue? when I think of video I think of needing a lot of space...if that's the case then you can at least rule out the flash based models with no expansion.

    Hi again Mactard,

    Capacity isn't the biggiest issue, she actually wanted an archos but I talked her out of it even though I have had more than a few Archos models.
    She asked me to source something for her and I didn't want to touch anything that needed a dock. I had recommended a Zen Vision M but as far as I know they can't be bought brand new any more unfortunately.

    I don't think the Zen Xfi has video out ? I'm open to correction on that one tho.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    Sorry my disinterest in everything creative meant I was unable to retain information regarding the new version's name...which is very creatively named, the zen x-fi 2...

    So yes is the answer, the Zen X-fi 2 supports video-out in xvid/divx up to 640x480, which is what most non-HD stuff is. It seems to do video-out using a standard 3.5mm video-out to composite jack. Very nice :D although i've to do more research into this myself.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    Mactard wrote: »
    Sorry my disinterest in everything creative meant I was unable to retain information regarding the new version's name...which is very creatively named, the zen x-fi 2...

    So yes is the answer, the Zen X-fi 2 supports video-out in xvid/divx up to 640x480, which is what most non-HD stuff is. It seems to do video-out using a standard 3.5mm video-out to composite jack. Very nice :D although i've to do more research into this myself.

    Cheers Mactard you're a diamond!


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    Not a bother, if she goes for that creative I hope it all works out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    Mactard wrote: »
    Not a bother, if she goes for that creative I hope it all works out.

    I'm getting a slight feeling that you're not a huge fan of creative hardware... :D

    I love my archos, despite the crap cust service... and I should have mine back soon enough. I really do miss it.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    I know Creative well, and would be surprised if they've suddenly changed their ways (generally design flaws let them down - headphone jack breaking, batteries not charging, units just dying at random) despite the xfi2 seeming pretty great on paper - so i'm genuinely hoping it works out, but won't be at all surprised if it doesn't. I'll pick it up myself instead of the new el cheapo archos I think...once I get this iAudio 9 review all wrapped up...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭Dammer


    I think this might fit the requirements...

    Link

    Been looking at it myself, mainly cos it supports a lot of the formats out there...

    Good luck :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    Dammer wrote: »
    I think this might fit the requirements...

    Link

    Been looking at it myself, mainly cos it supports a lot of the formats out there...

    Good luck :)

    That's a nice piece of kit, but it's over twice the price of the Zen..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭Dammer


    Looking at advancedmp3players.co.uk (comparing the 16 gb versions :D only)

    The 16gb Creative Xfi (3" screen, 5 hours video) is approx €162 (8gb €107)

    The 16gb Cowon O2 (4.3" screen, 8 hours video) is approx €220

    The extra €60+ gets you a much bigger screen and longer battery life. I know you said screen size was not an issue, but personally I would be going for the longer lasting PMP.

    Plus it comes can in Pink for her!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    You raise some good points Dammer, but as stated, she's not too fixated on the quality or size of the screen. Not sure if battery life is an issue per se, but she has an ipod she uses for music and she pretty much likes it.
    All she wants the video player for is to playback video on a tv screen.
    I would deffo take on board the fact that Cowon pmp owners are very loyal customers which speaks volumes for the quality of the hardware.
    I'm a big archos fan myself even though I hate the user interface on my archos5 it's still a great gadget when used with the recording dock.

    Bottom line.. I think I'll recommend the Zen and see what she thinks.

    Input very appreciated guys.


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