Coby 4 GB USB-Stick MP3 Player with LCD and FM Radio (Black)
by Coby
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CobyBrand: Coby
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: MP305-4GBLK
Color: black
Publisher: Coby
Studio: Coby
Music Label: Coby
Product features:
- 4 GB capacity for storage of up to 1000 songs
- 8 hours of music playback on a single AAA battery
- High-contrast LCD display with seven-color backlight
- Supports MP3 and WMA audio files, including WMDRM10
- One-year limited warranty
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- Bose Mobile In-Ear Headset
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Coby 4 GB USB-Stick MP3 Player with LCD and FM Radio (Black)
Customer Review: May be Inconvenient for Audiobooks
Summary: 3 Stars
MAY BE INCONVENIENT FOR AUDIOBOOKS
The Coby has the same "1 folder deep" file system of most MP3 players, which greatly limits taking full advanatage of the 4G capacity. Tracks are played in alpha-numeric order, like most other MP3 players. HOWEVER, folders are played in the order loaded, NOT in alpha-numeric order. Higher level folders (i.e., those containing subfolders) are copied but are ignored as far as navigation or play-order is concerned. Nominally, it is possible to select the folders to play, but the folder name is not displayed. If you have several audiobooks with all the tracts of each book in a single folder (i.e., commercial downloads), you can load multiple audiobooks, but it will be difficult to select between them.
In my case, using Windows Media Player, I rip audiobooks from CD versions, which means I have a folder for each CD (named 01, 02, 03, etc. all in higher level folder such as "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"). Note that if you drag and drop a folder such as my "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" folder, which contains subfolders, that (for some bizarre reason) Windows copies the tracts and folders in random order, which means that on the COBY the folders will play in that same random order. In contrast, with my Zen Nano, Samsung YP, and even a crappy little Phillips MP3 player, I could load a whole book at one time (by just dragging and dropping, for example, my "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" folder), and the (Nano, Samsung, or Philips) player would play the whole book in the correct order. Loading each folder one-at-a-time, in order, on the COBY is a major pain, excacerbated by the excuciatingly slow upload times---it can take 15 minutes or more to upload a typical audiobook.
To load more than one audiobook (containing subfolders for each CD) on the COBY would be even more difficult, I would have to rename the subfolders (e.g. A01, A02, A03, and B01, B02, B03 etc.) and also load them individualy in the correct order.
While other MP3 players I've used reset the "bookmark" to zero when an audiobook is deleted, it is necessarily to reset the Coby to zero each time a new book is loaded. "Reseting to zero" requires backspacing through the tracts one track at a time---a real pain, particularly considering that some audiobooks have more than 1000 tracks.
The Coby offers two USB modes MSC and MTP, but will default to MTP if you have Window XP and Media Player 10 (or higher), in which case you cannot use Windows Explorer to copy files to the Coby or delete files---because the files themselves are "hidden". You have to push the menu button to change to "MSC mode" in order to be able to use the Coby like an ordinary thumb drive or normal MP3 player---i.e., to see the directories and contents, and to be able to copy files to and from the Coby (or delete the files). I suppose there may be advantages to messing with playlists and "syncing" them with your computer using Media Player---but not for me. Since I have two computers, I've intentionally not upgraded to MP10 on the one I use to load/unload the Coby
OTHER CAVEATS
To start or resume play, you have to press and hold the "play" button for ca 5 seconds, wait for the system to book up, and then press it 2 more times. On other MP3 players I've had, I only had to press "play" once to resume play.
All controls are 6 identical unlit buttons in a row, which means that you cannot easily operate the unit just by touch, e.g., to pause when someone is speaking to you, or to adjust the volume in a dark room.
Claims to be USB-2 for fast downloads, but in my experience loading an audiobook is agonizingly slow, much slower than other MP3 players I've used, such as a Zen Nano or Samsung YP.
Non-attached cap and battery cover are potentially loosable.
Cheap plastic. Not necessarily a problem, except for the attachment loop, to attach the player to a lanyard etc. (I use a small "cable tie" to attach the player to a D-ring which I clip to my belt loop).
No easy way to carry (except as I've described above, or with a lanyard, not supplied). No belt clip, or armband is included, and the unit would not be secure in an armband meant for other brands of mp3 players. You could carry it in a pants pocket, if free of keys, change, etc.
Front of box claims that it holds 2000 songs, back of box claims 1000 songs. Of course that depends on the sampling rate and song length--but it is evidence of poor design that the info on the box is self-contradictory
CUDOS
Good price, even for just a 4G thumb drive.
Relatively small, sleek.
Sound is very crisp, although I did not even try the included headphones (nasty uncomfortable airline/I-pod type headphones). It could be simply that the presets perfectly match my prefered headphones.
Uses AAA battery. It is important to me to have the player continuously available (with the change of battery, as needed), and not have to wait until I can charge an internal battery. Even so, I would have greatly prefered an AA-powered unit, like my Samsung YP--but it seems that no-one makes such MP3 players anymore.
The full size male USB plug nominally makes it possible to plug the unit into a computer without a cable---but in my case, the USB ports of my computer are recessed, so I have to use a short USB cable anyway.
OTHER
If the included AAA battery doesn't work, take off the nearly invisible plastic wrapping.
VERDICT
A great value for the price. Does the job, but may not be the best choice for audiobooks.
Description of Coby 4 GB USB-Stick MP3 Player with LCD and FM Radio (Black)
Coby MP305-4G MP3 Player 4 GB flash memory FM radio and USB drive with LCD, high-contrast LCD display with 7-color backlight, plays MP3 and WMA digital music files, plays digital music from most online stores and subscription services, ID3 tag support for song information display, integrated FM radio, mobile data storage function, convenient integrated USB plug( no cables required), USB 2.0 hi-speed for fast file transfers, blackCoby's MP305-4G is an all-in-one MP3 player and USB drive, squeezing an LCD display, an FM radio, and a walth of other features into an ultra-portable "thumb drive" form factor. Sync with no cables necessary, and fill it up with 4GB of your favorites.
 4GB of music, FM radio, and more. Click to enlarge. |
 Thumb drive form factor is ultra-portable and requires no cable for sync. |
 Coby stereo earphones included. |
Brilliant Display
The MP305-4G features a high-contrast LCD display with seven-color backlight. View ID3 song info, radio station, and other playback info quickly and easily.
Play Your Digital Music
Play back your favorite MP3 or WMA audio files, along with copy-protected WMDRM10 available from many subscription services. ID3 tag information like artist, track, and title info will be displayed if included with the files.
Integrated FM Radio
Check up on your local news, enjoy your favorite morning show, or tune into the FM transmitters at the gym with the built-in FM radio. Add your favorite stations to memory presets for instant access.
Mobile Storage
The MP305-4G looks like a thumb drive, and it's happy to behave as one. Take some files with you for easy transfer, using the player as USB storage. Enjoy plug-and-play support with Windows 98SE and upward, as well as Mac OS X and newer.
USB 2.0
Quickly transfer your files using a USB 2.0 connection. As an added bonus, the MP305-4G requires zero cables, since it has its own USB connector. A USB extension cable is included, however, in case your ports are inconveniently located.
AAA Power
Power the MP305-4G with a single AAA battery (included). You'll get about 8 hours of life out of each battery, but it might be a good idea to pick up a rechargeable AAA/charger.
What's in the Box
Coby MP305-4G, Stereo Earphones, AAA Battery, USB Extension Cable, User's Manual
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