These days, markets are overflowing with invasion by gadgets of every kind; gaming consoles, MP3 players, MP4 payers etc. MP4 players are immensely in demand these days, and people all around the world are running after them. These gadgets are beautifully designed tools used to play videos and audio, as well as viewing photos. Though one can find a wide range of MP4 players in the market with different price tags; rulers of the game can be counted on fingers. Today, I shall tell you about the top rated 5 MP4 players along with their specs and features, and their price range. I hope this article is going to be helpful for all of you.
1. iPod Touch 32 GB:
Second generation iPod Touch is packed with almost every possible feature. It is a wonderful little gadget that has the ability to keep you entertained all the time.
Specs:
Portable media center
Digital audio player, Digital video player, Digital photo viewer
2.4” x 0.3” x 4.3”
4.1 oz
LCD 3.5”
32 GB storage
Supported audio formats: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible 2, Audible 3, Audible 4, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
Video playback formats: H.264, MPEG-4
Connectivity: USB , Docking connector , 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Software included: Drivers , iTunes 8 or later , iTunes Store account
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista , Microsoft Windows XP Home , Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP 2 or later , Apple Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later
Included accessories: Earphone , USB cable , Dock adapter , Polishing cloth
Limited warranty - 1 year , Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days
Price range: $319.95-$399 (subject to variation according to time and location)
Features:
With updated features form the previous versions and lowered down price, iPod Touch 2nd generation has everything one desires from a media player. Design has not changed a great deal, but there have been made a lot of alterations in the software. Major features include a media player, podcast support, video playback (including iTunes rentals and a YouTube player), Safari Web browser, photo viewer, e mail reader (compatible with Outlook, Exchange, MobileMe, Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or any POP e mail service), an integrated Wi-Fi music store, and a host of smaller utilities (weather, calendar, maps, stocks, notes, clock, contacts, and calculator). Downloadable applications include Internet radio players, games, voice recorders, and social networking tools. Genius feature automatically creates play lists according to owner’s mood (guessed by a song).
Product’s Unique Selling Points:
A real media hub
Wi-Fi music download
App Store
32 GB storage
Limitations:
Average audio quality
ITunes software required
2. Cowon S9 16GB:
Having a great audio and video quality, Cowon S9 16GB MP4 player is second on our ranking. The long battery life and OLED display makes it our second choice.
Specs:
Digital AV player
FM tuner, Voice recorder, Digital audio player, Digital photo viewer, Digital video player, Digital audio recorder
2.2” x 0.5” x 4.2”
2.7 oz
PC interfaces: Bluetooth , Hi-Speed USB
OLED 3.3” color touchscreen display
16:9 aspect ratio
16 GB memory
Supported audio formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, APE (Monkey’s Audio)
Supported photo format: JPEG
Built in microphone
Video playback formats: AVI, WMV, XviD
Connections: USB , Headphones , Composite video/audio output , Audio line-in
OS: MS Windows ME , MS Windows XP , MS Windows 2000 , MS Windows Vista
System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista - Pentium III
Upgradable firmware
Price range: $204.99 - $219.99 (subject to variation according to time and location)
Features:
Though it seems to reach up to iPod Touch; but lack of Wi-Fi and less
Image by itrush
memory storage than iPod do not let it succeed. It is almost half the weight of iPod Touch and feels like a toy when held. OLED touchscreen, the rich video and awesome audio quality distinguish it from all other video players. Main features include Bluetooth audio, FM radio, voice recording, radio recording, BBE+ sound enhancement, a text reader, and a Flash media player for games.
Product’s Unique Selling Points:
OLED touchscreen display
Long battery life
Nice features
Text reader
Splendid audio and video quality
Limitations:
Average UI
Extra light weight like a toy
No Wi-Fi, memory expansion, standard USB port.
3. Creative Zen X-Fi 16GB:
With a great array of features packed into it, Creative Zen X-Fi is a nice MP4 player with affordable price tag.
Specs:
Portable network audio player / radio
Supported PC interfaces: Wi-Fi , Hi-Speed USB
16 GB Integrated memory
3.3 in x 0.5 in x 2.2 in
2.4 oz
Voice recording
Included accessories: Earphones , USB 2.0 cable
Software type: Creative Centrale , Drivers & Utilities
Supported audio: AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Audible
2.5” TFT screen 320 x 240 resolution
Additional features: Calendar, Bass Boost, Volume control, Voice recording, Wi-Fi compatible, Built-in organizer, X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity, USB 2.0 compatibility, X-Fi Crystalizer technology
Video playback support: Motion JPEG , WMV , MPEG-4 , DivX , XviD
Still image format: JPEG , BMP , GIF , PNG , TIFF
Built in speaker
Built in equalizer
Digital FM radio tuner
Built in microphone
Wired stereo Binaural In-ear ear-bud
1 x USB cable – External, 1 x Headphones , 1 x Hi-Speed USB Mini-USB Type B, 1 x SD Memory Card
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista , Microsoft Windows XP SP2 , Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Price range: $175.99-$203.60 (subject to variation according to time and location)
Features:
It is the first ever device to incorporate X-Fi technology. It is finished in plastic that does not give a fine look, rather it seems a bit cheap and low quality. Function buttons have sharp edges, neither are they backlit. It doesn’t sync with computers running a software else than XP and Vista. Video is superb with no pixilation, and screen shows vivid colors.
Image by trustedreviews
Product’s Unique Selling Points:
Nicely priced with a lot of features
Wi-Fi capability
X-Fi sound enhancement technology
Lovely sound and screen
Limitations:
Cheap look
Need to transcode the videos often
4. ARCHOS 5:
Archos has been manufacturing media players long before the killer iPod plunged into the competition. Years of expertise have been incorporated
Image by ipodtouchfans
into this MP4 player by Archos. Let us have a look at its specifications.
Specs:
Digital AV player
Digital video player , Digital audio player , Web browsing , External HDD function , Digital photo viewer
5” x 0.5” x 3.1”
8.8 oz
PC interfaces: IEEE 802.11g , Hi-Speed USB , IEEE 802.11b
Features: Flash games , E-mail client , Adobe Flash 9 video support , PDF viewer , Opera web browser
TFT 4.8” color touchscreen
Built in 60/120/250 GB memory
Supported still image formats: GIF , JPEG , PNG , BMP
Supported audio formats: MP3 , Protected WMA (DRM) , WMA , WAV , PCM , ADPCM
Built in speaker
Built in microphone
Video play back formats: MPEG-4 , Motion JPEG , WMV
Video capture supported via DVR station
Video capture formats: Motion JPEG , H.264 , MPEG-2 , MPEG-4 , AVI , WMV
Connectivity: Headphones - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , USB
OS: MS Windows ME , Apple Mac OS X , Linux , MS Windows XP , MS Windows Vista
Included accessories: Stereo headphones , USB cable , Cleaning cloth
Price range: $299.00 - $349.99 (subject to variation according to time and location)
Features:
This beautiful touchscreen video player is available in 60, 120, and 250 GB
versions. It is being promoted as a Wi-Fi internet tablet whose basic controls are handles via its touchscreen except a power button and a volume rocker. Screen is glossy, and thus provides a nice platform for fingerprints and smears. Extra accessories will enhance the experience evidently.
Product’s Unique Selling Points:
High resolution touchscreen display
Wi-Fi enabled
PC and Mac compatibility
Integrated kickstand
Optional DVR, GPS, and 3G capabilities
Limitations:
Requires a proprietary USB cable for charging and transferring content
Fingerprint-prone glossy finish
No backward compatibility
Spend extra money to get most out of it
5. August DTV350C:
August DTV350C is another MP4 player that has been rated fifth in out ranking, and has pretty nice features. It costs £95 which is pretty inexpensive as compared to other media players we reviewed. This is important to note that prices are subject to variation according to time and location.
Image by trustedreviews
It has a built in Freeview tuner with an EPG, subtitles and digital radio stations. The typical features of an MP4 player including audio and video playback plus photo viewing are also included. There isn’t any onboard memory, so the users will have to use an SD card. An antenna helps catch the TV channel signals, too.
Product’s Unique Selling Points:
Built in Freeview tuner with an EPG
Decent reception
Limitations:
Poor audio quality
No onboard memory
This is all about the top 5 MP4 players that are rocking the market these days. Prices are in front of you, specs are right here and pros and cons have been stated, too. Now, it is solely your own decision that what do you want to get and what do you want to avoid.
