Cowon A2 30 GB Portable Multimedia Player

by Cowon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 3.1 inches ; 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CS1JRS
• Item model number: A2-30WH
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Satisfy your music and video cravings wherever and whenever with the Cowon A2 portable multimedia player, which features 30 GB of storage and a crisply colorful 4-inch widescreen LCD. In addition to a wide range of audio, video, and still image compatibility, the A2 also offers an FM radio (with record function), voice recording (via built-in microphone), direct line-in audio recording, text reading, and PVR capability to record your favorite TV programs. Attractively sleek with rounded, ergonomic corners, the A2 measures 5.2 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches and weighs just 10.5 ounces.

Slim form factor with rounded, ergonomic corners.

A 16m color 4-inch TFT-LCD presents high-quality images anywhere, anytime.

Carrying case for safe transport.

Wide Compatibility
For music files, the A2 can handle MP3, WMA, Egg Vorbis, FLAC (free lossless audio codec), and WAV (which provides the ability to configure the sound with a 5-band equalizer). BBE sound technology is included to aid in restoring the lost harmonics of digital music to its original clear sound. On the video side, it's compatible with AVI, Windows Media, ASF, and MPEG-4 file formats and DivX 3.11/4/5, XviD, and WMV9 video codecs. Movie file formats that are not supported at first try are easily viewable after a simple conversion using the included JetAudio Basic VX software. You can record video directly from external AV devices (TV, VCR, camcorder)--just connect the A2 with included AV cable and start recording. Video will be recorded in MPEG-4 up to a 640 x 480-pixel resolution at 30 frames per second.

Recording Capability
The A2 also allows professional-level voice recordings through its built-in high-fidelity microphone and direct encoding through a line-in cable. You can record important lectures or directly transmit sounds from CD players or other audio devices with the line-in cable and save them in your A2 in MP3 (encoded up to 192 Kbps). The FM tuner has 25 station presets, and has immediate and scheduled recording capabilities.

Image Viewing, Storage
The 4-inch widescreen displays provides a comfortable view of text files and image files (JPG, PNG, BMP). Images can be viewed in slide show mode or be magnified for detailed view. You can also use the A2 as a USB mass storage device to store and transfer your most important files. Additionally, it offers USB host support, enabling you to connect external devices such as digital cameras or other MP3 players directly to the unit for easy transfer of music, images and other data files without the need for a PC.

Additional Details
It connects to PCs using a super-fast USB 2.0 connection and it's compatible with Microsoft Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, and XP operating systems. It is not compatible with secure/DRM WMA content from online stores or subscription services. The A2's ultra power-saving circuitry enables up to 10 hours of video and 18 hours of audio continuous playback with its built-in, fully charged, 4300 mAh lithium-polymer battery.

What's in the Box
30 GB Cowon multimedia player, carrying case, strap, earphones, AC adapter, USB 2.0 cable, line-in recording cable, USB host cable, installation CD-ROM, printed operating instructions

Product Description

480 x 272 pixels, 26 M color 4 inch Wide TFT-LCD presents overall operation status at your fingertip, and high-quality images anywhere, anytime. / The ultra power-saving circuit of COWON A2 enables up to 10 hours of video and 18 hours of audio continuous playback with its built-in, fully charged, 4300 mAh lithium ion battery. (Based on company tested research)/ DivX, XviD, WMV Codec is pre-installed into the player to play almost all movie file formats without additional conversion procedures. Movie file formats that are not supported at first try are easily viewable after a simple conversion step using JetAudio VX. / Record video directly from external AV devices (TV, VCR, camcorder). Just connect your A2 with included AV cable then start recording. / Supports MP3, OGG, WMA (ASF) and WAV file formats and restores lost harmonics of digital music to its original clear sound with the BBE technology. / You can record voice memos or important lectures with A2's built-in high-fidelity microphone. You can also record directly from any analog sound device such as a CD player with the line-in cable. / 4 in. wide screen allows comfortable view of text files and image files (JPG, PNG, BMP). Images can be viewed in slide show mode or be magnified for detailed view. Now your precious memories can always be viewed and carried along in a digital photo frame. / FM listening comes with useful features such as auto frequency scanning, country settings, 25 preset frequencies, immediate and scheduled recording, and more. / USB 2.0 support allows fast file transfer to the built-in hard disk, and the "USB HOST" feature allows you to transfer pictures from your digital camera (with UMS support) to your A2 without computer. and so on.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The future beyond iPOD - The Path for NonLemmings, March 10, 2006

By 

John Harris (Zionsville, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cowon A2 30 GB Portable Multimedia Player (Electronics)

The A2 provides the perfect traveling device to enjoy music, videos, photos and FM radio. The text feature is limited for use until it can use more common reader software. The user friendly nature, sound quality, screen quality and overall versatility is at the leading edge. I have 500 photos, 2000 songs, 10 full length movies and I still have over 30% of the drive to use.

Some have argued that the battery should be replaceable. This is not a major problem since few offer such a feature, and when you have the battery life of 15 hours one does not have to replace the battery to keep using under normal activity. People have to complain about something. It does not have a video camera like the Archos AV500, but who really needs that for the typical use of this type of entertainment product. One should look at the ease of use, the range of capabilities, the quality of how it works. Another reviewer said they had problems. I have not with either the A2 or the XL5 by iAudio. All electronic devices are going to have a few lemons. Complaints have been made of the customer service, but since I have not needed them it is hard to rate them. Their website has an excellent international chat room that provides much of the knowledge of issues and applications, as well as accessories available. The A2 has a greater international following due to longer marketing in Europe and Asia.

Their firmware updates every few weeks addressing many of the issues raised by customers. The A2 now has greater features than the AV500 at a much lower price. One problem is the newest features such as DMB (Digital Mutlimedia Broadcasting) is not able to be used in the US with our antiquated technology.

The earphones are only mediocre. Consistent with trying to break from the lemming pack, try the Ultrasone headphones (iCans or HFI700, I have both)from Germany. They provide a sound quality that the A2 can support with open, accurate and balanced frequency response.

The biggest weakness is that iAudio (Cowon) does not effectively market their products so more people can become familiar with their products.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent PMP, August 16, 2006

By 

elixxxer (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cowon A2 30 GB Portable Multimedia Player (Electronics)

I have had the Cowon A2 for about 3 months now and absolutely love it. To keep things concise and purposeful;

Pros:
-Amazing audio quality playback
-Unique and excellent audio enhancements with 5-band equalizer
-Supports more codecs than any PMP available in the U.S.
-AC3 audio codec support!! (only PMP available in the U.S. which
supports this so far and ALL of my digital movies use AC3 audio)
-Sharp, crisp screen with 12 brightness level adjustment
-Recording function works well with high quality video (early
issues of poor quality video fixed with newer firmware)
-TV out function very handy and simple with just 1 A/V cable
-Astonishing battery life (I consistently return approximately 8
hours for video and 15 hours for audio at volume level 20/40
and screen brightness 7/12)
-Well built, leather-like carrying case included
-EXCELLENT technical support with CONSTANT firmware updates

Cons:
-Needs enhanced WMV support
-GUI could be more intuitive, but it's not terrible
-TV recording function could be more intuitive
-Mediocre voice recording
-FM radio useless without headphones/earbuds (act as an antenna)


Overall, I love the Cowon A2 and purchased the product over its main competitors the Archos AV500 and Creative Zen Vision because of the A2's excellent value, feature set, and beautiful screen.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slim, Compact and perhaps the Future of Portable Entertainment, December 3, 2006

By 

J. Hauser "Yellow Page Expert" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cowon A2 30 GB Portable Multimedia Player (Electronics)

My daughter just saw my A2 for the first time, (she's 22) and BEGGED my to buy her one. So much for first impressions. The unit is small and sleek and easily transported in a pocket or purse. But let's begin with the manual. It's flawed, to say the least. It doesn't explain all the functions and fails to address several issues.
For example, it shows an item called a DMB and a tv logo. But this is for a Korean who wants to access a tv signal in Seoul. Since I'm in Arizona, that's a problem. The main function button allows things like fast forwarding of videos, yet this is not even mentioned. The manual type is very small and hard to read. The illustrations, likewise. But the player is pretty intuitive to use and playing with it for a while allows you to figure out most of the functions.
Now for the best parts. The screen is crisp and clear. Downloading from a DVD player or the tv is easy. I can also copy a DVD to my computer and download using the USB to the A2. And I have a Mac, which they says won't work with the software. W-R-O-N-G! It works just fine with my iMac G4 without any special softwware. Downloading does take a while, but so what? You can move items into folders and rename them at will. I dumped the Korean subway maps that are included as photos and popped in my own photographs in the jpg format.
I also have a tip: download the manual in PDF from their website, convert it to a txt file, and move it into the text folder. Then you'll have it on the screen if needed. I figure you can load about 28 2-hour DVD movies and 500 mp3's, which are also a breeze to load. And still I have room for 100's of photos. The sound through the earphones is good and better with better earphones. I can't wait to take it on airplane trips to avoid the in-flight movies and pick from dozens of my own, played on MY schedule.
A final word. It would have gotten 5 stars if not for the poor manual and tech support guy, who told me it wouldn't work on Macs and not to even try. I did a lot of research before choosing the A2 for it's size, price and features. I wasn't disappointed and if I ever am, a know a certain girl that will love to inherit it.