Customer Reviews

Cowon O2 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always been a fan of Cowon. I think they typically make great mp3 and video players, and their D2 is my favorite mp3 player of all time. When the O2 was announced, I knew I would be buying one. Overall I'm satisfied with the O2, but there are a few rather glaring problems with the player that cannot be ignored.

Cowon has always been better at making hardware than writing firmware to support it, and this trend continues with the O2. Things that should be there aren't, and things that should work better don't. There is a lot to love about the O2 anyway, but it just feels like Cowon keeps just missing. I'm still waiting for that perfect PMP that I know they're more than capable of producing. I'm hoping that as the firmware matures for the O2 that they fix some of the problems and make this a good PMP into a great one.

Before addressing what makes this player good but frustratingly imperfect, here are a few technical details from my experience using the O2:

File upload speed: internal memory, using provided USB cable plugged directly into the computer (no hub) is about 6.5 - 7.4mb/second. I tried large batches of files (3-4gb) and small batches (200mb - 500mb) and they all uploaded at approximately the same speed. Single large files like movies upload slight faster, in the 7.5-8mb/second.

Firmware updates have been made much easier than in previous Cowon players. No more Copy file, reboot device, copy in 2nd file, reboot device, etc... The firmware can be updated with a single collection of files uploaded to the main directory. Reboot the O2, the system loads the new firmware and you're done. Updating from 1.9A (preloaded when received from Amazon) to 1.4b took about 20 seconds tops. This is a great improvement from the D2.

A strange difference between the O2 and the D2 is that when connecting to the computer via USB, you can only access the internal or external memory at one time. When you plug in, the O2 will give the option of selecting internal or external. This is different from the D2. The major disadvantage to the only being able to access internal or external in isolation is that you cannot transfer files from one directory to the other.

Now lets get on with the good:

1. 16gb of flash memory (about 14gb accessible).

2. Support of many audio and video codecs, including FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) which is what I use for all my music files.

3. Slick, sexy design. Understated cool. The O2 feels solid in your hand and is just quality all the way around. Has a very thin bezel. Almost the entire device is touch screen.

4. Expandable via SD or SDHC card which is PERFECT for a PMP because you can add movies to an SDHC card and swamp them in and out as needed. This is especially nice if you're taking a trip and want to have a good number of movies available.

5. Great resolution and very pretty screen. Movies look nice on the O2.

6. Very fast boot up. My O2 starts in about 8-9 seconds, which is 3 times as fast as my D2. That is an excellent improvement.

7. Simple, intuitive GUI (Graphic User Interface). The O2 uses icons sort of like what you would find on a smart phone to navigate through menus, select media files and play them. There O2 also allows multitasking; you can simultaneously listen to music while using the notepad for example.

8. 10 band EQ. This is simply fantastic, and easily the best EQ I've ever had in a PMP. You can adjust to your hearts content and make your music sound the way it should. I love this feature!

There are some real problems with the O2 however, a few of which are beyond silly in a PMP of this caliber.

1. No support for meta tags. Seriously Cowon, what were your designers smoking when you decided to leave out support for tags? Especially since Cowon has offered support for them in every other PMP they've put on the market! The D2 supports tags (albeit after several rounds of firmware to get it to do it correctly) so why the heck doesn't the O2? Because my media files are all tagged perfectly (download mp3tag if you need a great tag editor) and also organized very logically in files, this doesn't affect me that much, but it could be devastating for someone who keeps their files all in one big mix and relies on meta tag information to keep them sorted.

2. No support for DRM files. While I don't personally own any, this is a bit of a travesty considering how many people have extensive libraries of DRM files.

3. No FM receiver. The D2 has it, and the O2 should as well.

4. Finicky GUI in certain situations. I have larger fingers and find touch screens to be a pain. The O2 is no exception. The size of the some of the menus, and especially those in the audio and video playing area, are small and hard to access.

5. Firmware bugs. Even the most recently released firmware has bugs. Check out the official O2 forum (google search iaudiophile) for details. Since Cowon changes firmware for their players like most people change socks, it would be pointless to point out the current bugs. As time goes by, they will evolve. Fortunately, Cowon also has a history of steadily improving their firmware, so if you have a bug now, chances are it will be fixed in the future.

6. Flap that covers the SDHC card slot and USB access is connected by two flexible plastic bands. I hate when phone makers do this (Razr2) and its even worse on a media player. They always wear out, especially since they have to be used ALL THE TIME when charging the device, and once they break off they are impossible to repair. They should use steel bands (or anything other than plastic!) to make sure these covers don't wear out!

Conclusions:

The number of files supported, over all excellent GUI, sexy design, and high quality audiphile touches like the 10 band EQ make the O2 a great PMP option. Sadly, it isn't perfect, and while firmware updates may improve it, they can't add an FM receiver nor replace the plastic bands that hold on the SDHC card slot cover. If they manage to fix my other complaints and provide support for meta tags, tweak the GUI, and add support for DRM files, the O2 would be unchallengeable as the best PMP on the market. Here's hoping that happens.

Additional thoughts:

I've added a few photos to the Amazon page. One is a size comparison to several other PMPs (Ipod 4th generation, Cowon D2, Iriver Clix), on of the included accessories, and the last a picture of the SDHC and USB port and its cover.

I have edited this review to increase the stars from 4 to 5. Why? Because continued familiarity with this device allows me to overlook its not-so-sexy interface and appreciate more fully its excellent file-playing abilities and go-everywhere portability. It plays all my stuff and fits perfectly into my front shirt pocket. It is my TV and Movies everywhere video player.

In short: it just works. Really.

Just wanted to mention it because I didn't see it in the other reviews: this PMP will play your videos, etc right from the SD or SDHC card. No need to copy the files into the player itself. There is no end to the memory you can take with this thing. Wonderful.

It was the lack of this facility that made the otherwise-excellent Creative Zen Vision W so limiting.

Good job Cowon!

I researched PMPs in the price range up to $250 hoping to stay less than $150 but the more I looked and compared the more I realized I would need to spend a little bit more to get what I wanted which was:

1. Feature movies on decent screen
2. Music playlists
3. Non-proprietary connections
4. Expandable
5. Good battery life
6. Small

Models considered:

PSP-3000, Samsung P9, Cowon S9, iPod Touch, ZuneHD, Creative and Sandisk models and off brand Chinese.

The touch screen is 4.3 inches and has very good brightness even outdoors surprisingly. The reflectiveness is a bit of a problem at times, though, and I don't yet have an anti-glare protector. The firmware updates provide a few extra features and more stability.

I've had this now about a month and am very happy with my purchase. There were a few tense moments that, if not for internet sites with other user tips, might have caused me to return this. Example: the usb battery charging feature requires that you place the unit in locked position or else it activates and actually drains the battery.

The user manual is a big problem and needs to be improved. Advice: go to the anythingbutipod site or just do a search on cowon o2 and you'll get plenty of undocumented support.

I'm getting about 5-6 hours of video and I don't listen to enough music to know how much battery life there is but it is the best in it's class for this large of a screen.

It is a very sturdy unit - I've already dropped it on a stone floor without a hiccup - it's a bit heavy so be sure to get a good case. The wrist strap/stylus thingy is cute but not practical. Use your fingernail for precision.

I use Auto Gordian Knot to convert DVD files to AVI and it takes a little bit of planning but I'm having a blast getting so many movies on the unit or SD cards with no conversion problems whatsoever.

The unit does support folder playlists only so you have to arrange your music that way. No big deal. It supports auto-resume after power down so you don't have to go hunting to start back up where you left off in a movie.

It also has a great 'recent files' icon that makes it very easy to resume as well. I'm not sure why other people haven't figured this out. It's really quite easy.

You can use the external volume button while the screen is locked or also as a FF/RW button.

It doesn't have wireless which sometimes is a negative nor does it have any games although you can search around for downloadable games that might or might not work in this format.

I really like that I can use any mini-usb cord to connect to the PC and it is recognized immediately. It came with an AC charger which is a big plus as well. Too bad it didn't come with a protective cover but I guess that's why they sell accessories.

There's no radio but I don't listen anyway and usually the reception for these units with radio isn't that good.

All in all, I highly recommend this if your primary interest is movies. It's got fabulous music features that are not high on my list but I'm not complaining.

It is sleek and solid and the buttons all work as expected. It doesn't feel the least bit cheap or plastic-y as some have mentioned even though it doesn't have a metal case.

Its a good unit. I give it overall 3.5-4 stars just unhappy with the touch screen. Had a older version and it had the toggle, loved that one.

I am not going to get into the whole spec thing as I don't have the patience to write that much. The basics is that it does everything it should other then connect to Wifi so no web browsing. If you want a digital video player that has a long battery life, this is it. Drop and drag files, store music, videos, pictures. The basic competitive edge over other products is reliability and battery life.

Excellent Codec support, almost anything just plays, no conversion needed. Not a really great music player because of the interface but has good sound. Has a small pop sound every time it changes music tracks and everyone I know that has one does the same thing. Overheats sometimes when kept in enclosed spaces for several hours playing constantly, but this is more a use problem than a design one.

Bought this hoping for basically a D2 with a larger screen and better support for video codecs and formats. Close, but missing a few things I really like about the D2.

No Radio - therefore, no radio recording (I completely missed this reading the specs - just assumed it would be there)

No Line-in recording, which also acted as as an external mic input on the D2.

No buttons to skip tracks - Volume buttons can't be used to do this while in lock mode either - seems like something a firmware update in the future could fix, hopefully.


Doesn't support flv or rmvb video files.
Doesnt' support pdf files - why is this not available on anything?