Customer Reviews

Philips Consumer Products ACT200 MP3 Digital Audio Player (64 MB)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I have been looking for a portable MP3 player to use at the gym for some time now, and this unit is the first that appears to be geared for the athelete. For the most part the player fits the bill, providing a lightweight unit that fits snuggly into a flexible arm sleeve. Here are the only downsides in my view:

1. The headphones while designed to stay out of the way with a cord that goes down your backside and around to the mp3 player on your arm is a little awkward. Specifically the two earpieces are attached to one another via a plastic arm, which can dislodge if you are doing excercises where you lean your head back.

2. Software setup was not a breeze. It took me a few attempts where my computer rebooted in the middle of accessing the unit for no apparant reason.

3. the headphone connector to the unit is a bit sensitve. I have to wiggle the connector on mine when i attach to the mp3 player to get full stereo sound. Another pair of headphones would probably solve the problem, but it would have been nice to have this work with no problem.

Having said all of this, i am happy with this thing. The only improvement i would make would be a pair of wireless earpieces, but i guess i will have to wait a couple of years before those appear on the market.

The bad first: Complaints about the instructions is valid. Instructions are cryptic at best. But if you know anything about computers, you'll be fine. If you don't, this is what you do: install the Nike psa software to format the internal hard drive. You only need to format your drive when it has to be erased and reset. If you have Windows XP, it will auto-detect the psa when you plug it in the USB port. Just stick the CD in when prompted. WARNING: Windows XP will tell you the software isn't qualified. Just accept and continue. Then install the Music Match software to download music to your psa. Once the Music Match software is installed, you can read on-line instructions on how to use it. What else? The headphones do suck. But you can probably afford to buy a better pair with the $200-$300 you save by NOT buying the iPod.

The good: If you run, if you're physically active, if you go to the gym, this is the best. It's not bulky. In fact it's pretty ergonomic. I saw some guy trying to lift weights with a rectangular iPod hanging in a pouch from his triceps. It looked dorky. By contrast I had someone tell me the psa looked "sexy." Nice, eh? That's why you go to the gym, right? I got caught in a rainstorm with this thing. No problem. It's not waterproof, but the design will keep it intact so long as you don't dive into a puddle of water.

You choose: The equalizer is limited. But if you've been running for 30 minutes in 80 degree heat, you're not thinking Bang and Olufsen here, ya know? Batteries aren't rechargeable. One AAA will last you about a week if you're really active. That kinda sucks when your battery peters out halfway through your run in the middle of nowhere.

All in all, I'm in love with my little psa. But do yourself a favor and get the 128 MB player instead. The 64 MB IS NOT upgradeable, and you'll want the 2 hours that 128 MB will give you.

Okay at first loved this even purchased the one with more memory 128 and the little window, however after some time they just up and die on you!! in fact I have 4 of these sitting in my car at this very minute that have all just died???? I'm going to get a box and send them all out to Phillips because this was ridiculous. I would recommend doing some major investigating for all the MP 3 players out there I have had my collection for about 2 years now. The arm band is handy, they are small enough not to get in your way, it holds enough music for a hour work out, down loading the music is fairly simple once you get the hang of it, but sometimes (it may just be my computer) the computer doesn't recognize that is it there.

Oh yea and the rubber buttons can become a challenge to press down on you end ruining the face of the player because sometimes you'll have to use your finger nails which eventually cuts into the rubber.

Respectfully reviewed

the reviews above made me worry - but as a sucker for "small electronics" and a runner I could not resist the nike-philips psa64 (psa[64 ???).
My experience was different from the reviews; I plugged the device in my PC (running XP) - loaded the CD&drivers; even ignored the recommended reboot - using Microsoft's Media Player 9 I could load a mix of MP3 and WMA-files and I was off in literally a couple of minutes. Easy!

I am not impressed by the instructions (no suggestion on what is required and what is mandatory - see WMP use) and the software install (not certified my MS and why ask to reboot if not needed?) - hence 4 stars, not 5...

This is the first MP3 player I have owned. It is a great size
for athletes to use during exercise. I find it to be light weight and the arm band is very comfortable. The extension is nice but somewhat on the high maintenance end if you just want to put the player on and run. Sound is good and skipping is not an issue.
Downsides I found were that it came with very limited instructions for downloading music and reinstallation of software is often necessary to get your computer to recognize the device. After two weeks of ownership it has demagnitized twice despite taking all of the necessary precautions. And good luck if you need customer support. It only took 12 tries to get through to them. Best to try at 7:00amEST.
Overall, good size and fun to use, but downloading or changing your music can take some time.

I've read a few bad reviews about this MP3, but have to say I haven't had any trouble at all with mine! I love it!! The software was easy for me to load (I have windows ME) and is user friendly I think as far as downloading music. It is great to run with and holds plenty enough music to get me through a heart-pounding workout!
If I had to say anything bad it would be that I don't care for the headphones. They don't fit in my ears that well at times and when running they have slipped out especially when I start sweating. So, I will replace those. Also, the remote thing it comes with is kind of wasteful. I have yet to use it. But, besides that, I love this thing and when/if it stops working, I will get another!

I purchased this mp3 player a few months ago, so I've had plenty of time to use it. First of all, the headset is next to useless. If you plan on any kind of exercise while wearing this, you'll see what I mean. The ear pieces will easily slip out of your ears. Plus it has magnets and a remote control. Magnets? What's the purpose of a remote control when the player is only inches away? I immediately replaced it. Second, the instructions that come with the player are minimal, very minimal. It's more like a short series of diagrams. Also, since it only requires 1 AAA battery (which I had considered a plus), it goes through batteries pretty quickly.
On the other hand the sound quality is pretty good. You do have to use Music Match to download to it, and that's not the easiest thing to use either.
There are other mp3 players out there and I'm going to start looking again. Unfortunately there aren't that many to choose from that are designed for sports or workout activities.

I bought this about a month ago for $50 since it was a pain to go for a run with a CD player in my hand.

INSTALLATION - Although it was a bit tricky to get it installed in WinXP (just download the drivers from the website and point to those manually for install - don't do auto), I was able to access the flash memory just fine. It has, however, caused sudden reboots on my PC soon after I transfer files to it so I usually reboot myself to avoid any problems.

ACCESORIES - The arm strap was the big selling point for me since I'd have nothing to carry. It comes with good headphones that don't fall off while running. I don't use the remote part since I mind as well just press the buttons on the player strapped to my arm. I don't like the magnets used to attach the headphone cord to our clothing, since I am afraid of having the magnets ruin my TV/monitor or something else.

SOUND QUALITY - MP3s encoded at 192 kbps sound great throught this player. Too bad it doesn't support OGG which would allow better sound at smaller sizes.

BATTERY LIFE - Very good. They say 10 hrs.

Overall, this player is not perfect in every sense but for the use/price I am very happy with it.

I bought my MP3 player about a year and a half ago. It was a purchased on a whimm. I did no research and saw it on sale at the store. I was happy, I used the Windows media player on both the windows me and windows xp operating systems. Only to have the player stop working. I can download all the music I want to it, I just can't get it play any of it. A year and a half of moderate use, no dropping, no getting wet, only going through about 4 or 5 batteries, and now its dead. I'll leave it up to you whether you think a year and a half of use is worth the price.

Oh as a side note, if you decide to purchase one definately go bigger than the 64 MB It has about 45 min to an hour of songs, which can bug you when they start to repeat.

Over all the time I had with the player was good, if terribly short.

The Nike PSA player itself looks like a great little device, and is the perfect size for working out. I wouldn't know firsthand, though, because I never could get the driver software to install. The MusicMatch software installed quickly on Windows XP, but the drivers would not. After trying all of the updates from the Philips websites, and Firmware updates, still, nothing. This was all attempted by a network engineer who troubleshoots software and hardware installations for a living. I then attempted to use the Philips help line, but they were of no help at all. After reading numerous reviews, it is clear to me that there are definite problems with the software, and it's not worth taking a chance by purchasing this product.