Samsung Techno Yepp 64 MB Digital Audio Player

by Samsung

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 2.8 x 3.5 inches ; 2.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005Q2US
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,915 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Samsung Techno D is a professional kind of MP3 player. It comes with more than adequate internal RAM (64 MB), a SmartMedia slot for additional flash memory, an FM-radio-bearing remote control, and voice recording via a built-in microphone. It's close to being all-things audio for the digital age. The Techno D ships with RealNetworks' RealJukebox software for ripping MP3 files from CDs and building playlists. We were disappointed to find that this included version limits ripping to 96 kbps (128 kbps provides near-CD-quality audio), though an upgrade is available at additional cost. At this time, there's no module that allows RealJukebox to directly transfer and manage the Techno D's storage, so Samsung includes a simple program to handle the internal memory and initialize and manage any SmartMedia memory cards.

The Techno D has a regular audio jack, volume control, equalization and 3-D sound simulations, and a three-line LCD that shows the current song, artist, and album being played. We fooled around with the 3-D sound settings for a bit of fun, but they provide too much distortion for professional recordings. However, the equalization worked well to balance sounds, though this varied by type of music.

While the Techno D works just fine on its own, you can also access audio and playback features using the remote control unit that connects via a special plug. The remote control contains an audio jack and also has a built-in FM receiver that can be tuned, and you can store station presets. It has a small LCD screen to show track number, FM station, and battery life. The radio relies on the included earphones as its antenna, so reception will often depend more on location and body orientation than with most radios.

We tested the Techno D's software by transferring tracks from various albums at different compression rates, and the USB interface made swift work of moving the files around. We tried a low rate of ripping via RealJukebox to squeeze about three hours of music into the built-in 64 MB of RAM, and the player easily handled that many titles.

The sound quality was always good, even though batteries can burn up fast: a few hours of time empties the AAA alkalines, so stock up on rechargeables and a charger. Audio recording with the built-in microphone was also a breeze. Each time the record button is pressed, the Yepp begins a new sequentially numbered audio file. The quality of recording was surprisingly good, and we picked up distant voices well. These files can be erased directly off the unit (as can MP3 files) or managed via the standalone program.

Note that the manual doesn't mention the music industry SDMI format, but it does say in passing that the unit supports SecuMAX. This format is proprietary to Samsung, and it appears at the moment to merely limit MP3 copying from Yepp to Yepp.

The Samsung Techno D is a solid performer that works well with a minimum of fuss, while providing sophisticated controls for the user who wants the player's wide array of features. --Glenn Fleishman

Pros:

• Complex set of choices handled easily through LCD interface and specific buttons
• USB-based transfer works seamlessly and quickly with Windows
• Built-in memory for one to three hours of music (depending on quality) with expansion slot for more

Cons:

• Included RealJukebox software limited to ripping music at 96 Kbps
• Burns through batteries--but what MP3 player doesn't?
• SecuMAX copyright protection software is not explained well

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIFI MUSIC AND VOICE RECORDING (almost) UNLIMITED, September 22, 2001

By 

AstarX and Friends (Yes2Art City - CO 80907 U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung Techno Yepp 64 MB Digital Audio Player (Electronics)

Maybe most of us music freaks are more interested in the sound quality: With the Techno Yepp [ASIN B00005Q2US] you will get it (as well as with the MINI Yepp [ASIN B00005B4BS] which I still own, I purchased another product from Samsung). MP3 is MP3, i.e., the sound quality should be 'original' and it is. There are 4 equalizer modes NORMAL - CLASSIC - JAZZ - ROCK and each of them can be "topped" with the Surround 3D sound effect by just pressing the 3D button.

I personally like Voice Recording/Playing very much. The built-in microphone catches much more than I expected, I used it even in a 4 hour court hearing and got a "digital transcript". Astonishing, a whispered testemoniy which was almost not to hear over a distance of 18 feet was recorded perfectly.

Downloading files TO and FROM the Techno Yepp is fast and easy using the Yepp Explorer Software or Realjukebox, both to install from the CD-ROM disk. Yepp Explorer is just how a software should be: Load it - use it - period .... but make sure Techno Yepp is connected because Explorer will look for!

The Remote control with FM radio receiver that has 5 presets is a nice "add on" but should be called "FM radio receiver" and not more. It's true, you can control Techno Yepp with all the buttons on this hexagonal shaped FM radio and you may even show-off with the backlight LCD, but all these, FM radio tuner and backlight are powered from the two AAA batteries located in the Techno Yepp. I would rather like to have a lower price or more built-in memory instead of this FM radio which will eat up the AAA batteries faster. But for a hiker or bicyclist the remote control unit may be very useful (also as an "extension cord" for the quite short earphone cable).
A free Tip about "Setting the Modes": This can be done with the Remote Controller only for REPeats - ALL - SHUffle - INTro. So, this FM radio tuner is a "Mode Setter" too and in case you set mode INTro (enables you to repeat the first second of the tracks saved) you MUST use the Remote Controller to playback a more than 10 seconds.

Most of all I like the ergonomic design of the Techno Yepp. I can hold it in my left hand and operate all the functions easily. Feels good - looks good - sounds good. I would buy it again.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value, great sound, great EVERYTHING, October 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Samsung Techno Yepp 64 MB Digital Audio Player (Electronics)

This player is absolutly the best. It has more features than I need. My player is asimilar model. Mine does not have a remote or FM tuner. I love everything about it. The only bad part is the fact it does not have Bass boost, but the sound quality makes up for that. The other bad thing is that there are many parts that are there for onamentation that seem to be a little loose on mine, but I think that they will hold. The warranty of one year is better than most 90 Day warrantees so itf something does fall off, which will most likely happen before the warranty is gone. The head phones that come with it are bad so I reccomend the Sony MDR-G52 for headphones. Battery life is 8 hours, but your's will be shorter because it has a remote. Samsung makes the best sounding MP3 players. I reccomend this one highly to anyone. It is the best one around.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yepp/Almost Perfect, December 31, 2001

By 

"jaxisa" (Oceanside, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung Techno Yepp 64 MB Digital Audio Player (Electronics)

Having just received this little gem for Christmas, it is everything it was advertised to be. Although, at better quality rates (above 128), it cannot hold as much as the ad says, with a 64 MB card added, I am getting about 30 songs on average. I find the buttons are well placed and the sound is remarkable. One word of advice, which I feel is not an option. GET NEW HEAPHONES. The set the Yepp comes with is horrible. As are most phones provided. I got the KOSS Porta-Pro phones and the comfort factor shot through the roof as well as the sound. I show friends the difference and they are all astounded. Hook this Yepp up to a good quality set of h-phones and enjoy the sound!