MP3 player/recorder

Most of the reviews of this product fail to mention that it is also a recorder, which is one of the main reasons I got this. You can record voice with the microphone, but the quality is limited. There is a line in plug which you can record from other sources which can work quite well.

It has a nice feature of being able to select a single continuous recording or to allow it to create separate files, when silence is detected. This allows for creating more smaller files, which can be better when transfering the files and is useful in a crude editing means as you can just delete the sections that you want (assuming there was silence). This is the normal setting I use for recording.

The quality of the recordings varies, but that is mainly based on the input volume. If the volume is too low, the unit makes far too many separate files and there is missing pieces when it changes the file (slight, but noticeable). If the volume it too loud, the recording is distorted. This means you need to practice and try different recording levels.

The battery is consumed rather quickly when recording, but use of a NiMh battery makes that not much of an issue.

This feature is very useful in transfering cassette tapes onto the computer, then onto CDs. It also makes it possible to record presentations and manage the recordings on the computer, rather than using tapes.

One thing which I do not like is that it stores the files in different folders and you have to go into the menu function to select the default folder (it can say that there are no files when there really are). If you make some changes, it will change the default folder and so you have to fight it and change it back.

I had some issues regarding the unit with respect to the FM receiver. I bought a refurbished unit and the FM receiver never worked. I updated the firmware and it worked better, but still not correctly. Samsung support was useless, they claimed that they did not even know about the firmware version on their website. I had to send the unit out for repair. I got the unit back and the firmware was downgraded to 1.2, so I upgrade it to 1.5, but then the FM step was .05Mhz. There is another review of this which the person offers to send a Korean version of the firmware which he received from Samsung (I guess he has better luck with them than I). I contacted him and got the files. I had to replace the files in the directory, but then upgraded the firmware on the unit. Now the FM works as it should and there are additional features. One has to wonder why Samsung does not offer that version. Warning: While upgrading the firmware worked, there is always the risk that something could go wrong and since the version is not supported you may have a problem if you attempt it (not that they really support the version on their website, but just so you can't say you were not warned). Check out the other review for more info. I can also forward the file, but it is use at your own risk.

The case that comes with it is useless, but it does come with everything that you need to use it (usb cable, audio input cable, etc.) rather than having to buy these items at an extra cost. It would be nice if you could remotely power the unit, especially when recording.

Overall, I am not impressed with the user interface. It is rather slow to make changes and exiting out is not quick either (maybe I am missing something, but you need to go to the end of the list of items and select exit for each level of menus).

I have also had problems with the supplied software as it does not install correctly under Windoze XP. I managed to manually select the packages. The firmware upgrade software is not all that good either, but it does work. It does not seem possible to downgrade the version and unless you follow all of the instructions, the firmware upgrade might not be saved.

The unit is small and works quite well for simple functions, especially if you just want to listen to one track after another.