Samsung YP-T8Z Digital Audio Player
Feb 27th, 2006 | By Archive
Samsung YP-T8Z Digital Audio Player
Date
: 02/27/06 – 01:57:42 AM
Author
:
Category
: MP3 Players
Page 1 : Index
Manufacturer:
Samsung
Price:
$170
Without a doubt, Samsung has made quite a splash in the digital audio market with their widely successful Yepp series. Overclockers Online has already taken a look at quite a number of Samsung products including digital audio players, printers, and monitors. Today we are going to add another to the collection, the YP-T8Z.
Digital devices are progressively decreasing in size, while simultaneously increasing in functions and features. Samsung's YP-T8Z is a prime example, this digital media player not only boasts a large 1.8′ TFT screen and a storage capacity of 1GB, but it also doubles as an all in one media player.
Page 2 : Package
Samsung has always done a superb job with visually appealing yet protective packaging, and this is no exception. Encased within a vibrant green and white package is the YP- T8Z digital audio player. Printed underneath is the title is ‘All in One Entertainment Player’, main features and the Microsoft 'PlaysForSure' certification logo.
The PlaysForSure certification ensures that the specific player is guaranteed to play the WMA (
W
indows
M
edia
A
udio) and WMV (
W
indows
M
edia
V
ideo). Here is what Microsoft has to say about it:
Flipping the package over we find a more in depth list of features, package content and system requirements which we will further discuss on the next page.
Page 3 : Features and Specifications
A quote from Samsung:
Quite a package and truly an 'all in one entertainment player!'
Specifications from Samsungs site:
Now, let's take a look at the key features:
- 1GB Storage
- 1.8 TFT-LCD
- FM Tuner
- Voice Recording
- Up to 20 hrs playback
A very nice bundle, especially the FM tuner and voice recording! Earlier last year Simon Lau took a look at Samsung's YP-T7Z and found that the battery life was relatively short, the 20 hours of battery life in the YP-T8Z is quite an improvement.
Next head on over to the next page and let us take a look at the contents.
Page 4 : Package ContentBecause the edges are sealed – and sharp might I add, opening the package requires quite a bit of work.
As always, Samsung includes quite a bit of documentation including a very detailed manual, drivers and software all packed neatly within the package.
Digging deeper into the package the cables and ear buds are uncovered.
Also included is a translucent carrying case with a belt clip and an AC adaptor to charge the YP-T8Z unit.
Lastly, the actual YP-T8Z unit.
Now head on over to the next page and we shall take a look at the YP-T8Z's layout!
Page 5 : LayoutAt first glance, the YP-T8Z could easily be mistaken for as a cell phone because of its size, shape and large 1.8′ TFT LCD screen but upon closer examination, the absence of a number keypad unveils its true identity.
The face of the digital player sports three buttons, forward, and a button labelled NAVI which serves multiple functions such as volume, scrolling and select.
Two buttons are present on either side of the body; on the left: record and hold, on the right power/pause/play and menu.
All buttons are placed conveniently within reach when the unit is handled, but the layout could be much cleaner in comparison to other digital audio players.
The audio output jack and ENC jack are conveniently placed at the top of the unit along with a neck strap hook.
On the bottom we find a microphone and a USB connection port as well as a hole covering the reset button behind a flexible flap.
Now that we have taken a good look at the YP-T8Z, let's take a look at installation and setup on the next page.
Page 6 : InstallationIn order to protect the YP-T8Z Samsung not only provides warranty, but a soft translucent carrying case and a belt clip.
Inserting the player into the carrying case is a simple process; begin by slipping the bottom into the casing.
With the bottom portion in place, gently stretch the other half of the casing over the player.
From there, it can be inserted into a belt ring or pocket.
The YP-T8Z can also be attached to a neck strap.
The player takes roughly three to three and a half hours to charge, so during this time it would be a good idea to read over the manual, install software and prepare the songs to upload. Using the included AC adaptor and adaptor wire, plug one end into the media player's USB port and the other into the AC adaptor.
While the media player is charging we'll take a quick look at the installation of the included software.
The first screen is the auto run screen, here the user is given an option to choose between 8 countries/ language settings including an 'Other Regions' option.
Next, the user is presented with three choices: Install WIN98 USB Drivers, Install Samsung Media Studio, and Install Multimedia Studio. For the sake of this article, we will not cover the installation of Windows 98 USB drivers.
First, we will install Multimedia Studio:
Samsung Media Studio will allow you to easily organize, manage and play your audio files. You can also transfer and manage music files in Portable Devices.[/quote]
As always, there is a welcome screen:
A licence agreement:
The installation!
And finally, we have Media Studio!
Main screen[/quote]
Next, we will run through the installation of Samsung Media Studio.This software provides tools to edit pictures, play videos, convert formats and create multimedia albums.[/quote]
First the user will be prompted to select language settings: Chinese (PRC), Chinese (Taiwan), English, French (Standard) and Japanese.
Next, the licence agreement:
Then, installation:
Then, Samsung Media Studio.
Main screen[/quote]
Well, now that we are done with the installation portion, head on over to the next page and we will jump right into testing!
Page 7 : Testing: Using the YP-T8ZHolding the power button, also known as the play/pause button brings the media player to life.
Once the system boots up, the play list screen will be loaded. This screen displays information such as the time, genre, battery life, songs, repeat, artist, album, title, bit rate, sound level, and time elapsed.
In terms of sound quality, the YP-T8Z is sure to please anyone. This unit produces a very sharp and clear sound. The ear buds are also quite good and with 13 different play back settings one can't go wrong!
Holding the menu button brings up the main menu. Use the NAVI button to scroll down the list of menu items or press menu again to exit.
Courtesy of Samsung's manual. Actual screen is in color.[/quote]- Music:
Selecting music returns the player back to - Navigation:
Organizes files in folder view style - Play list
Shows list of play lists - FM Radio
FM radio - Text
Text file viewer - Photo
Image file viewer - Video
Video viewer - Games
Motion sensitive games - USB Host
Transfer files from one device to anotherNow head on over to the next page and we shall take a quick look at various features!
Page 8 : Testing: Text, image and video viewerHow often does one find themselves desperately in the need to view a text file, image or video? Not often, but that doesn't mean that the added convenience will do any harm! Viewing such files on a 160x 128 screen may seem troublesome, but in times of need it is as good as sliced bread.
Text
To access the text viewer, press and hold the menu button to bring up the main menu, from there use the NAVI button to scroll down the list and select text. From here, press NAVI to bring up a list of text files. Use NAVI again to scroll down the list and click NAVI to select a particular file.
Default color scheme, also available: black on yellow, blue on grey, magenta on white, white on orange, white on black, and white on purple.[/quote]
The screen displays eight lines at a time and the text is very sharp, clear and very readable. This feature will come in handy as a shopping list, notes, directions, and so on.Pictures
The picture viewer is located underneath the text viewer in the main menu; again pressing NAVI will bring up a list of pictures available.
Though having this feature is great – especially paired with the USB host function, the absence of a zoom/ pan button really takes away from this feature. Instead of allow the user to view the entire picture; the YP-T8Z automatically resizes the image to fit the display significantly decreasing image quality. Another problem I ran into was that the USB host function could not supply enough power for more power hungry devices such as my Canon EOS 20D digital camera or USB hard disk drive. Despite these short comings, the USB host works flawlessly with flash based devices.
Videos
Below the picture viewer is the video viewer and as always, NAVI is used to navigate through the play list.
Red VS Blue[/quote]
Although it is hard to properly watch a video on a 1.8′ TFT screen, who can complain about videos on the go?
Page 9 : Testing: GamesWhat would an all in one media player be without games? The YP-T8Z breathes new life into portable gaming with vibrant graphics, unique game play and motion sensitive control. Included is:
Hextris
, a new and improved variation of Tetris.
PipeDream
, again, a version of Tetris, but the goal is to to connect pipes in order complete the water works.
The Hurdles
, a 'racing' type game which will really draw attention in public.
Requires quite a bit of violent shaking – up and down to run and a wrist flick to jump.[/quote]
And finally
Dart Game
, a classic dart game which uses motion sensors to aim and a wrist flick to toss the dart.
If this curious looking device does not already draw enough attention towards itself already, you can sure bet the motion sensitive games will!
Now, as things draw to a close, let's take a look at the final verdict.
Page 10 : ConclusionIn today's highly competitive digital media player market dominated by Apple's iPod Samsung's YP-T8Z does an excellent job holding its ground. Though not the 'iPod slayer', this feature- filled digital audio player lives up to it's title as the all-in-one digital audio player with text, pictures, videos, games, FM radio, and USB host support.
Although Samsung's YP-T8Z is priced relatively high in comparison to other flash storage based media players the large 1.8′ vibrant TFT screen and long battery life justify it's price, after all features, usability and convenience add up separating good products from superb products.
Advantages
- Small
- Vibrant screen
- Loads of features
- Sleek
- Excellent sound quality
Disadvantages
- Expensive
- Inconvenient button layout
Overclockers Online would like to thank Samsung Canada for providing the YP-T8Z digital audio player for evaluation.
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