.com The return of the 3-inch CD--now rechristened as an "8 cm CD"--was inspired by the popularity of solid-state MP3 players. With no moving parts and only tiny memory cards for information storage, MP3 players require little pocket space. Portable CD players, on the other hand, even in the service of MP3 playback, can't help but be larger than the average MP3 player--which is where the pocket eXpanium comes in. Philips's EXP401 8 cm CD player is indeed small, measuring a mere 3.5 by 4.5 inches (though it does seem a little thick at 1.25 inches). Since the trays or spindles in most standard CD and DVD players accommodate 3-inchers, and since few commercial baby CDs have seen release outside Japan (where the format continues to thrive), the incentive for investing in a dedicated 8 cm CD player surely isn't prerecorded music. And that's OK, because Philips just might be onto something here. Using recordable 8 cm CDs and MP3 or AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) compression, one disc can hold more than three hours of music (compared with only 21 or so minutes of CD-quality PCM audio). No encoding software comes with the player, and, of course, you'll need a CD burner to take full advantage of the portability and extended playback. But, properly equipped, the EXP401 is a fun and worthy entry in the MP3-CD field, excelling both ergonomically and sonically. The player lets you access digital-music files individually or in user-designated folders (called "albums"), simplifying the process of sorting through the 30 to 50 tracks you might end up with on each of your discs. It'll also play "mixed-mode" CDs--that is, discs bearing both linear PCM (CD) and MP3/AAC audio data--but doing so requires manual switching between PCM and MP3 modes. Philips boasts nearly two minutes of "Magic" electronic skip protection (ESP), and, supernatural or not, we were unable to induce interruptions in our tunes shy of stopping playback or skipping to another track. In our tests, we were impressed with the player's sound quality (through good headphones), with the player exhibiting ample amplifier power and pleasing, effortless sound from known CD sources. Compressed-audio files vary in their fidelity, of course, but Philips seems to have nailed the analog end of things with a quality headphone jack and volume control. The digital dynamic bass boost is actually useful, with level 1 offering a refreshing boost in the bass only and level 2 jacking the low end even further and introducing a little extra treble as well. We strongly recommend using a better-sounding, more comfortable set of headphones than the included ear buds. As long as you stick with .125-inch minijack headphones, compatibility with the handy clip-on remote control won't be an issue. Included in the box are the EXP401, a user's manual, one blank 8 cm CD-R, a limited-function clip-on wired remote control, a pair of ear-bud headphones, and an AC adapter. The EXP401 runs on a single AA battery (not included), from which it derives about three hours of playing time for an MP3-CD with electronic shock protection on (five hours with ESP off), and six hours for standard CD audio (with EPS on or off). Supported bit rates: MP3: 32 to 320 kbps; AAC: less than or equal to 160 kbps. Total number of music files and albums: around 350 (with a typical file name length of 20 characters). The number of music files that can be played depends on the length of the names, but given the relatively limited storage capacity of the 8 cm discs, this shouldn't pose a problem. --Michael MikesellPros: Small size, large storage capacity Easy navigability Good sound quality Hold and resume features Supports AAC compression Strong anti-skip protection Lightweight AC adapter includedCons: No ID3 tag support (for artist and song titles) Limited battery life with MP3 playback Limited non-MP3/AAC applications Slightly flimsy build quality From the Manufacturer The eXpanium 401 takes portable MP3 playback a step further, with MP3-CD plus Advanced Audio Coding playback. You will be able to read your MP3 tracks on the larger display as you play CDs that can hold over 10 hours of music. As an added bonus, the EXP401 is ultra-portable: its only 3 1/2"! This eXpanium is so small, there's nowhere you can't take it... it really is a rocket in your pocket.What's in the box AC adapter, headphones, manual
P**E
It does not get any better than this for an MP3 player!!!
The exp401 is really small. Theres no weird software you need to install into your computer to transfer the mp3's to the unit. You burn your cd's on your burner like regular computer data cds. You can play em in your pc, or on the exp401!!! You can bring more than one disc with you and change the disc when your in the mood. i usally have a different type music style on the 10 discs i carry around in my pocket with the player. blank mini cd-r discs cost about 88 cents each.Its worked well reading iso9660+joliet, and udf formats on both cd-r, and cd-rw mini cd's. I've only used 1 level directorys so far and they work great. I usually use a cd-rw disc formatted in udf to test mp3's. (we shouldent have glitches) Then i will make a cd-r in iso9660+joliet format for longterm listening.
P**E
Overall great product, but some things to consider...
This is an overall great product. I have no qualms about its sound quality and features. And a 50 cent Pocket CD, which holds (for me) about 3-4 standard CDs in MP3 format, is a lot cheaper than more memory for other MP3 players, so throwing 10 Pocket CDs (equals about 30-40 regular CDs!) into my briefcase is very livable.HOWEVER... This unit absolutely DESTROYS batteries. It uses one battery per day EASILY, and more if you listen to music all day. So having to plug into the wall with the AC adapter (included, thankfully) removes some of it's portablity, which is presumably one of the reasons one would want a unit like this. That's one strike.Also, it's a bit thicker than I would have suspected from the online advertising. It's almost an inch thick (about 3/4"), which again, for a "portable" unit, is a bit less than desirable. And one other minor irritation: the DBB (bass boost/enhance) doesn't stay "on" between uses. You have to explicitly turn it on each time you start the player. This could be a power saving feature (as with the ESP skip protection), but it's a minor irritant since I always want it on.Otherwise, this is a great product by Philips and would easily warrant a 4-4.5 star rating outside of its carnivorous battery usage, its thickness, and the DBB issue. The sound and other features on the unit are more than satisfactory.
S**I
what do you mean
I'm a snowboarder and I've tried many different MP3 Players. I bought this player about 3 weeks ago and I can say it does work. I love the size, fits perfect in my snow pants pocket. My biggest complaint is that is it sometimes just stops playing for no apparent reason, especially in UDF format. For some reason in UDF format it stops between songs and display PS in the LCD screen. Also even with the ESP on it'll skip if i'm doing some serious snowboarding. The thing is when it does skip it stays skipped for a more seconds than i care to count. I'm not sure what PS means but i get it quite often - sometimes it recovers sometime it doesn't and you have to open the case and start over. Another thing is that i can't figure out what order it plays songs in and how it counts. Song 13 can be different songs depending on if you've rebooted it. I've tried 3 different methods of writing to CD's but it doesn't really matter its still unpredictable. UDF is definetely not supported properly with those damn PS errors every time a song changes. Though the good thing is that its fairly loud compaired to other players i've had thats a first. Also its usable unlike many of the other CD/MP3 players i've had which hardly work at all. I wish they get this technology more stable.Oh by the way i have read the "Manual" and there is nothing documented about PS so i've no idea what it means.
L**E
Still in love after all these years...
I bought two of these from eBay a few years back - one for me, and one for my now-fiancé. I was obsessed with its "small is the new small" style, and I loved its globular, from-the-not-so-distant-future look.Was I impressed with it? Yes. Am I still? See previous answer. According to the manufacture date, this sexy little number will be five years old this September, and it has yet to cheese me off.True, it's not a battery conservationist's dream - what high-drain one-battery device manufactured in 2001 is? In the not-so-distant future, I charge two NiMHs, use one, and keep the spare in my pocket. Come on, folks - it only uses ONE BATTERY!True, it's more than twice the size of my Rio Chiba Urban, which I also adore. But I don't have fifty SD cards, nor do I have the time to write and rewrite to the few that I have. I do, however, have fifty 88-cent 8cm CDRWs, and it takes a heck of a lot less time to write a 192MB CD than it does to transfer 128MB over USB 1.1 - not only that, but the player doesn't need to be anywhere near the computer, sucking batteries, while I'm doing it.True, it doesn't display song/artist/album information. Neither does the iPod Shuffle, and rich brats are all over those things like a fat cat on a bag of Meow Mix. Besides, you made the CD; you know what's on it. Element of surprise, and all that.True, it's slightly cheap and plastic-feeling. Here's a news flash from the not-so-distant future, kids: consumer electronics these days are rarely made with an eye for craftsmanship. Both of our units look only slightly worn after years of use, and they have that kind of stylistic "je ne sais quoi" that will have our descendants praising it as we do the Phonospheres of yore.So yes, it has served me well over the years. It's a shame it's no longer made, to my knowledge. Actually, come to think of it, maybe it's a good thing - I'm the only one (besides my fiancé) who has one, and its kooky kitsch potential will ensure its collectibility in the not-so-distant future.
Trustpilot
2 days ago
2 months ago
