Intel Pocket Concert 128MB Digital Audio Player

Intel Pocket Concert 128MB Digital Audio Player
Manufacturer: Intel
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Amp up your favorite music with the Intel Pocket Concert Audio Player. It combines Intel performance and intuitive software to deliver big, crystal-clear, totally skip-proof sound for listening at your PC, on your home stereo, in your car, and on the go. The Intel Pocket Concert Audio Player supports MP3, WMA and future audio standards. The Intel Pocket Concert Audio Player is engineered for your ears - and designed to fit right in your pocket.
Amazon.com Review
The Intel name may not immediately spark the interest of music aficionados, but with the introduction of its Pocket Concert portable MP3 player, that's sure to change. The Pocket Concert's 128 MB of memory doubles the capacity of most players without costing any more money. Combine that value with excellent sound quality and a well-designed, easy-to-use interface, and you've got a formidable contender.

We ran a simple setup program to install all of the Pocket Concert's drivers and software applications. The player connects to the PC's USB port for a fast transfer of files, and it is compatible with Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows 2000. We appreciated the Intel Audio Manager's simple interface for transferring files to the player, as well as the powerful MusicMatch Jukebox Plus software that let us rip music from CDs and create playlists as well as transfer files.

With a sleek, rounded, polished-aluminum body, this lightweight player fit comfortably in our hand or fastened onto our belt or bag with the removable clip. The player's solid-state flash memory makes it completely impervious to shocks and jolts, so it's ideal for using while jogging or working out at the gym.

We had no trouble reading the large, backlit LCD, which shows song titles and playback options, including the status of the unit's two AA batteries. The scroll wheel on the side of the unit made it easy to select tracks and set bookmarks as well as control random and repeat modes, bass, and treble. Simply press the button on the other side of the unit to turn on the built-in FM radio, and then use the scroll wheel to tune to your favorite station or manage the 10 preset stations.

The unit's 128 MB of flash memory storage translates into two to four hours of music, depending on the compression ratio and file type. (The Concert supports both MP3 and the more highly compressed WMA files.) The unit's memory capacity isn't upgradable, but to anyone who's used 64 or 32 MB players, 128 MB will feel like decadent luxury.

The Pocket Concert plays its crystal-clear digital audio through a pair of "neckphone" headphones, which have a dark blue headband that clips over your ears and swings around the back of your head. Though they're considerably bulkier than the ear-bud style headphones found with most MP3 players, we were impressed by the full, rich sound and found the secure fit good for exercising.

Intel got practically everything right with the Pocket Concert Player. A large display and well-designed controls make it a pleasure to use, the neckphone headphones provide excellent sound, and the included software is easy-to-use and powerful. And, most important, they've broken the memory barrier, offering a 128 MB unit for the same price as comparable 64 MB units. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

128 MB of memory translates to 2 hours of near-CD-quality audio
Easy-to-use design with clear display
Excellent sound quality

Cons:

No AC adapter included
Memory not expandable

Special Note: The optional Intel Pocket Concert Audio Accessory Kit comes with two rechargeable NiMH batteries and a docking station for recharging the batteries as well as for hooking the unit up to your stereo system. It also includes a carrying case and car cassette adapter.
Amazon.com Product Description
Amp up your favorite music with the Intel Pocket Concert Audio Player. This compact unit combines Intel performance and intuitive software to deliver big, crystal-clear, skip-proof MP3 playback. It includes 128 MB of built-in memory--for more than two hours of MP3 music encoded at 128 kbps or four hours of WMA audio--and a digital FM tuner with 10 station presets.

The Pocket Concert supports both MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) out of the box, and is firmware-upgradeable to support future digital audio standards. Firmware is the program code within the player that instructs the microprocessor how to interact with the controls and the digital audio files. Upgrading the firmware makes it possible to add new music formats, security protection software, and other operating features that enhance the player.

The player features such functions as equalizer presets, bookmarking, and a large LCD screen that displays title, artist, and track-list information. Jump from track to track, or move forward or backward within a song.

The Pocket Concert comes with software for your desktop PC to help you create, organize, and enjoy your own digital audio library. The Intel Audio Manager quickly and easily transfers audio files from your PC to the Pocket Concert. The Intel Audio Sampler software offers a diverse collection of digital audio files that can be loaded onto your computer. The Plus Version of MusicMatch Jukebox is also included (with upgrade key number), enabling you to rip and encode your personal CD collection for use on the Pocket Concert, as well as to burn CDs with a CD-R drive.

The Pocket Concert is designed for use with alkaline or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries. The use of other battery types is not recommended and may damage the player or cause risk of overheating. When the USB cable is attached to the computer and portable player, either directly or through the optional Audio Stereo Dock, the player will receive power through the USB connection. This power will operate the player but will not recharge the batteries.

The Intel Pocket Concert Audio Player also comes with a belt clip, neckphones, two AAA alkaline batteries, and a USB cable. With the optional Intel Audio Accessory Kit, you can use rechargeable NiMH batteries, which are charged via an Audio Stereo Dock cradle. The accessory kit includes a car cassette adapter and a carrying case.