Memorex MPD8505CP Personal CD/MP3 Player with 45 Seconds of Anti-Skip Protection

Memorex MPD8505CP Personal CD/MP3 Player with 45 Seconds of Anti-Skip Protection
Manufacturer: Memorex
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Memorex is a manufacturer and distributor of brand name consumer electronics worldwide. Memorex is keeping abreast of the latest trends in consumer electronics, so that it can provide the most innovative, quality products to you.PRODUCT FEATURES: Built-in MP3 decoder; Plays CD/CD-R(W) discs; Text display & search feature (search by subject, title, or artist); 45-second anti-shock system for CD and .wav files; 105-second anti-shock system for MP3 files; Track Up/Down, Random, and Repeat functions; Bass Boost system; Rugged sports design; 1 Bit D/A converter; Uses 2 AA batteries (not included); AC adaptor, stereo headphones, and car kit.it D/A converter; Uses 2 AA batteries (not included); AC adaptor, stereo headphones, and car kit.
Amazon.com Review
This shiny little unit is not your garden-variety cigarette-lighter-powered portable CD player, however much it resembles one. No, this player gives you something more: the ability to listen to MP3-encoded CDs, which, when you do the math, works out to far more megabytes for the buck than you'd get in a dedicated MP3 player.

Accommodating standard CDs as well as CD-Rs or CD-RWs brimming with MP3 or .WAV audio files, the Memorex MPD8505CP MP3-CD player packs high technology into a low-lying music player, giving you beck-and-call access to literally hours of music from a single MP3-encoded CD. And did we mention that it's far cheaper than any of its name-brand competition?

Each of the player's multifunction control buttons is used for standard CD controls like Play, Pause, Skip, or Stop, as well as programming functions such as File/Directory, File Search, Display, and the numbers and letters of the alphabet. That's right--unlike other MP3 CD players, this one shows track and artist information, and lets you add it as well. Unfortunately, the buttons aren't clustered together for ready access, but configured in an eleven-button semi-circle to memorize.

Imperceptive controls with multiple functions demand a good study of the manual to guide you through searching and programming. You'll also need to spend some time learning and remembering things like stop" also means "off", and other such hidden functions.

It also seems that due to the MP3 chip, start-up time is slower than on standard CD players. After loading a CD, we had to wait at least 10 seconds to be able to play, search, or adjust any of the controls. Meanwhile, the dark LCD display screen remains blank while you wonder if the unit is on or if the CD has been loaded correctly. Then, it takes an additional 10 to 15 seconds for it to play. While not a huge inconvenience, a portable unit for car use should react quickly to minimize the time spent fiddling with it.

The DBBS (Dynamic Bass Boost System) offers impressive bass reinforcement. The high end is bright and clear, although you'll hear some hiss with quieter tracks or during music featuring a soloist.

A 45-second "electronic skip protection" feature lets you use the Memorex on road trips, bus rides, or brisk walks, though we did experience occasional skips even on relatively sedate bus rides.

Memorex includes a complete car kit, a nice convenience. But despite its quirks (and despite its bulky and awkward design), this Memorex piece can be a good way to take music along any journey, long or short--especially when used with a good set of headphones. --Zoe Knight

Pros:

• Plays MP3 CDs
• Cheaper than name-brand competition
• Car kit included
• Good bass boost
• Locked lid
• Album/Track directory
• Anti-shock protection

Cons:

• Bulky design
• Confusing control buttons
• Hard-to-read display screen
• Delayed reaction time for control functions
• Headphone jack hiss heard with quieter tracks

Find your way around an MP3 disc with the MPD8505CP's handy text search feature, which allows you to search by subject, title, or artist. For example, if you're in a romantic mood, press the file search key, then enter "L-O-V-E" for every track on your disc that fits the bill. Keep track of where you are with the MP3 playback display which shows the directory, track, and playback time.

This player features 45-second antiskip protection and a rugged sports design in silver. Memorex throws in a car kit to facilitate hookup to your car's cassette deck. An AC/DC adapter is also included. Memorex claims seven hours of playback time from two AA alkaline batteries for the CD player with skip-protection off, and six hours for MP3 play. Standard CD player features include 24-track programming, random play, track skip, repeat, a 1-bit digital-to-analog converter, and digital dynamic bass boost.

Average customer rating:

LG 50PX2DC - 50" plasma panel - widescreen - 720p - HDTV monitor - silver Manufacturer: LG Product Group: CE Binding: Electronics ASIN: B000JFU66E

Product Description

Electronics:

1. Coby CX-CD239 Portable CD Audio System with AM/FM Tuner
2. Philips AX5311 Personal CD Player with Remote Control and Carrying Pouch
3. Xtatix Disc:Go XCDF-009 MP3 CD Player with FM Tuner
4. Fujifilm CS135-24 35mm ISO 100 Speed Color Print Film (24 Exposures)
5. PANASONIC RP-HV102 Stereo Earbud Headphones (PANASONIC RPHV102)
6. Philips AX3312 Jog Proof Personal CD Player
7. New Beetle
8. AIWA CSD-Z3C - Mini CD / MP3 player - Mini CD-R 185 MB - gray, silver
9. COBY CX-CD303 - CD player - silver
10. Philips EXP3361 Personal CD / MP3 player

Electronics

Electronics

Consumer Electronics

HP Workstation xw9300 - Opteron 250 2.4 GHz

NEC AccuSync ASLCD92V 19" LCD Monitor

GPX AHP3700RS Rugged Sports Digital Tune AM/FM Stereo Headphone Radio

Toshiba Portege 7020CT - PII 366 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 6.4 GB - NT 4.0 - 13.3" TFT 1024 x 768

Maptech Terrain Navigator Pro

Samsung SyncMaster 910t 19" LCD Monitor

HP HP48G PLUS Graphic Calculator

Compaq Armada 1750 - PII 366 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 6.4 GB - CD - NT 4.0 - 14.1" TFT 1024 x 768