Cowon ups player capacities.

Step666 · #1 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 05:51 AM

[Via Engadget]

Cowon/iAudio has finally released new, larger versions of their D2 and iAudio 7 players, a few months after rumours initially appeared.

The iAudio 7 is now available in a 16GB version, the price of which is $300 and the D2 will be available at 8GB for $250.

Otherwise, the specs for the two devices remain the same, the D2 sporting 52 hours battery life, a 2.5" touchscreen and an SDHC slot.
The iAudio 7 betters the D2's battery life by a further 8 hours, has a 1.3" LCD screen and uses the same weird diagonal touch-strip as before.
.

saints · #2 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 01:36 PM

Cowon are loosing respect everyday. Even with their fanboys (go easy here step)

Their q5 and a3 supposed to be released last February are still not out.
And the reported European prices are over us$700 for both 60gb versions
Now they up the d2 capacity by 4gb, why bother? Every other companies offerings are 16gb

Step666 · #3 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saints

Cowon are loosing respect everyday. Even with their fanboys (go easy here step)

I won't comment on this - it'd be looking shooting fish in a barrel

Quote:

Originally Posted by saints

Their q5 and a3 supposed to be released last February are still not out.

When you say 'supposed to be', were there ever any official release dates?
Also, I thought it was taken as given that Cowon DAPs never arrived on time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saints

And the reported European prices are over us$700 for both 60gb versions

Don't expect the American prices to be anywhere near as high though.
In addition to the standard policy of ripping off everyone outside of the US, the Euro is the strongest it's ever been against the dollar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saints

Now they up the d2 capacity by 4gb, why bother? Every other companies offerings are 16gb

So you think they should release a 16GB D2?
I'm a little surprised, I would've thought your opinion would've been more in-line with some of the comments on Engadget, which basically said 'with SDHC support, why does it need to be any bigger?'

Judge · #4 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Step666

So you think they should release a 16GB D2?
I'm a little surprised, I would've thought your opinion would've been more in-line with some of the comments on Engadget, which basically said 'with SDHC support, why does it need to be any bigger?'

Bigger equals better

.

saints · #5 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Step666

So you think they should release a 16GB D2?
I'm a little surprised, I would've thought your opinion would've been more in-line with some of the comments on Engadget, which basically said 'with SDHC support, why does it need to be any bigger?'

To keep ahead of the competition, a 16gb d2 with expansion and its battery life is a better option than the next best being the zen with expansion and half the battery life of the d2. This option would have suited the hard drive minded people out there in the 20-25gb music range

So its Cowons fault that forced me into buying a ipod

All your other replies are valid btw.

**shadesbass** · #6 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge

Bigger equals better

.

It's what you do with it that counts.

saints · #7 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saints

So its Cowons fault that forced me into buying a ipod

Speaking of pods, BBD are you reading this? Whats happening with yours? Having fun with i-tunes

Step666 · #8 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saints

To keep ahead of the competition, a 16gb d2...

...wouldn't be enough.
They'd have to make a 32GB D2!

[insert Dr Frankenstein-esque maniacal laughter and 'It's alive!' sound effects here]

Whilst I agree that a 16GB D2 would be cool, unless they can price it more competitively I can't quite see what the point would be - nor, for that matter, do I really see the point of the 8GB model.
I mean the 16GB Zen is the same price as the 8GB D2 and the 16GB View is even cheaper and Cowon's only 16GB DAP, even though it lacks the SDHC feature, is up at $300. It's not exactly great business from them.

If they'd release the 8GB D2 when there were no 16GB players on the market (let alone ones that match almost all it's features), it would've done well but, a la the Clix2, iAudio have left it too late IMO.

Judge · #9 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 04:38 PM

Coincidentally, I was in an electronics store today, and they had quite a wide variety of DAPs on the board (most batteries were empty, so I mostly played about comparing sizes etc.). A few of the DAPs that were there:

- iRiver S10: damn, that thing really is amazingly small! If I was in the market for a <4GB player (that is, if I didn't have a lot of music), the 2GB S10 would be a great choice. Seriously, have you ever seen one in real life?

- iRiver Clix2: first time I saw the Clix2. Looks great. D-click functionality works like a charm (same with the S10, which is essentially a small version of the original Clix). Size put me off a little bit though: it's about the same size as my D2, albeit that the D2 is thicker (won't go into the D2 vs Clix2 battle here, there are other threads for that). Overall a good offering by iRiver though.

- New iPods. Seen those before, except the 160GB Classic. Thicker than I though when comparing to the 80GB Classic. Does make a perceptible and actual difference in thickness. If I were to buy a Classic, I'd probably buy an 80 gigger for that reason. I'll wait for what other companies' offerings in the HD range will be first though. Cowon, where's that X7? iPod Nano is cool too. iPod Shuffle in new colours: meh. Old colour Shuffles (with exactly the same components as the new ones, except for colour) were discounted though... weird.

- iAudio 7: first time I saw this one as well. It had a full battery, so I played around a bit. I have to say I'm not a fan of the diagonal touch strip. And the iAudio 7 is quite thick as well, not really pocket friendly like the Clix2 for example. Not a player for me, even if it comes in 16GB.

In the end, at the current state of affairs in DAP world, I'm still quite satisfied with my D2 + SD card. IMO really an exceptional offering by Cowon.

caramelsoul · #10 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2007, 02:22 AM

Well Judge, i too now have a Cowon D" and must say i am surprised how good the SQ is and am also very happy with the player in general. I have bought a 16GB SDHC card for it so its now 20GB. Couldnt be happier. I bought the g/friend a clix and she is quite happy with it, but i do think the D2 kicks it ass in almost every respect.

saints · #11 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramelsoul

Well Judge, i too now have a Cowon D" and must say i am surprised how good the SQ is and am also very happy with the player in general. I have bought a 16GB SDHC card for it so its now 20GB. Couldnt be happier. I bought the g/friend a clix and she is quite happy with it, but i do think the D2 kicks it ass in almost every respect.

Great player. Its only letdown is the UI, the number of times you have to hit back just to change a song is crazy!

Step666 · #12 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramelsoul

...i too now have a Cowon D"...

Yes, so we heard.

**andrewmel** · #13 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2007, 05:20 AM

I am wanting a new dap and read this title with some expectation, but these are tiny players. I want something at least 100Gb and it looks like iPod has the corner marketed.

a

Step666 · #14 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2007, 05:26 AM

Well, Cowon aren't producing any high-capacity players for them to increase the size of, are they?

Judge · #15 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramelsoul

Well Judge, i too now have a Cowon D" and must say i am surprised how good the SQ is and am also very happy with the player in general. I have bought a 16GB SDHC card for it so its now 20GB. Couldnt be happier. I bought the g/friend a clix and she is quite happy with it, but i do think the D2 kicks it ass in almost every respect.

Good choice CS, glad you're happy with it. I'm also looking to get a 16GB SDHC card imported from the US at some point in the near future (much cheaper prices). 20GB can hold my fav tunes.

caramelsoul · #16 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Step666

Yes, so we heard.

Oooh, check her out....i was just emphasising in case anyone didnt know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge

Good choice CS, glad you're happy with it. I'm also looking to get a 16GB SDHC card imported from the US at some point in the near future (much cheaper prices). 20GB can hold my fav tunes.

I got mine imported from there as well. As you said much cheaper.

Step666 · #17 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramelsoul

Oooh, check her out...

You were literally only a few hours ahead of me...

rob_981 · #18 (**permalink**) November 18th, 2007, 09:55 AM

Hi
I am looking to get the 4gb Cowon d2 as well. Can anyone confirm that it will accept a 16gb sdhc card? Which would be the best one to get, or does it not matter? Thanks - I'm not totally clued up on all this, so any help would be much appreciated.

Judge · #19 (**permalink**) November 18th, 2007, 10:22 AM

Yes it will take it. check the iaudiophile.net D2 forum (Cowon fan forum, like Misticriver) for specifics.

saints · #20 (**permalink**) November 18th, 2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_981

Hi
I am looking to get the 4gb Cowon d2 as well. Can anyone confirm that it will accept a 16gb sdhc card? Which would be the best one to get, or does it not matter? Thanks - I'm not totally clued up on all this, so any help would be much appreciated.

You can get the 4gb for so cheap now, there is also an 8gb model, the more internal capacity the greater the battery life. The sd card uses more battery than the internal hard drive.
My figures for my coded music are 42 hours internal, 25 via sd card