PortablePlayers: Difference between revisions

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:Linux-based handheld audio/video/game player, supports MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. Uses SD cards for storage (sold seperately).
:Linux-based handheld audio/video/game player, supports MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. Uses SD cards for storage (sold seperately).


* [http://eng.iaudio.com/ iAudio] U2, G3, 5, G2
* [http://eng.iaudio.com/ iAudio] U3, U2, G3, 5, G2
:The iAudio U2 is a small flash-based player (256MB/512MB/1GB) and supports Vorbis.  Early U2 releases required a firmware upgrade for Vorbis support; as of September 2005 this support was included in the retail version.  The iAudio G3 and iAudio 5 offer up to 2GB, and support Ogg Vorbis out-of-the-box. The G2 has storage from 256 MB up to 1 GB and supports the same formats. All will talk to Linux or Mac (but included s/w is Windows only).
:The iAudio U2 is a small flash-based player (256MB/512MB/1GB) and supports Vorbis.  Early U2 releases required a firmware upgrade for Vorbis support; as of September 2005 this support was included in the retail version.  The iAudio G3 and iAudio 5 offer up to 2GB, and support Ogg Vorbis out-of-the-box. The G2 has storage from 256 MB up to 1 GB and supports the same formats. iAudio U3 is Cowins newest flash-based player. It also supports FLAC. All these players will talk to Linux or Mac (but the included software is Windows only).


* [http://www.ibead.co.kr/coding/eng/ i-BEAD] 170, 400, 600
* [http://www.ibead.co.kr/coding/eng/ i-BEAD] 170, 400, 600

Revision as of 10:00, 11 January 2006

Here you can find all mobile players known to support Ogg Vorbis. Some do also play FLAC (please add information).

Flash Memory Storage

  • Avant MP-8256, MP-8512, MP-81000
Looks like another whitebox label. No official website found yet, but three models are offered in shops: MP-8256 with 256MB memory, MP-8512 (512MB) and MP-81000 (1GB). Plays not only Ogg Vorbis, but MP3, WMA and even BMP and Textfiles via small colour display. USB 2.0 interface. Sufficient quality in playback and recording (Radio/Line-In).
  • ENOX EMX-830, EMX-900, EMX-530
'The lightest and the smallest one among AAA type MP3 players.' Supports MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, and Ogg Vorbis, has FM tuner, line-in and mic with direct MP3 encoding. Comes with 128/256/512/1024MB flash memory and USB 2.0 interface. The EMX-900 has up to 1 GB storage and supports the same file formats.
  • EZAV's EMP-600, EMP-500, EMP-400
The EMP-500 is a very light player, comes with 256/512/1024MB storage and supports MP3, WMA, and Ogg Vorbis. The EMP-400 has 256MB storage.
Linux-based handheld audio/video/game player, supports MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. Uses SD cards for storage (sold seperately).
The iAudio U2 is a small flash-based player (256MB/512MB/1GB) and supports Vorbis. Early U2 releases required a firmware upgrade for Vorbis support; as of September 2005 this support was included in the retail version. The iAudio G3 and iAudio 5 offer up to 2GB, and support Ogg Vorbis out-of-the-box. The G2 has storage from 256 MB up to 1 GB and supports the same formats. iAudio U3 is Cowins newest flash-based player. It also supports FLAC. All these players will talk to Linux or Mac (but the included software is Windows only).
The i-BEAD 170 & 400 models are small, light flash-based players with built in Lithium-Polymer batteries. They also have OLED displays, and FM & line-in recording. Both are available in 256MB/512MB/1GB and both support Ogg Vorbis after a firmware upgrade. The i-BEAD 600 has up to 2 GB storage and is very small and supports Ogg Vorbis out of the box. PLEASE NOTE: Ogg Vorbis files encoded using pre-1.0 versions of the encoder will not work with these players.
  • Iops MFP-312, MFP-325, MFP-350
Iops offers the MFP-300 series player with 128/256/512MB/1GB internal flash memory. They offer voice and FM radio recording whilst maintaining a lightweight portable size.
  • iRiver's iFP-3xx, iFP-5xx, iFP-7xx, iFP-8xx, iFP-9xx, iFP-10xx, iFP-11xx, T10, T20, U10
iRiver has a huge line of flash-based players with various memory sizes (128MB to 1GB). Some of these players may need an updated firmware in order to play Ogg Vorbis files, see the support download page for that. Note -- on older players, only certain bitrates are supported, various problems are reported including reboots, silence and random noise when a VBR Vorbis passes outside the limit (96-225 Kbps). Newer players don't have this limitation. However, please be alerted that many of the newer players use weird protocols like MTP so they only work with Windows. Please note that the newer H10 model does not (yet?) support ogg, and can operate in both MTP and UMS (mass storage) modes. See here for more information --> [1].
The MP-130 is a portable player with flash memory in 128/256/512MB sizes. This appears to be a rebranded Iops player. The MP-400 is a tiny machine with lots of features (line in, mic, fm radio, usb 2.0). With the updated 4.1 firmware it supports Ogg Vorbis files encoded with libvorbis version 1.0rc2 or later. When trying to play files encoded with earlier versions it freezes on playback, requiring an USB connect or reset button pressed (through a tiny hole) to wake up again. The MP-120, a 1Gb flash player, supports Ogg-Vorbis with a firmware upgrade since March 2005. MP-120 still doesn't play old Ogg Vorbis files, but they don't make it freeze up. The MP-450 is basically a MP-400 with color display.
These are flash-based players with 256 MB respectively 512 MB storage capacity. They have the usual FM radio which can be recorded in addition to voice. They also have a 1,9" color display.
Available from 03/2005 the LDP-800 is offering MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis Support with 256/512MB storage. It has a digital out, FM receiver and transmitter, can record from FM, mic and line-in and has a SD-card slot. Includes Sennheiser earbuds. Update: A telephoned sales representative informed on 2005-04-15 that this player would be available sometime in June. Update again: A sales representative telephoned on 2005-06-20 again stated that the player would be available sometime in June. However, a sales representitave at eCOST, an online store carrying the LDP-800, stated that their availability date is now 2005-07-15. Lexar now seem to have dropped this product. See discussion.
It's not yet on the homepage, but the Max-Diamond will be released in 03/2005 and supports MP3, Ogg Vorbis and WMA (DRM). It has 512MB flash memory and can record from FM radio. The Max-Movie has 1GB storage and supports DivX, MP3 WMA (DRM) and Ogg Vorbis. It also has FM radio and a display with 260.000 colors. The Max-Diablo supports the same audio formats, but can also display pictures and videos on its small OLED (4096 colors). It has 1GB storage.
Available in 256MB/512MB/1GB sizes. USB 2.0. Supports Ogg Vorbis (although it doesn't seem to view tag info, will probably be fixed in future firmwares (?)), but also MP3 and WMA. It has small 200 mW built-in speaker. Inverted display with the ability to choose the foreground colour in 125 steps. Other features include FM-radio, voice recorder (built-in mic), line-in, alarm, and more.
a flash player which comes in 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB sizes, has a FM-receiver, colour display and a voice recorder.
Another Korean manufacturer jumps in and offers small flash-based players with 128MB up to 1GB storage capacities. They support the usual formats MP3/WMA/Ogg Vorbis, can record voice, receive FM radio.
The Neuros II can be used as a stand-alone flash-player. You can later buy an HDD "backpack" from 20 to 80 gigs in size and switch the backpacks as you please. This player now has a free software (open-source) firmware.
The player supports MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis formats, uses USB Flash Drives for storage, has a 128x64 pixel blue screen with file info in 5 languages, 6 preset sound stages, one user defined graphic equalizer, low power consumption.
This is an interesting mix of a flash-based MP3 player and an organizer: the player has 512/1024 MB storage and contact and calendar functions and can sync with Outlook. It supports MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis, has FM radio and connectors for two headphones.
  • Samsung / Yepp (product label), YP-T6, YP-T7, YP-C1, YP-F1, YP-MT6, YP-53, YP-U1
The YP-T6 is an incredibly small flash player with 128/256/512/1024 MB storage, has a mic and FM radio and supports MP3, WMA (DRM) and Ogg Vorbis. The YP-T7 has either 512MB or 1GB capacity and supports the same audio formats, which also applies to the YP-F1. It can display JPEGs on its color display. The YP-C1 has similar specs, including Ogg support; at the time of writing, it seems to be readily available only in Korea and China. The YP-53, a small flash player with 128/256/512/1024 MB storage, mic, USB 2.0 and FM radio, supports MP3, WAV, WMA(DRM), Ogg Vorbis(-q >= 0) with Firmware 1.200. The YP-U1 is a small (2,38 x 8,78 x 1,35 cm, ~32g) flash player with 128/256/512/1024/2048 MB storage. The player has a LCD b/w display and an integrated accumulator that is charged via USB. It supports USB2.0 and has an integrated USB-plug that can be flipped in and out, so no cable or adapter is needed. Besides OGG the YP-U1 supports MP3, ASF and WMA (and directory structures).
(2006-01-08) Seen in many electronics stores in Japan. The SN-A800 looks incredible--smaller than the iPod Nano, I think. I've not been able to try any for sound quality. Signeo also makes a hard drive player that supports vorbis. Their 2005-12 sales brochure claims Linux compatability for the SN-M600 and SN-M700.
Found this player in the local supermarket, the website seems to be a joke. The player is very small, has a 1 inch color LCD and 1 GB of storage. Supports audio and video incl. Ogg Vorbis.
The s.beat is sort of an original piece of hardware, as, you may have guessed it, it is a swiss army knife with an MP3 player. It supports Ogg Vorbis too and comes in sizes of 1 up to 4 GB.
The MP-400 is a flsh-player with either 512/1024MB storage. It supports MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and MPEG-4 video.
  • TrekStor's iBeat fresh, iBeat organix, iBeat cube, iBeat ice, iBeat vision
The iBeat fresh comes with 256/512 MB storage has a 64K color display and the usual features. The iBeat organix is supposed to get a firmware upgrade and comes with 256/512/1024 MB flash memory. The iBeat cube is a very small player with the usual features. The iBeat ice has a sharp OLED display. The iBeat vision has a large display that can be used to watch movies. It comes in sizes from 256MB to 2GB.
  • Wigo's CVM-101, CVM-103, CVM-300, CVS-100
Korean players with slick design, comes in 128/256/512/1024 MB depending on models. Support MP3/WMA/Ogg, FM receiver, voice recorder. Note: Ogg bitrates supported may be limited, check the manufacturer's specification for each device for details.
This player is sold in the U.K. and comes with 256/512MB. It supports MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and has FM radio and voice recording. It also works under Linux (kernel 2.4 upwards) and FreeBSD 5.3 (recognised as a removable mass storage device).

Harddisk Storage

The Mediagate MG-25 is a portable HDD that supports also media playback. It uses a 2,5" disk and USB2.0 to connect, and supports MPEG-1/-2/-4, DivX, Xvid, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, JPG. It can upsample to HDTV, has composite, component and s-video outs, stereo and a digital out. Remote control is included. The MG-35 uses a 3,5" HDD instead, supports WMA and ethernet. The MG350HD uses a 3,5" HDD as well and supports HDTV.
The Vip20 seems to be similar to the iBeat 500 from TrekStor and Xclef HD-800. It has the same features: MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg Vorbis decoding plus 20 GB storage.
The eVic has 20GB storage and plays WMA (incl. DRM), MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. It can record voice and music, and has USB host functionality.
The DMC 8280 has 20 GB or 30 GB storage, plays Ogg Vorbis, MP3 and WMA. Standard feature set; this player does not excel in any area but price. USB mass storage compliant -- you can put songs on it from non-Windows computers, but full indexing of the songs for reference by artist etc. requires Windows.
The Movie Cube comes with a 2,5" HDD with 40 or 80 GB size. It supports the playback of various audio and video formats including Ogg Vorbis. The package includes some AV cables and a remote control.
  • Freecom's MediaPlayer-3, Network MediaPlayer-35 Drive-In
The MediaPlayer-3 is again sort of an external HDD that can play media without a PC. It supports DivX, MP3, MPEG-4, AVI, WMA, ASF and Ogg Vorbis. The product with the complicated name Network MediaPlayer-35 Drive-In is an enhanced version of the MediaPlayer-3 -- it has an additional network interface and supports an internal 3,5" drive. The ethernet port can be used to read media from the network, but cannot be used as network attached storage.
  • GoDot M8170, M8270, M8370, M8470, M8570
GoDot's HD players have capacity ranging from 2.2gb to 20gb. Each model is very different. They support Ogg Vorbis, MP3 and WMA (some models support DRM).
The VSV-20/VSV-40 has the usual mobile MP3 HDD player size and can read/write from its 16in1 memory card reader and 20 GB or 40 GB internal HDD. But it can do more than audio (MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, AAC). It supports image (JPEG) and video (MPEG-1/-4) playback on the 2" display and on a connected TV. It even includes a remote control. Beware: Hama has suspended OggVorbis support. However, there is a Firmware update promised to reestablish OggVorbis. If you plan to buy a device check the Firmware download page or better ask them about the current status of OggVorbis support.
The iAudio M3 is a portable harddisk player with either 20 or 40 GB of storage. It has a built-in FM radio and mic. It supports MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and WAV and even FLAC with the newest firmware upgrade. See this IGN article for more info. The M5 has 20 GB storage and supports the same formats. The X5 is designed similar (storage sizes of 20GB, 30GB, 60GB) and can play MPEG-4 videos. It has a 1.8 inch LCD with 260,000 colors and USB OTG (On-The-Go) feature. The A2 is released in November 2005 and is a widescreen mobile video player. It has a 480 x 272 pixel screen and supports the above metioned set of audio, video and image formats.
This is a iPod mini clone, that supports MP3, WMA, WAV and Ogg Vorbis. It supports recording from line-in and mic, has a 4 GB harddrive and USB2.0.
Iomega is finally also jumping on the bandwaggon and offers external HDDs with multimedia-playback. The larger version ScreenPlay Pro supports the usual audio and video codecs including Ogg Vorbis. It seems to be a repackaged Mvisto with HDD included ScreenPlay Pro.
  • iRiver's iHP-1xx, H1xx, H2xx, H3xx, iGP-100
iRiver has also a number of harddisk based items that play back Ogg Vorbis. Older models like the iHP-100 and the iHP-115 come in 10 and 15 GB sizes and need a firmware update (see the support downloads for that). The iHP-120, a 20GB portable player, and the iHP-140, a 40GB version, support Vorbis playback out of the box. Read reviews here: IGN on iHP-100, IGN on iHP-120. The iGP-100, a 1.5Gb portable player, supports Vorbis, according to the FAQ, though no firmware upgrade appears to be required. The new line of harddisk players H120, H140 come in 10 to 40 GB sizes. There is also a product line with USB host function and colour display that supports 32-500kbs: H320, H340.
This is a rather unique device. JetAudio calls it a multimedia jukebox, music tank, photo album and last but not least a portable storage. It is bigger than usual portable devices, but has also a lot more options. It can connect to the PC (USB 2.0), TV (S-Video, Composite), stereos and 5.1 surround systems (Coaxial/Optical) and comes with a remote control. Supported video formats are DVD (MPEG-2), VCD (MPEG-1), DivX, Xvid. Supported Audio formats are MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis. It can display JPEG pictures on the TV. It is available without a harddrive, or equipped with harddrive sizes up to 200 GB.
The SSF-M3 comes with 20/40GB storage size, whereas the SSF-M5 has only 1.5 GB. Both support voice recording and FM radio. The SSF-M3 is more stylish and very slim and comes with a docking station.
This player is similar to the Modix or TViX. It is a portable USB HDD equipped with a 2,5" drive (size varies). It plays audio (MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA), video (MPEG-1/-2, Xvid, DivX) and images (JPEG). It has composite, s-video and component video output and supports progressive scan, audio output is done through a coaxial and stereo plug. The device is bundled with a remote control.
The HD-3510 is similar to the TViX, as it is sort of a portable multi-talent. It can store and playback audio, video and images, and can be used for other files as well. It can decode MPEG-1/-2/-4 including DivX/Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and JPEG. It uses USB2.0 for data input and has various ouput connectors: anlog stereo and 5.1 out, coaxial digital out, composite, s-video and component video out with progressive scan and HDTV upscaling. The HD-3510 is bundled with a carrying bag and a remote control, but without a 3,5" HDD.
The HT-100 uses a 1,5 GB HDD, decodes MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and supports the usual features. The HT-150 seems to have the same features (maybe a mistake on the website).
  • mpio HD300, HD200, One
mpio HD300 is a harddisk player with 20GB and supports WAV/MP3/WMA/Ogg Vorbis. It has FM radio, an alarm clock and supports USB 2.0. The HD200 has 5GB storage capacity, a FM radio which can be recorded and supports the same formats as the HD300. Despite its name the One consist of three components: a player, a HDD and a CD-ROM drive, which can be combined with each other. It supports MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, JPG, BMP and MPEG-4 movies. It has a 1" OLED display and will be available from 05/2005.
This player comes with either 2.2 or 4 GB harddrive and supports MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and ASF. It can record voice and has a FM receiver. What sets this player apart is the LCD -- it can show BMPs, JPGs and text. The device can also act as a USB host to support digital cameras.
The Mvisto is a portable hardware enclosure for 2,5" harddrives. It has video and audio outs and decodes MPEG1/2/Divx/Xvid/JPEG/MP3/WMA/AAC/Ogg Vorbis. It comes with a remote control.
This mobile player comes either with various harddrive sizes up to 80 GB or as 256 MB flash player. The new firmware to support Ogg Vorbis has been developed by the Xiph.org Foundation (see the press release). Get the newest firmware version at Neuros' support page). The Neuros Synchronization Manager for Windows is available from the same link and now fully supports the addition of Vorbis files to the Neuros. *nix users can use Xiph.org's Positron, Sean Starkey's Java Neuros Database Manipulator, or Sorune, all of which provide full Neuros database support and other features. Neuros II discontinued. Neuros III is planned but indefinite but they have a roadmap.
This player uses a small 1,5 GB harddisk and supports MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis. It connects trough USB 2.0 and can broadcast music through a FM sender.
There is now a firmware update for the MX2020 that adds Ogg Vorbis support, which is a portable player for movies, music and photos.
It is similar to the Modix HD-3510, but supports USB host functionality additionally. This web site is dead. The Savit Micro Rapsody RSH-100 can be seen on their site.
The Rio Karma is a portable player with a harddisk of 20 GB. It can decode MP3, Ogg Vorbis and FLAC. USB 2.0 is used to connect to PCs, but a docking station is also included which offers ethernet and RCA line-out support. IGN has written a review about the gadget, articles about the Karma can be found at Riovolution. Note that firmware versions prior to 1.25 cause stability problems for some people, visit the support page to get the newest version. The Karma was discontinued in March 2005, Rio (DNNA) effectively dissolved 27-July-2005 assets sold to SigmaTel.
A portable player with 1.5GB memory, FM-receiver, recording function, upgradeable firmware, etc.
A portable Multimedia Jukebox as seen on their Cebit 2005 Microsite. Comes with 20/30GB disk, colour display, video player and USB host function
The MP-330 player uses a 4,4 GB harddrive, USB 2.0 and supports MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis (mentioned in the manual). The MP-010 is a portable media player. As such it supports music, movies and pictures. This includes MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG-1/-2/-4. It has a capacity of 40GB, comes with a remote control and has various ports for the TV.
  • TEAC MP-1000, MP-2000
TEAC MP-1000 is an ultra-compact harddrive player with 1.5GB capacity and only 70g mass. The follow-up model MP-2000 has 5 GB storage and supports the same formats (MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis).
The iBeat 500 is a portable harddisk player with 20 GB of storage. It supports MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis and uses USB 2.0 to connect to PCs. It has a FM radio and an in-built mic. It seems to be available only in Germany (looks like a rebadged Xclef HD-800). The iBeat 300 uses a 1,5 GB HDD and has a color display.
This is a portable USB hard disk with 40/80/100 GB of storage. It plays a wide range of video formats, including dixv/xvid/bvix/dvd iso. A good review can be found here.
The most current firmware release supports Ogg Vorbis playback according to Unibrain's iZak FAQ.
This is a harddisk player with 20/40/60 GB storage size, and can decode MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and WAV. It has a FM radio and a mic for recording voice. Though not mentioned on the web site, the HD-500 is also supposed to decode Ogg Vorbis.

CD/DVD Audio Players

This CD-R portable supports Ogg Vorbis playback out of the box. It has 48 hours of WMA playback if an external battery pack (2 AA batteries) is used. The FreeMax FW-960 is also known as the mpman MP-CD550.
The Havin HVC-400E, also known as the Princeton airCD is probably on sale in Japan since late November, 2003.
  • iRiver iMP-250, iMP-350, iMP-400, iMP-550, iMP-700(T)
Ogg Vorbis is supported only through latest beta firmwares, still some bitrate restriction which may vary depending on the model (min=96kbps, max=160kbps). The iMP-550 supports maximum bitrate up to 256kps (still 96kbps as minimum). Also note the latest iMP-450 does not support OGG for the moment, a future upgrade may correct this... The iMP-700T with firmware 1.40 supports bitrates between 96 and 210 kbps, and .ogg files are generally not as loud as .mp3 files.
The MCD-CM600 is now available in Korea. It is a CD portable that can play Vorbis, MP3, and WMA.

Portable Digital Assistants (PDAs)

PDAs are also cable of operating as portable music players using available software applications. Please visit VorbisSoftwarePlayers for more information.