Samsung Yepp YP-55V Review

daanger0us writes "RAM based MP3 players are still pretty popular. As hard drive based MP3 players get larger storage capacity, the RAM based MP3 players have to add new features to keep themselves compelling to customers. The Samsung Yepp YP-55V is one of the RAM based MP3 players that's added some pretty cool features at a reasonable price. 256MB of RAM, FM Tuner, ability to record from a line-in, from the FM Tuner and voice recording, USB Drive capabilities, upgradeable firmware, weighing in at 2.2 ounces all for around $160. Designtechnica has a full review. How many people still consider a RAM based audio player when shopping?" Update: 09/03 22:11 GMT by T : That should be "MB," not "MG" as it originally read.

Comments

Jogging

[rf0]

I still consider ram baed stuff for when I want something like that won't mind getting bounced around a bit. I can't help but think a hard disk based player (which is heavier) reacts well to being bounced up and down all its life...

Also RAM based can have quicker access although there is the obvious loss of storage. Now if there was a CF based player...

Rus

Re:Jogging

[kazrak]

There are several CF-based players on the market. Even discounting the RCA Lyras with their RIAA-happifying encryption, there's the Nex, the Diva, and the Moveman.

Re:Jogging

[Dragoon412]

I agree. For working out, I don't want to be hauling around a comparitively large and heavy MP3 player.

I have an older Samsung YP-33 that's RAM-based, and I adore it. It's very small, leight-weight, and came with a handful of accessories like a cradle/arm band, and short headphone wires. I'll admit, that at only 64MB (it's ~2 years old, now), I often wish I had more memory, but to be honest, I have over 300 CDs, and while I could easily have 20 gigs worth of MP3s, there are only a few hundred songs I actually listen to, and they're easily and quickly transferred to the player.

Besides, 64MB is just enough music to cover my usual jog or trip to the gym, so I can't complain.

Re:Jogging

[drinkypoo]

Now if there was a CF based player...

Uhhh...

1. Daisy Diva
2. assorted I-Jam players
3. i-Play Moveman
4. Merit MP2000
5. Precom DC-530 (Okay so it's really a camera)
6. Simply Sonic SMP-200D
7. RCA Lyra

Did you even try looking on compactflash.org?

Re:Jogging

[abischof]

The Nex IIe from Frontier Labs is a real prodcut, and it supports both CompactFlash Type I & II (such as IBM's Microdrive). Then again, it doesn't support Ogg (yet?), so that's why I'm not buying one ;).

Meh

[SargeZT]

Adding bells and whistles to something dosen't make it better, only bulkier. I'll take my 64mb Rio500 over this new one any day. I mean, come on, who want's an FM Radio in there MP3 Player? Not me atleast. Same with a voice recorder. I have a real recorder, and I guarantee you the sound quality is considerable better. My 00000010 Cents.

Re: CF player

[Anonymous Coward]

there ARE CF players although they are a little older because CF is horribly power hungry.

On that note, RAM based players consume considerably less energy and can go for many hours or days on a charge / set of batteries despite their size. And the weight thing, yeah, I wouldn't get an MP3 player that's too big to fit on my keychain otherwise I'll need a bag for it anyway. I don't have room in my pockets for all those gadgets. Just get a CD player with better audio quality for 1/10th the cost.

RAM?

[interiot]

Very few (if any) MP3 players store MP3's in RAM, as it requires constant battery power to keep data in memory.

More likely, the submitter meant "flash memory" which is typically used to store mostly static data over long periods of time.

I wouldn't nitpick, but he repeated the word "RAM" so many times that I was forced to post this.

Re:RAM?

[madcow_ucsb]

non-volatile and RAM are not mutually exclusive.

No, it's not DRAM or SRAM, or any other volatile memory, but it's still a random-access memory, is it not?

It is pretty sweet.

[Sleeper]

I know this one. I just bought it as a present for my girlfriend. It is pretty cool. And she likes it a lot.

I was considering getting an iPod for her. But every time when I decide to deal with Apple I always come to painful realisation that I just hate their attitude. They have this dumbass business strategy that only they know what you really need and they determined to shove it down your throat. I don't want to troll on them. Apple has really cool products, they have good engineers and designers. But at the same time they always try to sell you the most expensive one. Here in Bay Area it is impossible to find 10 GB version of iPod. All BestBuys and Fried electronics have only 30 GB versions (for extra $200) and I don't have 30 GB of mp3s even on my home computer (which is also a home entertainment center). Come to think of it I don't even have that many CDs yet to rip to fill this much space.

So I settled on Yepp. And I'm pretty happy. It is very sleek. Very good sound. You can actually change sound modes. Plus FM radio. Plus record your own stuff. 256 MB is almost enough for my gf. I guess when there will be version with more memory outhere. I'll get new one for her and take the old one.

Re:CD based MP3 players

[Pieroxy]

I own an aiwa z3c player (8cm CDs) and have had so far no problem with sound getting jumpy. There is a reasonnable buffer (120 seconds approx) and the CD is still most of the time. That also increase the battery life (12 hours with one set of battery, 24 hours with two set - you can add an extra set)

It is also pretty small (fit on the back pocket of my jeans).

Media is .50$ apiece and stores ~200MB.

I would buy the same one again if I had to buy one. Oh, and I got it for $50 at Fry's Electronics. Try and beat that!

They still break

[WotanKhan]

I've purchased about one flash mp3 player a year or so since the first Rio came out. Three rio's, the short-lived intel pocketconcert, and two Bantam BA-350's (great player). They tend to last me about a year to two years and then begin shorting out.

I wind up disassembling them to figure out what went wrong when they start shorting out.. Its usually one of the following:
-Moisture damage (I'm a heavy gym and running user, sweat drips down the headphone cord)
-Breakage from repetitive tweaking of the headphone cord
-Breakage from dropping. Drop them on a hard surface and you have about a 50% chance it will survive.

Never had a hard-drive based player, and it probably wouldn't last more than a month for me.