Cowon releases the A2 PMP in the US

Cowon has started selling the A2 — that sexy little PMP of theirs — in the US via their online store. It'll run you $449 for the 30 gigger, but that 4-inch 480 x 272 widescreen is sure a lot to love. Check out the review if you're in need of some more excuses to blow the cash.

[Via PMP Maniac]

[tom @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

1. 640x480 is not wide screen, it is a standard 4:3 aspect ratio.

2. This device has a 480x272 screen, which is approximately a 16:9 aspect ratio (which is wide screen).

[JL @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

These are the kind of devices that to me are legitimate media players most definitely.

check this one out too
http://www.myviliv.com/product/info.asp?pid=1
Unfortunately this one's not available in the US.

I'd even include the Zen Vision with these as well.

Instead we get all this hype about iPods doing video
and these devices put it to shame...

You mean to tell me Apple couldn't make the iPod a
wider screen like these??

What a joke...

Just my opinion..

[modenadude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Spectacular news, I might buy this one....

[dawggpie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

these devices don't have deals with disney and possibly other movie and network tv studios. The ipod video is lame technology wise but it's guaranteed to be a success.

[pableu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Yeah, the A2 is finally a device that could beat the Archos multimedia-players. Should start selling here in Switzerland next week :)

[Alric Lopez @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Has anyone compared the screen of the A2 with PSP? You can "add" an HD to a PSP by using an apacer steno drive. That way you can add or delete video from the PSP without a PC. This is what I have been using for travel.

If you mostly watch 4:3 material the video iPod is fine. The image is about the same size in both the A2 and the iPod at that screen ratio. In my opinion the iPod is unsuitable for widescreen material.

[Tyler Howe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I'm sure this would be a great unit, but has anyone actually bought anything from Cowon US? I've emailed them 3 times at this point, and tried calling multiple times and no one responds. I'm actually very interested in their iAudio X5, but I'd like to speak to someone about the two different packages they offer (X5 and X5L). I'm terribly cautious of buying anything from them seeing as they can't even respond to an email.

Anyone else have any experience with them?

[Helo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Dont' make me laugh. Just because Apple DIDN'T make a nice widescreen video iPod doesn't mean they CAN'T make one. They'll make one when they're good and ready and when they see if their business model for downloadable tv content is a success or not. The jury's still out on that one irregardless of their million videos sold statement. If you really think Apple doesn't have the technological know how to make something to compete with those PMPs then you're kidding yourself or you just like to hate on Apple.

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Looks like the A2's screen is 16:9, but not 640x480. It's 480x272, which I think is the same as the PSP.

If Sony's smart, they'll start selling UMD recorders. It's the only way to compete with the iPod video and devices like the A2 in the handheld media player market. They won't, of course, cuz they're making good bank selling pre-recorded movies. But it sure would be a smart move for the longterm.

[tarvuz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

#7, I bought an iaudio x5 and had a hard drive issue. I called them and they answered. I also emailed them and they replied. I received a brand new X5 less than a week after I fed exed them my faulty player.

I would say the build quality on the x5 is amazing. I am however going to buy the A2 as well.

[kyle @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

tyler(#7)
buy an x5L. i did, and it's awesome. it's pretty thick, and the screen is quite small, but it's still incredibly sweet. go to www.iaudiophile.net to see a full review, and the have a forum dedicated to the x5

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

#10 & #7.
I agree with Kyle. I have an X5l, and i love it. It's not noticeably thicker than the X5, and it doubles the battery life. About tech support: I've had a single problem with my unit, and I got an RMA number in 2 hours (on a weekend!).

Anyone else: the A2 rocks. If you don't want the big screen, though, or think you'll only want to use it for pictures, I'd reccomend the X5 (especially for the young).

[Wallkill @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Tyler, they have a great customer service. I bought the M5 and the U2 in the past. They sometimes take time to respond to emails.

[chilifries @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Most important question everyone's ignoring is:

How is "Cowon" pronounced?

Is it cow-on, as in 'activate bovine!'
or co-won, as in 'not the only winner'?

[bret @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I own the Cowon iAudio x5 and its agreat audio player, good video player. So i can only imagine how great this would be, im thinking about buying one.

[AIM @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I think it's pronoucned "cow-on"

[Kyu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Number 13. The Korean pronounciation of Cowon is Co-won. That idiot at CNet that reviews DAPs is Korean, and he doesn't even know how to pronounce its. He says, "Cow-won" Moron!
I want to cuss him out.

[brad hdd @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

i hate when u guys post bogus reports - clearly people who work for the company -cmon get real this shit is way toooooo smallllll to view a movie

[eXity @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

No, it isn't too small to view a movie. It's bloody brilliant and I have an A2 right next to me as I type. The A2 really is an amazing PMP with awesome TV-Out funtionality. My review should be coming in a week or two. You wil be able to read it on iAudiophile.net :-)

[submachine @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

It is impossible to compare the Cowon iaudio A2 to any product out and for it not to win, EASILY.

Anyone who doesn't agree, hasn't compared.

[ug @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

==
Dont' make me laugh. Just because Apple DIDN'T make a nice widescreen video iPod doesn't mean they CAN'T make one.
==

The second Apple releases a video player with a screen that is higher resolution than the current iPod with video it's going to expose the limitations in the crappy resolution of the videos they offer for download. I think it's highly unlikel that Apple would ever let you "upgrade" your video collection to a higher resolution. I think the res they've chosen is all you'll ever get, which I'm sure is fine with the content providers who don't want the quality of these files to approach DVD.

[dfkt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Tyler Howe, check out http://iaudiophile.net - a forum for iAudio/Cowon players, there you might get answers...

[Trevor @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

That's a funny picture. It must be the A2 out in the wild or maybe enjoying nature.

[Dread @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

If you guys wanna see this baby in action check this out:


http://www.minivian.com/bbs/view.php?id=movie_review&no=1

[Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I got mine yesterday. Updated the firmware. So far this thing is awesome. Already sent back my Neuros 442 for a refund.