Aigo E235 hard drive-based PMP plays VOB, gets reviewed
While Aigo's no stranger to the DAP / PMP universe, the firm typically focuses on flash-based players, but as with its 50-hour A215, F209 wristwatch, and Linux-based units, the E235 sports something that differentiates it from the host of other alternatives. Boasting a 3.5-inch LCD screen, 320 x 240 resolution, black enclosure, and a rather simplified "joystick-based" control mechanism, the E235 comes in 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 100GB, 120GB, and 160GB flavors, all designed to hold quite a vast library of music and media files. The standout feature here, however, is its native ability to play VOB files, which should probably send notorious DVD rippers into fits of elation, but before we all get too excited, it was noted that content laced in Macrovision may not play back at all, and unoptimized (read: not downsized) files may not display properly on the monitor. Regardless, the device handles AVI, DAT, and MPEG files with ease, and also plays nice with MP3, WMA, and WAV on the audio front. Additionally, you'll find an FM tuner for when your own library gets stale, and while the paltry 2.5 hours of battery life proved less than impressive, reviewers suggested that the sheer ability to playback VOB could be a fair tradeoff to many. Overall, the unit ran about par for the course, with nothing in particular garnering major criticism, and if you're a diehard VOB lover in need of a PMP / PVP, Aigo's got you covered.
[Thanks, Oracle]
