Best Buy sneaks out new Insignia Pilot and Sport DAPs

You may or may not be a fan of Best Buy's "aggressively-priced" Insignia line of store brand consumer electronics, but with the pre-release hype over other DAPs reaching ridiculous levels, it's certainly refreshing to see the new Pilot and Sport (pictured top and bottom, respectively) released without any fanfare whatsoever. Lacking even a press release, these successors to the Video and Amigo have silently shown up on the big box retailer's website, offering up audio and video playback along with Bluetooth connectivity for well under $200. The higher end Pilot comes in either 4GB or 8GB capacities, supports MP3, WMA, PlaysForSure, OGG, Audible, WAV, WMV, and MPEG-4 files, and sports a 2.4-inch TFT LCD, RDS-capable FM tuner, and SD expansion slot. The Sport, meanwhile, offers up only 2GB or 4GB of storage, a 1.7-inch screen, and microSD slot, while dropping support for WAV, Audible, and WMV and throttling video playback back to a could-be-smoother 15fps. Unfortunately the majority of the configurations seem to be backordered right now, so you'll have to wait at least a week to fork over your $99 to $199.

[Via dapreview, thanks KC]

[GadgieBot @ Sep 5th 2007 10:11AM]

sorry, but thats not an iPod

[Argot @ Sep 5th 2007 10:34AM]

You say that as if it was a bad thing.

[andi @ Sep 5th 2007 10:42AM]

yeah, that 'pilot' thing looks better than one... the quality might be shady though... I'd definitely go for the new Sony... they have good battery life, good build quality, good design, and most of all SOUND much better than any iPod...

[ssuk @ Sep 5th 2007 11:00AM]

And more importantly, you don't have to conform to their lame-ass M4A or MP4 files via iTunes, saving time and not using the bulky, memory-whoring iTunes on Windows machines. There should seriously be a iTunes Lite or something, as my laptop sure as hell suffers using iTunes and just adds unneccesary wait onto what should just be a drag and drop proceedure.

[Atari @ Mar 1st 2008 8:23PM]

Hey, ssuk, you're wrong about two things:

First, you can use Windows Media Player with the iPod, and second, there are many, many iPod alternatives that boast a faster loading time, fewer useless features that you'll never use, and smile file-sizes.

Try looking around, rather than displaying your ignorance.

[AlexP @ Sep 5th 2007 10:14AM]

Why does Best Buy even bother? I mean, even Coby sounds more upscale.

[Mike Cerm @ Sep 5th 2007 12:25PM]

These things actually have more features (particularly great codec support) than any players on the market, and they're not quite as un-stylish as they appear in photos. They're in-stock at most Best Buys right now, so check 'em out before you judge. Personally, I'm not trying to make a fashion-statement with something in my pocket. I just want something that works well and does everything I want it to do.

Recap: cheap, unparalleled features, not completely hideous. What's not to love?

[Mickey Jones @ Sep 5th 2007 2:21PM]

I don't know anything about other Insignia products but I have the previous version of this (video) and it's a sweet little player that didn't cost much. I'll probably buy the 4GB to get the Bluetooth feature.

Insignia also releases FW upgrades from time-to-time. The only thing I don't like is the rubberized coating that tends to wear off.

[aron @ Sep 5th 2007 10:15AM]

Oh god that's ugly. At least make the play button straight before taking photos!

[John B @ Sep 5th 2007 1:51PM]

Absolutely, because the direction of the paint on the surface of a button is immediately indicative to the quality of the audio and the ease of use of the interface. I fully agree that the quality of the unit (while it's completely concealed in my pocket) would be infinitely better if the arrow direction was parallel to the length of the device.

*sigh*

[aron @ Sep 5th 2007 11:43PM]

Hell, if they weren't even going to check simple things like how straight the button is, I wonder if they bothered to check for cracks in the solder, improperly cut leads, or other SERIOUS issues with reliability.

[ryan @ Sep 5th 2007 10:16AM]

i wouldn't buy anything that is Insignia.

[riggs @ Sep 5th 2007 11:28AM]

i have an insignia "hdtv" 27 incher that i bought for my dad on fathers day, its pretty good there hasnt been anything wrong with it and u can actually watch Over the air HD channels with it.

[jimmyfinch @ Sep 5th 2007 9:51PM]

@riggs

I have the same it is actually the "HTV-27"
It may accept 1080i and 720p input, but if you count the vertical pix you will only find 480 of em on the CRT"

Pretty deceptive on Best Buy's part.

Not that bad for $300, but defiantly not a HDTV.

[Samwise @ Sep 5th 2007 10:16AM]

fugly

[Tony C @ Sep 5th 2007 10:22AM]

LOL, talk about your blatant iPod/iPhone amalgamation done badly! :D

[Dan @ Sep 5th 2007 10:26AM]

The Pilot actually looks pretty good. If it's as good as the Video player was, it should be an underrated player that many will be surprised by the quality.

[samson @ Sep 5th 2007 10:40AM]

This must be the free MP3 player you get with a Blue Hippo computer. Quality.

[ScOObyDoo @ Sep 5th 2007 10:41AM]

But it has Bluetooth.

Jobs better have an iPod with Bluetooth for me today.

[apeguero @ Sep 5th 2007 10:43AM]

With names like Pilot and Sport, why not come out with a shuffle competitor as well and call it Skippy? Anyway, I kind of like the mechanic scroll wheel. I might buy a Sport for my 5 year old depending on how small it is.

[snang @ Sep 5th 2007 10:44AM]

Looks like it's produced by Sandisk.

[rTwelve @ Sep 5th 2007 10:51AM]

For WMA-based devices, we sell these things like hotcakes. Perfect for the don'tgiveacrap crowd.

[CrocoStimpy @ Sep 5th 2007 11:21AM]

exactly. All the haters need to get some perspective.

[samson @ Sep 5th 2007 12:45PM]

With all the DAPs out there I just think you can get something better for 150-$200. Maybe take a peak at Archos.

[Xzavier @ Sep 5th 2007 10:55AM]

Dude... In that first picture. The menu screen with the strange looking icons, the buttons on the right with the small blue lights and the entire blue look of that device. I feel like I am look at/deciphering some sort of message from the Voyager Space Probe!

Creepy!

[John B @ Sep 5th 2007 1:48PM]

Actually, it's Voyager's secret code on the screen. It's looking for its creator. Only its creator will be able to translate the signal and send a response.

[BrettB @ Sep 5th 2007 11:02AM]

That's pretty sad. If you have to hand out press photos of a device, at least use a device without a defect. Look at the play/pause button on the lower player (the sport?). It's not even strait. These obviously boast a very high build quality.

[bestbuy @ Sep 5th 2007 11:16AM]

At least the 8gb pilot has a standard sd card slot

[Rob_in_Cuse @ Sep 5th 2007 11:24AM]

another brainwashed idiot iPod dummy

[Jonathan @ Sep 5th 2007 11:26AM]

I bought the insignia NS-DV4G (4GB video) player for under $150 and have been very pleased. The video quality on it is great. I got a flash based player that was just twice as thick as the iPod nano and it came with a screen that was almost as big as the iPod video's. My only complaint is that while it plays mpeg-4 video, you MUST transcode it with the included software first. You can't just drop a divx/xvid video that you have onto the player.

That said, I've been watching Psych on it and it looks great.

[Dukenukemforever @ Sep 5th 2007 11:27AM]

Of course BBY is trying to sell Insignia product, it is the store brand. When I used to work there they had at least 55% mark up on them. Don't even get me started on how cheap the audio equipment and cables where with employee discount.

[Dukenukemforever @ Sep 5th 2007 11:28AM]

Of course BBY is trying to sell Insignia product, it is the storebrand. When I used to work there they had at least 55% mark up on them. Don't even get me started on how cheap the audio equipment and
cables where with employee discount.

[Dukenukemforever @ Sep 5th 2007 11:29AM]

Of course BBY is trying to sell Insignia product, it is the store brand. When I used to work there they had at least 55% mark up on them. Don't even get me started on how cheap the audio equipment and
cables where with employee discount.

[Jamar @ Sep 5th 2007 12:39PM]

What? This is a Best Buy store brand? Maybe it's North America only, then- the Best Buy out here in China certainly doesn't carry any Insignia stuff. Instead, they carry a myriad assortment of locally-made PMPs and MP3 players, just not the iPod knockoffs- I think if Best Buy did the same in North America... I don't know, probably fewer people would buy iPods. When you can get video, music, text, photos, and NES/GameBoy/SNES/whatever emulation in a single console, who cares about the iPod?

[Dukenukemforever @ Sep 5th 2007 11:29AM]

sorry for the multi post.. browser was Fen up.

[egloskerry @ Sep 5th 2007 11:33AM]

It's produced by a company called Banta Global.

[LJKelley @ Sep 5th 2007 12:14PM]

Insignia sucks: http://www.startblue.net/technology/reviews/insignia-is-lcdtv32-lcd-tv.htm

I warn people... don't buy Insignia unless you wanna lose money because most likely it will fail right out of warranty (or if your lucky before). But BestBuy will still give you the run around...

[Andy @ Sep 5th 2007 1:35PM]

Wow. You found 3 people who have had a problem with insignia. Have you even used anything insignia? Let me guess, your too cool with your ipod.

[John B @ Sep 5th 2007 2:05PM]

@Andy:

Agreed. I have some Insignia products at home as well. They're not fancy, but they weren't meant to be fancy; they were not meant to be some kind of egotistical, fashion statement; they were not meant to impress anyone. They were bought because they were inexpensive and *they work*!

God forbid that Engadget discuss (*GASP*!) non-brand-name electronics and that (Horrors!!) people out there actually like them.

[LJKelley @ Sep 5th 2007 4:40PM]

God forbid I link to my OWN website that other people have commented on. The TV I had was a KNOWN lemon and BestBuy refuses to do anything about it. Go check that model number on websites that receive more than 100 hits a day (sorry my site sucks). I got royally screwed by BestBuy with 2 Insignia Products (TV and Home Theatre). I have and will never purchase for BestBuy again!

[Drewbyh @ Sep 5th 2007 2:11PM]

Best Buy's website lists the 8GB Pilot for $189. This gonna be stereo bluetooth?

[michael_ray_pennington @ Sep 5th 2007 4:30PM]

I wonder if it has the same 90 day warranty that the rest of their throwaway in-house electronics have...

[WeeManFoo @ Sep 5th 2007 10:53PM]

Sadly, Insignia players have some of the best features including bluetooth, gapless (the Zen Vision M doesn't have that), user changeable battery, and tons of audio codec support. While some may question the quality, this is the most feature rich mp3 player under $200 period. The only thing that comes close is the new Creative Zen which supports divx/xvid but still lacks gapless and the audio codec range of the Insignias.

[Mike Jones @ Sep 6th 2007 9:35AM]

I have the original Bluetooth 4Gb Video Unit. Had it for about 6 months. I exercise with it, bang it around alot and not a problem. If you are concerened about quality, buy an extended warranty. I for one am happy with mine and did not feel the need for the extra warranty. The only complaint I have is the audio drops out from time to time with the logitech freepulse headphones. I chalk that up to the nature of bluetooth, the headphones, or the player or combination of these. Its only occasional, but beats the crap of having wires dangling everywhere!!!!!! I would recommend these!!!

[Mike Russell - RussellReport.com, @ Sep 7th 2007 9:15PM]

Of course, if these two INSIGNIA-branded players (which are manufactured for Best Buy by Korean OEM Joytoto Corp.) sported an iRiver decal, many of the same readers who've offered up all of the tart comments would be fawning over their supposed iRiver "quality" an "innnovation."

Well, we've got a news flash for you folks: The iRiver X20 is actually made by the same, obscure company (again, Joytoto) as these two little underdogs. So, as beleaguered Sen. Larry Craig, said to the airport vice cop, "What do you think of that?"

[mj phs @ Sep 17th 2007 9:10PM]

I am so glad that these models still come with the user replaceable battery. I was also considering the new Sansa View, but you cant change the battery if it kicks the bucket. Good job, Best buy people.

[Hoody @ Sep 20th 2007 1:12PM]

I just bought the 4-gig sport. This MP3 player really definitely exceeded my expectations. The display is awesome, the bluetooth is an added bonus, and the FM player comes in handy if I want to listen to a show at the gym on TV. I bought some $130 motorola sport bluetooth headphones from amazon.com on sale for $75. This thing is REALLY REALLY worth the $120! I don't think I will ever buy an IPOD again, all you're doing is buying the name.

[Me @ Nov 23rd 2007 1:33PM]

Good, it's not an iPod!

[Turbo1 @ Nov 26th 2007 3:40PM]

The sound quaility is not that bad as people claim ipod only sounds better because its louder. People just follow the crowd and are scared to venture out. Insignia players have many pros WMP compatible and what other mp3 player out there has two ear phone inputs. One for you and that special someone.

[TheLeafTalker @ Dec 6th 2007 9:13PM]

Me and a friend of mine went out to bestbuy for an MP3 Player for him. He brought me a long cause I'm usually electronic smart when it comes to these little guys. I've own two Creatives: The Nano 1GB and the Micro 3GB. Two Mobiblus: Cube and Cube2. Then I bought the Iriver Clix 1st Gen. When the second Gen came out I sold the 1st gen and eventually failed at buying the 2nd gen cause of financial problems. I was also being paid to put music on a buddies ipod for him.. So I've had the best of both worlds. This is my opinion. Ipods are surviving off of the Popular kids who buy them and then the less popular follow. They don't string off to another brand cause they want to be "COOL". Itunes is a waist of my time and its a POS. I love WMP and its seamless drag'n'drop features.

Anyway my friend gave me his to add some music to and I did.. I loved the thing!! Though it only had 4GB it was still enough for what he wanted and then some. I loved it so much I went out a few days later and purchased the 8GB Pilot. I have 2K songs on my lappy and I had put 1300 on there so far and thats basically my on-the-go listening. I've put Silent Hill and 300 on there for the videos. It's a beautiful little player with great quality! I haven't been able to get the TV-Out to work though but I will fix that. All in all its a nice player!! I will grab a 4GB SD card to make it 12GB. BTW no buttons are off centered on mine and they don't spin or wiggle around.