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]
posted Sep 5th 2007 10:07AM
Hello!
I am from Brazil and adiquiri such a model shown in the photo NS2V17R through Best Buy. But I have a problem, the battery can not withdraw it, he has a type of lock that prevents that I remove both the battery on your protection.
And what happens, usually when I am listening to my music or seeing my videos he suddenly hangs and does not respond to any of my commands. How can not remove the battery have to expect the unit download, upload it again to use, and this issue is constant.
If you can help me or send me the manual of the appliance be very grateful
Thank you
The video need not be pixelated, it's a function of the video bitrate being set too low. In scenes with a lot of movement/action, the bitrate needs to be higher because more information is needed. You need not use the Arcsoft software to convert, you can use Iriverter program, and convert to the Creative Zen M
at 320 x 240 resolution. Bitrates can be experimented with, but 300k+/sec can give good results.
For Xvid mp4 .avi files:
320x240 resolution
25 or 30 frames/sec (highrer framerates require more bits/sec)
audio in mp3 format
Hope this helps
I own the 8gb Pilot and I can tell you that you would be hardpressed to find any similar device on the market that offers the same features,ease of use and portability for $128. This baby is loaded!!!
sorry, but thats not an iPod
You say that as if it was a bad thing.
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...
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.
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.
Why does Best Buy even bother? I mean, even Coby sounds more upscale.
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?
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.
Oh god that's ugly. At least make the play button straight before taking photos!
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*
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.
i wouldn't buy anything that is Insignia.
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.
@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.
fugly
LOL, talk about your blatant iPod/iPhone amalgamation done badly! :D
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.
This must be the free MP3 player you get with a Blue Hippo computer. Quality.
But it has Bluetooth.
Jobs better have an iPod with Bluetooth for me today.
Looks like it's produced by Sandisk.
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.
For WMA-based devices, we sell these things like hotcakes. Perfect for the don'tgiveacrap crowd.
exactly. All the haters need to get some perspective.
With all the DAPs out there I just think you can get something better for 150-$200. Maybe take a peak at Archos.
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!
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.
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.
I wonder if it has the same 90 day warranty that the rest of their throwaway in-house electronics have...
At least the 8gb pilot has a standard sd card slot
another brainwashed idiot iPod dummy
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.
It's produced by a company called Banta Global.
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.
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.
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.
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?
sorry for the multi post.. browser was Fen up.
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...
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.
@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.
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!
Best Buy's website lists the 8GB Pilot for $189. This gonna be stereo bluetooth?
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.
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!!!
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?"
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.
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.