Teclast's M30 PMP is mildly attractive, mostly lackluster

Truth be told, Teclast's M30 seems be to a real looker at first, but we're knocking off a few style points due the complete absence of originality. All it takes is a simple glance at the unit's predecessors to realize that the outfit isn't exactly going out on any limbs to innovate. Nevertheless, those still interested can look forward to a 2.8-inch 320 x 240 AMOLED display, USB 2.0 connectivity, FM tuner / recorder and support for AVI, RM, RMVB, BMP, MP3, JPEG and GIF file formats. Thankfully, the mediocrity is met with a suitable price tag -- just $69 for the 2GB model and $82 for the 4GB edition.

[Via DAPReview]

[Jkswiss @ Jan 19th 2008 4:40AM]

Looks a lot more attractive than those ipod classics to me.

[Ellianth @ Jan 19th 2008 1:01PM]

You beat me to it. And how exactly is it lack luster?

[mushrooshi @ Jan 19th 2008 2:28PM]

Not in person, however.

[karts41 @ Jan 19th 2008 4:39PM]

Are you kidding!? Its looks INCREDIBLE!!! Have you seen how big that highlight is?

[ukickmydog @ Jan 28th 2008 9:29PM]

"You beat me to it. And how exactly is it lack luster?"

because it ain't apple

[Hanson @ Jan 19th 2008 4:55AM]

if this thing can play rmvb format without converting...then it could be very attractive

[ray @ Jan 19th 2008 5:02AM]

it does.
it plays AVI/RM/RMVB video formats, wich is really convenient if you think about it most of the video we have on our hard drives are in those formats.

[Hanson @ Jan 19th 2008 5:41AM]

if it does...then it sould be a huge news
can someone verify? 2gb can carry about 8 hour of rmvb

[Harry @ Jan 19th 2008 12:30PM]

@Hanson
I can verify that M30 supports rmvb format.

http://www.teclast.com/zhuanti/m30/

[tekdemon @ Jan 19th 2008 5:22AM]

Originality doesn't neccesarily mean something will be better looking...I mean, a good suit has basically looked the same for hundreds of years, but they're still nice looking. It's not like James Bond has to run around in crazy clothing to look slick.

Seriously engadget, wtf.

[Tangmu @ Jan 19th 2008 5:43AM]

Reminds me of the Meizu M6 series... Telecast also calls it M#number#... Coincidence? *Haha!* :P

[Reginald @ Jan 19th 2008 1:29PM]

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw this too. Even the model numbers are similar.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/15/meizus-m6sl-portable-media-player-now-on-sale/

[Ypoknons @ Jan 19th 2008 6:49AM]

So you gave this impression based off "a simple glance at the unit's predecessors"? Prior usage of Telcast players?

[sharkroman @ Jan 19th 2008 8:22AM]

It's not so good as it shows on our PC screen . Ipod is much better than it .
Teclast's PMP .. one of my classmates use it,it has a lot of questions.
The lines all plug on the right side , just the side you carry it on your hand..

[Fernando G. @ Jan 19th 2008 1:13PM]

not me.... i'm a lefty

[ilh @ Jan 19th 2008 9:19AM]

"we're knocking off a few style points due the complete absence of originality"

Did you do that for every single iPod after the first then? Didn't think so.

[Randavance @ Jan 19th 2008 11:40AM]

I like it, but if only it could play flac and ogg I would be sold.

especially at $69, this would make a great gift for somebody less technologically knowledgeable.

[Abuzar @ Jan 19th 2008 12:38PM]

That is a VERY good looking player. Who the hell can you call an iPod good looking and not THIS?

[Adam @ Jan 19th 2008 12:53PM]

Where do you pick something like this up? I'd love to get one of these, but have trouble finding it online.

[Harry @ Jan 19th 2008 1:02PM]

Mediocrity??

1. This player has a AMOLED screen - making the player 6.5mm thin / 180 degree viewing angle / shorter response time

2. It supports rmvb/rb.

3. (@Randavance) You bet! It supports FLAC and APE.

4. It has two chips - one for overall control and the other dedicated to audio ouput.

5. FM radio

6. Those touch buttons on the front are the same with those on LG chocolate (no moving parts), giving the machine an elegant look and feel.

Seriously, this is an AMAZING pmp. There is nothing mediocre about it. And it costs only $70 for the 2GB model. I highly doubt whether Engadget spent time reading the specs.

[matt @ Jan 19th 2008 2:02PM]

you guys have to remember this is engadget here reporting on a competitor to anything apple, so yes it will get a bad rating by them and they will make some snide remark about how it is laking in every way.

anyway looks like a very nice DAP at a good price

[Skobbolop @ Jan 19th 2008 2:10PM]

hopefully the new writers aren't apple fanboys....

"These sample posts can be about whatever you want, but they should seem like they could have been written by one of our writers"

or maybe the pro-apple writing is a requirement? :D

[crescentdavid @ Jan 19th 2008 4:11PM]

Lemme see, it's one of the first players to use amoled, a superior screen technology. That must be why there's a "complete absence of originality." The supported video codecs include xVid and Divx & MPEG 4 ... this is looking good. Limitations are size, of course ... but they're at great price points. No idea on software ... other than some indication it's been "fixed."

"Seems to be a real looker?" It is a real looker. Knock off your style points for "functional" issues if you must, learn grammar, come back and post again.

[chengdude @ Jan 19th 2008 10:27PM]

For anyone interested, this is one of a slew of new players from China that will be using the new homegrown Rockchip 27xx series of control chips. The Teclast also uses a Wolfson 8987 for audio out, which is the same chip used by Meizu. An AMOLED? The only other player I'm aware of that uses one is iRiver's Clix2. Teclast is historically slow putting products on the shelves, so there's a dearth of reviews/screenshots to now. Unfortunately, they also have a reputation for less-than-functional GUIs. The new Rockchip, though, promises better support for this if a developer takes the time to work on it. For an idea of what to expect, here are a couple of pages with screenshots from a review of the Oppo S9, another player that uses the Rockchip:

http://www.oppo.com/News/News_View.asp?ID=605&Page=4

http://www.oppo.com/News/News_View.asp?ID=605&Page=5

Oh yeah, and the M30 is 6.5mm thin, just like the sanctified iPod Nano.

[ushisushi @ Jan 19th 2008 11:18PM]

i found similar stuff online at dapsta.com cheaply, anyone kno if theyr legit?!

[chengdude @ Jan 19th 2008 11:41PM]

Dapsta is a new business selling Chinese players; no opinion one way or the other. Other places you can check (and please do research before buying) are MP4Nation.net, Houseofdap.com, and superdaps.ecrater.com

[Jay @ Jan 22nd 2008 7:36AM]

The ripoffs get ripped off.

Who knew someone would be looking at Meizu for inspiration?

[Joe @ Jan 27th 2008 10:47AM]

i would prefer allpmp.com for chinese pmps.

[sarwar khan @ Mar 13th 2008 5:06AM]

I purched one mp3 model TL-260 fron Chaina, but could't read the manualcouse its Chiness language,so it is very difficult fr me to operate it, can u help me?

[sarwar khan @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:15AM]

what the hell is going on can't understand?