MP3 Players

ZEN Neeon 2 Player

Creative Technology has certainly been persistant in their effort to compete with Apple's iPod players. ZEN Neeon 2 multimedia player can play music, video, photos and FM radio. It measures 81mm x 42mm x 12.5mm and weighs 50g. It is available in either 4GB, 2GB or 1GB of storage capacities, and all include a voice recorder, line in recording and a 1.5" colour display for viewing photos and videos.

Key Features of the Creative ZEN Neeon 2

• Slim & Compact - measures just 81mm x 42mm x 12.5mm;
• Weighs only 50g (with battery);
• 1.5" colour display to view both photos and videos;
• Integrated FM radio;
• Built in microphone for voice recording;
• Up to 20 hours of continuous audio playback or up to 8 hours of continuous video playback;
• Direct line-in recording, which enables users to record directly from other audio sources such as CD/DVD players, turntables, and cassette tape players;
• Easy drag-and-drop of music files between PC and player;
• No additional software installation is needed, except for Windows 98SE users, drivers are included;
• 5 unique brushed-metal backplate colours to cater to every mood.

ARCHOS 604-WiFi PMP

Designed for enjoying video, photos, and music on the go, the awesome ARCHOS 604-WiFi PMP features integrated 802.11g wireless connectivity and brilliant 4.3-inch (480 x 272 pixels) touch screen for navigation and web surfing. The 604-WiFi is is a 30GB Portable Media Player with built-in speaker, headphone jack, kickstand, and S-video and USB ports. The ARCHOS 604-WiFi is recognized as a drive on the home network, so any media files can be transferred onto the device or streamed out to a TV, and according to Archos, has capacity to store up to 25 DVD resolution movies, 130 hours of TV shows, 300,000 photos or 15,000 songs.

Create a DVD

Today, when I Google some info about DVD, I found a Guide "How to convert and burn MPG to DVD with video to DVD software?". The writting is clear and easy to understand. I think it may be useful for me and someone, so I paste the Guide on my blog.

From: http://www.sharewareguide.net/article/Guide/guide:-how-to-convert-and-burn-mpg-to-dvd-with-video-to-dvd-software.html

Guide:

How to convert and burn MPG file to a DVD? how to copy video to DVD? This guide will teach you how to burn MPG to DVD using Ultra DVD Creator step by step.

Strep: 1. lick the Video Disc Creator button, then choose DVD Disc

and you will see the main interface of DVD creator:

On the top are the function meuns including Add files which is use to add the video files to be converted, Remove can delete the files you don't want to convert. Run means you strat to convert. About lists the software company's information.

On the right there are the samll meuns the first is just like the Add files button and the second mean the Remove button, but ba careful to the third buuton which mean delete all the items in the list. The fourth button means Run. and the last two buttons mean move the selected file up and down.

At the bottom shows the space of the video files.

Step: 2. Add files buton to load the video file(s):

Step: 3. Click Run to begin to convert video files to DVD:

Step: 4. Set the Parameters of your output:

Output Folder: the destination of your DVD file.

TV Type: NTSC is widely used in US, Japnan, Canada, Asia, and American Continent and Pal is widely used in Western Europ.

Aspect Ration: 4:3 is used in nornal TV and 16:9 is used in HDTV.

Step: 5. Press Start button to start:

Software about Zune

As Zune launched on 14th November, many software developers released their new Zune software. All of them have the similar functions:

• Zune video converter: convert popular video formats such as MPEG, WMV, AVI, RM etc to Zune video format;
• DVD to Zune converter: convert/rip DVDs to Zune video format;
• Zune video converter + DVD to Zune suite

Xilisoft Zune Video Converter
Xilisoft Zune Converter Suite
Xilisoft DVD to Zune Converter

Cucusoft Zune Video Converter
Cucusoft DVD to Zune Converter
Cucusoft Zune Video Converter + DVD to Zune Suite

ImTOO Zune Video Converter
ImTOO DVD to Zune Converter
ImTOO Zune Converter Suite

dvdXsoft DVD to Zune Converter

PQ DVD to Zune Video Suite
PQ Zune Video Converter
PQ DVD to Zune Converter

Wondershare DVD to Zune Ripper
Wondershare Video to Zune Converter
Wondershare Zune Video Suite

Avex DVD to Zune Converter
Avex DVD to Zune Video Suite
Avex Zune Video Converter

Talk about DVD

From: http://www.videohelp.com/dvd

DVD stands for Digital Versatile/Video Disc, DVDR stands for DVD Recordable and DVDRW for DVD ReWriteable. If you're familiar with regular audio/music CDs or regular DVD-Video discs, then you will know what a recordable DVD looks like. A recordable DVD stores up to 2 hours of very good quality DVD-Video, including several audio tracks in formats like stereo, Dolby Digital or DTS and also advanced menu systems, subtitles and still pictures that can be played by many standalone DVD Players and most computer DVD-ROMs. If you choose to lower the video quality it is possible to store several hours video on a recordable DVD using low bitrates and low resolution with video quality more like VHS, SVHS, SVCD, CVD or VCD. It is also possible to have up to 4.37 GB ordinary data or mix DVD-Video and data on a recordable DVD that can be played by most computer DVD-ROMs. There are three competing DVD Recording standards, DVD-R/DVD-RW and DVD+R/DVD+RW have pretty similiar features and are compatible with many standalone DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs while DVD-RAM has less DVD Player and DVD-ROM compatibility but better recording features.

DVD-R and DVD-RW

DVD-R was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players. DVD-R is a non-rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD-R and DVD-RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB DVDs(called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75 computer GB DVDs(called DVD-10).

DVD+R and DVD+RW

DVD+R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 89% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD+R and DVD+RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 8.75 computer GB DVDs(called DVD-10).

DVD+R DL

DVD+R DL or called DVD+R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD+R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95 computer GB (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9 computer GB (called dvd-18).

DVD-R DL

DVD-R DL or called DVD-R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD-R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95 computer GB (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9 computer GB (called dvd-18).

DVD-RAM

DVD-RAM has the best recording features but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. Think more of it as a removable hard disk. DVD-RAM is usually used in some DVD Recorders.

DVD Sizes

The DVD sizes can be a bit confusing. There are basicly 4 different DVD Sizes:

DVD-5: holds around 4 700 000 000 bytes and that is 4.37 computer GB where 1 kbyte is 1024 bytes. DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW supports this format. Also called Single Sided Single Layered. This is the most common DVD Media, often called 4.7 GB Media.

DVD-10: holds around 9 400 000 000 bytes and that is 8.75 computer GB. DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW supports this format. Also called Double Sided Single Layered.

DVD-9: holds around 8 540 000 000 bytes and that is 7.95 computer GB. DVD+R supports this format. Also called Single Sided Dual Layered. This media is called DVD-R9, DVD-R DL, DVD+R9, DVD+R DL or 8.5 GB Media.

DVD-18: holds around 17 080 000 000 bytes and that is 15.9 computer GB. DVD+R supports this format. Also called Double Sided Dual Layered.

NOTE:

In the computer world is 1 KB data = 1024 bytes so 4 700 000 000 bytes / 1024 = 4 589 843KB / 1024 = 4482MB / 1024 = 4.37GB.

DVD+R/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL and DVD-R/DVD-RW exact sizes

DVD-R/DVD-RW = 4 706 074 624 bytes ( 4488 MB ) DVD+R/DVD+RW = 4 700 372 992 bytes ( 4482 MB )
DVD+R DL = 8 547 993 600 bytes ( 8152 MB )


DVD Write and read speeds

Single Layer(4.7GB) write speeds

1x (CLV) = about 58 minutes
2x (CLV) = about 29 minutes
2.4x (CLV) = about 24 minutes
4x (CLV) = about 14.5 minutes
6x (CLV/ZCLV) = about 10-12 minutes
8x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 8-10 minutes
12x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 6.5-7.5 minutes
16x (CAV/ZCLV) = about 6-7 minutes

Dual/Double Layer(8.5GB) write speeds

1x CLV = about 105 minutes
2.4x CLV = about 44 minutes
4x CLV = about 27 minutes

Single Layer (4.7GB) read speeds

1x read speed is 1.321MB/s = ~56 minutes
6x CAV (avg. ~4x) read speed is max 7.93MB/s = ~14 minutes
8x CAV (avg. ~6x) read speed is max 10.57MB/s = ~10 minutes
12x CAV (avg. ~8x) read speed is max 15.85MB/s = ~7 minutes
16x CAV (avg. ~12x) read speed is max 21.13MB/s = ~5 minutes

NOTE:

write speed time and read speed time is not the same because writing requires some extra steps and also does the faster writing above 6x usually use lower write speeds for some parts of the dvd. 4x DVD speed = 36x CD speed.

More about Zune

Zune Accessories

For entertainment fans who want to experience their media from anywhere, Microsoft will offer the following accessories:

Zune Home A/V Pack. The Home A/V Pack includes everything you need to amplify your Zune experience. This set of five products integrates Zune with your big-screen TV and the best speakers in your house. The wireless remote puts you in control from virtually anywhere in the room. When you buy the Zune Home AV Pack, you’ll get the AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Wireless Remote with Lithium Battery, Zune Sync Cable and Zune AC Adapter for $99.99.

Zune Travel Pack. The Travel Pack includes everything you need to travel with your Zune device in style. This set of five products is designed to keep you and your friends and family entertained while you travel. When you buy the Zune Travel Pack, you’ll get the Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and Zune AC Adapter for $99.99.

Zune Car Pack. The Car Pack includes everything you need to hit the road with your Zune device. With AutoSeek, setup is easy, and you can enjoy your music on the go and charge at the same time. When you buy the Zune Car Pack, you’ll get the FM transmitter with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger for $79.99.

Microsoft’s Zune

Zune is Microsoft’s music and entertainment platform that provides an end-to-end solution for Connected Entertainment. The Zune experience includes a 30GB digital media player, the Zune Marketplace music service, and a foundation for an online community that will enable music fans to discover new music. Inspired by the vast and varied community of music fans, Zune focuses on helping emerging artists shape the digital canvas. Zune is part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division and supports the company’s software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space.

Technical Specifications

Size and Weight

4.4 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.6 in. (h x w x d)

Weight: 5.6 ounces

Battery[2]

Music, up to 14 hours (wireless off), up to 13 hours (wireless on); pictures, up to 4 hours; video, up to 4 hours

Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90%

Display

Size: 3.0 inches

Orientation: Vertical and Horizontal

Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels

Audio

Windows Media® Audio Standard (.wma): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate

MP3 (.mp3): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate

AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov): Up to 320 Kbps, Low Complexity (LC), up to 48-kHz sample rate

Pictures

JPEG (.jpg): All resolutions (desktop software will automatically convert to 640x480 at sync time)

Video

Windows Media Video (.wmv): Main Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 1.5 Mbps peak video bitrate, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo audio; Simple Profile, CBR, up to 736 Kbps video bitrate, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo audio.

Wireless

Connectivity: 802.11 b/g

Range: Up to 30 feet

Language

English

The Zune to Zune sharing feature may not be available for all audio files on your device, and works only between Zune devices within wireless range of each other. This feature allows recipients to play full-length sample tracks up to 3 times in 3 days. Recipients cannot re-send music that they have received via the sharing feature.

Batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually hold less charge. Battery life and the number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.

Zune software can import audio files in unprotected .WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in .WMV, MPEG-4, H.264.