The main menu gives the A2 a PDA feel.ĭespite tricky navigation (thank goodness for the well-placed Back button), the Cowon A2's solid graphics add to the player's appeal. Visually, the Cowon A2's interface is vivid and uncluttered.
Cowon plans to release a firmware update that will sort music by ID3 tag. Because the device is currently a UMS device (with its own advantages), you cannot browse music by album or track unless you organize your media in such a way. The thumbstick also serves as the volume control, so you'll need to navigate back to the playback screen to adjust the volume. The tiny thumbstick takes some time getting used to, especially when selecting down on an item, but it is at its worst when trying to navigate through dozens of folders and thousands of songs. The soft keys are convenient, but we'd often look down at the similar buttons to confirm the selection. The background image (ours was soothing blue waves) is customizable, with tiny icons for the volume, the time, and the battery in the upper-right corner, as well as three contextual choices in the lower sliver of the screen that correspond to the A, B, and C buttons. The main menu is gorgeous and very PDA-like, with menu items such as Movie, Music, Photo, Text, and Radio, each represented by colorful icons. On the bottom spine is a triposition switch for LCD, hold, and A/V out. Identifying icons for these four jacks are embossed on the inside of the latch and are difficult to read. Headphone and power-adapter jacks flank a hatch covering dual A/V-in/out and USB jacks on the left spine. On the right spine is an indented power button, and on the top spine are the widely separated stereo speakers, with the mic falling in between. Other controls and connections are arrayed around the Cowon A2's perimeter. Both the Archos and the Creative players are slightly smaller and lighter than the 5.2-by-3.1-by-0.9-inch, 10.5-ounce 20GB Cowon, but the player's curved rectangular shape is easy on the hands and the eyes. While both the Cowon (20GB and 40GB) and the Archos AV500 (30GB and 100GB) offer 4-inch-wide LCDs and PVR capability, Creative's Zen Vision does not record video or audio, and it includes only a 4:3, 3.7-inch screen. The Cowon A2 enters a luxury PVP domain currently dominated by the Archos AV500 and the Creative Zen Vision, and it fits right in.
On the plus side, the A2, which is available in 20GB ($380) and 30GB ($420) capacities, boasts excellent audio and video playback and recording quality, as well as solid battery life. While the A2 can play a huge number of audio and video formats, it does not currently support Windows Media DRM 10. We really dig some parts of the interface, but we were annoyed by others.
Extract the files using winzip or another similar programme.The Cowon A2 is a sleek, attractive, and all-encompassing portable video player with video-recording capability that suffers only when compared to the similarly appointed Archos AV500 Mobile DVR.
Download the new guide here or in the quick download meun on the right. 3rd Feb 07 Theme guide 1.1 on its ownįor those who do not wish to download the whole them package, I have uploaded just the guide as well. The home site will be up shortly.īy the way I have almost completed my new theme, the Cowon F2 theme for firmware 1.85. Just to let you guys know that some of the links are up. My theme will be available on 1.89 and i am going to update the theme guide. Don't worry though as I will create new themes for both firmware versions.Īnyway the new downloads should be coming very soon. However if you have 1.89 you may already be aware of the fact that you cannot downgrade to any other firmware versions. I will be working on 1.89 and 1.85 from now on. Cowon have released the new A2 firmware version 1.89 and so i need to change my themes. Downloads for your PC and gadgets 31st Mar 07īeen busy lately.