Digital Music: The Player's the Thing

Portable MP3 players used to be pretty much alike--simple pocket-size devices with built-in memory. Now models with additional features or new capabilities are available, so I looked at shipping units of new CD-based players from CMC Magnetics and Sonicblue, and at a flash memory model from Intel. All three exemplify the growing diversity of these products.

First up is Sonicblue's $180 RioVolt SP250, which builds on the Rio Volt SP100, the company's successful first attempt at a CD player that could also play MP3 files. The SP250 adds a smaller, yet better-organized LCD screen to view track and artist information; an FM tuner; and buttons for accessing different folders of music stored on the CD. This player can hold as many as 250 songs (depending, in part, on file format) on a typical 700MB disc, and its ample 8 minutes of shock protection keeps songs from skipping. Sound quality was excellent, and I liked the design of the 5.2-by-5.8-inch unit's controls and remote.

CMC Magnetics' ShellStar CM220 is the first CD player to use 8-centimeter CDs, a newer size of disc about half the diameter of a conventional CD, which holds up to 185MB of content (about 35 songs) and fits in the center of regular tray-loading CD drives. Unlike the rugged RioVolt, the ShellStar's plastic case feels flimsy. But this didn't affect the sound quality of the $130 unit. Its smaller size fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and it has logically organized control buttons, making it an attractive compromise between a full-size MP3 CD player and a pricey flash player. One catch: The small LCD provides song numbers only, without track and title information.

Intel's $150 Personal Audio Player 3000--about the size of a small pager--emphasizes flexibility. You can personalize its look by flipping up the clear plastic cover and inserting one of several included faceplates, or your own photos, which you can template with the included Audio Manager software. But in spite of its minute size and rugged feel, the player has some design drawbacks, including stiff buttons, no display of track and title information, and a poorly placed multimedia card slot. The slot, which houses flash memory to expand on the unit's 64MB of built-in storage, is hidden in the battery compartment; it is very difficult to remove the card unless you first remove the battery.

Sonicblue's RioVolt SP250 comes out ahead in this group for its versatility. For portability especially, CMC Magnetics' ShellStar CM220 or Intel's Personal Audio Player 3000 are both worth a look.

SUMMARY

CMC Magnetics ShellStar CM220 An innovative MP3 CD device that fills the bill if you are looking for an affordable, portable digital audio unit. List: $130

SUMMARY

Intel Personal Audio Player 3000 This flexible player has design flaws that keep it from ranking among the best in MP3 players. List: $150

SUMMARY

Sonicblue RioVolt SP250 Well-built MP3 CD player with good audio, navigation features, and shock protection. List: $180