Terratec M3Po Go MP3/CD Player Review - PAGE 1
Patrick Woo - Thursday, November 29th, 2001
Introduction
As another contender in the MP3/CD player market, TerraTec approaches as a relative newcomer. Its only been founded in 1994, but already it is one of the largest sound card manufacturers in Germany. TerraTecs latest offering is the M3Po Go, a MP3/CD disc player, which plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs. Overall, it has the usual features of a standard MP3/CD disc player, like ID3 tag support, a large backlit LCD screen, adjustable equalizer, variable play modes and good sound qualities. In addition, the M3Po Go contains additional features, like a good sized anti-shock buffer in MP3 mode, the ability to bookmark 50 songs for 10 different discs, an easy file navigation system, and foldable neck held headphones. However, the M3Po Gos weight, design and CD mode ESP is only satisfactory compared to most other units.
Specifications
| Technical Specifications |
| Supported formats | · MP3, ID3 tags, CD-A |
| Bitrates | · 8kbps - 320kbps
· Variable Bit Rates (VBR)
· ISO9660/Joliet
· Redbook (CD audio)
· Multisession |
| Electronic Shock Protection (ESP) | · MP3: 50 sec. buffer
· CD-A: 10 sec. buffer |
| File management system | · Easy directory access (EDA)
· Jog dial navigation
· Long file names
· Up to 256 directories/CD
· Up to 32 directory levels
· Up to 999 MP3 files/CD |
| Multiple playback modes | · Random (all, dir)
· Repeat (one, all, dir)
· Introscan
· Bookmark |
| Bookmarking | · Up to 50 titles/CD
· Up to 10 CDs can be recognized |
Volume control
Tone control | · Treble (with frequency selection 2/4/7kHz)
· Bass (with frequency selection 50/100/200Hz) |
| Resume, Hold, AutoPower Off | |
| Supported media | · CD, CD-R, CD-RW |
| Display | · Graphical LC Display
· 128 x 64 pixels large
· Smooth Scrolling
· Display of ID3 tags (Artist, Title, ...) |
| Headset | · Foldable neck holded headset
· Samarium cobalt drive unit, 32 Ohm
· Power: 100mW |
| Audio connectors | · Line out (3,5 mm mini jack)
· Headphone out (3.5 mm mini jack) |
| Mechanical Specifications |
· Weight: 275g without CD media
· Size: 131 x 135 x 34 mm |
| Electrical Specifications |
· Class 1 laser product
· Power supply: DC input 5V, 600mA
· Batteries: 2 type AA rechargeable / non-rechargeable
· Battery life: 7 hours (average) |
| Included Software |
· Musicmatch Jukebox 6.0
· BeSonic MP3 content |
Pros
The M3Po Gos best functionality is its ability to play CD-R and CD-RW discs. Because of a CD-R/CD-RWs large capacity, over a hundred MP3 song files can be burned and played on the M3Po Go. It literally becomes a portable jukebox, thus, CD-R/CD-RW disc players should be carefully considered if youre in the market for a standard MP3 player. Most MP3 players only hold around 10 songs at best, and thats if youre fortunate enough to afford a unit with 64 MB of memory. Additional storage for MP3 players is still an arm and a leg, especially, in comparison to the cost of another CD-R or CD-RW disc.
Much like a MP3 player, the M3Po Go has good sound quality and is very resistant to sudden jolts. In MP3 mode, the unit has a 50 second anti shock buffer. Interestingly, when playing a MP3 file, the unit stores a section of the file first and stops spinning the disc when the file is playing. As such, this leads to lower energy consumption and makes the player unshakeable, according to TerraTec. In ordinary situations, the player performed quite well. Normal walking with the player in my pant pockets did not lead to skipping. However, skipping does occur when the unit is low on power or when it was shook vigorously for 10 seconds.
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