Review: Cowon D2 portable video player

How small can a media player with a 2.5in screen get? Add in an iPod-style control wheel and it would probably around need to be around 10cm long on one side.

Cowon’s D2 comes in under 6cm by 8cm – it can be this economical because the display is also a touch-screen, so there's no need for extra buttons.

The screen can be operated with a fingertip or with the supplied triangular stylus – both are effective, but the stylus smears the screen a little less. There are still a few buttons round the edges, to power the D2 up and control its menus, but most of the important stuff is done using the screen.

The device comes with either 2GB (at £120) or 4GB (£150) of internal memory – the one we looked at had 2GB – and there's an SD memory card slot in the bottom, so you can add more.

Even 2GB is enough for a reasonably sized music collection, though you may be pushed for space if you use the D2 for video as well. It’s quite capable of playing video and the screen is sharp and bright, so it can be viewed in most conditions except direct sunlight.

Cowon supplies two pieces of software, called Jetaudio and Jetshell, which run on a PC, though the unit itself is compatible with Mac OS X and Linux-based computers as well. Both programmes are good, with Jetaudio specialising in format conversion as well as media playback.

That said, there should be little need to convert formats, as the D2 can play most common ones including the less well-know FLAC and OGG. The only one it won't play is Apple's AAC format. The second program is a media management tool for organising music and other files.

Sound quality through the supplied iAudio earbud earphones is clear and precise but it lacks something in the bass range. This is no worse than with other bundled headphones, though, and most serious listeners will want to shell out for a set from Shure or Sennheiser to get better quality out of this player.

There are two ways of charging the D2: through the USB lead used to connect it to a computer, or through a separate cable to the player’s own mains power unit (both of which are supplied). The power supply route is quicker, with a recharge taking around 3.5 hours, half that of USB.

Cowon claims the D2 will play 10 hours of video or 52 hours of music on a single charge. All in all, this is a high-value media player in a very compact shell that stands up well up to the competition.

Vista compatible: N/A

See also:

Review: Sandisk Sansa C250 mp3 player

Light, low-cost 2GB mp3 player  01 Mar 2007

Review: Samsung YP-T9b portable media player

On guard Apple, prepare yourself for a new challenger to the throne  15 Feb 2007

Creative Zen Vision: M

A portable media player to rival the Ipod, but not in style  13 Jan 2006

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