Frontier Labs NEX iA 256 MB MP3 Player

Frontier Labs NEX iA 256 MB MP3 Player

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Put all fears of format obsolescence behind you with the NEX iA digital music player from Frontier Labs, which includes a built-in FM radio tuner and the ability to record radio broadcasts and, using an onboard condenser microphone, live audio--ideal for voice recordings, which show up as MP3 files in your playlist upon completion. The player will run for 7 to 13 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), depending on use, and it comes complete with stereo headphones and a wired remote control.

The MP3/WMA player is modular in 2 key ways: the NEX iA's firmware is upgradeable to allow playback of additional file types (Ogg Vorbis, for instance, which offers slightly higher quality than MP3 for similar-sized files), and the unit is configured exclusively for removable storage drives (CompactFlash and MicroDrive), thereby permitting greater storage capacity as its media allow. Currently, the player is compatible with up to 1 GB MicroDrives; a 256 MB MicroDrive is included. You'll get about 17 hours of 128 kbps MP3 onto a 1 GB drive; the 256 MB incarnation will hold a little more than 4 hours.

Its USB port (up to 400 kbps transfers) makes the player suitable for use as a portable disk drive, too, for fast and easy file transfer and storage. You can perform simple drag-and-drop transfers with most Windows systems (98SE and up)--and there's no proprietary software to install. "Smart power" draws power from the supplied USB cable, conserving battery life and simplifying hookup during file transfers.

The player's latest firmware upgrade includes support for multiple folders and menu access during playback. The NEX iA is ergonomic, too: super light (just 3 ounces), with intuitive controls governed by a single 5-way jog lever that you can manage with just your thumb. Its fully interactive high-resolution LCD offers bitmapped 132 x 64 resolution and a cool neon-blue EL (electroluminescent) backlight that can show scrolling ID3 tags, song duration, memory level, and battery level.

A 5-band user-programmable equalizer comes with 5 preset sound modes: jazz, rock, classic, dance, and Latin to help you tailor your listening to your music or preferences. Smart-play functions included repeat one/all and shuffle play, and of course the player uses solid-state construction with no moving parts to break down.

What's in the Box
Music player, a 256 MB MicroDrive, stereo ear-clip headphones, a remote control, a remote battery, a user's manual, a USB transfer cable, a neoprene sport case with belt holder, and Windows Media Player 7 (for Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP; Media Jukebox for Win 98SE/2000).

Product Description:
This feature-packed Frontier Labs Nex Ia 256MB MP3 Player does it all with built-in FM radio and voice recorder and storage capabilities so it can act as a portable drive for fast and easy file transfer and storage. Player comes with 256MB of memory and is memory and storage expandable with Type I & II Compact Flash memory cards or MicroDrives. Features: solid-state construction (no moving parts), shock resistance; ultra-light portable and ergonomic design; remote control with shirt clip; firmware design to support multiple folders, access of menu functions during song playback and other unique and improved features; drag and drop file transfer on Windows Explorer means no proprietary software needed; intuitive thumb operable controls; fully interactive high-resolution LCD; 5-band programmable equalizer; WMATM compatible; MP3, VBR, and ID3 compatible; smart play functions; USB cable; clip case; headphones; software; and manual. Available storage capacity may vary.

Frontier Labs NEX iA 256 MB MP3 Player

Average customer rating:

What the He$%

Don't waste your time or dollars unless you have lots of spare CF cards

The Nex iA - a runners perspective

$270!?! The Most Overpriced MP3 Player Ever

customer care for this item sucks

Frontier Labs NEX iA 256 MB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: FrontierLabs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
MP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
128 MB to 512 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
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Product Features:

MP3/WMA music player with built-in FM radio and a 256 MB removable MicroDrive with 4-hour storage capacity (128 kbps MP3)

5-band user-programmable equalizer with 5 preset sound modes: Jazz, Rock, Classic, Dance, Latin

ID3 tag recognition to show song and artist names; plays up to 320 kbps MP3 (including variable-rate)

Offers repeat and shuffle modes, user-programmable FM radio presets, and a USB port

Built-in condenser microphone helps generate MP3 files from voice recordings; records from FM radio as well

ASIN: B0000SVSP8

Amazon.com Product Description

Put all fears of format obsolescence behind you with the NEX iA digital music player from Frontier Labs, which includes a built-in FM radio tuner and the ability to record radio broadcasts and, using an onboard condenser microphone, live audio--ideal for voice recordings, which show up as MP3 files in your playlist upon completion. The player will run for 7 to 13 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), depending on use, and it comes complete with stereo headphones and a wired remote control.

Product Description

NEX ia is a feature-packed digital audio player that gives you an infinite digital audio listening gratification. With its powerful digital signal processor, firmware upgradeability and memory expansion capability, NEX ia is the ultimate portable player that truly brings its users an infinite audio experience. NEX ia is infinite Audio.NEX ia contains no moving parts. Music is stored digitally inside the flash memory cards instead of cassette tape or compact discs. Therefore NEX ia is both light and shock resistant and a perfect companion during exercise and outdoor activities.NEX ia follows on the heels of the revolutionary NEX II/IIe. Like its predecessor, NEX ia continues to use removable Compact Flash or the Microdrive memory card as its storage medium, giving you as a user maximum flexibility and expandability. NEX ia also incorporates a built-in FM tuner and voice recording facility. You can now not only listen to your favorite digital music but also listen to FM radio and use NEX ia for recording purposes.

Customer Reviews:

What the He$%.......2007-03-30

I am a man of few words on this item...It doesnt seem to work!!! Only thing working is the mp3, Radio doesnt pick up stations, the built in recorder recordings sounds like it's recorded under water ... it is ill made, the MP3 sound is very good to say the least... I would not buy another product by FrontierLabs again...EVER!!!!!!!!!

Don't waste your time or dollars unless you have lots of spare CF cards.......2006-12-21

I bought a NEX IA when they first came out and it was barely worth it then and is basically a paperweight now. I thought I would/could upgrade to a microdrive larger than 1 GB but no go. The largest CF card or drive I can get to work in the player is 1 GB. The player uses 2 AA batteries and is large and heavy compared to any other player on the market. The only possible good use for this paperweight is in your car, and then if you have a stack of spare CF cards loaded with music and labeled. You can buy a 12volt lighter plug in adapter to power the unit and I happen to have a cassette player that I can plug a headphone to cassette adapter into. I am trying to make it last as a car player, otherwise, I'd toss it in the garbage.

The Nex iA - a runners perspective.......2005-08-06

I recently purchased a SanDisk MP3 player and had nothing but problems with it. Since I had the old Nex II player and it lasted for quite a few years, I thought I'd give the iA a try. I'll mention that I did not buy it at Amazon who seems to have the device at an unreasonably high price as compared to other similar devices.

Comparing this to the Nex II, the iA is actually a bit bigger. This in a time when everyone is making things smaller. No matter. The UI is almost identical to the II - with the exception of having a few new features and a different control ("joystick" style instead of jog button).

Pros:
* Nice, sturdy construction.
* Headphones have nice bass response.
* The memory card/microdrive is removable, so you can upgrade or replace the memory when needed.
* The memory can be formatted from the menu. This is an advantage over the II since performing a format on an external device like a card reader sometimes doesn't reformat the memory the way the device likes, leading to being unable to read all of the files on the card.
* Simple, easy to figure out menus.
* Remote control makes it easy to control without accessing the actual unit.

Cons:
* This is a relativelty big, heavy unit.
* Can't access all of the buttons with the cover on the unit. I suppose the designers thought this was OK since the remote control lets you access most of the buttons without opening the cover.
* The headphones aren't good for running - I will use pair of earbuds or similar instead, which is a shame because the sound on them is quite nice.
* Microdrives are not solid state devices and are not usable when running because the shock makes it unable to read the media. Use a CF instead.

$270!?! The Most Overpriced MP3 Player Ever.......2005-06-01

OK I only paid $120 for the thing on sale from Amazon but the price is now back to $269. At that price, do not even consider this player.

Pros - sturdy construction, easy to use menu, good backlighting, decent equalizer, drag & drop download.

Cons - Heavy with 2AA's, slightest bump makes it skip even with "hold" button on, constantly freezes (must remove battery to reset) and usb 1.1 microdrive is as slow as a glacier.

Do not get suckered by the extra bells & whistles (CF card usage, built in microphone & FM radio). These things will have no value in the long run to anyone as the primary reason for buying an MP3 player is to play MP3's. On that function, this player sucks big time. The 1 gig microdrive never let me load more than 540 megs of mp3's. I kept getting a "disk full" pop-up once that limit was reached. Frontier support said to reformat disk and try again (this exchange occured via email as Frontier has no live person support). I did this 2x with no change. Also, the microdrive is as slow as molasses. I kid you not, it takes about 5 hrs to download 540 megs of files. You will be at it all day. Take my advice and skip this piece of junk.

customer care for this item sucks.......2005-05-23

the player is working fine only if u upgrade the firmware. but in my package, there is a missing ac/dc adaptor and the remote is not working at all. and for replacing the remote, i hav to ship it all the way to hong kong which will cost me extra bucks unnecessarily. there is no direct contact number for the customer care in US and the email support is not good. i wanted to return the item initially but i am impressed by the quality of the mp3 player at this cheap cost. i got so much irratated by the customer care of the manufacturer because of which i am giving only 3 points. so if u get ur player and accessories correctly in ur initial package, its very good. otherwise the customer care really really sucks.

update:- the player is working really good except for the battery indicator. the player stops functioning even when the battery indicator shows that half battery is still remaining. voice recorder is also very good.

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