I just received a Power-Up! 1GB MP3 Player at the low, low price of (once I complete the rebates) $9.99 from TigerDirect. Hooray! I figured that even if the MP3 capabilities were poor, I’d still have a 1GB USB drive at a killer price. But I didn’t expect the user manual to be so… unusable.
Pass to presss “Mode” key can enter to all level menu, the menu is divided into main course single (the ceasing is to grow to press into), broadcast of submenu (short press into) with submenu (short press into) that stop the hour.
I think I would have had an easier time if they kept the manual in the original Chinese.
Casting the user manual aside, I attempted to figure out the device on my own. I couldn’t get past the first screen – the aforementioned menu with the main courses. Well, the main course I wanted was “Music”, not the Voice Recorder, the Recorded Voice Player, or apparently the Telephone Directory. But I couldn’t figure out how to order the main course.
There are only a few buttons on this device (here’s an image):
- A Hold button, to pause a playing song
- A Volume +/- paired set of buttons
- A big ol’ Play button
- A Mode switch, which rocks to the left and right, and snaps back to the middle when released
It was obvious that the Mode switch lets you traverse the, um, main courses. But I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to select what I wanted. I tried the big Play button – nothing. Maybe the Hold button? I doubted it, but I tried it anyway. Nope. Couldn’t possibly be the Volume buttons, right? Nope.
Then I re-read the manual. “Short press into”. Could it be… nahhh.. but I tried it anyway. Yes, the Mode switch, which so clearly rocks left and right, can also be pressed in. Where’s the affordance?
At this point, my manual translation skills are finally coming up to speed, and I notice something else: “grow to press into”. Oh no. They can’t possibly mean… Oh, this is horrible. There’s a difference between a long press and a short press of this Mode switch that has no indication that it can even be pressed in the first place.
AND… (ohmigod, I should have been less cheap and bought an iPod)… the function of the short press / long press differs depending on the current mode. If you’re listening to music, a short press brings up a file manager, and a long press brings you back to the menu (you know, with the main courses). If you’re recording your voice, a short press starts the recording, and a long press ends it. And there about 5 modes (i.e., main courses)… so, that’s 2^5 functions I have to remember for this button.
It’s very difficult to press the mode button without inadvertantly moving the switch either left or right. There’s a very good chance I might accidentally “Delete All” instead of “Exit” in the file manager.
Finally, for your amusement, I thought it would be fun to share some other features of this product. The light that shines on the LCD screen cycles through red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and magenta with every button press. The player came with Lionel Ritchie’s “Say You, Say Me” and The Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More” pre-loaded – with lyrics, which scroll by on the screen. It takes an insanely long time to copy files over, despite the USB 2.0 interface, and so far I can’t seem to copy over more than 500MB. Finally, the sound quality is abysmal – it’s very tinny, which not good for my hip-hop habit.
But hey – for $9.99, I’ve got a 1GB USB drive!
Note to self: Here’s a more readable manual for a related product.
I figured out why I was limited to 500 MB – it’s actually because I ws dropping all of my files into the root directory, and there’s a FAT limitation that only allows about 128 files in that directory. By creating a subdirectory, I was able to overcome this limit and use all 1 GB of storage.
I agree completely. I also picked up one of these MP3 players from TigerDirect for the $9.99 after rebate. I haven’t found the volume to be too bad, but I don’t listen in noisy environments either. I could see that it would be too quiet in those locations. The manual is impossible to understand unless you know Chinese grammar, which I don’t. But after my wife told me to try pressing IN the left/right mode “rocker” switch, I pretty much figured out the rest on my own. If you’re somewhat “tech-y”, you’ll figure it out. Still wish someone would write a message in UNDERSTANDABLE American English.
sorry — I meant a MANUAL in English, not a message!
OMG!!! You push IN the mode button!?! Bless you, dmkoelle. And for the link to the better-english manual.
Now that I know the magic trick to getting this thingy to work, this is perfect for my 10-yr-old daughter. Doesn’t need high quality sound, just something to keep her “KidzBop” and “Madagascar Soundtrack” et al.
And like you say.. when she is ready to grow up into an iPod..I’ll have a nifty little 1-gig widget drive.
THANK YOU for posting your experience with this little doohickey. You saved a mom’s sanity on Christmas day.
Scott and Samantha – Thank you for your comments! I’m so glad people are finding value in my write-up on this MP3 player!
Samantha, I checked out your webpage, and I love your comic! The next time I think about waffles, “Life’s a Witch” will be at the front of my mind
“Usability and the Power-Up! 1GB MP3 Player”
I had the 500mb limitation until I used my PC to create a folder on the player. Now I can fill the 1gb with 2 500mb folders of music. Use the Filemanager system (under the music system) to change from the root folder (already there) to the folder you created.
Also, change the sound to DBB….it gives it more Bass.
Tony – Thanks for the DBB suggestion!
I don’t have the instructions handy right now… can you (or anyone) post the steps to do this?
Hey, I’m in some trouble here…you see, it will not play WMA files, only MP3s. Does it just automatically work, or is there something I need to switch?
Also, the first time I tried to enter music in there, I deleted a few files. Perhaps one of them was the file that contained syntax for the Equalizer and other stuff. If you still have those files, can you send them to my email? ascherbarth@unt.edu
Thanks a million!
I believe this plays WMA files – one came as a sample audio file with the player.
There is no file on the player that corresponds to equalizer and other info.
ya ive been havein problems since i droped it well it doesnt turn on idk if there is a reset code or if i should return it alittle help?
yup i fixed it
on my mp3 it is a 1GB USB 2.0 Digital MP3 Player w/ Voice Recorder – black and i dont know how to switch it on lol i dont know and were is reset button i cant find it. I wish i could have it up and running again i want flo rida on it but my computer wont recognize it =(
lol i need help plz someone help me =)
looks like i wont be talking to anyone for a while =(