Updated 14 Feb, 2012, 6:01 pm IST

PMPs Under Rs. 12,000

19 Jul, 2010, 11:08 am IST | Shayne Rana

Looking for a portable media player under 12K? Here are a few choices.

The mobile phone may be the best option for communication and media combined, but there are still those of us who prefer to have a distinction between the two features. So if you’re looking for a stand-alone device, a PMP (Personal Media Player) that can handle just your media i.e. your music and videos, here are a few options in the Rs. 12,000 budget.

Cowon J3 - Rs. 10,750 (4GB),
Rs. 12,500 (8GB) and Rs. 14,500 (16GB)
The J3 is a light weight slim player. It’s designed to read all media formats so converting videos to specific sizes is unnecessary. It comes preloaded with a Flash player so Flash based games and apps can run on this device. The J3 also supports Bluetooth with A2DP and AVRCP. The audio settings that come loaded onto the J3 are very intricate and detailed, designed to allow audiophiles to truly customize their music experience. If on board memory isn’t enough, it can be supplemented via microSD cards. The J3 also� provides excellent battery life.

Other features include -

3.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with a 272 x 480 pixel resolution,� 16million colors and multitouch
Audio settings include – JetEffect 3.0, BBE+, Mach3Bass, MP3 Enhancement booster, 3D surround, Stereo Enhancement and a Reverb effect, Customizable graphic EQs and 39 presets
Supports DivX and XviD video codecs
Supports OGG, FLAC, MP3, WMA, WAV, APE audio formats
TV out
FM radio,
Voice recorder
Built in speakers
MicroSD card support

Apple iPod Nano 5th Gen - Rs.9, 400 (8GB) Rs. 11, 200 (16GB)
The Fifth Gen Nano, although it hasn’t changed much in terms of design but now comes with VGA camera for video recording an FM radio with Live Pause, Nike Plus built in and a voice recorder. So even though it looks the same, there’s quite a few additions made which makes its worth go up. This model also comes with a built in accelerometer for the display, games and few other extra features. A Shake to Shuffle option is also added. Video will need to be converted to an appropriate size and transferred to the device via iTunes or a third party software. iTunes is also the primary medium for music transfer.
�

Other features include -

2.2-inch LCD with a 240 x 376 pixel resolution
Audio settings include – 10 presets including SRSWOW HD
Supports XviD, WMV, FLV, RM, RMVB, and 3GP video
Supports WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AAC, and MP3 audio
FM radio with Live Pause
Voice recorder
Built in speakers
VGA camera for video recording at 640 x 480 resolution @30fps

Creative X-Fi 2 - Rs. 8,999 (8GB), Rs. 11,999 (16GB),
Rs. 14,999 (32GB)
The X-Fi 2 is Creative’s first touchscreen PMP. Their X-Fi audio technology with features like the Crystallizer and Expand options are provided to enhance your overall audio experience. The UI comes with a built-in accelerometer for screen rotation if you’re viewing images. Like the Cowon J3 the X-Fi 2 also supports external memory via microSD cards.

Features include -

3-inch touchscreen with a 400 x 240 pixel resolution
Audio settings include – Presets, Crystallizer and Expand
Supports WMV9, MPEG4-SP, DivX, and XviD
Supports MP3, WMA (DRM9), WAV Audible4, AAC, FLAC audio
FM radio
Voice recorder
Built in speakers
TV Out

Philips GoGear Muse - Rs. 9, 400 (8GB)
The Muse was only recently announced for India and comes with a host of very interesting features. Philips has incorporated their FullSound technology that’s designed to enhance audio that could get compressed while transferring. Another addition is the Surround sound option for videos. MicroSD cards can be used to extend the memory.

Features include -

3.2-inch touchscreen with a 480 x 320 pixel resolution
Audio settings include – Presets,
Supports WMV9, RMVB, MPEG4,
Supports MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, APE
FM radio
Voice recorder
TV Out

All prices included are Market Operating Prices (MOP).

We’d like to know if you have any other options aside from these. Please feel free to list them below. Do remember they have to be Rs. 12,000 and below and have display’s conducive to watching videos.

Tags: PMP , GoGear , iPod Nono , Creative , Zen , Cowon