Iomega's HipZip is Hip
Written: Mar 10 '01
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Pros: Uses little inexpensive disks to expand music storage.
Cons: Large size. Small amount of music fits on each disk.
The Bottom Line: Combines together inexpensive storage with excellent software and sound.
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| lynus's Full Review: Iomega Hipzip 31311 40 MB MP3 Player |
Purchasing an Iomega HipZip makes sense if you're the type of consumer who enjoys owning new technology but doesn't care if it still emulates in some fashion the old technology it's trying to replace. Think of the HipZip as a marriage between MP3 technology and cassettes.
FEATURES
Besides it's normal operation of playing MP3 files, what sets the HipZip apart from other MP3 players are little 40MB disks that can be interchanged within the player. While most MP3 players can handle anywhere between 64MB to 6GB of storage, in theory the HipZip can handle far more depending on the number of disks you own. Plus while on other players that music is physically contained with the player, the HipZip's disks can be removed for storage or perhaps to swap with other HipZip users.
The HipZip utilities USB connectivity to quickly transfer files between your computer and the player. Because the diskettes are only 40MB in size, a complete transfer should only take a couple of minutes.
The player comes with customized version of MusicMatch Jukebox 5 which handles the encoding and transferring of files. On most occasions MusicMatch can encode files up to 6 times faster than they would normally play. To encode a whole CD may take anywhere between 5 to 6 minutes. MusicMatch can also operate both as a standalone MP3 player or CD Player.
Some might fear that because the HipZip uses a spinning disk the player would in fact skip quite a lot. However, the HipZip contains a memory buffer that captures enough data to allow the disk to stop spinning from time to time, thus making the music skip-proof on par with other MP3 players that do not utilize a disk.
A built in equalizer allows you to choose preset settings to enhance bass or treble.
Battery life is around 12 hours if you power up the player and just let it run on normal volume. During normal use though (changing tracks, adjusting the volume higher) you may only get between 8 to 10 hours on a single rechargeable battery.
Sound quality is excellent with the HipZip although the headphones are terrible. Like most new MP3 players on the market, you should remember to pick some new headphones up before checkout.
At $300, the HipZip is equal in price to other portable MP3 players. However, each HipZip disk only costs $10 compared to memory upgrades on other MP3 players which can reach well over $100.
WHAT'S WRONG
Because of it's size and because of it's interchangeable disks, I cannot recommend the Iomega HipZip if your looking for an MP3 player to take while out jogging or running. The player is too large to fit comfortably in your hand and feels uncomfortable when attached to the hip. The player can fit in side pockets, but after a while becomes an uncomfortable distraction. Plus, because each HipZip disk only holds 40MB of music you will find that this lasts less than 45 minutes before you start repeating tracks. In order to continue with new music, you'd have to stop, get out another disk, and pop it in the player.
This is not a player for you if you want your music to be encoded at CD quality. This type of quality greatly hogs memory space, and because the HipZip disks only contain 40MB you may end up with only 5 to 6 songs per disk. This player is better suited for those who don't mind their music being Near CD quality at which you could normally fit between 10 to 15 songs per disk.
The player contains buttons to skip between tracks, but the ability does not exist to fast forward or rewind in the middle of a track.
CONCLUSION
There is always a fear involved when investing in new technology. Will it still be here in a year from now? Two years? Even longer? Fact is, new technology will only last if it's easy and affordable to upgrade. The HipZip is exactly that. By using inexpensive disk technology, the consumer can upgrade their product as much as they want to. Buy a disk today, a pack of 10 later, and soon a measly 40MB of storage will soon grow to a vast library outstretching and outlasting any other MP3 player on the market. The HipZip puts it's power behind those who buy it, compared to most players which put their power behind those who build it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 299.99
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lynus
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Location: Las Vegas, NV
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