The Insignia 2GB MP3 Player and Image Viewer NS-DV2G Much better than expected
Written: Dec 10 '06 (Updated Dec 11 '06)
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Pros: Very compact, good sound quality, decent video/image quality, USB 2.0 FM Tuner
Cons: The NS-DV2G is a fingerprint magnet
The Bottom Line: The Insignia NS-DV2G offers consumers an attractive alternative to pricier MP3/Digital Media players
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Insignia NS-DV2G (2 GB) MP3 Player |
Hoping to capitalize on the unrelenting MP3/Digital Media player frenzy, Best Buy recently introduced 3 new Insignia MP3/Digital Media players (Insignia is Best Buy’s house brand) just in time to tempt shoppers seeking high tech holiday gift bargains. Tiny high capacity MP3/Digital Media players look to be (along with Digital Photo Frames) the "IT" gift this holiday season.
Until a couple weeks ago I was a proud member of that small group of rugged holdouts who didn’t possess an MP3/Digital Media player. That almost unbearable sensory deprivation burden was finally lifted with the recent arrival (via Fed EX) of an Insignia 2GB MP3 Player and Image Viewer NS-DV2G. Once I was officially on board the MP3/Digital Media player bandwagon I was surprised to discover just how much I enjoyed having a nice selection of favorite tunes on a player that I could just drop in my shirt pocket. As a serious long-term photographer I also enjoyed being able to subject the unsuspecting innocents around me to impromptu slide shows.
The NS-DV2G is a 2GB MP3 player/photo viewer/video device that plays music in the MP3 and WMA formats (Best Buy provides a firmware update via the Insignia website that expands compatibility to Audible and OGG formats). It also supports Best Buy Music Service and is PlaysForSure compatible. The NS-DV2G displays still images (JPEG) and plays video/movies (WMV/MPEG4) on its 2.2 inch color TFT LCD (128 pixels x80 pixels) display screen.
Functionality
Set-Up
Set-up is relatively easy once the full users manual is downloaded but the process is not intuitive and it can’t be accomplished with just the Quick Start guide. Getting music/photos/video into the player is pretty simple – The NS-DV2G shows up under My Computer making it easy to copy audio/image/video files and then paste them directly into the NS-DV2G.
Ergonomics
The tiny brick shaped NS-DV2G (4”x 1.8”x 0.6”) is about the size of a Heath Bar candy bar and weighs just 2.4 ounces. The front of the unit is a snazzy looking glossy black and the back is a flat black rubber-like substance. Controls are well laid out, easily accessed, and logically placed. Operation is accomplished via the five position compass switch with rotary jog dial and a couple of dedicated function controls. It’s easy to access the menus, hit play, fast forward, rewind, up and down, and play- using only the right thumb.
Capacity
The NS-DV2G (according to Best Buy) holds up to 500 songs, 2000 photos, 25 audio books, or 7 movies.
Durability/Construction
The NS-DV2G is solidly constructed and it should stand up nicely to normal use, but like all high tech electronic devices it won’t suffer much abuse.
Performance
Sound Quality
To paraphrase the old Ford commercial, “Sound quality is job number one” for all audio devices – and in the sound quality department the NS-DV2G delivers. Sound quality was better than expected – equal to most of the NS-DV2G’s competition and better than some more expensive MP3/Digital Media players.
The included earbuds are decent (once again, better than expected) but they can’t be expected to accurately reproduce the bottom rung bass range - the lowest frequencies just aren't there and low frequency is consistently a bit flat. Higher frequencies have a slightly brittle and somewhat tinny tonality. Mid-range frequencies are reproduced very nicely.
The unit’s default sound is pretty good, but that’s not the end of the story – the NS-DV2G provides 1 custom/manual and five preset equalizer settings (adjustments at 60Hz, 300 Hz, 1 kHz, 6 kHz, and 14 kHz) allowing users some personal input into the player’s audio signature.
I assessed sound quality by listening to a selection of classic rock and roll with which I am intimately familiar: Delbert McClinton, the James Gang, the Beatles, Badfinger, J.J. Cale, Chris Issak, Robbie Robertson, Eric Clapton, and Phil Collins.
Still Image Quality
I’ve been a photographer for more than thirty years, so image quality is a very important consideration for me. The NS-DV2G’s image quality is, not unexpectedly, mediocre (flat and grainy) at best. Those who begin with very good to excellent photos will be rewarded with tiny low-resolution postage stamp sized (but recognizable) reproductions. Those who start with poor quality photos will see what looks like fuzzy fruit salad on the NS-DV2G’s tiny LCD screen. In a truly weird bit of déjà vu, I was reminded of viewing 35mm slides on a light table while looking at images on the NS-DV2G’s 2.2” LCD screen.
Video Quality
It is absolutely amazing that something as tiny as the NS-DV2G can hold several full length movies, but practically the ability to watch movies on a postage stamp sized LCD screen is a vanity feature that has very limited usefulness. I viewed a couple of short digicam movie clips to assess the NS-DV2G’s video capability. Not surprisingly, Video quality is right on par with still image quality – not very impressive. I suspect that viewing a two-hour movie on the NS-DV2G’s tiny screen would produce a pounding headache and severe eye-strain.
Power/Battery Life
The NS-DV2G needs about two and half hours to fully charge its 3.7V rechargeable lithium ion battery (with the included USB cable). Best Buy claims the battery is good for up to 20 hours of music playback and I have no reason (based on my use) to quibble with that figure.
Miscellaneous
The NS-DV2G also features an FM tuner. I haven’t listened to FM radio in years and much to my surprise FM station quality has actually deteriorated in the intervening years. In FM mode the NS-DV2G displays a standard FM dial on the LCD screen and tuning is accomplished via the right/left buttons. The FM feature works fine, for those who want or need it and reception was very good (in a mid-sized urban market with lots of stations).
Technical Specifications
Screen: 2.2" TFT color LCD
Storage Capacity: 2GB
Storage Type: Internal Flash Memory
Expansion (additional Memory) Slot: microSD
Digital Audio Format(s): MP3
Video Format(s): WMV and MPEG-4
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Dimensions: 4”x 1.8”x 0.6”
Weight: 2.4 ounces
System Requirements: Windows 98SE or later - Mac OS 8.6 or later
Cost: $114.00
Included
Clear vinyl case, USB cable, Software CD, earbuds, battery, and quick start guide.
Warranty
Best Buy/Insignia provides a 1 year parts & labor warranty for the NS-DV2G.
Conclusion
I asked an old friend, who is also a photographer, for his help in assessing the NS-DV2G. I wanted my friend’s input because he has a 2nd generation iPod and I was an MP3/Digital Media player virgin. Other than a little confusion during the set-up process and a couple of minor missteps getting used to how sensitive the NS-DV2G’s rotary jog dial was - using the NS-DV2G was a snap. I doubt you’ll be able to find a nicer MP3/Digital Media player for the money and my friend obviously agrees since he borrowed my NS-DV2G as soon as we were finished testing it. Before I got the NS-DV2G I was a little surprised by all the craziness surrounding the MP3/Digital Media player revolution, now I wonder when my friend is going to return my new toy.
Consumers searching for a super stocking stuffer for that special someone will love the reasonably priced and feature rich little Insignia 2GB MP3 Player and Image Viewer NS-DV2G. The NS-DV2G is my second Insignia product and I’ve been pleasantly surprised in both cases by the build quality, features, usability, design, ergonomics, and ease of use of Insignia products.
I received this MP3/Digital Media player from Hass MS&L (a Public Relations firm) in return for publishing a fair and accurate review of the device on Epinions.com.
Don’t need video capability and want to save forty bucks? Here’s a link to symbiosis’ first-rate review of the Insignia Sport 1GB MP3 Player NS-DA1G
http://www.epinions.com/content_286857399940
Still looking for that perfect gift?
Canon Powershot A640 Digital Camera
http://www.epinions.com/content_265901870724
Philips 7" Digital Photo Frame 7FF1AW/37
http://www.epinions.com/content_268218175108
Insignia IS-PDVD10 Portable DVD Player with Swivel Screen
http://www.epinions.com/content_234718006916
Recommended:
Yes
Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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Epinions.com ID:
Howard_Creech
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 in Electronics |
 in Home and Garden |
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 334
Trusted by: 1276 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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