Beautiful Simple Design that Works.
Written: Jul 03 '04 (Updated Sep 14 '04)
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Pros: Beautiful design, Great Sound, Built Solid. Simple to use.
Cons: Some might prefer a player with an LCD display.
The Bottom Line: Get this player if you don't need the LCD display otherwise get the new version with LCD.This Key series is very well made and functions great.
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| eddiey18's Full Review: Philips KEY005 (128 MB) MP3 Player |
I noticed this MP3 player while I was surfing the net one night looking for gadgets. I have been looking for a MP3 player but have not found any that I like. I do not want an iPod or anything that large. I was looking for something small and simple and the Philips Key005 fits my need perfectly. It can be obtained at a very cheap price. Obviously it is being obsolete. I went on to Philips’ Web site and discovered that there is now a new version Key011 (128 MB memory) with a LCD display. Other than the addition of the display, the old and new versions look and should function the same.
Would I miss the lack of LCD display? The answer is no. When I first started to use a portable music player, it was first a cassette player and then a CD player. Both of those never did have display. My MD player has a display which I never really use. It is a pain to put all those letters on anyway. The MP3 player is so small, if the LCD displays a lot of information, which means the words would have to be small and would be difficult for me to read. Since I load the songs myself and I would only put in the songs that I like to hear, I do not have much need to see the LCD. I would have to pay much more for a new version with a function that I do not need.
This Key005 is identical to the Key003 except Key 003 has 64 MB memory. The Key004 (64 MB memory) and Key006 (128 MB memory) differs in having a necklace with built in control. All 4 models have the same body. Key003 and Key004 have pearl white color while Key005 and Key006 have glossy Black color. I wanted more memory so that Key003 and Key004 were not considered. The choice was between the Key005 and Key006. The Key006 initially seems to be a better choice if I were to wear it on the neck. The integrated control on the necklace eliminates the control pad link between the neck lace and the ear phone. However, it makes carrying it other than wearing on the neck not convenient. With the Key005, I can remove the necklace and place the key in my shirt pocket, pants pocket or in my backpack. I read the specification and found the case was made from magnesium that caught my attention. Magnesium is a white metal lighter than Aluminum which is generally more expensive. The use of magnesium meant that this MP3 player while looks basic, it is in no way a cheap product.
After I opened that box, I was overjoyed. In my opinion, it is the best looking MP3 player I have seen. The body appears to be made of casting (magnesium) and it feels solid. The end cap is made of plastic but it was painted to match the body perfectly. There is a case for an AAA battery that replaced the end cap and piggy back to the MP3 player. The design is so nice that it does not look it was an attachment. It just looks like it belongs there. According to the specification this player can play for 6.5 hours fully charged and can play for 10 hours with an AAA battery attached.
The player is simple to operate and use. Just remove the end cap and plug it into one of the USB outlet to charge or load songs. My computer with Windows XP looks at this player like another removable memory USB stick. Loading songs onto this player is just like dragging files to a memory stick. I loaded the MUSICMATCH software into my computer right away. I did not even need this program but I loaded it anyway. I have both Windows Media 9 and iTunes on my computer and they play MP3 song without a hitch. After the player was charged, I simple dragged my MP3 music from my collections in CD's onto the player. It was a simple and fast operation. This player holds about 2 hours worth of my MP3 music. There is an On-Off switch on the body and a 5 button key pad on a link joining the ear phone to the player.
After I charged the player and loaded the music, I was ready to try this new toy. To my disappointment, I could not turn it on. I saw the light flashed a few times but nothing coming out of the earphone. So I loaded an AAA battery in the battery case and attached it to the player, still the player would not turn on. After a few more tries on the play button, the player came alive. Wow! It sounded good. It sounded as good as my MD player. The earphone that came with the player was not bad at all. It was not as comfortable as my earphone from my Sony MD player. I tried the Sony earphone but the Philips one sounds better.
For the following few days, I played with this MP3 player. I still have the problem with the play button. I had to press it a few times before it would turn on. It would act normal, once I got the player turn on. I was worry because if this control pad goes bad, the unit would not be able to function as a MP3 player. I guess it could still be used as a memory stick. I called Philips and complained about the control pad. The tech asked all the right questions and I guess I answered with all the right answers. He told me not to worry and he is sending me a replacement. By this time, I was getting better on turning on the play button. It appears if I press it harder, it would work better. Anyway, I am going to have a spare coming in a few days. I was hoping that the new ones would work better. I later found out I did not need the new control pad.
I was just a bit surprised that Philips would design a MP3 player that appears to be bullet proof but with a flimsy control pad. I was wondering if I did make the right decision of getting this player. I was looking for the instructions for this player but do not recall seeing a manual other than the Quick Start Guide. I went on to Philip's Web site and searched for information. I am glad that I did. I found what was the problem with the control pad. As it turns out, I did not know how to operate it. It needs to be held down for 2 seconds to turn it on. Once I learn how to operate this button, there is no more issue with the control pad.
While I was researching this player, I noticed there is at least a couple of reviewers in some other web sites that complainted that their players did not work and they could not turn them on. I think Philips is at fault here. They should have included the manual or mention it in the Quick Start Guide that the play button needs to be held down for 2 seconds to turn on the player.
One last tip, when an AAA battery was attached to the player the first time, the unit became quite hot. It cools down after awhile and I do not notice that the raise in temperature again.
I am providing the links to the Philips Key005 Manual and Specification. These two documents are not included with the MP3 player.
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/k/key005_17/key005_17_pss_aen.pdf
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/k/key005_17/key005_17_dfu_aen.pdf
Below is the link to find more information on this Key005. This page includes software and the above two links.
http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c/ce/catalog/product.jhtml;jsessionid=O1FANTJ55EUALJ0RMRCRX23HKFSESHAW?divId=0&groupId=AUDIO_GR&subCatId=PORTABLE_AUDIO_CA&subCatId=MP3_PLAYERS_SU&productId=KEY005_17
I almost forgot, I found that I can plug this MP3 player in to my desk top at work and use iTunes to play songs. Since I have decent speakers connected to my desk top. It sounds quite good. I guess other similar MP3 player or even a memory stick can do the same.
Update 07/26/2004
Please read another review that is related to this MP3 Player. There is more information on the MusicMatch Jukebox software (free software that you can ripe CD into MP3 format), just follow the link below.
http://www.epinions.com/content_149216333444
Update (09/14/2004)
Ripping CD into MP3 or WMA format.
Forget using the Musicmatch program; just use the Window Media Player Vision 10. It out performs the Musicmatch Jukebox program that I was using. It rips a song in about 15 seconds. It is very easy to use and it is also FREE.
If you need a MP3 with larger capacity, take a look at the Philips HDD120. http://www.epinions.com/content_155061685892
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 60.00
Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
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Epinions.com ID:
eddiey18
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Member: Edward Yee
Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
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