Janus-compatible MP3 players | ||||
![]() James Kim, senior editor | Untether your subscription-based music! Microsoft's latest DRM for Windows Media (commonly known as Janus) allows you to transfer tracks from subscription-based services to any compatible MP3 player. In essence, you can "rent" tracks for a monthly fee, then take them with you wherever you go. When your subscription ends, your music won't play anymore. In this type of portable music service, you don't have to purchase each track individually to get them on your device. The technology first appeared in Windows Media Player 10.0 last fall, and hardware manufacturers are quickly catching up. At this point, the only services of this type available are Napster To Go, which features more than a million tracks, and the lesser-known FYE service, while CinemaNow is available as a movie subscription service. Musicmatch On Demand will follow soon. On the hardware side, most major manufacturers, such as Dell, Creative, and Rio, will be offering this feature on their newest MP3 players. Here are a few Janus-compatible devices. | |||
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| Product name |
iRiver H320 (20GB) |
iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray) |
Zen Portable Media Center |
iRiver PMC-120 |
Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox (4GB) |
| Review date | January 25, 2005 | February 17, 2005 | September 1, 2004 | May 6, 2005 | January 27, 2005 |
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| Buying choices |
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| Review summary | As did the phased-out H120, the H320 will attract those who value features as well as superior audio playback and recording quality over style. | As iRiver's first 5GB entry, the H10 includes nearly every coveted feature, but navigating the player controls can frustrate some users. | Eight months after its announcement, the Creative Zen PMC is finally here. Despite its bulk, the player is solid, but it's the Microsoft Portable Media Center software that deserves most of the praise. | Although the PMC-120 is a much better device than its Linux-based brother, the PMP-120, it's not the best Portable Media Center device available. | Gateway's latest digital audio player offers solid audio playback along with some nifty features for photo buffs on the go, but check out others in its class before you buy. |
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| Basic Specs | |||||
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USB 2.0 Drivers & Utilities 6.5 oz 20 GB 16 hour(s) 90 dB 220 x 176 Lithium polymer 2.4 in x 0.9 in x 4.1 in Full specifications |
Hi-Speed USB Drivers & Utilities 3.4 oz No built-in memory 0.1 % 5 GB 12 hour(s) 90 dB Lithium ion 3.8 in x 2.2 in x 0.6 in Full specifications |
20 GB Hi-Speed USB 12 oz MS Windows XP Media Center compatible JPEG WMA , MP3 WMV Digital audio player , Digital video player , Digital photo viewer Stereo headphones , USB cable , Carrying case , AV cable , AC adapter Portable media center Full specifications |
20 GB Hi-Speed USB Digital audio player , Digital video player Stereo headphones , Carrying case Portable media center Full specifications |
4 GB Hi-Speed USB 3.4 oz 3 month parts and labor limited warranty JPEG , BMP WMA , MP3 , AAC Lithium ion Digital audio player , Digital photo viewer Stereo headphones , Carrying case , AC adapter Digital AV player 2.3 in x 0.7 in x 3.8 in Full specifications |