Samsung YEPP YP-30S

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Eliot Van Buskirk
• Reviewed on: 02/06/2002
• Updated on: 10/24/2002

Due to its compact size, belt clip, armband, and unexpandable 64MB of memory, the Samsung YEPP YP-30S is a great MP3 player for working out. We weren't so keen on the included software, and we would have welcomed an expansion slot. But those drawbacks aside, this is one attractive, ultracompact MP3 player.Due to its compact size, belt clip, armband, and unexpandable 64MB of memory, the Samsung YEPP YP-30S is a great MP3 player for working out. We weren't so keen on the included software, and we would have welcomed an expansion slot. But those drawbacks aside, this is one attractive, ultracompact MP3 player.

You won't even know it's there
The YP-30S is perfect for jogging or gym use because it's so small. Weighing just 1.2 ounces, the unit ships with a belt clip, a neck strap, and an elastic armband. Just as important, it's also quite easy to engage the player's basic functions--such as changing tracks and adjusting volume--blindly. To perform more advanced functions, slide down the bottom of the player to access two additional buttons. These controls allow you to make 256 minutes of voice recordings (internal mike included) and choose among eight EQ settings.These two buttons also control display, backlight, time (syncs to your desktop), and Sleep mode settings. The USB port also hides behind this slider, protecting it from dirt and damage--a unique innovation that we'd like to see in other portable devices.

Clumsy software
While the YP-30S's hardware couldn't be easier to use, the YEPP Audio Manager software initially threw us for a loop. We think that file-transfer software for a 64MB player should be a simple drag-and-drop affair. But with this software, Samsung has tried to simulate a full-featured jukebox that indexes all of your audio files into its own database. You have to let it search your whole computer for audio files--even files that aren't MP3s, which makes no sense because the YP-30S doesn't support any other file types. Then you must weed out Windows' system sounds and other nonmusic audio. Despite these problems, once you get the YEPP Audio Manager up and running and figure out how it works, the software is stable enough to use without too much aggravation.

The YP-30S's headphone cord seemed too short for taller folks using the full range of motion demanded by some physical activities. However, we had a 6-foot-2-inch tester try it out, and he reported no problems. Unless you're a pro basketball player, the short cord is a blessing. (Longer cords on a hip-clipped device are a bad idea, since they get tangled more easily and can snag on gym equipment.) The ear buds sound good enough, although audiophiles will want to replace them to take advantage of the unit's clean sound. Also included is a single AAA battery, which powers the YP-30S for five hours--not enough time for most people. We wish that Samsung had included a tiny rechargeable instead, which would have been just as light and might have lasted longer. For now, those concerned about the environment or their budgets will have to opt for a separate rechargeable battery kit. Continue reading

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Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 154 reviews
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