Samsung YEPP YP-700H review

If you're the type of person who likes more of everything, you'll probably dig Samsung's newest YEPP, the YP-700H, which packs a full arsenal of features and extras. While it might not be as wallet-friendly as some other flash-based players, this YEPP is a solid, comprehensive MP3 player with classy looks. If you're the type of person who likes more of everything, you'll probably dig Samsung's newest YEPP, the YP-700H, which packs a full arsenal of features and extras. While it might not be as wallet-friendly as some other flash-based players, this YEPP is a solid, comprehensive MP3 player with classy looks.

Design
The first word that comes to mind when you pull the YP-700H out of its box is elegant. The player's uncluttered layout and solid, metal construction lend it an air of sophistication that sets it apart from many of its competitors. At 2.1 by 3.4 by 0.6 inches and 3.4 ounces, this rectangular unit easily fits in your palm and won't weigh down your pocket.

A small, backlit display on the unit's front shows you just about everything that you need to know, including the ID3 tags, the remaining battery life, and the current EQ setting. Five buttons--the most prominent of which is a sturdy jog dial for Power, Play, Pause, and Song Skip--adorn the YP-700H's slightly curvaceous side and control most functions. Besides that jog dial, there are two volume buttons, a Mode switch, and a Record button for capturing voice memos with the built-in internal mike. The USB port is hidden behind a small flip-out door, something we always like to see. There's also a Hold switch and a SmartMedia card slot, which will allow you to expand the YP-700H well beyond the onboard 128MB of memory.

Features/connectivity
The YP-700H connects to your PC or Mac via USB 1.1. Although Samsung includes its YEPP Audio Manager software for Windows, Mac users will have to download and install iTunes 1.1 or higher. Transferring songs using Samsung's software is a mostly painless affair, although it doesn't offer a native drag-and-drop interface. (Mac users, on the other hand, can drag and drop songs with iTunes.) However, the bundled software offers the nifty 2X MP3 feature, which allows you to compress your files even more, although this results in slightly degraded sound quality.

The YP-700H delivers an impressive array of features, most of which are accessible via the aforementioned Mode button. Holding down that button brings up a list of choices, such as the usual assortment of Random and Repeat modes; nine EQ settings, including a user-definable option; the ability to adjust the brightness, the contrast, and the scrolling speed of the display as well as edit the logo; and the capacity to create and access playlists. In addition, you can also delete songs or format the SmartMedia card on the fly, which could come in handy if you need to quickly clear space for recording voice memos or lectures.

In terms of extras, there's also a whole lot to like. Not only does Samsung include a rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride battery and a charger, the company also gives you a cylindrical, external battery pack, which hooks into the YP-700H's side and takes a single AAA cell. We were also grateful to see a good-looking, gray-suede case that snugly houses the unit and the battery pack, and it clips on to your belt for outdoor activities. The clip-on, in-line remote is also a godsend; it has its own backlit display and allows you to control most of the basic playback and navigation functions. Lastly, there's an FM radio with five presets, which oddly enough is accessible from only from the remote control and not the unit itself.