Hello folks,
I’ve been looking for the Cowon i-audio x5 mp3 / video player here in Taichung at Nova and … no dice.
Cowon is a Korean company very similar to iriver but this particular item is supposed to be the best reviewed personal mp3 / video player out there.
Can someone who is familar with NOVA in Taipei confirm or deny that they have looked for it and seen it, or better yet, have bought it at NOVA in Taipei.
Much appreciated.
The item looks like this:
I have attempted to find this player but to no avail. I did see an ad on line for one on sale in Taipei but I have never been able to find it again. I don’t live in Taipei but I checked out a number of places a few months ago and they didnt have it.
I have basically decided to buy an iRiver since I refuse to buy an iPod.
I just tried an Cowon while I was in Hong Kong. The interface wasn’t quite too great. I think even CNet has said that. 
CNEt is like iPod central though. I mean take a look at the ratings. They gave both the iPod and the Cowon the exact same rating regarding features when the Cowon obviously does so much more than the iPod.
Take a look at the user reviews, they seem a lot better than cnet’s review. The user reviews even call attention to some things that Cnet got completely wrong.
I agree there is probably a bit of a learner’s curve to the file folder system but I don’t mind file folders and I don’t like the idea of being trapped into using iTunes and their format.
Have you tried iTunes much? After using it, I really prefer it to any other way of organizing and listening to music. Why need to know about files and folders. Someday you won’t need to do that at all with your computer.
For the format, AAC should eventually replace mp3. And it is supposed by lots of software.
[quote=“gary”]
Have you tried iTunes much? After using it, I really prefer it to any other way of organizing and listening to music. Why need to know about files and folders. Someday you won’t need to do that at all with your computer.
For the format, AAC should eventually replace mp3. And it is supposed by lots of software.[/quote]
I have played around with it and it’s fine but bottom line I just don’t like having to be stuck with apple and their format. The cowon plays many other formats besides just mp3s, it even supports FLAC. Overall, I think the Cowon is a much better player both featurewise and sound wise than the iPod.
Anyway, you obviously really like the iPod and that’s fine but it’s just not for me.
One another note, Mp3Taichung, I just got back from Taipei tonight and Nova does have them. I just bought one and am charging it up right now.