Product Review: Samsung P2 Video MP3 Player

Before the iPod touch and the Zune 80GB, there was the Samsung P2. The Samsung P2 is Samsung's first MP3 widescreen video player launched just after the iPhone, hence the similar looking design. The Samsung P2 sports a 3 inch 16 x 9 widescreen LCD and supports video, music and photo playback. The Samsung P2 comes in three colors; Black, Burgundy, and White and comes in 4 GB (YP-P2JAB) and 8 GB (YP-P2JCB) models.

The most notable feature of the Samsung P2 is its touch screen interface. Released just after the iPhone hype, the Samsung P2 mimics the iPhone's touch screen interface with their own EmoTrue interface wherein users can just swipe their fingers across the screen to forward, rewind or skip tracks or videos. However, Samsung's EmoTrue interface isn't quite like the iPhone. You're limited to the swiping motion when forwarding tracks but when it comes to the other functions like viewing photos, you actually have to press the screen and a couple of hardware buttons. Touch interface is only subpar compared with the iPhone.

The Samsung P2 video MP3 players can playback MPEG4 or WMV9 videos in 16:9 widescreen format and produces stunningly clear and bright images thanks to the 3 inch display with OLED backlight. Samsung included their Samsung Multimedia Software with the Samsung P2 so you can transcode your videos on your PC before transferring them to your Samsung P2. Transcoding videos will ensure that your videos are played smoothly on the Samsung P2 using the optimum settings, unencoded videos will result in buffering and slow video playback. The Samsung P2 can playback videos at 30 frames per second, almost twice the average of other MP4 players.

The Samsung P2 is compatible with Rhapsody, Napster, and Yahoo! So you can choose which service you want to download your music from, or you can just upload your unprotected music on the player and enjoy your favorite tracks. The Samsung P2 supports MP3, WMA, and OGG music formats. The 4 GB Samsung P2 (YP-P2JAB) can store 2000 WMA songs at 64 Kbps quality and 1000 MP3 songs at 128 Kbps audio quality while the 8 GB Samsung P2 (YP-P2JCB) can hold 2000 MP3s and 4000 WMA songs.

You can also view your favorite photos on the Samsung P2 and even set is as wallpaper during music playback.

If you're tired of listening to your playlist, the Samsung P2 also has a built-in FM tuner wherein users can preset up to 30 of their favorite FM stations. The Samsung P2 has a fast FM scanner and it can scan the entire FM range in about 60 seconds.

Users will also not be confined to just their standard headphones or speakers, the Samsung P2 supports Bluetooth stereo profile so users can connect their Bluetooth stereo headsets or Bluetooth stereo speakers.

Other features and specifications of the Samsung P2 include: text file viewer, file browser, Data Casts, Alarm Clock, World Clock, calendar, USB connectivity, and Internal Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery.

If you're not an Apple or Microsoft Fan, and touch sensitive screen isn't your top priority on a MP4 player, then the Samsung P2 is a good alternative when you're looking for a top of the line MP4 player.