Creative Technology MuVo Muvo N200 (512 MB) MP3 Player

Since the creations of MP3 players I have secretly always wanted one but never really needed one…I don't even use a walkman or discman so I couldn't justify buying an MP3 player when I could take that money and spend it on my kids. Well thanks to all the wonderful people at Epinions (especially Garrett), I got my very first MP3 player.

My MP3 player is a Creative Labs MuVo N200. Right off the back I was so surprised at how small this unit is..it is about the size a BIC lighter! Talk about tiny.


~~Package Contents

MuVo N200 Player
Ear buds
USB 2.0 cord
Sport arm band, carry case and clip
Line in Cable
AAA battery
Instructions and software

~~Features

Skip free in WMA or MP3 formats
Record music directly with line in feature
Tune and record FM radio
Voice record with built in mic
Storage data (photos and documents)
Reversible LCD for right or left hand users
Drag and Drop ability, no software required
16 hours of music in WMA format or 8 hours in MP3

I was immediately excited when I opened this baby up and couldn't wait to use it but first I had to grab some CDs and upload them onto my computer before I could transfer them. Turns out that the music came out in CDA format, which is useless and wouldn't download onto my player. I then decided it was time to install the software and it included a conversion program called Creative Audio Converter so I could now convert them either to WMA or MP3 format and I was then able to drag and drop my songs in windows explorer.

There is another program included called Creative Media Source Player which can be used a music player on your computer or you can use it to create files and organize your music. I haven't used this much because for some reason it is always freezing up on my computer. I am running XP and I have checked with the Creative Labs website and I do have the latest software so I am not sure exactly what is causing the conflict. Now in between the freezes, I did manage to create a couple different files and drag and drop some songs into them with ease before it froze up. I was also able to preset a file conversion so if I rip CDs it will automatically convert them to WMA before it transfers them to the player, which I thought was really handy.

After I got my songs downloaded and organized, I popped those plugs into my ears and couldn't get over how great this tiny little thing sounded. The music is so clear it is unbelievable and the way it just drowns out my 2 yelling girls is a MAJOR PLUS. Not to worry once I see things flying, I turn it off and go back to my real life.

It took me a few minutes to figure out how to work the unit… There are 2 volume buttons and 1 scroll bar. The scroll bar works as your menu and you have options to skip files, equalizer, voice record, FM radio to name a few. Your LCD panel lights up on can be reversed for easy viewing.

Overall I have to say I am extremely happy with the MuVo N200. Who knows I may soon be inspired to strap this to my arm and actually start exercising…okay maybe not..but at least if I ever decide too I will be totally prepared music wise..no more bulky, or skipping players here.. And I just have to hope I never lose it because I am afraid with it is being so small..I may never find it.

~~System Requirements
Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP
Pentium II 350 mhz, AMD K6-2 450mhz or better processor
Pnetium III 450MHz or higher recommended for MP3 encoding with creative media source.