Samsung Yepp YP-F1 (512 MB) MP3 Player

Display. The display consists of a 3 line white-on-black LCD with backlight. It can be difficult to read in full sunlight, as can any display. Samsung managed to cram as much useful information as possible into the display. You can set the display to turn off after a set time or display one of two starry screensaver-type effects.

Storage. The computer sees the Player as a generic mass storage device. You can drag and drop files into it, even make a directory tree. Despite a notice in the packaging, I am able to use all 512 MB. The included cable plugs into the computer's USB port and into the Player's headphone jack; you can't listen and recharge at the same time, but you can play files from your computer's media player.

Compatibility. I bought this player specifically to play Ogg Vorbis, my preferred audio codec. It has yet to fail me in this regard, but it doesn't read the metadata within them. MP3s work fine. I haven't tried WMA nor WAV.

Recording. You can record FM radio (yes, it has an FM tuner) while listening to it. The files are encoded as MPEG-1 Layer 3, 128 kbps. The internal microphone can also record.

Feel. The Player has a plasticy feel; the buttons are not as firm as I would like. The top face plate is detachable if you want to change the color. The stainless steel clip is integral to and is a key design feature; it's great to be able to clip it to my belt or pocket. The make and model are laser-etched into the back of the clip.

Battery. It's understandably small; I realistically get 5 hours of play time before the battery dies. To help I keep the display contrast low as well as the volume. I speculate that SRS WOW effects also decrease the battery life.