Want all your music and data with you? The hdd120 promises the ultimate music experience of over two weeks of WMA and MP3 music playback, generous 20GB capacity and direct MP3... more
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A review by Danielle89 on Philips HDD120 20 GB October 1st, 2005
Author's product rating:
Sound Quality
Excellent
Ease of Use
Simple
Look & Design
Excellent
Range of Features
Excellent
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Easy - to - use aesthetically pleasing mass storage device .
Disadvantages:
So much room that you start to forget which albums you have on it .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
When I got my HDD120 I was really happy because I knew I was getting an mp3 player for my birthday but I didn't know which one. I honestly expected to receive one which held around 100 tracks - certainly not 10,000! I would strongly recommend that this device be looked into before buying an iPod or Zen mp3 player because with those devices you are often paying for the brand name as opposed to the quality of the product.
------How it works------ Basically, the HDD comes with software with which you can easily load music from your computer onto your player. If you want to upload music from a CD then you have two options - either load it straight on as an mp3 track or rip it down to a WMA (Windows Media Audio) track. The latter takes up about half the space of an mp3 track and the sound quality is just as good. Althuogh the second method takes up slightly more time, it means that you can have 5000 tracks as opposed to 10,000 roughly. I haven't actually got even 1000 tracks on mine and I have had it since June but if you plan to load all of your CD collection onto it then you may find it easier to fit them all on if you use the WMA tracks.
-----Assigning your HDD to a folder------ Before you can put any music onto your player, you must first make sure that it is taking the files from the right place. In Microsoft XP Home Edition there is an assigned music folder. You can assign your software to the right folder simply by clicking on the easily accessible settings button, clicking on the browse button about half-way down the window which pops up and selecting, for example, the music folder. This way, any music files in the selected folder will be shown in the window on the left-hand side of the screen to show what tracks are available for transfer onto the HDD.
------Taking files straight from a CD------ By choosing to do this, you are automatically saying that you want to have mp3 tracks on your mp3 player. This is done by opening the software, clicking on the button which says "Easy Update" and selecting the button which has the picture of the mp3 player and says "to HDD". Before doing this, you may want to change the names of the tracks in the Preferences of each track. This can take a while but it is well worth it since when the tracks are on your HDD you will be able to see which artist and tracks are on and not just "track1, track2, track3...." etc. It takes about 5 minutes to transfer 100 songs across depending on the lengths of the tracks.
------Ripping tracks to WMA before tranferring------ The only difference with this method is that before you transfer the tracks in an easy update you must open Windows Media and select the rip tab. When this is done, it is a good idea to enter the album details and then press the start rip button to start the process of decreasing the file sizes. This takes around 5-10 minutes so this method is definitely slower but it is worth it for the decreased file size. When you have ripped the tracks you just need to follow the same method as described before i.e. via "Easy Update".
------The aesthetical features------ The HDD itself is a good size as it fits into your hand perfectly (6.4 * 1.9 * 10.6 cm) and weighs a mere 167g. On the front are easy to use buttons for skipping tracks, fast forwarding, rewinding and pausing. The pause button doubles as a power button. To switch the device off, the power button must be held for around 3 seconds and vice versa for turning it on. At the top, perpendicular to the screen, there is a USB 2.0 socket, a power socket and a line in/optical socket as well as the socket for the supplied headphones. Down the right-hand side there is a microphone which can be held up to the source of noise to record it when in record mode. There are also volume buttons, a menu button and a "library" button which lets you skip to and from the start screen and the track playing screen.
------Usability factors------ The Philips HDD 120, I think, is very simple to use. The start up screen is pretty much self-explanatory, which is just as well because the instruction manual which comes with the product is not very well layed out. There are options to go to lists of playlists - easily set up by using the menu button - artists, tracks, albums and recordings made using the micro-phone or other periphernalia connected using the line-in socket. The only thing I would say is badly planned is that the cable which is needed to connect to a line-in device is not provided. Luckily these can be bought fairly cheaply from hardware stores or anywhere, for that matter, that sells electrical goods. The menu button gives you access to sound quality options, record modes and so on and so forth. I am not very good at using electrical products and one of the things that initially worried me about obtaining an mp3 player was the ease in which I would be able to get music onto my device and listen to it regularly.
------Extra equipment------ With the HDD 120 you actually get quite a lot of equipment to make it easier to use straight away. The list below contains the items supplied with the product:
- 1 set of headphones (mini-phone stereo 3.5mm) - 1 remote control cable which attaches to the headphones and thus acts as an extension. - 1 USB cable - a carrying case with a drawstring - an external power adapter - a software kit
------Disadvantages------ The only real disadvantage is that the magnesium alloy casing over the body of the mp3 player scratches quite easily. It is advisable to keep it in the carry case while transporting or else it will scratch. Also, if your fingers come in contact with the screen, it will leave large imprints which should be wiped away as soon as possible with a dry cloth. One thing which can go wrong is that the hard-drive may become too overheated or take on too many tasks at once. in this case the device will not turn on. I panicked when this happened to me but, after reading the barely helpful instructions, I found that I had to reset it. This does not wipe off the tracks you have commited to its memory but, as when you restart a computer, it somehow sorts out the hardrive to make it work again. To reset the HDD press and hold the skip forward and the volume up buttons at the same time for about 5 seconds. If this problem persists, then you may want to take the device back to the retailer and ask for a replacement. I know this because this is what happened to my mum's. She took her's back and the one she got in return had nothing wrong with it. So don't worry too much if the first one you get has a glitch.
------Charging the HDD------ To charge the battery of the HDD simply plug in the power adapter into a power source, plug the other end into the power socket on the mp3 player and leave it to charge for at least two hours. This will ensure around eight hours of playback time, although when songs are being transferred this tends to wear down the battery quickly. Thus it is advisable to plug the charger into the HDD while transferring music to keep up a steady power supply.
I think that this is about all of the information that is needed. I certainly think that the Philips HDD120 is a good buy. This product ranges in price from £100 to about £180 depending on where you shop. I recommend that you shop online to find the best deal but otherwise, just go around the likes of Currys and Comet. Even Woolworths had some in stock. Have fun anyway and find out how good it is to be able to put your CDs all together to avoid disc loss and breakage. It is definitely the most satisfying way to listen to your music collection.
Advantages: Large storage capacity Disadvantages: Potential slow access to tracks
I spent a long time considering what MP3 player to buy. Should i go for a cheap one and put up with poor design and low storage capacity? Or should i go for one with a higher price tag that is fab?
After comparing a few products, it soon became clear that the Apple IPOD i was after was actually pretty poor in terms of features, and the design certainly doesnt justify the design! So it came down to two... and they were both phillips products. The ... ...a smaller capacity but not lacking in features, and the other, a more trendy, more expensive version. Seen as i only had a budget of £200 it wasnt really an issue of cost.. So i looked at features.
The Phillips HDD070 has a radio with a 5gig hard drive... VERY small, the same size as a credit card! and supports a lot of formats. The Phillips HDD120 looks great, bit bigger (but who cares) 20gig storage and a direct recording input. I love my music, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: So many tracks to choose from on a compact player with style Disadvantages: The casing can be easily scratched so care has to be taken
...a long phone call with Philips support line who despite being helpful I was told it was a faulty hard drive and would need replacing. Luckily Woolworths online where I bought it have arranged to uplift and replace it in a matter of days so I will be able to try again.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small add on to the previous bit - I have now received my new one as promised and at the stated ... ...be working great. Don't have to steal my daughter's anymore while she's at school - much to her relief as I have a habit of not charging it to full before she gets back. The sound quality is fantastic both through the headset and with my own plug in speakers and it is great in the car. I've already put over 500 tracks on it so we now have an endless supply of music to everyone's taste and with the shuffle facility no one gets bored of hearing too ...
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Advantages: Very user friendly Disadvantages: Software Provided, prone to freezing
I feel that this MP3 player is good but I am sure there are some that are better. If someone thinks that the problems I have identified are minor then I would defiently recommend this device to them, but for me I think I would chose another device over this one.
On the plus side the user interface is so easy to navigate any one could use it. The first screen allows you to show your music by a variety of ways, including album, genre and artist etc. ... ...button. But that too me is the only real plus to this device.
On the negative side;
It is a rather buly player. Where as a lot of players are designed to be carried around in the pocket and able to be taken on runs etc, this device takes up a whole pocket andI would defiently not feel comfortable having to hold it when on a run!
The software that was provided with it for use on the PC is not very user friendly, OK it automatically searches set ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: cheap, easy to use, optical recording Disadvantages: poor software
I have had one of these for a while now. So far no problems, its easy to use and you can easily find your music. You can choose by album, artist, genre or just scroll through all the songs. If you hold the button it does a fast scroll.
The look is great, although it does show up fingerprints.
The headphones supplied are very good quality and give a good bassy sound. It also comes with a case and an inline remote control. The Ipod doesnt.
Downloading ... ...if you dont have access to a pc you can download using an optical lead and connecting directly to your cd player.
I nice little extra feature is the sound recording using the built in mic, direct to mp3.
The only problem is the software, it sometimes goes a bit dodgey and isnt the best programed or best looking software. I've had a problem where it puts songs in an album on in the wrong order for some reason.
Otherwise it is well worth it, every ...
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I purchased one of these Phillips HDD120's for my son for christmas....he wanted an I-pod,but I just couldnt source one from anywhere...they were the top of many peoples wish list for christmas...so my son had a quick look on the 'net and decided that he would like one of these instead.
I got the unit from argos,checked everything was complete and duly wrapped it up for opening on christmas morning.....
the HDD120 is an absolutely gorgeous looking ... ...the lovely looking white on black LCD screen...its roughly the size of a cigarette pack (slimmer in width and thickness) and is a light weight unit....The case is a finger-print magnet though!
With its 20GB hard disc you can store up to 5000 mp3 songs or up to 10,000 in the WMA format...enough for a week of listening!
It has a USB connection allowing fast data transfer from a PC as well as other audio sources...
it has an extended battery life ...
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Features: Upgradeable firmware, Hold button, voice recording, upgradeable firmware
Amplifier
Headphones Output Power (per channel): 5 mW
Equaliser
Equalizer: 5-band
Equaliser Factory Presets: Rock, Jazz, Pop, Classic
Digital player (recorder)
Supported Digital Audio Standards: WMA, MP3
ID3 Tags Support: Built-in
Supported Bit Rate: 8 - 320Kbps
Sample Rate: 8 - 48 kHz
Response Bandwidth: 20 - 20000 Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.01%
Shockproof Memory Capacity: 32 MB
External Hard Drive Function: Built-in
Features: Variable bit-rate compatible
Manufacturer's product description
Want all your music and data with you? The hdd120 promises the ultimate music experience of over two weeks of WMA and MP3 music playback, generous 20GB capacity and direct MP3 recording - all incased in a stylishly sleek and slim design.
Headphones
Headphones Type: Headphones - binaural - ear-bud
Connectivity Technology: Wired
Sound Output Mode: Stereo
Remote control
Type: Remote control - cable
Connections
Connector Type:
1 x headphones ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
1 x remote control
1 x USB ( mini-USB Type B )
1 x DC power input
1 x audio line-in ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm / optical )
System requirements
OS Required: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition or later
Peripheral / Interface Devices: CD-ROM
System Requirements Details: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP - Pentium II - RAM 64 MB - HD 100 MB
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
