Page 1 of Goodmans 40Gb Personal Media Centre - £59 from Goodmans Direct

Seen this mentioned in other threads but I think it deserves one of it`s own!

www.goodmansdirect.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?pid=GPDR40&cid=PVR&language=en-GB

Have coveted one of these for a while (originally sold at over £200) but now available direct from Goodmans at £59 INCLUDING courier delivery. Almost any one of the headline features make it more than worth this alone...

3.7" TFT screen
40Gb Hard Drive (USB2 mass storage device compatible)
PVR - records MPEG4 video from TV/DVD or any composite/SCART source (timer & one touch record)
MP3/MP4/Photo player
SD/MMC card reader
Voice recorder
L-Ion battery

Includes all cables, headphones, carry bag and software.

Manufactured by Mustek, also sold as a Yumai in some markets. Build is surprisingly solid apart from the shiny plastic buttons. An Archos it ain`t, but at this price who cares?

Ideal as a photo backup device (SD + 40Gb + TFT) - just check out how much one of those would cost alone.

This item was edited on Friday, 22nd June 2007, 10:29

This is a great spec for the price but the reliability is a bit worrying. Look at these reviews on Amazon

Yes, saw those reviews. I think they have updated the firmware on more recent versions. Certainly no problems so far, I`ll keep my fingers crossed - though it does make it more difficult to press the buttons ;)

Hi Carolyn, I have just ordered one of these to put awya for my son`s xmas box. I see in the reviews on the Amazon site there is a 1.2 version of the firmware. Does the player come with details as to where to download it from if it doesn`t ship with the latest version? I couldn`t see nay sign of it on the Goodmas` site.

nice spot :) i bagged one for myself :)

god the wifes gonna kill me :)

Quote:
couldn`t see nay sign of it

the wee tim`rous beastie :D

i just noticed the battery life, 2.5hrs :o is that just with video, or is the mp3 time better ? :)

Quote:
there is a 1.2 version of the firmware
where is it please????

Folks, be warned!

The battery life is very limited! Also, after about two years the battery will die and no longer be usable! You cannot replace it either!

And don`t forget, if you play video files then you`ll spend a lifetime in converting them before they play on this media player!

The video quality is often pixelated and jumpy with sound drop-outs!

Opening Mp3 / Video folders for playback can take many minutes before they can be accessed! Thus, a folder containing around 50 songs could take you a while before you an view the details!

And, as stated before, many of these machines have had to be sent back due to internal mechanics "locking-up".

Beware folks! There`s a good reason why this little gizmo is being sold for peanuts!

Well, have only had this for a short time so the various predictions of doom may still come true. However:

Firmware: There is no indication on the device which version of firmware it has (may be some hidden combination of button presses required?), nor any documented facility to update it. However supplied software is copyright dated 2006 so that has obviously been updated from the original launch in 2005.

Battery: LCD screen can be turned off when used as an audio player so this will presumably extend the battery life. Haven`t tried running video till the battery dies but have (discontinuously) watched almost 3 hours worth on one charge. As for being non user replaceable, well that isn`t unique to this device and doesn`t seem to have done iPod sales any harm...

Video Quality: Have recorded & watched some ouput from the Freeview box and also viewed converted DivX files. Video and audio are in sync and quality is very acceptable (no blocking or freezing).

File Manager: Er yes, don`t put too many files in each folder or there is a lot of joystick clicking involved!

So, it isn`t perfect but - assuming it proves reliable - I still reckon it`s a great buy for £60.