Korean Job Discussion Forums

[johnriley007]

Anyone know if they make an inline remote control for the Cowon 02 and/or headphones that can control sound and basic playback features so you don't have to take it out of your pocket when walking? I saw it out there for some of the other models but was not sure if they were compatible with the O2.

Anyone else out there have this model? This is my first non-iPod player and I have to say it completely destroys the iPod in terms of functionality. It's going to be pretty hard to switch back to iPod and I generally really like Mac products.

Thanks in advance for any help with the above-mentioned question!

[riley]

What type of Ipod did you have before? I have an Ipod touch and was playing with that Cowon over in COEX. It couldn't match up for me.
(Compared to the Ipod touch) I found the screen size on the Cowon to be bigger, it can potentially carry more memory (expansion slot) can play more video types, and has better sound(?). The drawbacks were that it just was thick, very thick, the UI isn't as simple to navigate, the touch interface seems not as responsive, and battery life wasn't as good (according to specs)

[johnriley007]

You're definitely right that the design is not as good as the the Touch - it's not as sexy - nor is the UI as good. Also, it doesn't have as many different kinds of functions as I'm sure you are aware. This was a big reason I was going to buy the Touch a couple of weeks ago, but I am really glad I didn't. The Cowon can't do as many things as the Touch, what it can do, it does a lot better IMO.


First, battery life is 8 hours for video and 18 for audio. I only had the Classic, but I believe the 8 hours of video is better than the Touch (although I am not totallyy sure about that).

Second, I have spent a total of probably 20 minutes putting 25Gs of music, movies, tv shows, pictures, recordings etc., all of which were in several different formats, most of which I did not even try to put on my iPod due the hassle of having to re-encoding video and audio files. I can download a show or movie (basically in any format) and play it back within a couple minutes. Also, I can plug it into a friend's computer if they have something I like and just put it on there with no problems, again in virtually any format. Mind you, I'm not a techie, but I never could do this with my iPod. Just drag and drop has saved me so much time (and headaches) getting my media onto my player. Also, I think the sound quality for music is great - definitely better than the Classic I had (but not sure about the Touch).

Finally, for me, I wanted a machine to help me learn Korean. This machine is great for that. You can record anything and playback, download any recordings, change the speed of the recordings, put the text of the recordings on the machine, and use the dictionary all at the same time. I find it extremely useful when I listen to recordings to be able to see the text at the same time (screen is big enough where this isn't a problem) and easily flip back and forth to the dictionary.

Don't get me wrong, I have used Apple products for many years, but the functionality of this device - for what it does - is just too good to switch back to the iPod.

And, to the original question, does anyone know where/if you can get an inline remote control for this device? Thanks!

[yotaiji012]

its doesnt have one

[buster brown]

HIJACK ALERT! Sorry riley, but I saw the title of the thread and wanted to tag along.

I want a TV Out cable for my Cowon 02. Is Yongsan the place to go or will I have to order it from Cowon?

[riley]

johnriley007, you've said some good reasons to buy the Cowon O2. Is it really 8 hours video?! The review I read (CNet) said 5 hours. If it is 8, that's definitely better. As for ease of use, transferring files, multiple formats available, and sound, it definitely sounds like a good purchase. If I had a choice between my old Ipod 5.5 or this, I'd pick the Cowon. As for choosing between the touch and cowon O2, don't know.

Have you checked/googled online to see if Cowon makes any accessories for it? That may answer the first question on whether it's available. Still even if they make it, it may not be here in Korea.

[Otherside]

I'm a happy O2 customer here.
Pretty much agree with everything johnriley says. If you are looking to buy a Personal Media Player, for the primary reason of watching videos on the move, then look no further. If you want (and I mean, WANT) the extra functionality of the touch, then buy the touch.

For the record, I find the UI on the O2 to be pretty good. Takes about 5mins to get the hang of it and now I can do anything I want with no hassles and have yet to think "I wish X was like Y." Well actually I did once, I was disappointed about the lack of external volume controls...until I discovered them last week