Creative Labs NOMAD 6 GB MP3 Player Silver

Average customer rating:

OK, but needs help

2 years later and still going strong

First Generation Jukebox, functional but has quirks

Serious QC Problems

All problems have solutions

Creative Labs NOMAD 6 GB MP3 Player Silver

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

CD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | CD Players | CD Recorders | DJ CD Players | Portable CD Players
6 GB | Hard Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
MP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Energizer CHM4FC Battery Charger High Energy

Koss KTX-Pro Portable Stereophone

Koss SportaPro Stereo Headphones

D-Link DSB-H4 4-Port USB 1.1 Hub

Product Features:

Portable digital audio player with 6 GB of built-in storage (over 100 hours of CD-quality music)

Plays MP3 files; upgradable to support other formats (such as WMA) and is SDMI compliant

USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac

Weighs only 14 ounces and measures the size of a portable CD player

Comes with headphones, rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, and carrying pouch; " In the Media: ""Creative Lab's Nomad Jukebox is a monster product for the serious digital music freak."" --Pen Computing"

ASIN: B00004XO1V

Product Description

Merge your entire collection of MP3s and CDs in one compact device, and you'll never run out of your favorite tunes. With its 6GB storage capacity, NOMAD Jukebox allows you to store an amazingly large collection - over 150 CDs of digital music! All from a compact, portable design.NOMAD Jukebox features EAX audio technologies to enhance your audio experience. Enjoy surround sound with the FourPointSurround speaker support, or change the Headphones Spatialization Settings for realistic music environments, anywhere! EAX's adjustable playback speed lets you adjust the playback of your MP3 music and voice files without compromising audibility. Ideal for picking up tips from digital audio books and for running through the details of that meeting you just had. The NOMAD Jukebox supports advanced recording features via the line-in jack. You can record from external devices - even replacing a DAT with dual band recording up to 48 kHz. Your recordings can then be ported back to the PC with the bundled Creative PlayCenter 2 software, for editing and encoding using your favorite music or audio production tools. NOMAD Jukebox offers support for MP3 and WAV formats. Its firmware is designed to support additional digital audio formats and software extensions. Hardware-ready, NOMAD Jukebox is geared for access to future releases of SDMI compliant content too. Finally, you can turn your PC into an entertainment powerhouse. Creative, the leader in PC audio and digital entertainment now offers fully integrated Personal Digital Entertainment (PDE) Solutions. PDE leverages the power of the PC to create enhanced audio and video entertainment experiences.

Amazon.com Review

One of our biggest frustrations with MP3 players has been their limited storage capacity. You'll typically get 64 MB via internal memory or memory cards, which provides just a little over an hour of near CD-quality MP3 audio. So when we heard that Creative was releasing a 6 GB player that can hold over 100 hours of music, it sounded perfect. Soon we'd be rifling through a massive catalog of tunes on our little player, from Elvis Costello to LL Cool J to Miles Davis, whenever the whim struck.

The Nomad Jukebox is essentially a portable hard drive with software that will play MP3 audio. Since hard drives include spinning and moving parts, this player is not ideal for active MP3 users from joggers to snowboarders.

We cracked open the box, inserted the rechargeable batteries (two sets of four AAs are included), plugged in the AC adapter, and waited the recommended 12 hours for them to charge initially. This is a very important step. This was our second set of batteries--we didn't bother to heed Creative's initial charging directions when we first got the product, and our first set of batteries soon lost the capacity to be recharged.

After installing the included software (we tested the Jukebox on a Macintosh G4 using SoundJam MP; for PCs, Creative includes PlayCenter 2) and connecting the USB cable, we quickly deleted 2 GB of starter MP3 and audiobook files and started loading our own music. We started with about 500 songs, but noticed after the load had finished that not all the songs made it onto the Jukebox. Also, the SoundJam software didn't like us doing any other work on our Mac G4, stalling out the load whenever we switched to another program.

We found it was best to load in smaller numbers and to keep SoundJam up as the active application (unfortunately, not the most efficient use of computer time). The transfer rate is about 6 minutes per 100 MB, which translates to around 25 songs. (So far, we've loaded 861 songs and we still have over 2.3 GB left of storage.)

Once music has been transferred to the Jukebox, you need to create an active playing list by navigating one of three lists--artists, albums, and genres--then adding songs to the queue. (This points out the need for creating thorough ID3 tags, an electronic label that can include song title, track number, year, and more. ID3 tags can be created via the PlayCenter and SoundJam software manually or be imported from the online CDDB database. For more information about tagging, see the Amazon.com Making MP3s Guide.) Playlists can be saved in the Jukebox, though it can be a bit tedious (there's no keyboard), and you can't add songs to an existing playlist.

The Jukebox also sports some nice additions. It has a line-in recording capability (using an external microphone) that records WAV files that can be adjusted for optimal (or low-end) sound quality, and it can play audiobooks.

The biggest downside to the Nomad Jukebox is its portability. As noted, it does run on rechargeable batteries, but they'll last far less than the advertised two hours. Also, this isn't the device to take jogging; its internal hard drive, though somewhat shock and motion resistant, just won't take that kind of activity. It's really made for stationary play using its included AC adapter.

It also has a few playback glitches, the biggest being that you can't fast- forward or rewind within a song. Also, there's no bookmark feature for audiobook listening--a necessity for long files.

Ultimately, the Creative Nomad Jukebox isn't perfect and isn't suited for everyone's MP3 needs. But it has become a staple of our gadget life--it travels with us daily to the office and hooks in nicely into stereo systems, both at home and at friends' houses. Someday, we'll all wonder what we did without an MP3 jukebox. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

6 GB of storage is massive--over 1,000 songs
Several methods for selecting playlist songs (artist, album, and genre)
Line-out for connecting to stereo systems, and line-in for recording

Cons:

Battery power is sucked up quickly
Prone to skipping/stalling when used in heavy activity

Amazon.com Product Description

The Creative NOMAD Jukebox is a portable, multiformat, compressed audio player with intuitive navigation for easy categorizing and classifying of content. Measuring about the size of a portable CD player and weighing only 14 ounces, this EAX-certified digital audio player features 6 GB of storage capacity. With far more memory than most portable digital audio players, it stores approximately 100 hours of CD-quality audio (equivalent to about 150 albums) or up to 2,600 hours of spoken word content. Unlike other hard drive-based solutions, the NOMAD Jukebox offers an onboard real-time digital signal processor for superior audio playback and customization. The NOMAD Jukebox is SDMI-capable and supports file formats such as MP3, WAV, and WMA.

Other highlights of this player include special effects algorithms that alter the way your music sounds, making it seem as if you are listening in a concert hall, in a stone room, or in a forest. You also have the flexibility to adjust the treble, bass, and middle tones to your liking. You can slow and speed the playback of files, a feature that is particularly helpful if you are running through the minutes of a meeting you just recorded or are listening to other spoken word content.

The NOMAD Jukebox offers USB interface for lightning-fast data transfer between your NOMAD Jukebox and your PC or Macintosh. It includes headphones and four rechargeable NiMH AA batteries.

Customer Reviews:

OK, but needs help.......2006-01-11

This is a OK unit for playback and storage, but i don't know if i would buy another one. the controls on the face are poorly stenciled with their control function, which wears off quickly making each control unreadable after awhile (built-in obsolescence?). my unit is about 4 years old (nomad jukebox-6 gig) and creative no longer supports the product. i cannot upgrade either the drivers or the playstation software (2.5) which is needed to transfer files from computer to MP3 player. so what use is this unit now? i seriously doubt i would buy another creative product.

2 years later and still going strong.......2004-06-16

While my Nomad Jukebox's structural integrity depends heavily upon duct tape, it still works like a charm. I've managed to break it a few times, and it was always pretty easy to repair just by ripping off the fuzzy things on the bottom and unscrewing those delightful miniscrews to reveal the magical guts of the player. Sometimes it gets fussy if I start and stop and start and stop like 3 different songs, but that's what the reset button is for. My only complaint is that USB 1.1 just seems so slow these days, I wish there was a magic wand that would all of a sudden give it some firewire capability.

First Generation Jukebox, functional but has quirks.......2003-04-13

I bought this jukebox about a year ago before the version 2 came out. And boy did I get buyer's remorse when a few months later Creative introduced the Jukebox 2 with lithium batteries. I could not get more than 1-1/2 hrs with the enclosed batteries, and the Jukebox would reboot sometimes when going over a bump in the car. However I do enjoy the 6 GB of storage (now they have Jukeboxes with 40Gigs!), and since my CD collection isn't so large, I get to have it all with me. I bought a car adaptor, [it was out of stock in the Creative online store for months, and I did not get it until 6 months later]. In the meantime, I could only use it for getting to sleep hooked to the AC adaptor.

One more thing, to the person who said that his jukebox would not even turn on with and without the batteries. You need to stick a pin or paper clip into the reset hole in the back while turning it on or off [if it is hung in the off position]. I read how you bought all those accessories and feel for you.

Serious QC Problems.......2002-11-15

Do not buy Creative lab products. After contacting customer service multiple times about a warranty item, I talked to one of their techs, who said that they estimate 10% product failure on their products. My options were to pay to have it fixed, with another 10% chance that the repair could fail, or get the broken part back. They do not stand up behind their products. Don't throw your money away.

All problems have solutions.......2002-08-29

... I'm using WindowsXP with a 6gb model, and after converting my MP3s to WMAs(they take up half the size without noticeable quality loss) with "Plus! Audio Converter", I can fit nearly 3500 songs on the thing. There is also a great new Firmwear version that is better than the one in the newest "Jukebox 3." Simply go to Yahoo.com and search for "Nomad Jukebox" and you'll soon find Firmware v4.0. This new firmware converts the volume control into a scrolly-wheely thing that makes finding songs SO easy, and the UI is very intuitive and simple to figure out and use, the only thing that's difficult about it is that it's so different from the last crappy ones that it's hard to get the hang of. As for battery life--I've got 2 sets of the Creative batteries and the AC adaptor that collect dust in the drawer. I went down to RadioShack and bought a pair of hi-cap NiMH batteries for $$$ and a charger for $$$, and I get nearly 5 hours of playback. There is absolutely no problem with this jukebox if you do a few non-warranty-voiding altercations to it.

Average customer rating:
Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2040u Diamondtron Natural Flat 22" CRT Monitor

Manufacturer: NEC-Mitsubishi
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

All Monitors | Monitors & Projectors | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
20-Inch & Over | CRT | Monitors & Projectors | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

PC and Mac compatible, Mac adapter included

0.24-millimeter (center to corner) unipitch aperture grille

2,048 x 1,536 resolution at 75 Hz maximum refresh rate

22-inch (20-inch viewable) display

Reduced external reflection and glare

ASIN: B00004Y6CC

Product Description

The Diamond Pro line truly represents the pinnacle in monitor performance for power users who demand the absolute finest. These models incorporate the award winning Diamondtron NF (Natural Flat) aperture grille CRT. Ideally suited for advanced applications such as CAD/CAM/CAE, imaging and professional desktop publishing.The Diamond Pro 2040u employs Mitsubishi's latest 22-inch Natural Flat CRT with uni-pitch aperture grille and new high efficiency phosphors for superior corner-to-corner focus and brightness uniformity.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2040u 22-inch flat-screen monitor offers distortion-free viewing, making it an ideal choice for graphics, desktop publishing, or any type of professional-quality application. With its antireflective CRT coating, this large natural flat monitor minimizes glare and eyestrain. The Diamond Pro offers a 0.24-millimeter aperture grille pitch, so high-resolution images appear sharp, bright, and clear.

Easy to install and use, the Diamond Pro is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh. A Macintosh adapter is included, so it is Mac ready straight out of the box. It has intuitive front-panel buttons, and an enhanced onscreen display with icon-based panels permits easy setup. The Diamond Pro includes a built-in USB self-powered hub with two upstream and three downstream ports allowing connections to multiple peripheral devices.

Additional features include a tilt/swivel base for optimum comfort and viewing angle. Despite its large screen, the Diamond Pro's compact enclosure makes it suitable even for crowded desktops.

Amazon.com Product Description

The L17W26 HDTV boasts a spacious, 17-inch Truly Flat LCD screen with razor-sharp images, an internal NTSC tuner for convenient broadcast-television viewing, and a 1,280 x 768 W-XGA-resolution picture. Image quality is enhanced by a 4H digital comb filter, a high contrast ratio (350:1), an exceptional peak brightness of 430 candles/square meter, and wide viewing angles (170 x 170-degrees).

The L17W26 is HDTV capable, meaning it accepts 720p and 1080i signals (from external digital set-top box or satellite receiver), and it also offers built-in NTSC tuner for convenient broadcast-TV viewing.

For connections, you get RS-232 controls, high-resolution component-video, S-video, RF, composite-video, PC VGA, and DVI (PC-only digital visual interface) inputs to accommodate DVD players, VCRs, computers, and video game systems. A headphone jack fosters private listening. The monitor also offers picture-in-picture, black-level expansion, white-level compression, and an auto volume leveler.

Average customer rating:
Lancast SFP PLUGGABLE OPTICS-CWDM 80KM 1510 NM ( O411-80-51 )

Manufacturer: Lancast Inc.
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Networking Kits | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B00020G750

Product Description

Metrobility Optical Systems is an innovative, next generation optical networking company focusing on delivering optical access and connectivity to create a more efficient, more reliable, and more manageable network infrastructure. Metrobility is first to harness the power of Ethernet and fiber optics to deliver superior carrier-class network connectivity solutions to bring WAN manageable capabilities - optical remote management, connectivity, and access - to the metropolitan area network.

Product Description

While integrating the previous model's slim dimensions and light weight, the PDP-433CMX boasts improved environmental tolerance and even greater installation flexibility. A wealth of versatile mounting options are also available.

Product Description

Monster FreePlay is the first controller extension cable to feature a dual-headed design that accommodates not just one, but two controllers. This means two players can extend their playing range without the mess of two extension cords! And, each connector head is labeled so it's easy to tell controllers apart.FreePlay is over two meters long for optimal extension length. You'll have enough cable to play where you want, but not so much that you're stuck with excess. FreePlay even features two cool blue LEDs that confirm proper and reliable connection from your controllers to your PS2.Now you can extend your controller cables without sacrificing any performance. Monster FreePlay Xtra Low Noise construction rejects noise and allows ultra-fast, accurate signal transfer from your controllers to your PS2. And, 24k gold contacts ensure maximum signal transfer for a better connection. With Monster FreePlay, the on-screen action will be identical to your movements on the controls.You already pick what you play on your PS2. Now, with FreePlay, you can also choose where you play.

Customer Reviews:

A Monster of an extension cable for PS2.......2003-03-07

Revolutionary Design for Ultimate Convenience
Monster FreePlay is the first controller extension cable to feature a dual-headed design that accomodates not just one, but two controllers. This means two players can extend their playing range without the mess of two extension cords! And, each connector head is labeled so it's easy to tell controllers apart.

FreePlay is over two meters long for optimal extension length. You'll have enough cable to play where you want, but not so much that you're stuck with excess. FreePlay even features two cool blue LEDs that confirm proper and reliable connection from your controllers to your PS2.

Advanced Technology for Maximum Gaming Performance
Now you can extend your controller cables without sacrificing any performance. Monster FreePlay Xtra Low Noise construction rejects noise and allows ultra-fast, accurate signal transfer from your controllers to your PS2. And, 24k gold contacts ensure maximum signal transfer for a better connection. With Monster FreePlay, the on-screen action will be identical to your movements on the controls.

Monster FreePlay Puts You in Control
You already pick what you play on your PS2. Now, with FreePlay, you can also choose where you play

Product Description

Midland G-225 represents the state-of-the-art in high-tech engineering. Designed for General Mobile Radio Service operation, this compact package is big in performance. It is a quality piece of electronic equipment, skillfully constructed with the finest components. The circuitry is all solid-state and mounted on a rugged printed circuit board. The G-225 is designed for reliable and trouble-free performance.

Amazon.com Product Description

These 2-way radios come with the convenience of both GMRS and FRS channels. They feature a total of 22 GMRS/FRS channels with up to a seven mile range with GMRS channels. The backlit LCD display offers easy reading in low-light conditions. The G-225 radios also feature a key lock to prevent accidental channel changes, and vibrating call alert. The hands-free VOX feature allows for hands-free operation. 836 sub-channels allow for private communicating. The G-225 operates on four AAA batteries and run for around fifteen hours. Remember that you'll need a FCC license to operate these powerful radios.

What's in the Box
Two G-225C2 radios, belt clips, and user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

Too Hard to Use.......2004-01-15

We bought 4 radios to keep in touch while snow skiing. They replaced 4 older/cheaper radios that were 1/2 watt with no sub-codes. The Midland radios have the squelch unlock button right above the push-to-talk button. Both buttons are just little rubber-covered bumps on the side of the radio. A gloved finger can't tell the difference. We had to remove gloves to even use the radios because we couldn't tell when the button was pressed or which button we were pressing. An accidental double-click on the push-to-talk button activates the 3 second alert tone and shuts down all conversation. Three seconds is forever if it happens in the middle of your transmission. Half the time, we'd get only part of a transmission because the push-to-talk button wasn't getting pushed correctly. VERY FRUSTRATING! Remember that these were experienced radio users. We also found that any small hill between us would garble the reception. Friends who were with us were much happier with their 1/2 watt Motorolas. If I had my money back, I'd buy something else.

Poor reception and even poorer quality.......2003-11-11

I was very displeased with my Midland G-225 radios. I bought six G-225 radios so all of my hunting partners could stay in communication across a one square mile property. I chose Midland over Motorola brand radios because of the Midland's two watts of power compared to most Motorola two-way radios that are on one-half watt output. I assumed four times more power would increase communication distances. Was I ever wrong...

We found in side by side tests of the Midland G-225 and several different versions of Motorola's 1/2 watt systems that the Motorolas were far superior in reception across hilly and wooded terrain. At times, the Midland's could not communicate across distances as short as 200 yards, if there was any intervening terrain, while the various Motorolas had no problem with these conditions.

In addition, of the six G-225 units I purchased, two had major problems right out of the box, while two more went bad within three days of use. In my opinion, that is totally unacceptable quality.

Average customer rating:
LSI Logic ITI 3140U - Storage controller - 1 Channel - Ultra Wide SCSI - 40 MBps - PCI

Manufacturer: IntraServer Technology
ProductGroup: CE

Host Bus Adaptors | Drives & Storage | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B0009MD3NA

Product Description

ITI-3000 Series SCSI host adapters offer the highest performance PCI-to-SCSI connection for simplicity and reliability. The ITI-3000 Series multiple system architecture support is made possible by IntraServer-LSI Logic's expertise in developing its innovative adapter board and software driver designs. ITI-3000 Series SCSI host adapters are designed to be ClusterReady for systems that support OpenVMS, Tru64 UNIX, and Linux. The ITI-3280U dual port adapters provide support for up to 30 SCSI devices at 80 Mbps per PCI slot.

Average customer rating:

DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOO BAD THERES NO ZERO! DOESN'T SHARE IN PEER-TO-PEER

Wow

Great Printer for the price

The worst printer I have ever owned.

Lexmark X6150 All-In-One with USB Cable (15K0384)

Manufacturer: TEAC
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Multifunction Devices | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics
Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Canon 1029A004 Photo Paper Pro for BJC-8200 (8.5"x11", 15 Sheets )

Fellowes 24400 Printer Workstation Stand with 4 Drawers

Acoustic Research Spikemaster SM-BG8 8 Outlet Block, Standard Protection Surge Protector (White)

APC BE350U 350VA Back-ups Es

HP Premium Photo Paper, Glossy (Q1990A, 4x6, 100 Sheets)

Product Features:

Prints, scans, copies, and faxes

16 ppm black, 11 ppm color

Scans with 1,200 x 4,800 dpi optical resolution

USB interface; includes USB cable

1-year warranty with Lexpress service

ASIN: B00009L7ME

Product Description

With fast, high quality print, scan, copy and fax facilities, the X6150 is a productive office solution. With high-quality printing and scanning, exceptionally quick print and copy speeds, 33.6 Kbps stand-alone fax, and stand-alone copying, the X6150 is the perfect solution for the demanding user.Thanks to Lexmark's PrecisionPhoto technology, you get professional-quality printing with variable drop size for amazingly sharp results, finer detail, and less grainy images. Lexmark's black pigment-based ink offers laser-like texts, and fade-resistant, water-resistant documents, and even infrared-readable bar codes. The combination of high-resolution 4800x1200 dpi printing and 48-bit scanning ensures accurate color reproduction and delivers exceptional quality from any original, whether for scanning to computer files, for copying, or faxing.

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-12-13

I don't often write reviews, but this product is so bad that I feel I have to warn people. We've owned this printer for about 2 years. We've had it completely replaced once and the new printer was plagued with the same problems as the first one. About 1/3 of the way into a printer cartridge, the black ink stops working. We've bought numerous printer cartridges, from different places and its always the same. LExmark replaced the printer once...we still have the same problems. I have spent COUNTLESS hours on the phone with LExmark ( I would hate to know how many hours) and they never come up with a solution. So, we always go out and buy another cartridge and it works fine for a while and then all of a sudden, no black ink. I literally HATE this printer. ITs been nothing but a headache. Please stay away from it.

TOO BAD THERES NO ZERO! DOESN'T SHARE IN PEER-TO-PEER.......2004-10-22

This piece of JUNK doesn't share in a peer-to-peer network unless all of the PC's are at the same OS level. This is not advertised anywhere on the packaging, the user manual, the PR propaganda or the Lexmark website. How handy, so I bought this and installed in on my machine (Windows 2000) and then tried to pick it up as a shared printer on my wife's machine (Windows 98SE). Nothing doing so I call Lexmark tech support and just as natural as can be they say well it won't work if all of the operating systems aren't the same because it doesn't network that way. The hardware has nothing to do with this! It's the lousy writers they employed to do the software for the printer. I have a Citizen GSX230 that was bought more than 9 years ago and it doesn't have any network problems we just share the printer and because they employed competent software people, guess what it works, several OS versions later (we bought it when we ran windows 3.1). Lexmark desperately needs help.

Wow.......2004-10-08

I am no computer geek, just your average lady who needs a helping hand every so often. I had a HP 2210 that I paid three times as much for and it was a piece of crap. I opened the Lexmark box and in 15 minutes I was up and running and what a nice surprise; perfect color copies; WOW!!!!!!! Easy to install and so easy to operate. The cartridges are even cheaper than my old HP; what's not to like. All I can say is, "Buy it" you won't be sorry.

Great Printer for the price.......2004-07-14

I just bought this printer a week ago and am very happy with this product. Installed in 5 mins and it was ready to go. The print & copy quality was excellent. Picture quality was good with 1200 dpi. I was able to fax a letter to overseas in less than 30 secs. I would recommend this product and it was low priced against its comparative products.

The worst printer I have ever owned........2004-06-04

This product is above and beyond the worst computer product i have ever owned. The paper feed is just plain idiotic, it pulls paper down crooked and so photocopies and print jobs are horrendous. You will waste more ink and paper waiting for this thing to properly feed. This product was a disaster, go with hp, cannon, or some other ESTABLISHED printer company. You get what you pay for with Lexmark... JUNK.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics