Other features
The player can be used for storing and viewing pictures. It supports JPG, GIF, PNG, TIF, BMP and RAW. Like the A2, the A3 too comes with a CSD viewer that allows users to view not only MS Word files, but also PowerPoint documents and other image files. It also supports TXT files. The nice screen really makes reading e-books a treat.
What sets the player apart is the fact that you can record both video and audio from a television set. Using the S-video (included with the package) you can record videos without losing much depth. The 3.5mm composite line-in can record audio in FLAC, so you can connect a CD player or a Walkman and record content without losing too much information. I tried it, and it rocks!
A unique feature of the A3 is the USB host that allows you to connect any other media device to the player via the USB host cable, and transfer data directly. You can copy songs, pictures, and video. It’s fast, and unlike the A2, quite reliable as well.
The VerdictThe battery life is claimed to be around 7 hours for continuous video playback. With the A2 I had been able to watch three movies in succession, but the A3 sadly disappointed – it couldn’t get beyond the first half of the second movie. (Incidentally, the movies were Sweeney Todd and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.) Battery life naturally improved when it came to music playback, but even this wasn't quite satisfactory.
While charging, the battery heats up the player uncomfortably. This makes charge-and-watch a bit of a turn-off. As for the price, it costs Rs 25,000 with bill and warranty. Sadly, no carry case is bundled this time, so you'll have to shell out another Rs 1,500 for a leather case, which is important if you want to prop up the player on an even surface while watching movies.
So is the A3 worth looking at? Well, if you consider the drag-and-drop options, native support for a host of video and music formats, and the video recording facility, the price seems quite justified. No other player in the market currently offers so much even at this price. That's just crazy, isn't it!!




