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SanDisk Introduces Low-Cost Video MP3 Player

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

September 10, 2007, 5:50 PM

SanDisk solidified its music player lineup on Monday, introducing the Sansa View, which is the cheapest video-enabled player in its category.

Two models will be made available, an 8GB version for $149 and an 16GB model for $199 USD. Memory could be further expanded up to 24GB by using an optional 8GB microSD card. The players are expected reach stores in October, according to SanDisk.

Support for PlaysForSure services as well as Rhapsody to Go will be included with both models.

The View sports a 2.4-inch widescreen display, support for H.264, WMV, and MPEG4 video, and the ability to transcode DivX files for viewing on the device through included Media Converter Software. Other features include an FM radio with 20 presets and a voice recorder.

With that feature set, the View matches up and even exceeds the feature list of Apple's recently redesigned iPod nano. The largest size available there is an 8GB model for $199, and it does not include voice recording or FM radio capabilities.

"We're once again showing that category-leading technology can still be very affordable," SanDisk marketing head Eric Bone said in a statement. The company had initially debuted the device at this year's CES, but it said it decided to redesign the player to "best suit current consumer interests."

SanDisk View

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By sbmeirow

posted Sep 12, 2007 - 1:25 AM

*** Buy SanDisk ***

You get a lot more for your money, and you don't have to be an "Apple b****" forced to take it the way Apple gives it to ya.

I laught at the Apple Fanboy fools....oh look I have the Apple I'm so dam cool. It is very very cool when you have the coolest thing around and very few others do....but Apple really isn't in that category any more. Apple is past the point of being cool...and most people just are too stupid to see the illusion.

Score: 0

By skua

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 3:09 PM

If it has a Line-In and can record in CD Quality WAV I'm interested. Oh... and make it be able to playback FLAC too!

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 2:57 PM

I just bought an 8gb Sansa e280 this morning. I like it. It has an FM tuner, a voice recorder, and you can view pics and video. I'm not ready to toss my iPod yet, but SanDisk makes a nice player.

Score: 0

By skimore

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 2:28 PM

Apple rocks.. I was looking at their blogs and NO bad news to be found!!

Come on it's only an mp3 player.. I already have 10+ of these units since the first RIO players... So many options and soooo little money to spend on this stuff anymore.....

Keep buying apple and keep that stock price going up..

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 10:30 AM

Another failed attempt to copy Apple. Why can't any company come out with a good design?

No thanks, i will take the iPod.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 12, 2007 - 4:22 AM

Damn. *Shakes head in disapointment*

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 11:31 AM

...and here I thought you were just clueless on Sony products and formats. You never cease to amaze, I'll give you that.

Score: 0

By cap737

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 11:01 AM

If there was a way to use it on a mac this would be a great alternative. I love my ipod but I can't ignore the features you get with the price!

Score: 0

By Tenoq

edited Sep 11, 2007 - 1:11 AM

"by using an optional 8GB microSD"

Where the hell can you get those? Probably be cheaper to buy a second player? ;)

EDIT: no mention of battery life either. I'd prefer not to downgrade from the AA-based player I have at the moment in terms of battery life - 30 hours... then just whack in another AA. Why can't more mp3 players support standard, easy-to-replace batteries?

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 8:31 AM

I'm assuming it'd be worse for the environment, but moreso I'd not want to make sure that I had AA's in stock at home in case my mp3 player took a dump and decided it needed another pair.

Although it would be kick a** to never have to worry about the internal battery going bad and having to either buy a new unit or pay someone like Apple to replace it for half the cost of the player.

Score: 0

By Tenoq

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 9:12 PM

I'm not sure loading up your mp3 player with NiMH AA batteries is any more damaging to the environment than using built-in Li-Ion or NiMH batteries. I know I'd be more damaging to the environment if my mp3 player ran out of juice on the road and I couldn't recharge the ****er. ;)

Score: 0

By dsulls

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 1:14 PM

If this player is anything like the sandisk model that it's replacing (the e200 series), than the battery life for just music should be right around (or more than) 20 hours. I have the e280 and I never have to worry about it dying on me. Also, the e200 series battery could easily be replaced by anyone in a couple of minutes. This thing is def. tempting.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 12:23 AM

Okay, this... this is sweet!

It's sad to think that if there was an Apple logo on the back of it, it would probably sell 5 million in the first month. *sigh*

The nano has nothing on this beauty.

Score: 0

By ptksr

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 4:00 PM

Agreed. I'm glad I didn't buy that e280 last week. I'll wait for this in 16gb instead.

The new nano looks like absolute crap, they shouldn't have changed the design like they did, imo.

A shame Sandisk doesn't have the same marketing dept/firm that Apple has.

Score: 0

By psycros

posted Sep 10, 2007 - 8:29 PM

This will sell in the flyover states like mad. Outside the big, mostly west coast cities, few people worship at the alter of Steve. I have a Sansa Express which blows the Shuffle away, but I've been waiting for something with all the bells and whistles at the right price. This might be the one.

Score: 0

By ptksr

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 10:50 PM

Cult of Mac has little to do with the popularity of the iPod. Say mp3 player in public, and like 80% (probably more) of people around will instantly think of iPod. You can thank their marketing genius for that.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Sep 10, 2007 - 7:45 PM

I like it. Looks sleek, has cool features, and a great price! If they get some advertising out I think this thing has potential to be a hit. Props to SanDisk.

Score: 0

By ModderXManiac

edited Sep 10, 2007 - 7:27 PM

If more people weren't so ignorant in buying iPod nano's instead of Sansa's, and now this; a true killer.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 11, 2007 - 8:32 AM

As far as the Nano goes, there's not much that COULDN'T kill that piece of s***.

In other news, though, I wish they'd fit more than what they're slating into it, but the size (if true to the picture) would be kick a**.

Score: 0