TrekStor, a European company known for their hard drives, MP3 players and USB drives, is making a play for those who want style out of their portable digital audio devices with their new vibez MP3 player. This player, available in 8GB ($219.99 US), 12GB ($249.99 US) and 15GB ($279.99 US) storage sizes, marks the company’s first entry into the U.S.-based hard drive MP3 player market currently dominated by the Apple iPod.
The palm-sized TrekStor vibez, measuring 4” x 2” x 0.7” and weighing 2.5 ounces, has a somewhat unique appearance among hard drive based MP3 players. It sports a slim-line design with rounded curves and an oblong body. It is housed in a stainless steel case and has an overall sleek look with its 1.5-inch color TFT screen and large rubberized scroll wheel for control and navigation of on-screen menu contents. This combination produces an interesting two circle design on the front of the player.
Image Courtesy of TrekStor
As this is a MP3 player and not just a piece of art, the TrekStor vibez is capable of playing MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG and FLAC encoded files as well as supporting protected music from subscription based online music services like Napster to Go. The vibez is capable of displaying CD cover art as a song plays in addition to showcasing that song’s ID3 tag and file name. This player is also capable of displaying JPEG images individually or as a slideshow.
In regards to other entertainment related features, the TrekStor vibez can support playback of either FM radio or video playback. This is done via an optional card which is inserted into a slot behind the rechargeable battery. This battery is capable of offering upwards of 20 hours of enjoyment before needing to be recharged.
Image Courtesy of TrekStor
Incorporated inside the TrekStor vibez is a chipset from U.S. manufacturer SigmaTel as well as a small one-inch hard drive. The internal components of this player, including the replaceable battery, are housed inside shock-absorbing materials to help protect from damage which could be caused by a drop. Also built into the vibez’s extended capabilities is a music buffer which can store up to two hours of music to lessen access time to the hard drive.
Other features of the TrekStor vibez include selectable on-screen wallpaper designs, a battery recharge time of three hours, USB 2.0 connectivity, the ability to act as a standalone USB storage device, included Sennheiser earbuds, automatic compilation of playlists based on desired mood, visualization effects, line-in recording and an integrated microphone.
More details on the TrekStor vibez can be found at TrekStor’s Web site.
