COWON A2 A3 480P
COWON A2 A3 PORTABLE
COWON A2 A3 SERIES

One of the more interesting audio features crammed into the Cowon A3 is the ability to record audio directly to either WMA (128 to192Kbps) or FLAC (lossless) files using the line-input connection.

If you can live without the convenience of ID3 tag sorting, however, the A3 will reward you with the stellar audio quality and slew of advanced music enhancement features we've come to expect from Cowon. Instead, Cowon's music browser uses a straightforward file-tree system that is completely up to you to organize. For better or worse, you probably won't want to load up the Cowon A3 with a ton of music anyhow, seeing that it doesn't allow you to sort music using common ID3 tags such as album, genre, or song. Noticeably absent from this list is the DRM-protected WMA format required for subscription music services. Video recording quality can be adjusted between a minimum of 320x240 at 500Kbps, up to 720x480 at 3Mbps, with several options in between.ДЄs an audio player the Cowon A3 has plenty going for it, including support for MP3, WMA, FLAC, OGG Vorbis, OGG FLAC, Apple Lossless, AAC/AAC+, AC3, True Audio, Monkey's Audio, MusePack, WavPack, G.726, and PCM audio formats.

COWON A2 A3 480P

The A3 can also be used to output or record video at a 480p enhanced definition picture quality (720x480), using composite or S-Video connections (a component connection is also included, but only for video output). There's no quick fix for the fact that the A3 doesn't support DRM-protected WMV files, however, so don't expect your TiVo-to-Go or CinemaNow videos to be compatible. Files such as H.264 and MOV won't play natively on the A3 but can be converted ahead of time using the included Cowon MediaCenter software. Not only can the Cowon A3 handle the majority of these files with no prior conversion necessary before transfer, but it can natively handle files encoded at an HD-worthy resolution of 1,280x720 at 30fps, which the A3 downsamples to fit its 800x480 display. Accordingly, it offers native support for a dizzying assortment of popular and boutique video file formats, including AVI, DivX, XviD, MP4, ASF, MKV, VOB, OGM, WMV 7, H.264, MPEG, DAT, and MTV. Don't let the power adapter fool you, the Cowon A3 can also charge over USB.ДЇirst and foremost, the Cowon A3 is a video player. The Cowon A3 comes with a bevy of cables as well as a power adapter, a pair of earbuds, and wrist strap (the USB flash drive in the picture is not included). Don't call the A3 a slouch, however, because it delivers unprecedented file support, an FM radio, audio and video recording, video output, voice recording, photo viewing, and a motherlode of audio enhancement features.

COWON A2 A3 PORTABLE

The Cowon A3 is a real dyed-in-the-wool portable video player that doesn't make any attempts at Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, nor does it include any hint of office productivity software. Finally, at the very bottom of the A3's left edge is a power adapter input, offering a charging method aside from doing so over USB from your computer.ДЄfter witnessing the overwhelming amount of features packed into Cowon's Q5W portable video player, we actually appreciate the tasteful restraint exercised on the A3-and its restrained price, too. Below the A3's headphone jack is tethered plastic door that conceals a 3.5mm composite AV output, a 3.5mm composite AV input, a proprietary jack made for connecting an included S-Video and component-video output cable, and a USB jack for transferring files from your computer or hosting devices, such as digital cameras or USB memory sticks. Like its predecessor, the Cowon A3 includes two stereo speakers and a mono microphone on its top edge, a power button on its right, a hold switch that doubles as a video-out switch on the bottom, and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top left edge. Over time we became more skillful at using the joystick, but those of you with sausage fingers should stay away. More times than we care to recall, the A3's joystick would accidentally shift up or down when we needed to push down on it to make a selection, requiring several careful attempts. Unfortunately, Cowon's miniature joystick navigation was so haphazard, it had us screaming for mercy. The advantage of staying clear of touch screen navigation is that it keeps your fingers off the screen.

COWON A2 A3 SERIES

Instead, Cowon employs a small joystick located in the top right corner of the A3's face, along with a series of four well-spaced buttons below it that serve multiple functions.

Unlike competitors such as the Archos 605 WiFi or the iPod Touch the Cowon A3 does not use a touch screen interface for navigating through files and menus.