Cowon J3 Under Review By Amazon - Page 2

Well about 10 minutes ago, my Cowon j3 32gb got bricked. I am using a Mac and I ejected it safely. I always make sure that I don't unplug the thing for another 5 seconds after ejecting it. But surprise, surprise it is now bricked and I've read everything on the web and done everything without any solution. It's such a shame to know that a great PMP like J3 exists and yet it is not compatible with Macs. I am no way going to use crappy Windows again just for J3. Really frustrating! 

I wonder if someone could use a PC to interact with the device even if they loaded songs that were originally ripped by a mac.  I say this because I have an old PC laptop laying around that I could set up to manage the J3, but I wonder if the files that are causing the problem would hitchhike from the Mac too the external harddrive too PC and have the same effect on the J3.  Unfortunately, I don't know enough about how my Mac OS operates to risk it, but you could try something similar if you get your J3 unbricked.  In any case, stories like yours make it clear that anyone with a J3 and Mac should make sure they never get hooked up together.  Myself, I'm still very much on the fence with this and am considering picking up a used 8gb J3 to try my little experiment...that way if disaster strikes I end up with a $150 brick instead of a $300 one.

Small world, I'm in Dallas too.

I just went to cnet's download section and downloaded an app called Hidden Cleaner.  The app is supposed to remove programs like .ds_store and safely eject usb connected devices.  I just tried Hidden Cleaner on my X-Fi2 and it safely ejected the hardware.  Now my X-Fi2 never crashed or anything, but Hidden Cleaner didn't cause a problem with it and it did speed up interaction when browsing files.  Just one more thing to try if you have a mac and a device intended for windows.  There where other similar programs on cnet and I'm not sure if it would help Cowen owners, but it might.

Is it just macs that have issues? I'm using linux which has a similar file system to macs and haven't had any issues. Hopefully things get sorted out for macs however. I would probably just run windows under parallels since I believe most mac users use that anyway.

I think the J3 has wonderful sound quality, but I think mine is going back to amazon.  My first player had a defective battery and the second one has the screen coming off.  As a Mac user, I've had no issues but for the price, I believe I shouldn't have to buy and send back several players just to get a working one.  I really think it's a shame that Cowon doesn't have better QC.  I've had many ipods over the years and never had any QC issues. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by basementdweller 

I wonder if someone could use a PC to interact with the device even if they loaded songs that were originally ripped by a mac.  I say this because I have an old PC laptop laying around that I could set up to manage the J3, but I wonder if the files that are causing the problem would hitchhike from the Mac too the external harddrive too PC and have the same effect on the J3.  Unfortunately, I don't know enough about how my Mac OS operates to risk it, but you could try something similar if you get your J3 unbricked.  In any case, stories like yours make it clear that anyone with a J3 and Mac should make sure they never get hooked up together.  Myself, I'm still very much on the fence with this and am considering picking up a used 8gb J3 to try my little experiment...that way if disaster strikes I end up with a $150 brick instead of a $300 one.

 

Small world, I'm in Dallas too.

Hello fellow Dallasite :) 

I'd say if you have a PC, J3 shouldn't cause that much of a problem. It's just that "make sure to eject the disk properly" thing for the Mac that is causing the problem. I contacted Amazon and described the problem and they were really helpful. I am sending it back for a full refund. 

Ya I decided to go for ipod classic 160 gb over the j3.

I've had the d2+ for two weeks and listened to it extensively, and while the sound was definately better than my ipod touch 1st gen with EQ, I can't justify sacrificing flawless user integration, ease of use, and playlist-ability for the extra sound quality of the cowon players. (from what I read, d2+ and j3 has very similar sound qualities)

And since cowon basically has no support for international buyers especially those related to os x problems, I'm putting it off until they get it working properly.

I've read that the classic's sound quality is similar to the iphone 3gs which I actually like, way better than the poor ipod touch 1st gen, so I think I'll be happy running it with senn ie8.

Quote:

Originally Posted by j57park 

I've read that the classic's sound quality is similar to the iphone 3gs which I actually like, way better than the poor ipod touch 1st gen, so I think I'll be happy running it with senn ie8.

Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but don't hope for the classic to sound as good as the 3gs.  To me it pales in comparison and I took back the classic.  I wanted the classic to be good so badly.  Or for them to improve it this month.  Sadly, only the Sony X  or it's hopefully larger next generation will have to be my next source as it was made for my IE8's.

Good luck.  Also- no external volume controls for quick access.  AND NO EQ.  IE8's benefit from being able to play with the bass and high end as different genres and recordings can vary so greatly.  Just to help you on your quest...

Thanks for your input!

Does Sony X work flawlessly with os x? I looked into it but not a lot of people use it with os x so I couldn't find any info. If it does and has playlist support then I'd be interested in Sony X. I'm trying to stay away from touchscreen player though since I have iphone 4 and ipod touch. I have a 6 year old sony mp3 player that I'm very happy with. But I feel that the rest of the walkman line (A, S and etc) look really outdated with physical buttons. And also 32gb is no good for me. My FLAC classical collection itself is approaching 40.

No EQ sucks for sure but I'm only paying $50 for brand new latest model ipod classic (friend got them with the macbook deal and doesn't need 160gb) so it's no problem for me. I'll just buy another player when something with good sound quality with playlist control comes to os x. But I'm not gonna go PC for a mp3 player because I can't stand window. The only time I use window is for playing cs 1.6 haha.

I'll be happy just as long as it is better than my 1st gen ipod touch as that's what I've been listening to more than 95% the last 3 years.

Ah, I am not sure about X with Mac but Cowon seems to have difficulty.  I am also Mac and already all Apple Lossless so not happy to have to use Sony which is also only 32gig.

But, it is small, sturdy and I really like the physical buttons so I can control while running and not look.  $50 is a no-brainer but just know that I thought the Classic sounded "thin" and "lifeless" compared to iPhone 3gs and 4.

If you get the Classic, just enjoy it and do not compare to anything else.  I am waiting to see if they refresh X line...hopefully at least 64gb!

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CEE TEE 

Ah, I am not sure about X with Mac but Cowon seems to have difficulty.  I am also Mac and already all Apple Lossless so not happy to have to use Sony which is also only 32gig.

 

But, it is small, sturdy and I really like the physical buttons so I can control while running and not look.  $50 is a no-brainer but just know that I thought the Classic sounded "thin" and "lifeless" compared to iPhone 3gs and 4.

 

If you get the Classic, just enjoy it and do not compare to anything else.  I am waiting to see if they refresh X line...hopefully at least 64gb!

 

Cheers!

iphone, itouch, same sound quality? across the same generation?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by absoluNewbie 

iphone, itouch, same sound quality? across the same generation?

Nope.

Cowon's and J3's specifically work great on a mac.. 

apps like blue harvest or hidden cleaner help the mac work flawless.. It gets rid of the hidden file issues that cowon's can't deal with..  Use one of the two programs listed below and you will be all set.  

http://www.zeroonetwenty.com/blueharvest4/

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/27416/hidden-cleaner

Cowon j3 is the greatest pmp i ve purchased in my life

but they need to be more involved with community and fix the bugs to stay competitive in the market

the New Music folder never shows the latest added music but shows the entire library....

that bug hasnt been fixed yet

just to clear thing up. there is no mac issue. the j3 simply must be formated by the apple disk utility, MS-DOS (FAT). i encounted this problem recently when i switched to a mac. download the firmware from cowon, format j3 with disk utility to FAT, copy firmware onto j3, eject. unplug. turn on the j3, it will install the firmware and assemble the file structure, and then it will turn itself off again. you should be good to go.