[Watchdog]

Does anyone have any idea if a NJB4 is just around the corner?

I just noticed at www.dell.ca that the NJB3 is now on sale for $369 Cdn. which is the lowest I've ever seen it in Canada.

Austonia, you always have the scoop on the new DAP coming out. Do you know anything about a coming model?

 

[austonia]

allready asked Creative about this but got no useful response.

I don't believe Creative will make another player with the same bulky form factor as the NJB3, at least. Current-generation players have the same features (mostly) but are now iPod-size.

NJB advantages are still :
1) dual lithium, replaceable batteries
2) dual line-outs on the player itself
3) .WAV recording

But, its still not pocket size (bulky) and has a small screen and poor "scroller". Not much "wow" factor either, i mean, it looks like a cheap PCDP

 

[zowie]

My wish list, in order, would be:

1. Get the NJB3 is get it down to Zen size, retaining present features

2. Higher quality wave recording like 24/44 or 96, at least when fed a digital input (24/96 A-D converter optional).

3. Drop price (or more storage for $).

4. Longer battery life without compromising something else.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Quote:

Originally posted by austonia it looks like a cheap PCDP

I noticed this, too, and initially rejected it (not rejected it as in, "I don't like the way it looks", but rejected as in "I don't want a cheap PCDP, I want something that looks like a portable hard drive"). But then, after thinking about it, I think they did it on purpose. Think about their target market, and then think about how many of their target market probably are replacing their cheap PCDP and already have a place for it.

Also, it would have been cool if it actually had a CD drive, so that you could rip to it without a computer.

 

[Peddler]

Excellent idea Peter

Imagine having something with the form factor of the NJB3 which can accept CD's and do high quality, high speed rips - endless hours of fun - the R.I.A.A. (re Nazi's) would implode with rage.

Go for it Creative!

 

[Watchdog]

My preference for any updates for the NJB3 would actually be in order:

1) Have it use a standard PC 3.5" drive. Yes, I know this makes it bigger, but portability for this unit isn't important to me, I already have an iPod. I want something more along the lines of how classic PCDP's are used as transportable rigs. With a 3.5" drive I could stick a 200GB or 250GB drive in there.

2) Give the unit dual RCA outputs instead of two 1/8" jacks. I want to hook this unit into my home stereo easily.

3) Provide a digital out so I can take the signal out to an outboard DAC if I so choose.

4) Have the unit appear as an external drive in Windows so I don't need to use Creative's lousy software.

5) Support for FLAC and OGG.

 

[austonia]

watchdog, right on. I'm with you on all the improvements I'd like to see, including the 3.5" drive option. But, that's the least likely to happen I think, since these are supposed to be portable devices and 3.5" drives just suck up too much juice. the idea for a CD drive combo is most excellent, perhaps even including a CD burner so it could burn audio CD's right from the MP3's, like I do with Nero on my PC. Also I'd like to see it have a video-out port so you could hook up to a TV and control it like another stereo component. And fading between tracks like the new Karma can do.