Comments on: The Lexar LDP-200: The No Frills Music Player http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/ My opinions about convergence, consumer technology, gadgets, Web, and more. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:51:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Byaruhanga Abdu http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-373654 Byaruhanga Abdu Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:52:36 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-373654 HELP! HELP! saw it and was really pleased coz such players have helped me to dodge unneccessary datings at college by keeping me entertained all tymz.BUT.....am being troubled by my player almost simillar to this one written on ALBA. I got it wen it was playing normally but wen i took it to load on more music it claimed not 2b formatted askin me if i wanted to 'format it now'. Choosing 'yes' and starting a 'quick format' the formatting line could not start over for about 10 minutes so i quit. on stopping and unplugging the player i found all he music that was there had gon! never played any since. it uses a memory card but i don't have one. what could be the real problem and real solution. pliz save me abdubyaruhanga@yahoo.com HELP! HELP! saw it and was really pleased coz such players have helped me to dodge unneccessary datings at college by keeping me entertained all tymz.BUT…..am being troubled by my player almost simillar to this one written on ALBA. I got it wen it was playing normally but wen i took it to load on more music it claimed not 2b formatted askin me if i wanted to ‘format it now’. Choosing ‘yes’ and starting a ‘quick format’ the formatting line could not start over for about 10 minutes so i quit. on stopping and unplugging the player i found all he music that was there had gon! never played any since. it uses a memory card but i don’t have one. what could be the real problem and real solution. pliz save me abdubyaruhanga@yahoo.com

]]> By: Kevin Townsend http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-14826 Kevin Townsend Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:04:53 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-14826 Here is a further follow up on my prior review: In theory it's a good value. Cheap, small, simple. For the price you can forgive that it doesn't include features like playlists, and doesn't resume tracks where you left off. What is not forgivable are the MAJOR undisclosed limitations of the file management system programmed into the Version 0.5 firmware (the only known publicly available firmware version). With no playlist capability it's critical to be able to sort music by folders. The problem is that the LDP-200 is only able to read 40 folders / directories regardless of how they are organized! The count begins with all folders in the root path of the SD card and then continues with the next level of subdirectories in alphabetical order and so on. So let's say I sort my music by artist then album, if I have an average of two albums per artist and I cherry pick my tracks so that I only have an average of 3 songs for each album I can only play 76 songs. Worse yet if I'm storing photos or data in other directories on my SD card as Lexar says you can do, depending on how many folders I have dedicated to them I might not be able to browse/play ANY music at all! Furthermore even if I opted to place all media files in one folder the LDP-200 is limited to reading only 130 music files per folder. This is especially bothersome for someone who shelled out the extra cash for a high capacity card. I had to go back and forth with Lexar support for 2 weeks before I could get them to acknowledge this limitation exists, which they have still not documented publicly. They also stated that because they are not manufacturing the device anymore they may not do anything about it. This mentality towards product support has been the source of many recalls and class action suits for other similar products. For those of you that already own the device I strongly encourage you to DEMAND that Lexar resolves the firmware bug to make it function AS ADVERTISED. If you don't already own one don't buy one until they have released a firmware update and you have read reports that the problem has been resolved. In the meantime you may be interested in a different MP3 player / SD card reader such as: SanDisk e100 Series Grand MP3 MyMusic PD201 Coby MP Series I can't say that any of these work better but I would certainly research them before purchasing the LDP-200 Here is a further follow up on my prior review:
In theory it’s a good value. Cheap, small, simple. For the price you can forgive that it doesn’t include features like playlists, and doesn’t resume tracks where you left off. What is not forgivable are the MAJOR undisclosed limitations of the file management system programmed into the Version 0.5 firmware (the only known publicly available firmware version).

With no playlist capability it’s critical to be able to sort music by folders. The problem is that the LDP-200 is only able to read 40 folders / directories regardless of how they are organized! The count begins with all folders in the root path of the SD card and then continues with the next level of subdirectories in alphabetical order and so on. So let’s say I sort my music by artist then album, if I have an average of two albums per artist and I cherry pick my tracks so that I only have an average of 3 songs for each album I can only play 76 songs. Worse yet if I’m storing photos or data in other directories on my SD card as Lexar says you can do, depending on how many folders I have dedicated to them I might not be able to browse/play ANY music at all! Furthermore even if I opted to place all media files in one folder the LDP-200 is limited to reading only 130 music files per folder. This is especially bothersome for someone who shelled out the extra cash for a high capacity card.

I had to go back and forth with Lexar support for 2 weeks before I could get them to acknowledge this limitation exists, which they have still not documented publicly. They also stated that because they are not manufacturing the device anymore they may not do anything about it. This mentality towards product support has been the source of many recalls and class action suits for other similar products.

For those of you that already own the device I strongly encourage you to DEMAND that Lexar resolves the firmware bug to make it function AS ADVERTISED. If you don’t already own one don’t buy one until they have released a firmware update and you have read reports that the problem has been resolved. In the meantime you may be interested in a different MP3 player / SD card reader such as:
SanDisk e100 Series
Grand MP3
MyMusic PD201
Coby MP Series
I can’t say that any of these work better but I would certainly research them before purchasing the LDP-200

]]> By: Karen http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-14163 Karen Fri, 24 Mar 2006 17:58:18 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-14163 I have used this Lexar LDP-200 for about a month and am not happy with it. I have small fingers - so for the previous reviewer that thought that they had fat fingers - I don't think that's the problem. This player of mine will not toggle correctly - if at all. And the menu doesn't work for me because it doesn't toggle. I would advise anyone looking for an mp3 player to avoid this one. I think the toggle is too delicate for everyday use and you would waste your money. I have used this Lexar LDP-200 for about a month and am not happy with it. I have small fingers – so for the previous reviewer that thought that they had fat fingers – I don’t think that’s the problem. This player of mine will not toggle correctly – if at all. And the menu doesn’t work for me because it doesn’t toggle. I would advise anyone looking for an mp3 player to avoid this one. I think the toggle is too delicate for everyday use and you would waste your money.

]]> By: Kevin Townsend http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-12845 Kevin Townsend Sat, 18 Mar 2006 17:29:50 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-12845 I am also noting a problem with a undisclosed folder number limit. I have inquired with their support staff and have not heard anything back. Many people seem to be posting the same issue on various websites. Nobody seems to have gotten an official response from Lexar. Renaming directories to lower letters in the alphabet (such as naming the artist folder ABBA) seems to make that folders subdirectories/files viewable. This is a seriously limiting factor of the device. I can only play 1/3 of the music I have stored on my card. I would strongly encourage owners of the device to demand an official response until this limitation is documented. I would also encourage anyone who is interested in purchasing the device to confirm that this problem has been addressed before purchasing the unit. I am also noting a problem with a undisclosed folder number limit. I have inquired with their support staff and have not heard anything back. Many people seem to be posting the same issue on various websites. Nobody seems to have gotten an official response from Lexar. Renaming directories to lower letters in the alphabet (such as naming the artist folder ABBA) seems to make that folders subdirectories/files viewable. This is a seriously limiting factor of the device. I can only play 1/3 of the music I have stored on my card. I would strongly encourage owners of the device to demand an official response until this limitation is documented. I would also encourage anyone who is interested in purchasing the device to confirm that this problem has been addressed before purchasing the unit.

]]> By: Marc Dousset http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-12675 Marc Dousset Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:05:40 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-12675 I have experienced the "No file" issue even with a 1GB card. It indeed seems to be related to the number of folders and their nesting. Too many nested folders seem to trigger this issue. The player seem to prefer one folder nesting, rather than the standard 2 folder nesting (artist/album). I have contacted Lexar to request a firmware upgrade to resolve this issue but who knows when or if that will ever happen. It has become a real pain as my music library is growing to constantly have to rearrange the folders. PS: I have experienced the weird shutdown at times as well, maybe once a week or so. I have experienced the “No file” issue even with a 1GB card. It indeed seems to be related to the number of folders and their nesting. Too many nested folders seem to trigger this issue. The player seem to prefer one folder nesting, rather than the standard 2 folder nesting (artist/album).
I have contacted Lexar to request a firmware upgrade to resolve this issue but who knows when or if that will ever happen.
It has become a real pain as my music library is growing to constantly have to rearrange the folders.
PS: I have experienced the weird shutdown at times as well, maybe once a week or so.

]]> By: Freddy Freeloader http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-9930 Freddy Freeloader Sun, 19 Feb 2006 20:18:30 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-9930 I loaded my 2GB SD card with music, popped it into the LDP-200, and it displayed the "No Files" error message. I contacted Lexar, and they stated that the LDP-200 has a 1GB limit. Rather than deleting CD folders from the SD card, I set the hidden attribute on a few folders and their files, and got the player to recognize the folders and files again. Anything beyond about 1.67GB and I get the "No Files" error message, although the limiting factor could be the number of folders or number of files rather than used space on the card. Just thought I'd mention this if anyone is considering using 2GB or 4GB cards with the LDP-200. In the future, I think I'll stick with 1GB cards. Did anyone else experiment with fully loaded 2GB or 4GB SD cards on the LDP-200? If so, what was your experience? I loaded my 2GB SD card with music, popped it into the LDP-200, and it displayed the “No Files” error message. I contacted Lexar, and they stated that the LDP-200 has a 1GB limit.

Rather than deleting CD folders from the SD card, I set the hidden attribute on a few folders and their files, and got the player to recognize the folders and files again. Anything beyond about 1.67GB and I get the “No Files” error message, although the limiting factor could be the number of folders or number of files rather than used space on the card. Just thought I’d mention this if anyone is considering using 2GB or 4GB cards with the LDP-200. In the future, I think I’ll stick with 1GB cards. Did anyone else experiment with fully loaded 2GB or 4GB SD cards on the LDP-200? If so, what was your experience?

]]> By: Frugal_J http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-9050 Frugal_J Mon, 13 Feb 2006 18:21:41 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-9050 Purchased my LDP-200 for $30 from a discount reseller offering a 90 day warranty (just the player and no manual). It worked fine when I first tested it about a week ago. Today, I turned it on and it played about 5 tracks and then shut itself down. When I tried to turn it on (you seem to need to hold the button down for a few seconds for it to start up), it turned itself off right after the opening graphic displayed. Couldn't find a pdf of the manual at Lexar or anywhere else so far. :-( Purchased my LDP-200 for $30 from a discount reseller offering a 90 day warranty (just the player and no manual). It worked fine when I first tested it about a week ago. Today, I turned it on and it played about 5 tracks and then shut itself down. When I tried to turn it on (you seem to need to hold the button down for a few seconds for it to start up), it turned itself off right after the opening graphic displayed. Couldn’t find a pdf of the manual at Lexar or anywhere else so far. :-(

]]> By: Jester700 http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/07/26/90the-lexar-ldp-200-the-no-frills-music-player/comment-page-1/#comment-2345 Jester700 Fri, 23 Dec 2005 15:55:33 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=345#comment-2345 Nice unit for the price. I'm not sure about the sound quality issues; it's no worse than my Sandisk Cruzer or Philips 3" cd/mp3 players, but I haven't compared it with iPods. Certainly it measures well - an analysis in Adobe Audition shows no droop in the bass at all (so it should be fine when used with stereos or powered speakers), though when cranked up with headphones the story might be different due to a cheap output amp. Nice unit for the price. I’m not sure about the sound quality issues; it’s no worse than my Sandisk Cruzer or Philips 3″ cd/mp3 players, but I haven’t compared it with iPods. Certainly it measures well – an analysis in Adobe Audition shows no droop in the bass at all (so it should be fine when used with stereos or powered speakers), though when cranked up with headphones the story might be different due to a cheap output amp.

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