First on the list is memory expandability via an SD card slot on the left hand side of the device, though this isn’t everything it seems – you can’t play media from it, just transfer files to and from the internal 16GB memory. Still, at standard definition and below, every video file on that compatibility list we threw at the O2 played back successfully and was very watchable indeed.Įlsewhere, there are a couple more notable features. It’ll even play back 720p files, although a quick test with a high definition WMV file showed this is little more than a tickbox feature, with far-from-smooth frame rate. Again, the list is extremely impressive, with AVI, WMV, ASF, MP4, MATROSKA(MKV), OGM, MPG/MPEG, DAT, MTV formats and DivX, Xvid, MPEG-4 SP/ASP, WMV 9/8/7, H.264, M-JPEG and MPEG 1 codecs all supported. More important than this, however, is that you’ll be able to simply drag and drop video files to it without converting them with far more regularity than with most other media players. The number of audio formats its supports natively is simply mind-boggling: not only can you play the usual WAV, WMV, MP3 and AAC, but also OGG Vorbis, FLAC, ASF, Apple Lossless, MKA, TTA, MPC and WV.

The reason? Its file format support is incredibly broad. And if you want to play games or browse the web over a WiFi connection, you’re better off with an Apple device.īut if all you want to do is play downloaded video and audio without having to jump through hoops, then the Cowon is certainly worth a look. In terms of raw specifications there’s nothing that groundbreaking about the O2 either: 16GB of flash memory is generous but not outstandingly so, the 4.3in, 480 x 272 resistive touchscreen is colourful and clear, but no better than the iPhone or touch’s displays. Just one look at the plasticky chassis and bulky dimensions – the O2 measures a bulky 120 x 74 x 18.6mm (WHD) – will be enough to put off anyone who cares about the way their gadgets look very quickly. The hardware doesn’t make a good first impression.

Tickbox tv specs