Touch the Future Now at StaplesCoby MP-C827 Digital Music Player
Manufacturer: Coby Electronics Part number: MP-C827
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Despite its limited storage, plain looks, and subpar performance, the USB plug-in-style Coby MP-C827 gets our approval in the $20 or less category.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/03/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Coby MP-C827 Digital Music Player price range: $17.99
- Reviewed by: James Kim
- Reviewed on: 07/28/2006
The good: The Coby MP-C827 is an ultra-affordable MP3/WMA player that has a convenient USB plug-in design. It can be used as a UMS storage device. It's good for kids and beginners.
The bad: The Coby MP-C827 looks and feels like a $20 MP3 player. It lacks a display, doesn't play DRM files, and has poor battery life and subpar sound quality. Includes horrible headphones.
The bottom line: Despite its limited storage, plain looks, and subpar performance, the USB plug-in-style Coby MP-C827 gets our approval in the $20 or less category.
The 128MB Coby MP-C827 may not be the prettiest, best-sounding, or most feature-packed player available, but it lists for only $19.99. Although much better MP3 players are available for $50 to $100, the plug-in-style Coby MP-C827 gets our quick nod of approval in the $20 or less category.
Ideal for kids, digital audio beginners, as a giveaway, or for those who need a temporary music solution, the spartan Coby MP-C827 has zero wow factor, other than the fact that you can stick about 32 MP3 or WMA tracks on it. Like the iPod Shuffle, it has no display. Unlike the Shuffle, it doesn't have a shuffle feature, so you'll listen and navigate linearly through your library.
While it's not difficult to use, as there are only three buttons on the unit, you do have to acclimate to using the same buttons for volume as you do for back and skipping tracks (press for skipping, hold for volume). Also, the volume buttons, for this reviewer anyway, are reversed--you hold the left button to increase the volume. Hold the play button to power on, which is confirmed by a single red LED.
The USB 2.0 plug-in device measures about 3.5 inches lengthwise, a tad longer (and way thicker at 0.75 inch) than the iPod Shuffle. Its oblong shape and silver and black body is no looker for sure, but it's not really ugly. Besides the words "Coby Digital Audio Player," the major physical feature is the USB cap, which can be difficult to pry off. By the way, that dime-size silver button on the device's face doesn't do anything. The player comes bundled with a USB extension cable, a driver CD, and possibly the worst neckband-style earphones we've ever used.
The MP-C827 plays back MP3 and non-DRM WMA files and does nothing else besides act as a storage device. The UMS device will work without drivers on most PCs and Macs. A typical 128MB USB flash drive costs about $20, so it's not a bad deal considering the Coby's music-playing capabilities.
Powered by a AAA battery (included), the unit is rated to last a rather weak 7 hours per charge. Other things to note: The MP-C827 lacks a repeat function or a hold switch, and when you hit the skip back button once, it doesn't start the current song over; rather, it starts the previous track.
Sound quality is noticeably less warm and present compared to that on the Shuffle or the $70 512MB Samsung YP-U2. You will notice a background hiss and the occasional crackle that indicate a mediocre signal-to-noise ratio. Still, if you have only $20, and you want to get your four fave CDs onto a small device, the Coby MP-C827 will get the job done. It's because of the price that the MP-C827 is the best MP3 player with a rating of 4.0 or lower that we've reviewed. If you want a great-sounding plug-in player with a screen and can afford the extra $50 (just the extra 384MB is worth it), we recommend the aforementioned Samsung YP-U2.
User reviews
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Very good for the CHEAP Price! ; )
by KKFan90 on July 13, 2007
Pros: Sound Quality , Plug-In , Easy Use , Light
Cons: Storage , Headphones , Sensitive , Speaker
Summary: I got this MP3 player at ALCO for only $15.99 and it was worth it. Once I got it , it got kinda confusing to turn on , with no manual , ...
Summary: I got this MP3 player at ALCO for only $15.99 and it was worth it. Once I got it , it got kinda confusing to turn on , with no manual , but the storage is very small and cheap , like the price. The headphones that come with it are crappy , they burnt out within the first 4 days! The 2 speakers are the same , they aren't loud and you can't hear from long distances.But with the price , its a-ok!
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Get's the job done!
by danalynncruz on March 22, 2007
Pros: Allows different folder storage
Cons: no display on product
Summary: Works very Well for my teen daughter saving school projects, music, and pix.
Summary: Works very Well for my teen daughter saving school projects, music, and pix.
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Pretty good for its's price.
by nathan1984 on March 6, 2007
Pros: Nice, sleek design, Price is okay, Fit's up to 60 or so songs in WMA.
Cons: Size really is the most biggest issue..Also the headphones..But the money you save you can pick up a pair of 5 bucks one.
Summary: Pretty nice for the price, "FYE" in Lancaster, PA had it for $29.95 when I first passed it, then went to the Food Court. Then I went up for ...
Summary: Pretty nice for the price, "FYE" in Lancaster, PA had it for $29.95 when I first passed it, then went to the Food Court. Then I went up for CD-R's again, I noticed the "Sale" price with $14.99..I read the specs and said, "Snatch!" ..Simple, Nice looking, Price is right and Holds alot..Like a nice girl..
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I Got Mine For Only Ten Bucks!
by mervert on January 12, 2007
Pros: Compact, light, easy to use
Cons: Storage size; can't scan through songs
Summary: So here's my story: I got stuck with a $25 giftcard for FYE (yep, my brother is a cheapskate; plus, I gotta BUY my own gift? Thanks for giving ...
Summary: So here's my story: I got stuck with a $25 giftcard for FYE (yep, my brother is a cheapskate; plus, I gotta BUY my own gift? Thanks for giving me an errand for a present, bro!) Anyhoo, I'm thinking, "What the hell am I gonna do with this? Who buys CD's anymore?" So I end up checking out what they have, and low and behold I see the Coby MP-C827 for sale at the low price of $19.99, with a $10 mail in rebate. Hells yeah! This thing is practically paying me back to buy it! Since I needed a POS mp3 player for the gym, I snatched it up with the quickness. Believe me, the earphones that come with it are wack. I replaced them with my old Dell DJ (remember that?) earphones, and it sounded 10x better. Bottom line is, I think it's cool, and come to think of it, with it's low price point this could even be the world's first disposable mp3 player!
James Kim, R.I.P -
Really not bad and much less complicated than other players.
by CryogenicStasis on January 11, 2007
Pros: light, direct usb plug, can use rechargeable batteries to maximize play time, nice looking, good sound quality (no hiss etc-).
Cons: storage size
Summary: The Coby MP-C827 is a tight little device that will bring you joy. I hear complaints about battery life yet you can get rechargeable batteries and charge them every night! ...
Summary: The Coby MP-C827 is a tight little device that will bring you joy. I hear complaints about battery life yet you can get rechargeable batteries and charge them every night! Also, I understand that some hear a hiss or background noise but I hear none of that. Also, some say the sound quality is poor but I think that it is not true but rather the sound quality is quite good. I used to have a higher level Coby device that played video, ebooks, and pictures but the lithium Ion battery stopped holding it's charge after a while and you couldn't use it any more. The only thing I don't like about it is the small storage space available. Other than that this is a great player worth buying.
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You get what you pay for
by afakirani on August 2, 2006
Pros: Cheaper than a shuffle
Cons: Not as pretty
Summary: The Coby has no screen, no radio tuner, little functionality and compatibility...which reminds me of another mp3 player on the market, the shuffle, the only difference, abouu $40. Mind ...
Summary: The Coby has no screen, no radio tuner, little functionality and compatibility...which reminds me of another mp3 player on the market, the shuffle, the only difference, abouu $40. Mind you i wouldn't buy either of the two.
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Great tool for the price
by ejohaneman on June 22, 2006
Pros: Price is good and it synchs very fast
Cons: Volume is not high enough if there is background sound
Summary: I am quite happy with my purchase although I have wished the volume would go a little higher but its is a Great little tool
Summary: I am quite happy with my purchase although I have wished the volume would go a little higher but its is a Great little tool
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Coby Electronics
- Part number: MP-C827
- Description: Coby Electronics is a manufacturer of quality consumer electronics products designed to deliver outstanding performance for value conscious consumers who do not compromise on product performance. Coby incorporates new designs with innovative technologies to produce great looking and great performing consumer electronics products. PRODUCT FEATURES: 128MB built-in flash memory; Mobile data storage function; USB PC interface for fast down/uploading; Direct connection into USB port (no cable required); Upgradeable firmware; PC and Mac compatible.
General
- Product type Digital player
- PC interface(s) supported USB
- Flash memory installed 128 MB Integrated
- Digital storage None
- Software type Drivers & Utilities
Digital Player / Recorder
- Supported digital audio standards MP3
- External hard drive function Yes
Audio Features
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Additional features Upgradeable firmware
Remote Control
- Remote control None
Headphones
- Headphones type Binaural
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Connectivity technology Wired
Connectivity
- Cable(s) included 1 x USB cable -
- Connector type 1 x USB, 1 x Headphones
Battery / Power
- Battery 1 x AAA type Standard battery
- Power device type None
Manufacturer info
- Coby Electronics
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Coby Electronics products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.cobyusa.com/
- Address:
56-65 Rust Street, Maspeth, NY - Phone: 718-416-3300
- Email: customerservice@cobyusa.com
- Fax: 718-416-3305
