CNET Editor's rating: 7.3 out of 10
Reviewed by
James Kim
Review date: 09/25/06
The good: The practical Wolverine ESP is available in up to 120GB; plays back music, video, and photo files and includes built-in memory card slots; includes an FM tuner and audio- and video-recording capabilities; plays a wide variety of unprotected formats; supports RAW photo images; removable battery; UMS and MTP modes; good GB-per-dollar value.
The bad: The Wolverine ESP is not DRM compatible; it has a somewhat mundane interface; not a wide-screen display; a tad bulky; must purchase cradle to record line-in audio or video.
The bottom line: The Wolverine ESP may not be a fancy portable video player/recorder, but it gets the job done, particularly for digital photo enthusiasts.
Irvine, California-based Wolverine Data (creators of the memorable MVP) will soon be launching a portable video player (PVP) with up to 120GB. The Wolverine ESP joins a rapidly growing list of portable devices that can play back video and audio and display digital images, though this PVP is much more photo friendly than most. The ESP, which comes only in megasizes of 80GB ($399), 100GB ($449), or 120GB ($499), may not be an Archos 604, but it's a solid device with its own charms. I got to play with the product before its official October 3 launch. Note: Prices on Web site are higher than retail.
At 5.3 by 2.8 by 0.9 inches and 10.2 ounces, the Wolverine ESP is not supersleek and is far from sexy. It has much more of a utilitarian vibe than most media players due to its unassuming gray plastic exterior, 4:3 screen, and mundane user interface. Still, the unit's definitely pocketable and extremely durable, and importantly, it's intuitive. Plus it holds up to 120GB of data.
The Wolverine ESP (80GB) next to the Creative Zen Vision (30GB). The Creative's a better performer and sexier, but the ESP has some of its own charms.
To the right of the 3.6-inch 4:3 TFT display (320x240 pixels) is a nice five-way joystick. Above the joystick is a mediocre mono speaker, and under the joystick fall the tactile Menu, Escape, and Volume buttons. These controllers coupled with the simple GUI make the ESP one of the more straightforward devices I've used in a while. The only other buttons to pay attention to are the power and hold slider located on the right spine. The left side of the ESP is rounded and padded with a softer plastic (though still a little slippery); the ESP is designed for righties.
Photo-friendly PVP
You will notice two flip-open panels on top of the device: one is a CompactFlash Type I/II slot, the other an SD/MMC/MS slot. Stick a memory card in, and the ESP will ask to back up photos or the entire card. Transfer times are decent-- I backed up my CompactFlash card with 76 JPEGs and AVIs (about 55MB) in well under a minute. These files are placed into a new folder in the main menu's Backup option, and they are easy to access and view (either in list mode or thumbnail mode, with two rows of four thumbnails). Incidentally, the ESP's USB 2.0 transfer rates are speedy (55MB in about 10 seconds).
The ESP is also a seven-in-one media card reader.
The Wolverine ESP is a shutterbugs' PVP.
Of course, there are some MP3 players (such as the Toshiba Gigabeat S and the Cowon X5) that can move photos over directly from a digital camera, while others such as the Creative Zen Vision:W have a CompactFlash slot. Furthermore, there are PVPs including the Archos 04 series that make excellent photo viewers. But none of the mentioned can play back RAW files like the ESP. The ESP also displays full EXIF data, and photos look bright and sharp onscreen (though we've seen better resolution). You can easily zoom in and rotate.
The ESP is packin'
The ESP can also handle many other media types, including MP3,unprotected WMA and AAC, and WAV audio files, Motion JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-4 (up to 720x480 at 25fps, 640x480 at 30fps), WMV9, and XviD video. As long as they're not DRM-protected, most of your files will play back without a hitch, and playback quality on the bright display is very good. Other files will most likely be converted in Windows Media Player. Conveniently, the ESP can be switched from MTP (PictBridge/Media Player) to UMS hard disk mode.
While the ESP GUI lacks the sizzle of those of the Archos 604 or Cowon A2, it's not a total bore. The main menu features low-color bit icons for Pictures, Music, Video, Backup, Audio Recorder, Video Recorder, Radio, and Game. Additionally, player settings, the Browse Hard Drive feature, and any inserted media cards will show up on page two of the options. All browsing is done folder-tree style, and all items (including the main menu) can be viewed in either icon or list mode. Conveniently, you can copy and paste any file into any folder. The background can be customized with any photo. The music playback screen doesn't show album art, but it does display pertinent file info and a sweet spectrum analyzer. You also get one on-the-go playlist, the unit is compatible with standard M3U playlists, and you get seven good equalizer presets and a custom setting that includes 3D enhancement. The ESP can feel very much like an MP3 player, and yes, it sounds pretty good.
The decent FM radio is recordable (AAC) and features a neat retro interface. You also get 18 presets in two groups, and stations are autoscannable. The ESP is a voice recorder out of the box (performance is good at the highest AAC recording setting), but to get line-in audio and video recording, you'll need to spring for the $69 dock. The good news is that the audio-recording interface features a real-time graphical sound-wave monitor (cool!). Video recording (MPEG-4, 352x240 at 30fps) can be scheduled (up to eight events), and content can even be recorded onto media cards. There is no TiVo-like programming or even channel selection, though. Recorded video looks good, and the accompanying AAC audio is solid.
Battery life is rated for 3 to 3.5 hours of video playback and 8 to 10 hours of audio. CNET Labs was able to muster about 13 hours of MP3 playback, definitely better than the mediocre rating. I'll update this review with results of video playback draining. Good news here is that the lithium-ion rechargeable battery is removable and is actually a pretty affordable standard model ($30; Sanyo UR-18650F). The ESP ships with an OK case, earbuds, audio and video cables, a USB cable, a small wall-wart power adapter, a CD, and a user's guide. As mentioned, the recommended docking cradle is $69. Additional accessories such as a remote control are available here.
The Wolverine ESP with its bundled accessories. The docking cradle, required for audio and video line-in recording, is an optional accessory.
Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the unit's file compatibility, features, and playback performance, though I'd personally still opt for the fancier Archos 404 or 604, or if I really wanted the extra storage, the $599 160GB Archos 504. But still, if you're a digital shutterbug and don't mind the non-wide-screen display and the lack of DRM support, the ESP is a very good choice, especially at $399 for the 80GB version (the 80GB Archos 504 is $499, the same price as the 120GB ESP).
9 out of 10 - Spectacular A-1 Customer Service
I am former MPV owner which is rock solid device. As for the ESP this is a very attractive unit ...
I am former MPV owner which is rock solid device. As for the ESP this is a very attractive unit with user friendly interface, tech savy individuals will not need the user manual for basic video and music download and play. As good as this PMP is enough cannot be said about the outstanding customer service, you actualy get to speak to a live person and they are willing to take their time and explain things to you in easy to uderstand language(you dont feel like they are rushing to get you off the phone). I had a issue with my unit's hard drive, and since i live in Southern Cali. I drove down and the problem was resolved in less than one hour. I can go on but here is the bottom line, this is a rock solid media player that is easy to use, if you have a problem they treat you like a CUSTOMER, they appreciate and respect the fact you spent your money on their product and they will resolve any issue promply and with smile.
Read more
by klingon20 (see profile) -
December 29, 2006
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Lovin' my new toy!
I'm a professional wedding photographer. I'll admit it; I like toys! I will also admit to not being ...
I'm a professional wedding photographer. I'll admit it; I like toys! I will also admit to not being very technically saavy, so please read this review with the understanding that I don't have experience with similar products from other manufacturers. But, here's what I do know: I don't want to be carrying around lots of gadgets; give me everything in one tool. I don't need something that can be hidden in the palm of my hand; in this case, size doesn't really matter that much. I've had my 100gb ESP for about a month now, and have been extremely happy with it. I can keep everything in one fairly handy tool. For imaging, it's great for both personal and professional reasons. I can store, back-up, and do on-site proofing with the ESP. I also wanted music or movies available for those times when I'm working, playing or waiting for customers or my kids. I've hooked it up in my car, to my vcr, video monitors and to televisions. It has great sound through the headphones. I also liked the idea of voice recording - although I still haven't used it for that. The battery is extremely reliable. Because I was concerned about the possibility of being on a trip and running out of "juice", I purchased the RoadPac accessory kit - which includes a car charger, a "AA" battery pack that recharges your ESP battery 2-3 times, and a soft-sided case - which I don't need, but by buying the kit, it was free. I also purchased the optional cradle, because I wanted to add some of our movies to the hard drive for long road trips, and possibly to record from television. There is, of course, a bug or two that needs to be worked out, but so far, it's so minor that it's almost not worth mentioning in the "cons" section. Granted, anyone who loves iPods will probably not love this tool. The ESP is bigger, isn't as quick to get around in when looking for specific musical artists or songs, and isn't as "sexy" as an iPod. Okay, that being said, the surface of the ESP doesn't scratch easily, the screen is bigger, it has more storage capacity, can be used as a DVR for your home library or television programs (i.e. it's not limited by having to be hooked up only to a computer for incoming data), it can copy any of 7 types of memory cards without additional accessory purchases, and you can even listen to the radio with it if you'd like. Oh, and although it leaves alot to be desired, the ESP does have a built-in speaker, so you can share music or movies with a group of people and everyone can hear at the same time. Having the versatility of a 7-in-1 card reader is exceptional. At a recent family reunion, where there were 3 different memory card styles being used in several different family members' cameras, I was able to immediately copy each of their cards onto my ESP, so I didn't miss a single shot from anyone's camera. That was awesome! How many times have you asked someone to e-mail you a photo, and it never comes? It's just another great way to use this device. I really believe that the ESP suits my needs quite well, so going the way of an iPod didn't feel right, and the price is actually pretty reasonable, comparably. My kids both have iPods and love them, they're great, easy to use and maneuver around in, etc. etc. But for me, a technically-challenged professional photographer who takes hundreds of thousands of photos each year; this seemed to be a better choice. For further reference, I owned the MVP before this - it was big and ugly, the joystick made me a little crazy, and there was no "hold" feature for the power button, which meant that, often times, I would open my bag and find it "on". Still, it worked well, never failed me, and although it stuck out like a sore thumb, it gave me confidence in what Wolverine was producing. So, after using it for a month, I can honestly say that, from color to quality, the ESP is a great improvement over the MVP, no question. Now, if they'd just add a cell phone and scheduling software with a keyboard, I could travel everywhere with this one device! I'll keep dreaming of that, but for now, the ESP has really "delivered" as a reliable and entertaining multimedia storage device.
Read more
by thruthelenz (see profile) -
November 26, 2006
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Best way to justify purchasing a PVP when you already have a laptop
The LCD on my Canon S3 is small, so I need to view photos in a larger screen. On top ...
The LCD on my Canon S3 is small, so I need to view photos in a larger screen. On top of that, we have 2 digicams with different media so I end up toting my laptop on trips to view and offload the shots at the end of each day. This often means leaving my laptop in a hot car or sitting out in some hotel room - I'm not comfortable with either of those situations and it happens far too often. Now the Wolverine ESP seems to be designed for people like me - gadget junkies who have everything they need but want more, yet need to justify $400 purchases to the spouse. With a built-in multi card reader, 80 - 120GB of storage and a design focused on displaying photos (to include many different RAW formats in case you own a dSLR - next year's XMas present I hope...), this little beauty has it all built in. My unit is still in transit, so the real user review will show up around 12/15. I'll cover screen resolution as compared to the smaller ipod video, process for transferring my existing MP4 video collection, and any observations regarding quality of hardware, video playback, and sound. There aren't many reviews on this device, so I wanted to get something online for my fellow xmas shoppers.
Read more
by bitofbetterbutter (see profile) -
December 9, 2006
0 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Looks like something I could use but
based on the pricing, I would not get this. 499.95 is how much the 20gb Playstation 3 will be ...
based on the pricing, I would not get this. 499.95 is how much the 20gb Playstation 3 will be when launched on 11/17. I'm a part time photographer and this would seem like a great travel companion but not worth the $.
Read more
by OneIJack (see profile) -
September 28, 2006
0 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect 10***SWISS ARMY KNIFE of the industry !!!*****
this is the best thing on the market. im not trying to convince anyone to buy one cause id be ...
this is the best thing on the market. im not trying to convince anyone to buy one cause id be much happier if i had the coolest thing out there. but the features are like windows with simple folder, drag and drop controls. it comes with the batter, earphones, carrying case, etc. with accessories all included this is the best deal, plus with a huge memory and full supported range of media and memory cards, it is not going to be absolete for some time!
Read more
by riyalight (see profile) -
December 11, 2006
9 out of 10 - Spectacular A photographers dream come true......
I'm going to bite the bullet and buy one of these units. I was looking for a portable media ...
I'm going to bite the bullet and buy one of these units. I was looking for a portable media storage device that uploads photos and video recording with sound. I wanted one with a nice size screen as well. To get a unit that also is FM Radio and records TV shows is an added bonus. The built in microphone will come in handy when viewing and storing photos. No more having to buy extra flash cards to take on trips. Also can be used to download music files. Yep, this is the gizmo ( and options) I want under my tree this Christmas....hands down.
Read more
by lwos (see profile) -
October 23, 2006
Video capture from external source,
Digital audio player,
Voice recorder,
External HDD function,
Digital video player,
Digital audio recorder,
FM tuner,
Digital photo viewer
Manufacturer: Wolverine Data Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, Hi-Speed USB, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz
Manufacturer: Wolverine Data Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, Hi-Speed USB, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz
Manufacturer: Wolverine Data Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, Hi-Speed USB, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz
Manufacturer: Wolverine Data Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, Hi-Speed USB, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz
Manufacturer: Wolverine Data Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, Hi-Speed USB, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz
Hide
Watch product review video
Show
Print friendly version
Email to a friend
del.icio.us
Dell Laptop only $499!
