Lyra Audio/Video Jukebox RD2780 Review
So here it
is, after much waiting (announced January 2003 I think), RCA's entry into
a video/audio jukebox is here. It promises to be a little portable video
player (mpeg4), audio player (mp3, ???) and photo displayer (jpegs). It
also can store any other files you want to. Does it live up to expectations?
Well it's a lot to explore, but perhaps not. The quick summary after an hour out of the box is that it has what I think is a nice clear screen, good controls, but lots of missing features! I don't mean shortcomings. I mean features are in menus, but display a box saying it will be coming soon!!
You will see this screen a lot! (Sorry for the blur)
So what you're getting (as of this first writing) is a paid beta unit. There isn't even a manual with it. You are instructed to go to RCA's site for the upcoming features and manual, but nothing is there yet feature wise, and the manual link is broken! I found the mp3 playback to have distortions and other odd sounds for quiet music passages (these played find on computer and other devices), not good.
So I'll do the best I can as it is right now. My personal interest in this type of device is the multipurpose nature. I can store music and listen, photos, and other data as a great backup, and also have the use of viewing this media. That it acts just like a drive (unlike some other mp3 players which need software to transfer things), is a big plus.