Improvements/Tune ups for the Q5W you'd like to see,share your thoughts please

[Ajm48786]

I saw this section says we should share ideas as to what Cowon could do to improve the Q5W;but, I saw there was no real post for that, so here we go.

I'll name a few things I'd like to see (I don't know if they're possible though,I'd appreciate anyone filling me in if you know something,thanks in advance):

-Charging the Q5W via USB (come on Cowon!)-I heard they fixed it but I can't see any evidence of that being the case,possibly fixed

-A more precise pointing system (in the Cowon interface,it usually works well, except when I'm on my music list, sometimes I'll point to a song, and it will scroll to a different song and select the undesired song!). It also is difficult to use the double tap on the Cowon interface as well. It is horrible when navigating through Windows CE, the double tap usually doesn't work, I wind up holding it down and selecting via the menu. Fixed

-Flash Interface

-When I am in my DPL (music), two things: first, as a song is playing, the "play" button shows, instead of the "pause," it still pauses if you hit it;but, come on! Second thing for the DPL:The "delete" option, it will delete without asking for a confirmation; I've already deleted all of my DPL files accidentally.

-Some album art shows up (it is tagged to the file,mp3),some doesn't. All of it shows up on my D2. No idea what that is all about. Some lyrics tagged to the files show up, some don't. It is cool that lyric support is on the Q5W, I hadn't read about that anywhere (to my recollection). It'd also be nice if there were some visualizations when the music is playing; or a way to increase the size of the album art (those are little things though).

-An alternate virtual keyboard, the Windows CE version just doesn't cut it,even in "large" mode; I'd like the option of using my finger instead of the stylus.

-Hight Definition output! I don't know if Cowon can upgrade this via software;but, I'd sure like it!

-Windows CE 6.0 upgrade, I've got no clue if this is possible;but, I would much rather use that than 5.0; I still don't understand why Cowon would use 5.0 when 6.0 has been out so long (I guess to save money?)

-Alternate Web Browser! This is very important to me. I hate Internet Explorer. I haven't been able to use firefox or Opera (I heard there is a firefox version coming though); and IF we get stuck with Internet Explorer for the time being, I'd love to minimize it (if there is a way to do that,please tell me), I don't like having to close it completely as I mess with the media center.

-An easier way to navigate through the features. I've gotten stuck in some Image Viewer before, I think it is called "cartoon" mode. It shows a way to use the stylus to close it;but,following the motion it shows for the stylus to exit, the thing will not close, I've tried all kind of variations of the motion to no avail. I don't like having to interact with Windows CE when I don't desire to. I wish they (cowon) would add some browser (even create their own web browser) that could run within the Cowon Interface, instead of close the Cowon interface and have to re-open it. Halfway fixed, they still need to fix the navigation

Those are just a few things I would like to see. I'm sure Cowon is working on a lot of these issues as I type this. I think this player can be so awesome if Cowon would be able to shelter us from Windows CE when operating this device (of course unless you want to use CE). I agreed with Gadgetholic's review

I'd love to see any "innovative" ideas you guys may have for this player. I know half a year from now it will be much better;but, right now, it needs quite a tune up.

A Few more things I've thought of:
-Zoom buttons on the Q5W remote being capable of working for the GPS mapping program (zoom in/out the map via remote).
-Being able to pull up the Q5W Interface when in Windows CE (essentially minimizing the Q5W interface rather than hiding it when you're messing with Windows CE)
-Flash Interface, once again!
-Improved Bluetooth functionality, they seemed to have improved it; but, it's nowhere near where it should be.
-A minimize button on the Internet Explorer toolbar!
-AUTOMATIC CONNECTION/Re-Connection to BLUETOOTH DEVICE, PLEASE!!! It is such a pain trying to pair with the stylus and everything when in a rush,which is usually the case.

[jontupper]

Are these based off the newest firmware? I'm curious about your comments about the pointer quality of the touchscreen -- I thought these issues were resolved a while ago with the latest firmware.

Thanks

[Ajm48786]

Sorry I didn't make it clear. I am using Firmware 1.43, the most recent version. The pointer really isn't that huge of an issue. It was improved. I still have some problems though.

Like I said, sometimes I'll tap a music file, and the player scrolls to some other file instead, that's what I meant in regards to Cowon's Interface. I've calibrated the tap as well.

In Windows CE the main issue I find is the double tap does not work very well. It will usually take a few tries, and I already "set" the double tap in the control panel of Windows CE. The best bet when interacting with Windows CE is to hold it down over the icon(it opens a few options like a right click on a mouse does) and just tap "open."

It is better than it was on the first firmware;but, it still needs some tuning as far as I am concerned. This is one of the least of my concerns though. To make it clear, this doesn't happen often (the music scroll thing), but it happens often enough to annoy me.

[allez]

Improve bluetooth. It should work with other devices too.

More requests: upgrade flash player. The youtube movies works very slow.
Improve FM radio: add RDS, use WiFi antena instead of headphones.
USB host fucntion should be improved (speed up).

Handle rmvb (real media) video format.

[wjharing]

My Wish list for improvements!

Cowon Media Player:
- add hot-spots in the interface in order to skip 20 seconds forward/backward.
- show video in right aspect ratio (when in small-screen mode)
- able to delete files from the browser without having to change more to file-list
- automatic save current location (bookmark) of video. Seems to work just so-so
- option to continue watch video upon switching on device (no clicks required)
- move volume bar (upon pressing louder/softer) to bottom or side of screen
- flash UI (give it that iphone feeling)
- Radio: name stations, RDS, use build-in antenna
- Picture viewer: improve speed when flicking through snaps


Windows CE
- upgrade to v6 (I think 5 is installed from a license point of view only
- improved wifi speed when copying files
- improved flash support in web browser (i.e. better youtube)
- improved IE / Messenger (latest update, taken from CE v6)
- support for widgets (in particular weather, calculator, news)
- RSS support
- more games
- Skype support (ok, 3rd party dependence)
- Firefox support (ok, 3rd party dependence)

hardware - for a possible revision ;-)
- antenna is quite flimsy, and can break easily
- reduce thickness by using solid state harddrive
- add some extra buttons on the side, to support FFWD/RWD

[madmax41]

Hi all new in here, only got my Q5W this week. And it the first PMP I've bought.

I thought it would allow me to record from the radio to the HD but can't find that anywhere or how to do it..if anyone knows can you enlighten me.

I attend regular conferences where they broarcast the speaker on a FM frequency so you can make a noiseless recording of the speech.

All the othersint he range look to do it. Don't see why the Q5W shouldn't be able to do it as well.

Still playing with all the features but as this is my first i've nothing to judge back against unlike most you al in here.

Regards

[flam]

I've gotten stuck in some Image Viewer before, I think it is called "cartoon" mode. It shows a way to use the stylus to close it;but,following the motion it shows for the stylus to exit, the thing will not close, I've tried all kind of variations of the motion to no avail.

Hi

You just need to douple tap the screen fastly. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I had also problems with the Cartoon Mode but if you try sometimes to double tap it works. I also think they should improve this. In the Normal Picture Mode it works very well so they could just do it like in that mode.

[Getz]

- more games


Hi,

don't you know Morphgear ?? Thousands of nes,snes...games fully work on your q5w...

need more games [wacko][excited]

[ZeWaren]

-Charging the Q5W via USB (come on Cowon!)
I just bought myself a usb cord from ebay. I don't expect too much of it but it was only a few dollars. I'll give my opinion when I receive it.

[Wadjus]

-Charging the Q5W via USB (come on Cowon!)
It isn't a problem.

[4puz]

my hopes:

-video record (probably not possible, but i would love that...)
-SD card slot (obviously not possible, but, maybe for the Q6W?)
-ummm there was another but i forgot...

and does anyone know if it can edit .txt files? havent seen anything about that and i need that 2...

If one of those were there i would buy it but...

[chattabobs]

Warning when the battery is low instead of just cutting off when the battery runs out

[fornies]

-SD card slot (obviously not possible, but, maybe for the Q6W?)


I know its not compact but you could use a card reader in the usb host slot for a SD card. Also there might be some winCE program that edits .txt files not sure though.

[mantra-of-doom]

Word pad, which comes installed on the Q5 will edit .txt files

[TransAmFRK]

I need firefox also. Even Opera I can deal with IE is horrible. Plus, video record would be great. Yes there are DVR capabilities, well I would like them to be possibilities.

[Infornography]

Well, I thought i'd give it a shot. I have a copy of Windows CE 6. And I was gonna try and install it on my Cowon Q5W, till I dropped it and totaled it. I'll look at getting another one thanks to insurace. And if I do, I'll try to install Windows CE 6. I might just go get the A3 though....[surrend]

[wjharing]

that's a major bummer for you. However if you get the full money back, you can now benefit from the lower price and free GPS unit.

Would have loved to hear about a successful CE6 upgrade...

[Ajm48786]

Well, I thought i'd give it a shot. I have a copy of Windows CE 6. And I was gonna try and install it on my Cowon Q5W, till I dropped it and totaled it. I'll look at getting another one thanks to insurace. And if I do, I'll try to install Windows CE 6. I might just go get the A3 though....[surrend]

Wow, good thing you had insurance (duh), still sucks though. Good luck. Thanks for your bold intention, I'd appreciate hearing how it works if you wind up getting the q5w again.

Don't mess your player up though (obviously), while we all want to know; it shouldn't be at the cost of ruining your device in the process, unless you're filthy rich with, a stack of q5ws in your kitchen. Keep us posted. Now looks like a good time to get the q5w (then again so did a month ago,haha). Cheers! [thumbsup][yes]

[foleymi]

The improvement I would most like to see is around playing my whole music collection on shuffle. When I attempt to do this now it takes several minutes to start playing. It's obviously loading at least the headers for every song into memory. My old mp3 player (the first hard drive based one ever) handled things better than this. How does performance get that much worse? Seeing how this is almost always how I listen to music it's making the Q5 close to unusable.

[smart81]

A Greek keyboard input would be nice! Please....

[Chrispy]

http://www.jetmall.net/ProductImages/pic_acc_a2_remote.jpg

A2's remote doesn't work ... maybe some people would like it to work with Q5 ...

[lush]

My Wish list for improvements!

Cowon Media Player:
- add hot-spots in the interface in order to skip 20 seconds forward/backward.


Set the seek time to 20 seconds in the settings menu, and use the +-seek buttons on the remote.

Maybe they could add seek buttons on the screen as well.

_____________________


I would like to have the A->B repete feature added to the remote. There are several buttons on the remote that are not used in Audio mode that could be also mapped for A->B, like the pan/scan button. Should be easy to do.

Or, allow the remote's arrow keys access to the right hand side screen controls in the various Cowon Apps. I can get to the A->B from there.

Also there is way too much latency (delay) when using the A->B command. I am a musician and use this feature extensivly for transcribing and practicing. That needs to be tightend up. On most remotes I 've used, there is very little latency. I would like to totally replace my existing CD player and remote with the Q5 in my home studio.

.

[CBAbingdonUK]

I would like to see text wraping on the Q5 text viewer - surely this is an easy fix?

[puisang2004]

A wishlist:

1) a pdf viewer
2) can change the background picture
3) improvement on double click(not work well in winCE)
4) recent file history, similar to A3, can trace the file that is uncompleted/not finished media or muisc file.

[chattabobs]

A wishlist:

1) a pdf viewer Have a look in the what works/doesn't work section becuase there is one, I downloaded the file that had a PDF view, WM9, Image viewer and a few others
2) can change the background picture Change the background on Wince or the cowon UI?? It can be done in Wince by holding the pen down on the main screen and going to properties which will offer the option to change the wallpaper. I'm sure you can do this for the cowon UI as well which I have also seen on this forum, maybe someone could point our man/woman in the right direction :)
3) improvement on double click(not work well in winCE) Mine seems to work great with the new F/W's If not you could try re calibrating, I think this can be done from the Cowon UI under settings and also on Wince on the control panel (Apologies for not being thorough but my Q5 battery has just ran out so can't check the exact path)
4) recent file history, similar to A3, can trace the file that is uncompleted/not finished media or muisc file. I though this did happen (locate the last song) Again if it's just the last point you were upto this can be done in the Cowon UI settings. Apologies but someone will probably need to elaberate on these as I'm only going from memory

[Wineandbread1692]

Currently, the song length text has some issues on my Q5W.

It usually happens when turn the screen on after not touching it for a while. It either displays the song as 00:00:00 to 00:00:00, or shows the song length of the previous song after it has already switched.

[revmike]

foleymi;
The improvement I would most like to see is around playing my whole music collection on shuffle. When I attempt to do this now it takes several minutes to start playing. It's obviously loading at least the headers for every song into memory. My old mp3 player (the first hard drive based one ever) handled things better than this. How does performance get that much worse? Seeing how this is almost always how I listen to music it's making the Q5 close to unusable.

I don't even have a Q5 yet, but this is one that would clinch it for me in a heart beat.

[Juronymous]

It would be nice if for audio playback, there was a possibility to select a folder and play all files in the folder and the sub-folders in that folder. The X5(L) has this option (there you can set the boundary to sub-dir and then when you select a folder which has a couple of sub-folders, the player switches between the different folders automaticly).
Now it seems I'm only able to play tracks from one folder and the Q5W doesn't continue to another folder. I'm used to archieving my folders by genre, with artist and album name in a subfolder (i.e. /audio/rock/ZZ-Top - Eliminator/ ; /audio/pop/Michael Jackson - Thriller/). So I want to be able to play everything in the rock folder, or the pop folder, or the audio folder. And all this without using the dynamic playlist.

[foundation]

I am also using my Q5 for listening to Audio Books and miss the bookmark option for audio files. I know that it continues from the last point I was listening to, but not in cases were I switch back and forth to Video, unless I miss something [confused].

[Wineandbread1692]

About a week ago, I noticed that the font at the top of the music player (bar that shows the file name) is cut off. It's been annoying me ever since, and I hope they can fix that.

[madmax41]

hmmm i think the updates from Cowon have gone off the boil. I don't like our chances on obtaining future improvements let alone major updates to the op system / firmware.

Maybe some existing user with lots of programing experience along with other enthusists will have to take over wringing the best out of the fantastic Q5W... I'd willingly take part or chip in if the cost was reasonable.

[revmike]

I would not write them off just yet. The delay could mean that they are working on major improvements, I would wait until mid to late june before I gave up on them.

[Csabi]

I need UPMP media support. I've UPMP on my home server.

[newcomer101]

Just wonder why Cowon still doesn't have rm video support for their Q5W while Cowon's major competitor Archos already had that support since early March for their 605wifi\750wifi?!

[revmike]

I think that Cowon has abandoned any firmware upgrades for the q5w, it's been since March 7th since the last upgrade. And it appears that what we've gotton so far is all we're going to get, which is sad. The q5w could be so much more than what it is. It doesn't appear anyone from the company ever comes to this site or the Cowon one to share information. Most, if not all qw owners in the U.S. seem to come to this site for information, questions and answers. O.K. I'm off my soapbox.

[Just]

That is true. I have same filling. Thats probably all. No more functions. Just that what you will find on internet for WinCE. With that support of Archos, I-pod and other is Cowon really poor. I love my Q5W but it could be mutch better as it is.

[ednetman]

I would like to see the following added in the next update:

1. Bookmarking for audio playback - very helpful when switching from an audiobook (PodioBooks.com) to music and then back again.

2. Play list support - it stinks that you can only have the one DPL, I had several different lists on my X5 to fit my different moods, etc.

3. Power from USB - I would like to plug my Q5 in to my computer and see the hard drive without having to power it on.

4. Charging via USB - This would eliminate the previous, as I wouldn't have to worry about killing my battery when I had the drive slaved to my PC.

5. I would also like to see test units loaned to various software makers so that versions could be made that took full advantage of the capabilities of the player.
Specifically:
DVDFab - www.dvdfab.com
HappyFish - happyfish.info
Opera - Opera.com
Mozilla - mozilla.com
SoftMaker - www.softmaker.com
Trillian - www.ceruleanstudios.com
As well as various other hardware and software vendors.

Also I would think that a round of commercials and a retail presence would help sales, thereby increasing support as well as third party products. It would be cool to see these at BestBuy right next to the tinly little screens on the iPod classic, or the minuscule storage on the iPod touch!