The z2 has big issues that concern me, what bugs you with the z2?

[da1writer]

I'm personally... in a place where I'm at odds with the z2. I love the sound quality, BBE Enhancments, Design, the great community here, and the now convenience of Android when it comes to the z2. Sadly though, despite my review, those are the only redeeming qualities of the device. If someone asked me [lets say my friends or even more, a hardware review team] If I would recommend the z2, I'd have a split answer and that shouldn't be the case. As an audiophile, I would recommend the device due to the excellent sound quality and say Android brings some perks to it's fanbase. As an Android fan though, Iwouldn't recommend the z2 at all whatsoever to any other android user. It just has too many issues that need to be ironed out before I can change my mind and answers.

The big one for me that I can't seem to get over is with the labeling of "FULLHD" in the back of the device, you would think it could handle HD Streams or at least HTML5 video but it doesn't, the video processing through the video app, 3rd party or not, is absolutely broken. What's worse is that Skyfire, the only browser that can play any video file on the internet, sadly mobilizes video using the video app on the z2 - which is broken atm (or for good, who knows)! What's also quite upsetting is that video downloading apps like Tubemate and FVD do the very same thing and utilize the broken video app for it's downloads. You know how aggravating that is?! If none of the websites, mobile or not, can't stream HD or HTML5 video, downloading [or using skyfires mobilization video streaming servers) was my only other option and even that is borked.

Example: Play this link in mobile/android User Agent mode, then report back - http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/the-...anced-pc-video

It came to a point tonight that I poured my thoughts and heart on WAI, who being the nice guy that he is, listened to me and tried to toss his two cents to help me out. As soon as me and him parted ways for the night, I did something I never thought I would do and something my wife would have seriously would have been pissed about....

I have until July 11th to return the z2 through Cowon's Return policy... and I submitted a form...

...

You know how much I regretted it after [and don't plan on going through with it], but it really should not have come to that point.

While it may seems I'm over-reacting or over-emphasizing my concerns over 1 feature, it's overall problems with the device that makes me wonder if there is a better Android PMP experience out there that I could be enjoying.

The temperature of the device really gets badly hot at times, Battery life is not that great at all and required me to buy an app to help me out, crashes ALOT (not so much lately but It's something I got use to if it ever happens - but is this normal?)

I mean, I'm even thinking about buying another Android device, the one I was on the fence on between the z2 - the Samsung Galaxy Player, just to see if it has the same problems or does things much better for comparison purposes.

...but why am I even thinking about that, shouldn't I be happy with the z2? If Cowon can fix the issues I stated in this thread and any concerns you guys may pipe in, maybe my thoughts like these would go away.

Maybe I'm setting my Android Standards too high with the device Cowon has provided,as I've used better teched devices with Android and maybe that has spoiled myself in the expectations of the z2?

Despite the specs in this thing, maybe It isn't hardware related but maybe software or firmware related. Maybe my main concern is fixable. Maybe with future firmware updates stability and updated fixes will rectify the problems the z2 has - who know's. For now, I'm at a crossroads pondering my decision in getting the z2 - if I knew these concerns were here long before I purchased the z2, would I have still gotten it.

Funny, I probably would have. Like Apple Fanboys, it's extremely hard to break free of what you love from the company that does at least one thing right for you. Apple fanboys love the easiness the devices bring, Cowon fanboys love the sound quality that is unmatched by other devices. Will they ever leave the fold? Most don't and probably will stick with them to the end like myself. Before getting the z2, I was choosing between a device that had WAAAAAY better specs than the z2, had 2 cameras, gps, and a light sensor, and with a replaceable battery back and cost ~$200.

It is only because of the love I have of this community here and the friendly atmosphere and helpfulness from the many great people here you just can't find on the xda community is the reason why I will be here for a long time. Cowon has always provided excellent sounding devices, so despite no bells and whistles like other Android devices, the $300+ price tag was fine for me. Me buying a great sounding device made by the best in the industry and having an extremely caring and supportive community I've always loved is something I now often remind myself of. And with that, a tear in my eye, I'm off to bed... I'll be sticking with the z2 alot longer now after reassuring myself and just tell myself if I want video, just grab my tablet....

Welcome to posts and your thoughts everyone...

[snakebite2]

Are you really surprised that the z2 doesn't handle streaming videos? It only plays the advertise video specs. And it does that just fine.

[WAI]

I will post my thoughts here when I get home. Till then

WAI

[Uzi2]

As an Android device the Z2 is a road crash.
As a DAP it is no better than my S9 (Kizune GUI) even factoring in the broken power button.

[Kizune]

The Z2 is my first Android device, fortunately, so I don't know what Cowon could've done better regarding Android.

But as I mentioned in my review, there are a few things I find very annoying - the major one is the heating problem. Not only is it absolutely uncomfortable to hold the Z2 when it gets that hot, but it also damages the battery, i.e. its lifetime is shortened.
Another problem which could be fixed easily is the delay when you open the next/previous track in the default music app. I have my favorite tracks in the bookmarks list and then just let the Z2 play them, but I often don't want to listen to certain music and then skip until I find a nice track - the delay is very annoying here.
And last, but not least, the battery life. I don't think I have to elaborate this point.

However, the Z2 is definitely a great device IMO. It was never intended to be like a smartphone - it's just a DAP (like the Cowon J3) with more advanced features. You can play music and videos in a huge variety of formats and with outstanding quality thanks to BBE+ (which is, by the way, better than the J3's sound quality IMO). The interface is perfectly smooth. You can use most games and apps from the Play Store.
Also, firmware updates have fixed many minor bugs and there are almost no crashes anymore - the last one occurred three weeks ago.

All in all, I'm happy with my purchase.

But I see why you're disappointed.

There's something everyone should keep in mind: Cowon is not comparable with a big player like Samsung.
Samsung's Galaxy player has two cameras, GPS and more for just 200$ - but Samsung is able to subsidize their products to keep the price low. Cowon can't do that, and the only other way is to omit unimportant features.
Would you buy a Cowon Android player with GPS, two cameras, a light sensor, LTE, RGB AMOLED screen,... for 600+ $?

[da1writer]

Originally Posted by snakebite2

Are you really surprised that the z2 doesn't handle streaming videos? It only plays the advertise video specs. And it does that just fine.

That's not the problem, it's that HTML5 video's and HD video's are not streamable, something like a video codec error or something thing is causing the problem. I believe a firmware or software update might fix it if Cowon really wanted to try to get to the bottom of the problem. Maybe it's a h.264 broken codec for streaming? Maybe it's HD profiles are not installed properly for streaming aka corrupted? Who know's...

Youtube and Regular SD Flash videos run fine on the z2, heck Onlive's Cloud Gaming app is merely streaming video that reacts to low latency inputs by you for your gaming (which works quite well). So maybe the z2 seems to look like it can't handle streaming video, it very well may be like how Apple does things - despite crappy internals, software updates are key to improving a device. Maybe that is all that needs to be done to perfect this device in the streaming video department, despite it's other issues stated already...

[WAI]

I've had my joy with Android for almost 2yrs. Installing Custom ROMs on my Phone (Samsung Infuse) and my Tablet (Ainol Novo7 Advanced Gen1) and i must say i chose two great devices. When i first wanted a Tablet that was based on Android i thought these to consider

-Decent Battery Life
-Build (Well this was minor but i still somewhat cared)
-Well known company
-Performance

now with that... did i mention screen quality? no. Why? cause at the time when i bought my Tablet Chinese Tabs weren't using IPS Screens (Found on the iPad Gen1). why did i go China? cause it's cheap and you get mostly all the same performance and features.

Now China market have invested in Dual-Core CPUs and seems most are using the Mali-400 GPU (Which can be found on the Samsung Galaxy S2/S3). Most Tabs now that are selling are all have Dual-Core CPUs and the GPUs are quad. you'll see the Nexus 7 having a 12 core GPU (based on Nvidia and not Mali) right? well believe me when i say you don't NEED it at all. Company Rockchip has proved themself that they are a good company and that they are moving forward. i am this CLOSE to getting one of their latest Tabs that has such a Dual-Core CPU and a Mali-400 Quad Core GPU.

Ok enough with the China crap so excuse me lol. basically all i can say is cowon went with the wrong hardware and yes even though it uses a mali based GPU and not the mali-400 and the 200 i believe and the CPU from telechips is pure trash. my Tablet has a Allwinner Cortex A8 based CPU clocked @1GHZ and it can output 2160P via HDMI. That's really saying a lot considering i only paid $140 for the tablet.

All and all really the design and Sound Quality is there for the Z2 but the overall Build of the Firmware and Hardware choice is just a mess. Better off getting a actual tablet and sticking to a primary DAP. yes Firmware can improve things but not so much sadly

[da1writer]

After a bit more testing, I come to find out it is the hardware decoder being the issue why HD Video And Html5 streams not playing properly. In other words Cowon Can fix this easily through a firmware update. I tried software decoding and while it is slow (10 minute video took an hour ) , it got through my video tests fine - hardware decoding always crashed. I'M going to do a few more tests.

[snakebite2]

A bug on my d3 is still on the z2. Sometimes when playing flv video the audio stream continue to play in background even when you close the video app or start playing music. The 2nd is the volume suddenly blast at the beginning of a song. It doesn't happen too often but when it does, you'll jump.

[Garba]

I have my Z2 yesterday and I was going crazy trying to watch videos on YouTube. I can not believe I bought this computer, to listen to music and watch video while I'm on the pc.
And now I realize I can not watch videos online?????. So that brings the possibility of using the Internet if you can not watch videos? I think it's a huge failure.
I am very disappointed.
Sorry for my English.

[ApocalypticDoom]

Originally Posted by snakebite2

The 2nd is the volume suddenly blast at the beginning of a song. It doesn't happen too often but when it does, you'll jump.

Doesn't the Z2 have fade-in options like the J3 does?

[da1writer]

Originally Posted by ApocalypticDoom

Doesn't the Z2 have fade-in options like the J3 does?

Nope, no fade in, no playlists (not even on the go), gapless (a step back since the S9 and J3 do), no crossfade, delays in going to the next or previous track - no wonder some are reverting to third party apps like rockbox or Poweramp...

[ApocalypticDoom]

I was on the verge of getting the Z2 until Kizu started going saying all of the negatives about the Z2. No gapless and everything else in between sealed the deal with my J3, but some other things like the battery got me to leave it as well.

Makes me wonder why the hell does Cowon even make Mp3's or PMP's with all of these problems.


Would rather wait 5 years for them to create the PERFECT player.

[Kizune]

Cowon just can't keep up with the speed mobile technology evolves nowadays.

Back in 2009, when the S9 was released, it was ahead of its time. It was one of the first devices with AMOLED screen and it contained a dual-core CPU - something which no other DAP had. And the design - just fantastic.
I don't know anything about the D2, but when I was younger I often read that it was way ahead of its time as well and is still seen by many people as Cowon's best player.
Cowon used to be a premium brand.

And now? The hardware sucks and there are so many small things which worsen Cowon's reputation. For example, why are there no 64gb players?
The X7's main features were its battery life and its memory - the X9, as its successor, should improve on these points, but nope, its maximum internal capacity is 32gb (BUT: using Flash memory is a step forward IMO).
And the Z2, which could be a fantastic player, has so many flaws that annoy me... for example, why doesn't Cowon install jetAudio (Plus) as default app on the Z2? It's way too expensive for its capabilities, the least we should expect is a decent music app - but all we get is a crippled music app which lacks even basic features such as playlists. Come on, Cowon... you list this player in your MP3 section so it's supposed to be a music player... and then you install a crappy music app? WTF?
I don't expect it to have GPS, a camera and such things - but for that price the features it was advertised with must be of high quality. And this is not the case here.
(edit: Background info: I recently started using jetAudio Plus... that's why I'm more critical now)

Either Cowon finally starts to create new fantastic devices with more selling points than just BBE - like the D2 or S9 - or they will end up like iRiver.

And if the J3's successor - which Cowon will hopefully announce, soon - is another disappointment, Cowon will die to me.

[ApocalypticDoom]

Well Apple is a company that has been here for around 30 years i believe?

Cowon has been around for 10-15 i think, started in 1997 or so i think...

At first, Apple was barely known and was making crap products like the Classics and such. Then the iPod came out and now they're good (from the general standpoint not mine). I personally don't like them but they did improve. So Cowon might just do the exact same thing. Start slow, then build its way up into the ranks.


But the point is, Cowon might not have enough money to create these great Mp3's we all want. So maybe over time with the overpricing of their products, they will get more spending money towards buying and creating new hardware.


If that's not the case, then Cowon will fall into oblivion...