Typical price: £250
What is it: Hard disk-based PMP with built-in video recorder
What we think: The most capable handheld video player we've seen to date
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 20 February 2008
Tags: cowon, vob, media player, planet
We like:
Price; image quality; sound quality; amazing video and audio codec support; support for DVD VOB files; direct video and audio hard disk recording and encoding
We don't like:
Mini joystick is unbearable; HD video is nowhere near as nice to use as Cowon claims; no kickstand
Also known as:
Cowon iAudio A3
You might also need:
Headphones
CNET UK judgement:
Certainly the most capable handheld video player we've seen to date. With its unrivalled screen and codec support, its direct recording capabilities and its ability to playback DVD video files without transcoding, Cowon's A3 is a well-priced behemoth for portable video lovers, despite the advertised HD video support being so disappointing
Cowon A3 History
27 Oct 2008 in Crave
Archos 5 vs Cowon A3: PMP prizefight
We put the new French Archos 5 up against Korea's Cowon A3 to find out which is the best video player. You've got front-row seats in our freshly redesigned Crave
13 Feb 2008 in Crave
Psst. Hey, videophiles. Feast your eyes on the latest gem from South Korea -- it's the Cowon A3. Get out your codec checklists because this one supports H.264
29 Nov 2007 in Crave
Cowon iAudio A3: The definitive PMP?
Cowon's new iAudio A3 has just hit the UK and it's set to be the be-all and end-all of portable media players. With huge codec support and a massive screen, could it dethrone the Archos 605 Wi-Fi?
Latest user reviews
February 25, 2008
Posted by: nopreceja
"Not that good, really"
Tell us what you think
Can't find the product you're looking for? Want to suggest a product for review?
Special Offers from our Sponsors
Latest MP3 player Reviews
Philips GoGear Opus
Good little player, but it's outclassed by competitors like the iPod nano and Sony NWZ-S639F
Sony Walkman NWZ-X1050 (X series)
Offers excellent sound quality, but its high price means the iPod touch won't have too many sleepless nights
Samsung YP-U5
Good sound quality, an appealing design and decent battery life make it a great secondary MP3 player
on MP3 & Digital Music
Dell reportedly developing Android-based rival to iPod touch
The company is working on a pocket-sized Internet device to take on Apple's media player, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal
More:
Special Feature
Listen to the CNET UK Podcast
Subscribe to our weekly show where the team chat about the latest, hottest gadgets and Web weirdness
