DragonXI

HP 4700 has been naturally marketed as a Business PDA....but how have you found your HP 4700, to be as a Multimedia Device; such as Music, Movies, Games etc.

Do you find it to be just as good as some PDAs that market themselves in that multimedia direction - or - do you feel the HP 4700 is what it is, mainly just pure Business?

rob1303

The 4700 is a superb multimedia device - just think of that screen when watching movies - drool

Also having two memory card slots allow you to install all your programmes to one card (say SD) and have numerous CF cards all with different media on them (you can of course have one large CF card if you prefer).

In reality, the only difference between the 'multimedia' device and the 'business' devices (with the exception of hardware consumer IR) is the programmes that come preinstalled - of which I am yet to find a third party programme that could be installed to do the same thing (usually in a better way as well)

Basically, I would never choose a PDA on whether it whether it was marketed as 'business' or 'multimedia' but rather on the actual hardware specifications - as ultimately anything one can do the other can as well.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Regards

Rob

DragonXI

Thanks for that Good response Rob -

Anyone else with their own opinion, feel free to continue the thread.

Chatbox

The screen can be better...Just think about the PSP screen!! I have a PSP. The hx4700's screen just can't compete with it.

Sound can do better, there's too much static in it. When playing MP3s, I still prefer my iAudio X5 with Shure e3c.

Possum Roadkil

What is the resolution of the PSP screen???? Seems the last time I looked, it was not even as high as hVGA. Could you elaborate on exactly how a PSP screen is better?

I'll agree about sound, although I wouldn't call it static. There is some background hiss that isn't even noticeable except with earphones when sound isn't actually playing back. Other than the much better storage capacity of my iPod, the sound quality is a very good reason to keep using it, instead of just using the hx4700 to play mp3s.

allklrnoflr

I still think the 4700 has the best screen of any PDA I have seen except for the Sony Clie NZ90 that is OLED. The PSP screen is not but I still theink the 4700 is the best.

imported_Dermot81

PSP screen is brighter, but 4700 has a higher resolution

laglessserf

I use my little pda to replace a lot of things, its my dedicated MP3 Player (wireless headphones, common, eat your heart out iPod), Movie player, web browser as I have it hooked up via bluetooth to my phone, GPS device, day planner, reference guide to just about anything that is important to me. Viewing movies on this things is a pleasure, sure the PSP screen is a little bright, but all those pixel problems just can't be ignored!.

Chatbox

Originally Posted by Possum

What is the resolution of the PSP screen???? Seems the last time I looked, it was not even as high as hVGA. Could you elaborate on exactly how a PSP screen is better? I'll agree about sound, although I wouldn't call it static. There is some background hiss that isn't even noticeable except with earphones when sound isn't actually playing back. Other than the much better storage capacity of my iPod, the sound quality is a very good reason to keep using it, instead of just using the hx4700 to play mp3s.

It's the vivid colour and brighter screen that make the PSP better for movie viewing. As for the sound, you're right, it's the hiss...not static...it just compromises the audio quality.

Grumps

I think if you buy some decent headphones and tweak the equalizer you get pretty damn good audio. Just think of the versatility you get with a 4700...you can download 3rd party apps to play pretty much any format...stream your entire mp3 collection from a pc to anywhere in your house over wifi...copy what you want to up to 4G microdrive (or more)...bluetooth headphones... etc etc etc
It can do pretty much anything:-)

Possum Roadkil

Originally Posted by Chatbox

It's the vivid colour and brighter screen that make the PSP better for movie viewing. As for the sound, you're right, it's the hiss...not static...it just compromises the audio quality.

The PSP is a larger device. I am assuming that it has a larger battery because of this, which would account for greater screen brightness. I listen to streaming audio using my hx4700 on the way to work, connected with my cell phone.

If you try to display something other than a movie or a game, with lots of small text, I can't imagine the result looking as good as a VGA screen like on a hx4700, so there's a plus and a minus to both.

The PSP does not have screen input, so it's not as easy to input information, the hx4700 does not have good controls for playing games.

I wouldn't trade my hx4700 for a PSP. It all depends on what your wants and needs are. I want a tool, not a toy.

AshleyJ

Don't use mine to watch movies, but I do use it as an MP3 player. Coupled with a pair of Sony Fontopia headphones (in black of course ) it makes a great portable player.
I also have a XD-CF card adaptor so that I can view and review photos that I have taken with my Olympus digital, so much better than the 2" screen on the camera and saves having to lug a laptop about.

Chatbox

Originally Posted by Possum

The PSP is a larger device. I am assuming that it has a larger battery because of this, which would account for greater screen brightness. I listen to streaming audio using my hx4700 on the way to work, connected with my cell phone. If you try to display something other than a movie or a game, with lots of small text, I can't imagine the result looking as good as a VGA screen like on a hx4700, so there's a plus and a minus to both. The PSP does not have screen input, so it's not as easy to input information, the hx4700 does not have good controls for playing games. I wouldn't trade my hx4700 for a PSP. It all depends on what your wants and needs are. I want a tool, not a toy.

Dude, you're sounding very defensive...

The original poster was just asking about how the 4700 is when it's use as a multimedia device. The basic reply I gave was there are better devices when it comes to multimedia stuff, just not in the form of a PDA. So, don't sound so pissed off. The 4700 is probably as good as PDA can offer when it comes to a multipurpose device.

P.S. The battery, they're both 1800mAH, the 4700 uses 3.7volts, the PSP uses 3.5 volts.

moby101

From the above posts it seems many are using the 4700 to play mp3s and movies.

I would be interested in knowing what software you are using as I'm having problems using Windows Media Player 10. I posted a new thread yesterday regarding Media Player 10 Freezing but haven't had any suggestions as to what I can do to resolve the problem

Basically it will not play music or video files for longer that 15 - 20 secs. After that time, it then completely freezes and requires a soft reset.

My 4700 has Rom Vsn 1.10 and I'm using the installed WMP 10. The music files are .wma files previously copied to a microdrive and played on my previous PPC. I've copied some music to my new 512Mb SD card and also to the actual unit but same result each time I try to play the music.

I have then tried to play a short video clip which again was playable on my previous PPC. The videos are .wmv files and again after 20 -30 secs, the unit freezes.

imported_airhead

Ditch the WMP10 an go for BetaPlayer, a far better option.
As regards the original thread theme, my next big trip will be with the 4700 instead of my Toshiba M30. Can do all the internet stuff, via hotspot or mobile phone (bluetooth), as well as viewing shots taken with my Konica Minolta Z3 (SD card), much better on 4" than 1.6". Also no paranoia about leaving a $3000 laptop in the car when sightseeing. Virtually all pro's, very few con's. The 4700 for me frees me up and gives some added features the laptop is too clumsy for.
Bill.......;-)