SanDisk Sansa E250 2GB Digital Multimedia MP3 Player w/ miniSD Expansion Slot

Greg04

Golden Member
Jun 11, 2004
1,224
1
76
decent enough for $80


From: dealcatcher.com

SanDisk Sansa e250 2 GB MP3 Player
$79.95 After Rebate & Google Checkout
Get this SanDisk Sansa 2 GB MP3 player with expansion slot for a low $89.95 after $20 mail-rebate with free budget shipping. Use Google Checkout to get an extra $10 off. It has a 1.8 inch color lcd screen, stores videos, and pictures as well.
Expires: 10/15/2006
 

tamasrepus

Member
Jun 29, 2003
82
0
0
I've the 6 GB version I bought for $174 (a bit too much?). This is my first MP3 player and I have to say I like the Sansa a lot. It's a little heavier than the iPod Nano but if you want to forsake iTunes is the best alternative IMHO available.
 

joseraul

Senior member
May 10, 2005
284
0
0
I gave one as a gift to my sister for her grad on summer. I paid $150 at that time, and thought it was a great deal. Amazing player, and this is an awesome price!
 

videopho

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2005
4,185
29
91
Originally posted by: foolish501
bought x2 a fortnite ago from office max for $99, great players

Same here. My 2nd for someone whom I have not yet to decide.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,082
456
136
How is the video playback on this?

Here's what I'd like to do. Record TV shows and put them onto this to watch while taking mass transit to work (30 minutes).

Would the quality be decent? Is there anyway to automate the encoding/conversion into the correct format?
 

serializable

Member
Aug 24, 2006
29
0
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
How is the video playback on this?

Here's what I'd like to do. Record TV shows and put them onto this to watch while taking mass transit to work (30 minutes).

Would the quality be decent? Is there anyway to automate the encoding/conversion into the correct format?

Thats what I would like to know too. I saw a guy on the train watching an Ipod and it looked like a good way to pass the time. I ride the train each day to work which takes about 40 minutes.
 

tamasrepus

Member
Jun 29, 2003
82
0
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
How is the video playback on this?

I've not actually tried playing video (other than the demo) on Sansa, but from what I remember about researching video playback, it's not particularly amazing.

At the moment, the Sansa only supports playing videos in some awful Quicktime format, that can only be created with Sandisk's converter tool (if you watch the mplayer mailing list, people appear to be working on alternatives). The tool is slow (it's faster to encode DVD -> Xvid); the resulting files are huge (at twice the FPS, resolution, and higher bitrate, an Xvid file is smaller); and honestly, it's not that enjoyable to watch anything on a 2.5" screen...

From what I remember the best video playback on a flash-based device comes from the iRiver clix.
 

And0

Junior Member
Oct 10, 2006
3
0
0
Just ordered two, thanks for the deal!

Also FYI, the expansion uses microSD, not miniSD. Might want to adjust the subject accordingly. :)
 

Kung Lau

Golden Member
Oct 13, 1999
1,001
6
81
I just sent back the 4g version of this. I wanted it for the video playability also. The video playback was ok, but the size was really setting me back. I could have opted out for the 8g but then I decided to go with the Creative Zen Vision. The Zen is absolutely stunning in video and the mp3 playback is the best I've heard in mp3 players. With a floating coupon, I was able to get one from Buy.com for 214 shipped.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,082
456
136
Originally posted by: tamasrepus
Originally posted by: RossMAN
How is the video playback on this?

I've not actually tried playing video (other than the demo) on Sansa, but from what I remember about researching video playback, it's not particularly amazing.

At the moment, the Sansa only supports playing videos in some awful Quicktime format, that can only be created with Sandisk's converter tool (if you watch the mplayer mailing list, people appear to be working on alternatives). The tool is slow (it's faster to encode DVD -> Xvid); the resulting files are huge (at twice the FPS, resolution, and higher bitrate, an Xvid file is smaller); and honestly, it's not that enjoyable to watch anything on a 2.5" screen...

From what I remember the best video playback on a flash-based device comes from the iRiver clix.

Thank you for the useful information, we could use more forum members like you :)

I think I'll dust off my Dell Axim x50v and use that.
 

Bronxkid

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
503
0
0
Just to add my 2 cents since I got this for 86 shipped a week or so ago from staples.

The good:
-The price is definitely what was top on my priority. For a 2gb player that's a good deal.
-People don't like the wheel, but if you are scrolling through a huge list, it makes it easier.
-Making playlists is easy if you are synching to windows media player. Right click any track and add it a playlist (or multiple playlists). Then open WMP and synch to your player. Couldn't be easier.

The Bad
-Trying to push the 4 buttons surrounding the wheel is very difficult
-I hear a buzzing sound between tracks sometimes
-Video playback ain't great.
-Sound quality is not supposed to be as good as other players, and has more distortion. But this is not my personal opinion since I haven't tested others, it's what I read from online professional reviews.
-FM radio reception was terrible for me

I was considering the Creative Zen V plus. Similar features but only the Zen V (not plus) is at this price. This means no video playback. If you don't care for that then I would consider the 2gb version which is maybe 15 dollars more. I didn't like the tiny joystick on the zen v though. Hope this helps.