When compared with the amount of information displayed on typical flash-based MP3 players, and even the RioVolt, the LCD display on the CD-Yepp is a bit sparse by comparison. It's one of those, put the feature in and no one will look at it, or leave it out and everyone will want it. In any case, the LCD display only indicates the 'track number' of the particular MP3 being played (the display can handle up to 999 tracks). It does not display the file name of the MP3 that has been burned to disc, and to which we have become so accustomed to see endlessly bounce back and forth on our computer screens.

I'm somewhat divided on whether or not this is a real drawback, or just a feature I can live without. I suppose if you don't know what music is on the disc, not having any means of finding out what it is that you are listening to would be a bit frustrating. In the end I'm going to sit on the fence and leave this one up to you to decide - I generally refer to songs on CD's by their rack numbers so it hasn't really bugged me.

The one thing on the LCD display which was kind of odd was the "operation indicator", aka "the smiling face." Sitting right above the track number is a little head that smiles, frowns and sulks at you depending on the status of the player.... Rounding out the other on-screen indicators are; battery level, bass, ESP, CD/MP3 mode, random and repeat. Aside from the media indicator these are all fairly standard features that you would expect to see on any portable CD player.

Power Requirements

The CD-Yepp operates on two AAA batteries and should have a battery life time of about two and a half hours when ESP is engaged, or when playing back MP3's. Battery life for regular CD's is healthier at about six hours. Since AA batteries are less expensive than AAA batteries, I would have liked to have seen them used instead, even if they are larger.

The add-on battery pack (which does use AA batteries) offers the ability to run the player even with out the AAA batteries inside. By doubling up on both sets of batteries you can expect to see play times of 11 hours for MP3 and ESP use, and an almost unbelievable 22 hours for regular CD's. The battery pack is a very handy addition, but it would have been nice to see something that matched the look and feel of the actual player, instead of the beige after-market look it has. On a side note, you have to remove the battery pack before you can add fresh AAA batteries.

A small thumb wheel on the opposite side of the AA battery pack allows it to be screwed into the rear of the CD-Yepp for extended music playtime.

Acoustic Quality

Acoustically, the playback of CD's and properly encoded MP3's is excellent. The CD-Yepp ships with a pair of short lead (I'll explain in a moment) ear buds. They are very comfortable, and unlike most headphones that come standard, I would actually use them. The leads on the earphones are short because the ear buds plug into a small remote control.

The remote is about an inch square and clips onto your shirt or pants pocket. The earphone plug into the remote, so if you prefer not to use it, just unplug and connect directly to the player itself. The little remote, which inexplicably is of golden-silver colour, has the following buttons: play/pause, stop, reverse, forward, mode, hold and even sports a volume wheel.

The forward and reverse buttons on the remote are difficult to use and the remote in general has a very delicate feel to it. Given the differences in quality between the player and the remote it looks like an after-market addition, rather than something that was designed by Samsung specifically for the CD-Yepp. Bottom line, the remote works, some of the buttons are hard to use, and I have a feeling I'll break it really fast.