Hardware

Introduction

The term "multi-function media device" is almost becoming an oxymoron, because there are few if any current media devices that still feature a single-use design. Cell phones are also cameras and game units, PDAs morph into cell phones and video players, and even cameras are starting to include music and video playback. Like one big Transformers cartoon, each of these devices can adapt on-the-fly to changing media needs, allowing users to utilize a one-size-fits-all mentality to portable hardware. Mach Speed Technologies offers a range of portable media devices, and their Trio line provides users with a wide selection of media playback and recording features.

The Mach Speed Trio TV5

The Trio TV5 is a true multi-function device capable of both playback and recording of video, music and pictures. Mach Speed Technologies markets the TV5 as a portable video player that can also take pictures, much the way cell phones offer a built-in camera as a nice extra. The movie player supports playback of files on ASF format, and video performance is surprisingly good for such a small device. Although we prefer DivX or XviD support, Mach Speed has bundled an ASF conversion utility that actually works, and proved able to convert DivX, XviD and MOV files without a hitch.

The unit also includes a built-in 5-Mpixel camera that offers 1X-4X digital zoom, but no optical zoom capabilities or flash. There is also the capability of taking DV movies and to record from audio or audio-video sources. The TV5 can playback all of these photo, audio and video formats, and can even output this to external devices through the headphone and TV-out jacks. Keeping with the multi-function design, there are a couple of bundled games (Snake and Block) and a time/calendar display, which will all be very familiar to cell phone users. This translates into an incredibly versatile multimedia device, and we were constantly finding new uses for this little guy.

The physical design supports this, and the Mach Speed Trio TV5 looks like a slim line camera with a large display. The front includes the camera lens, while the top of the unit features an A/Snap, B, and On/Off buttons, along with a recessed Reset switch. Connectivity options run up the right side of the TV5 and include AV IN, TV-Out, Headphone, USB, and AC power jacks. These inputs/outputs are all clearly labeled, and spaced enough apart to allow for multiple cables. There is a small microphone on the bottom of the TV5, although this is a strange place for it; when recording videos it's very easy to cover it with your thumb.

The back of the TV5 offers a 2.5" TFT display, a memory button and a square D-pad navigation system with an OK button in the middle. Below this is the single audio speaker. The Trio TV5 ships with 512MB of internal storage, but it also supports SD/MMC cards through a bottom-mounted slot. Power is supplied through a rechargeable 1200mAh Li-ion battery that has proven to offer good run times, but is not replaceable. Overall, the Mach Speed Trio TV5 is a fairly well-designed multi-function media device, with all the input, outputs and features that a media user can expect.

System navigation takes place through a colorful menu system, which allows selection of main areas like Video, Music, Photo, Media, Accessories, and Setup. Some of these are intuitive, like for playback of Video and Music, but when accessing Photo it does not enable the camera and you'll need to go inside Media to find the Camera icon. There are also sections that allow you to choose internal vs. external storage, format SD cards, change background graphics and other features. Once you figure the hierarchy out, it works fine, and the icons are logical and text is easy enough to read. The only complaints are the lack of file names when viewing the list of videos, and that the audio accompanying menu selections sounds like one of the chipmunks yelling "GO!"