Goodmans CDMP 370

Store audio onto CDs in the popular MP3 format and you can squeeze around 10 hours, or 200 tracks, on to one CD! These figures vary a great deal depending on the track lengths and the bit rate at which they are recorded, but either way it's a lot of music.

Make it possible to play these CDs on the move and you have one hell of a music library in your pocket. Goodmans already offered this facility with their CDMP 350, and have now introduced a second model, the CDMP 370, offering more features but at a still highly competitive price.

Capable of playing standard audio CDs and CD-R\CD-RWs (containing audio or MP3 format), this player has all the bases covered. For the £10 price hike over the 350 model, Goodmans have thrown in a much-needed anti-shock system (labelled Electronic Skip Protection) and an LCD display window.

The anti-shock system operates in two modes, offering 45 seconds anti-shock for audio CDs and a whopping 120 seconds for MP3 CDs. Despite our best efforts we were unable to make the bugger jump, which has to be a good sign. However, slight skipping did occur on some CDs which, when played in other players, didn't occur. The most obvious explanation is the use of an inferior laser, which is another way of keeping the price down.

The LCD display is also welcome, but could have done with being able to display a little more text, whether through smaller text or a bigger display. Also, it is impossible to see it in the dark.

Feature-wise this player offers a fair amount, including program and search facilities, Dynamic Bass Boost System, a line out port for playing through your hi-fi (in stereo) and various play modes (random, repeat etc). It appears to have more features than the highly priced Phillips Expanium offering (see link, right).

Unfortunately, the design team appears to have been heavily influenced by the styles of the 1980s, with lots of plastic and rigid lines. The same applies to the rather odd positioning of several buttons, but you will soon get used to them. The abundance of plastic gives the whole product a rather flimsy feel, which probably wouldn't stand up too well to being dropped.

Finally, the instruction manual appears to have been translated by someone with little grasp of English, and as such is a little vague. Fortunately, there is little need for it.

Contact: Goodmans 02932 391100