Packing in all the clever functions comes at a price

By JUHA SAARINEN


A new digital media key-ring from Philips could be seen as a cool fashion accessory - but it does not excel in any one area and the price is steep.

Within its cigarette lighter-sized black magnesium casing dwell not only a digital camera but also a camcorder and an MP3 player. The tiny device can also be used as a flash drive to ferry files to and from a home or office PC.

Compact dimensions notwithstanding, the KEY019 contains a goodly 128MB of memory (enough storage for 200 pictures from the 2 megapixel camera, according to Philips). The Dutch electronics giant also says the memory is enough for about two hours of near CD-quality music and 25 minutes of MPEG-4 video.

The camera function is fairly basic with no zoom or flash, although thanks to the fast 2.8 aperture lens, indoor picture-taking works fine during the day. The camcorder is fine for snagging quick clips in good lighting at 320 x 240 pixels in Windows ASF format, but would not do for anything more demanding.

The KEY019 can actually play back video and images through the tiny electronic viewfinder. Peering one-eyed through the viewfinder rapidly becomes tiring, however, and you have to use the included earphones/remote control cord to activate the playback.

You would be better off uploading the files to your computer via the USB 1.1 port and supplied cable. Philips bundles image and video editing software with the KEY019. Arcsoft's PhotoImpression 5 and VideoImpression 2 are good programs and fun to use, but are for Windows machines only.

Using the KEY019 as an MP3 player is easy: just copy your music files to it, plug in the earphones/remote control and listen. Philips did not think of including a sound-only capture function for recording quick memos, however.

The KEY019 could work as a present for geeks and geekettes who like gadgets dangling around their necks. However, the device does not shine in any particular area - and it costs $500.

Pros: Sleek four-in-one digital media device; easy to use

Cons: Basic still image and video capture; awkward watching clips and pics on the run through the small viewfinder; high price.

Price: $500

Philips

Overall: 5/10