Portable MP3/CD Player

TDK’s MOJO 620 Player Digital Jukebox

Long before there were CD players, I used my computer to play my favorite songs while looking for long-lost relatives (I’m a genealogist). Now I’ve found my relatives and an exciting player for both audio CDs and MP3s on a CD. Now I take MOJO on my walks. It’ll play my standard audio CDs, plus ones that I have burned with MP3 songs. (Don’t tell my kids, but I’ve also included a few bits of comedy in MP3 format to break the monotony.)

TDK has thoughtfully included several pieces of software with which I can create different playlists for different moods. For overcast, misty days I have a separate playlist. Occasionally, the audio CDs don’t load right away, but it’s never a problem with MP3s. This player has superior anti-shock built-in. In fact, for walking or jogging (not swimming), the MP3 function has an eight minute buffer. This means that the CD will spin up enough music to last eight minutes before starting again. Great for saving my batteries. Audio CDs have a 45 second buffer. Although TDK says the two AA batteries last 10 hours, mine last only about seven.

The 1.5x.75 inch, four line LCD screen contains an amazing range of menus and options. Turn on/off the bass boost or equalizer? Select playlists? Select a particular genre of songs? My eyes are not what they used to be, so I turned ON the Big Font. Now how is that for attention to detail? Thanks, TDK. The owner’s booklet is exceptionally well illustrated with detailed instructions for each menu option plus a brief trouble-shooting page. To keep your MOJO up-to-date, there are simple instructions on how to update the player’s firmware.

Controls: on the player are volume, menu selection and an “open” slide switch (not too convenient) plus outputs to your included headphones and a second line-out to external amps or speakers. For convenience, TDK has provided a handy Relex remote control that fits in-line with the headphones. There are actually more controls on the remote, but, alas, although the remote is easy to navigate, it is awkward to use. It is too small and too slick to be operated conveniently, by hand. TDK, work on this. Ditto for the headphones. They are very convenient to use (they go around the back of your head), but not of the same quality as the player — a bit tinny. For the serious music lover, buy a better set.

A few other outstanding or even unique features include the fact that it will remember our preference even after plopping in a different CD. MOJO comes with batteries, an AC adapter, a CD with Navitrack (allows tracks to be IDd by MOJO), LyricSync (adds words to a song on your LCD) and a Logo Editor.

This is a well made, fine looking player that does an excellent job of playing music in different formats. In reality, it is a bit heavy for jogging, the headphones are mediocre and there is no “car kit” to use it in my auto. Other than that, I now have a special admiration for TDK and the MOJO it put on me! For more info, updates and specs go to www.tdk.com.

Ruth Mentz is a HAL-PC member who is a retired school teacher, MP3 aficionado and genealogist, who can be contacted at ruthment@hal-pc.org.