iRiver 20GB Portable MP3 Player, FM Tuner, and Voice Recorder - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

G5_Todd · 06-17-2004, 07:55 PM

iRiver 20GB Portable MP3 Player, FM Tuner, and Voice Recorder

$286.99 from new egg

i have been wanting a mp3 player for years now..... any one have this or bought a product from iRiver?

just wondering if you like it or not......

G5_Todd · 06-17-2004, 08:48 PM

http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthre...43#post1865043

found a good thread on this......still debating thou

Rudel73 · 06-18-2004, 08:37 AM

Just a question, why do you like this over an iPod?

G5_Todd · 06-18-2004, 12:14 PM

actually i dont know dick about the ipod or the iriver product.......

why do you like the ipod?

G5_Todd · 06-18-2004, 12:33 PM

i did a cnet compare and the iriver seems to beat the Ipod is all but 2 spots.....weight and software....

Product name
Apple iPod Mini (4GB, Green) (top one each time)
iRiver iHP-120 (20GB) (botton one each time)

Basic Specs
Product type
Digital player
Digital player / voice recorder / radio

PC interface(s) supported
FireWire, Hi-Speed USB
Hi-Speed USB

Flash memory installed
128
330

Storage capacity
4 GB
20 GB

Digital formats supported
MP3, WAV, Real 10
MP3, WMA, WAV, ASF, Ogg Vorbis

Weight
3.7 oz
5.6 oz

Battery technology
Lithium ion
Lithium polymer

Mfr estimated battery life
8 hour(s)
16 hour(s)

Software included
Apple iTunes, iTunes for Windows (5)
Drivers & Utilities

nash · 06-18-2004, 01:00 PM

I would prefer the iRiver over the Ipod because of the FM tuner and voice recorder. I would also like to see an AM tuner, but FM is decent enough.

Jeff · 06-18-2004, 04:01 PM

You compared the iRiver with an iPod mini. There's a big difference between an iPod and an iPod mini. That being said....

Go for the iRiver. No doubt about it.

edit: Here's a review from IGN

G5_Todd · 06-19-2004, 12:54 AM

well i went down to ac tonight with the goal of winning $300 bucks to pay for my new mp3 player i won $400.00 so ill order it in the morning

vengeance · 06-19-2004, 06:19 AM

iPods last 18months, then the battery dies. You either a) buy a new iPod or b) send it back for some retarded fee of $250+ for them to "recharge" the battery.

Rudel73 · 06-19-2004, 07:07 AM

Vengeance do you even own an iPod? I've had my iPod for well over 18 months and no problems like that have ever occured.

Ipod is the best MP3 player on the market! it doesnt have FM tuner but you can buy a voice recorder adapter thing that plugs into the top for 30 bucks! And if you are looking for that extra stuff the Ipod can keep contacts has a calendar thingy you can add stuff to, you can keep notes on it, it has 3 games that you can play, and you can use it as a portable hard drive for your computer! i mean cmon what beats that?

Guess it may be a bit more pricey, but it'll last you forever

Jeff · 06-19-2004, 09:51 AM

I'm sure you can transfer data to this one, too. That's a pretty basic feature for most of them. Besides, I think most people would rather have FM radio than a few games and a calender. It's all about the music anyway.

edit:"Its driverless operation allows it to be used with any computer (Mac or PC) without software as a generic storage device."

"Battery life clocks in around 15 hours, which places it among the top models."

"...if you can afford it you can rest assured that you will be getting the best model you can buy. Simple as that."

From an IGN comparison. I'm considering selling my MP3 for this thing...it's so best.

Rudel73 · 06-19-2004, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Let me begin my stating that the iRiver hardware is simply top-notch. The device itself is compact, the battery life is great, the sound quality is superb (assuming you aren't using the included earbuds), the full function backlit 4-line LCD in-line remote is a godsend, the player can be accessed simply as a hard drive, it plays a large number of file formats, etc.

However, I am regrettably returning this thing to the store. Why? Because iRiver simply makes it too damn hard to get music onto the device from my CD collection.

1) There is NO included ripping/organizing software. Zilch. Nada. What you get on CD is drivers so a Win98 box can talk to it, and a small program to create the database file so your player can access the music by Artist or Genre or Album or Track Name. (Without the database, you navigate your songs solely with a directory tree.)

2) While you can easily download software that will perform what I am complaining about in 1), no one package will do it all for you. To rip a CD, you have to do the following: (using programs you scrounge up from the internet yourself. iRiver is no help)
a) Rip the CD with the program of your choice. This program will also need to sort them into sane directories, for when the database doesn't work.
b) Run another program to make sure that no filenames are longer than 48 characters. Why? Because the database function won't work otherwise. (With pop music, this isn't a problem, but it sure is with classical music. For example, from Hilary Hahn's Bach Concerto's CD, CDDB returns the following track name: "10 - Concerto for obe, violin, strings & continuo in c minor, bwv 1060 #1: Allegro")
c) Run a third program to sync up your directory tree w/ the iRiver. If you just drag 'n drop, it takes a lot longer.
d) Run a fourth program to build the iRiver's internal database.

3) The filename MUST start with the track name. If it doesn't, the player sorts the files in an album in alphabetical order. (Which is a big no-no for lots of classical music, along with musicals, and classic albums that were simply meant to be played in the right order, like the Greatful Dead.) Too bad this makes the search by track function completely useless. The player is too stupid to use the track number tag in most music files.

4) re: That silly 48 character limit I mentioned earlier. A program that simply truncates the filename isn't gonna work. The track name that CDDB returned really IS the title of the piece. I could abbreviate, but I really don't feel like doing that BY HAND for every CD that needs it.

5) Scrolling: Scrolling through a long list of anything on this device is SLOW. A progressive scroll speed, ala Creative would work wonders.

6) on-the-fly playlists: I used this function w/ my dearly departed Creative Nomad Jukebox 2. All I want to do is queue up several tracks and/or Artists and/or Albums to play. Nope, can't do it. This feature is promised by iRiver "Real Soon Now" via a firmware upgrade, but I'm not holding my breath.

I am a geek for a living, but my time is more valuable than spending hours fighting with my consumer electronics.

If you already have a pile of neatly sorted MP3's (with short filenames, and tagged with track numbers) on your computer, then this player is great. Simply drag your music collection onto the player and you are good to go. If you have an extensive CD collection you need to rip, you could have a problem

a review i found...

Jeff · 06-19-2004, 01:20 PM

The consumer reviews at Amazon seem to favor the iRiver. I've heard nothing about what Rudel73 posted about.There's probably fixes for that released.

Rudel73 · 06-19-2004, 05:09 PM

just wanted to share this to people if your ipod battery goes out....
http://www.ipodbattery.com/

G5_Todd · 06-19-2004, 06:15 PM

i tell you......i do think the ipod mini is much sexier.....and for my use seems almost more practical....but the longer battery life and HUGE storage is what keeps me from making up my mind

Rudel73 · 06-19-2004, 07:01 PM

G5_Todd you understand there is a difference between the Ipod Mini and normal iPod's right?

If you already know, nevermind, my bad

G5_Todd · 06-19-2004, 08:13 PM

difference that i see is size....and storage....

anything else?

Rudel73 · 06-20-2004, 05:40 AM

Hmm only real difference is the look of it and storage, but there are a few accessories that you cant get with the mini etc.

I just thought that you were thinking that the Mini was the real ipod

Xell101 · 06-20-2004, 06:53 PM

I don't own an IPod, but my IRiver mp3 player is great, works effeciently and is virtually hassle free.

BigGov · 06-20-2004, 07:46 PM

Dammit...Now I'm gonna have to burn $300...

I better get some good poker cards this week...

06-17-2004, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	iRiver 20GB Portable MP3 Player, FM Tuner, and Voice Recorder iRiver 20GB Portable MP3 Player, FM Tuner, and Voice Recorder $286.99 from new egg i have been wanting a mp3 player for years now..... any one have this or bought a product from iRiver? just wondering if you like it or not...... __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

06-17-2004, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthre...43#post1865043 found a good thread on this......still debating thou __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

06-18-2004, 12:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	actually i dont know dick about the ipod or the iriver product....... why do you like the ipod? __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

06-18-2004, 04:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeff And we'll all float on ok... Location: Iowa City	You compared the iRiver with an iPod mini. There's a big difference between an iPod and an iPod mini. That being said.... Go for the iRiver. No doubt about it. edit: Here's a review from IGN __________________ For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. --Charles Bukowski Last edited by Jeff; 06-18-2004 at 04:05 PM..

06-19-2004, 12:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	well i went down to ac tonight with the goal of winning $300 bucks to pay for my new mp3 player i won $400.00 so ill order it in the morning __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

06-18-2004, 08:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rudel73 Psycho	Just a question, why do you like this over an iPod?

06-18-2004, 12:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	i did a cnet compare and the iriver seems to beat the Ipod is all but 2 spots.....weight and software.... Product name Apple iPod Mini (4GB, Green) (top one each time) iRiver iHP-120 (20GB) (botton one each time) Basic Specs Product type Digital player Digital player / voice recorder / radio PC interface(s) supported FireWire, Hi-Speed USB Hi-Speed USB Flash memory installed 128 330 Storage capacity 4 GB 20 GB Digital formats supported MP3, WAV, Real 10 MP3, WMA, WAV, ASF, Ogg Vorbis Weight 3.7 oz 5.6 oz Battery technology Lithium ion Lithium polymer Mfr estimated battery life 8 hour(s) 16 hour(s) Software included Apple iTunes, iTunes for Windows (5) Drivers & Utilities

06-18-2004, 01:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
nash Psycho	I would prefer the iRiver over the Ipod because of the FM tuner and voice recorder. I would also like to see an AM tuner, but FM is decent enough.

06-19-2004, 06:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
vengeance Upright	iPods last 18months, then the battery dies. You either a) buy a new iPod or b) send it back for some retarded fee of $250+ for them to "recharge" the battery.

06-19-2004, 07:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rudel73 Psycho	Vengeance do you even own an iPod? I've had my iPod for well over 18 months and no problems like that have ever occured. Ipod is the best MP3 player on the market! it doesnt have FM tuner but you can buy a voice recorder adapter thing that plugs into the top for 30 bucks! And if you are looking for that extra stuff the Ipod can keep contacts has a calendar thingy you can add stuff to, you can keep notes on it, it has 3 games that you can play, and you can use it as a portable hard drive for your computer! i mean cmon what beats that? Guess it may be a bit more pricey, but it'll last you forever

06-19-2004, 09:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jeff And we'll all float on ok... Location: Iowa City	I'm sure you can transfer data to this one, too. That's a pretty basic feature for most of them. Besides, I think most people would rather have FM radio than a few games and a calender. It's all about the music anyway. edit:"Its driverless operation allows it to be used with any computer (Mac or PC) without software as a generic storage device." "Battery life clocks in around 15 hours, which places it among the top models." "...if you can afford it you can rest assured that you will be getting the best model you can buy. Simple as that." From an IGN comparison. I'm considering selling my MP3 for this thing...it's so best. __________________ For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. --Charles Bukowski Last edited by Jeff; 06-19-2004 at 09:57 AM..

06-19-2004, 01:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jeff And we'll all float on ok... Location: Iowa City	The consumer reviews at Amazon seem to favor the iRiver. I've heard nothing about what Rudel73 posted about.There's probably fixes for that released. __________________ For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. --Charles Bukowski

06-19-2004, 05:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rudel73 Psycho	just wanted to share this to people if your ipod battery goes out.... http://www.ipodbattery.com/

06-19-2004, 06:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	i tell you......i do think the ipod mini is much sexier.....and for my use seems almost more practical....but the longer battery life and HUGE storage is what keeps me from making up my mind __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

06-19-2004, 07:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rudel73 Psycho	G5_Todd you understand there is a difference between the Ipod Mini and normal iPod's right? If you already know, nevermind, my bad

06-20-2004, 07:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
BigGov WoW or Class... Location: UWW	Dammit...Now I'm gonna have to burn $300... I better get some good poker cards this week... __________________ One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

06-19-2004, 08:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	difference that i see is size....and storage.... anything else? __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

06-20-2004, 05:40 AM	#18 (permalink)
Rudel73 Psycho	Hmm only real difference is the look of it and storage, but there are a few accessories that you cant get with the mini etc. I just thought that you were thinking that the Mini was the real ipod

06-20-2004, 06:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
Xell101 Junkie	I don't own an IPod, but my IRiver mp3 player is great, works effeciently and is virtually hassle free.