mailin 0 #1 January 2, 2004 I've been posting alot tonight - no, its not because I have no life! well... maybe... anyway I downloaded limewire and have been busy downloaded songs for the mp3 player I got over christmas. Anybody else have a Rio Cali MP3 player? I was psyched to learn its expandable (technology challenged brother made a great purchase!) up to 512 mb. But seeing as this is my first device with a flash memory card (got a digital camera also but haven't turned it on yet) I haven't a clue how they work. Can I have mutliple cards and store songs on them and swap them out like I would CDs? I'm guessing there is much to learn. Yet I feel I should know this... JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #3 January 2, 2004 Hey cool! Thanks! JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #4 January 2, 2004 Quoteyes...and you'll probably find that (at least at the moment) 512mb "secure digital" cards cost more than twice what the 256mb versions do. so if you don't mind carrying a couple with you it could be more economical that way as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #5 January 2, 2004 QuoteI've been posting alot tonight - no, its not because I have no life! well... maybe... anyway I downloaded limewire and have been busy downloaded songs for the mp3 player I got over christmas. Anybody else have a Rio Cali MP3 player? I was psyched to learn its expandable (technology challenged brother made a great purchase!) up to 512 mb. But seeing as this is my first device with a flash memory card (got a digital camera also but haven't turned it on yet) I haven't a clue how they work. Can I have mutliple cards and store songs on them and swap them out like I would CDs? I'm guessing there is much to learn. Yet I feel I should know this... Jennifer Jawohl, despite the fact that I'm unfamiliar with the Rio Cali (it looks like it uses secure digital media exclusively, though I may be misinformed). Try to avoid "Secure Digital" if you can, by purchasing "MMC" cards instead of "SD". It's possible that your MP3 encoder software works in cahoots with your player to allow only "watermarked" or "digitally signed" files. This is why RCA's players are so cheap - nobody wants to hang that DMCA / DRM / RIAA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act / Digital Rights Management / Recording Industry Asshole Association) albatross around their neck. Test: If you can connect the player to your PC and drag and drop files onto the storage device WITHOUT using the application software that accompanied the product, you don't have to jump through DMCA / DRM hoops. If not, well, make the most of it. As mentioned elsewhere, the "secure" media will cost more, but you will have the ability to swap out cards and thus tote around a library with you. I've got a Frontier Labs Nex IIe that I got off eBay for $65, and it's not restricted with DRM. I also got a 256 MB compact flash card separately for about $50. Another product you might consider obtaining is a USB - to - MMC interface adapter. If you can drag your tunes to the card instead of to the player, you'll save on battery power in the player (yes, I know the USB interface is supposed to power the device when it's hooked up to the PC, but I have yet to see a USB device that works that way). mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #6 January 2, 2004 Hey! Thanks so much for the info. I was wondering what the difference was with those cards. I have a $100 GC to compusa that I was going to use to purchase a 256 card, but if I can get more - great! I'm going to try to use the player without the accompanying software tonight when I get home. Trying it here at work, but for some reason can't get the correct drivers ATM. THanks so much for the help! JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoudDan 0 #7 January 2, 2004 I used to have a Rio S-10, it ran exclusively on MMC cards (SD would not work), and a problem I ran into is that after about 4 months, the contacts in the memory card slot lost their "spring" and as a result would only recognize the card about 25% of the time. I literally had to press on the back of the case and hold it at a specific angle to get the player to recognize the card. Luckily my SO had gotten the 4 year warranty at Best Buy, so I took it back and bought an I-river 256. I like this Mp3 player much better, it's smaller, less expensive, has an FM tuner/recorder, comes with great headphones, and they make models from 64 upto 512 and is more options rich. Most importanatly it fits great in the inside pocket of a jumpsuit. Not dissing your brothers gift, but I would exchange it for an equivalent I-river. You can always search google for reviews on each Coming soon to a bowl of Wheaties near you!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #8 January 2, 2004 I was going to get myself a nice portable MP3 player for Christmas, but there's a rumor that Apple is going to announce 2GB iPods for about $100. The announcement should come January 6th, so I'm going to hold off on a purchase until at least then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #9 January 2, 2004 ok, cats out the bag... my brother actually bought me the i-river 128 and I returned it to get this one. THe reason I did so was because this was expandable, where the irivers aren't. I really wanted an FM tuner and at least 128 which were the same features that the iriver had. THe only problem I have with this one so far is the headphones. Irivers phones rock! Great sound quality - these rio's are junk. I gotta invest in a good pair soon. Thanks so much for posting about hte memory card issue - good to know! Was that with just one particular card - or every card you tried? Just wondering if it was a player issue or a card issue. Thanks again! JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #10 January 2, 2004 grrrr I find out now! Doh! JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoudDan 0 #11 January 2, 2004 I tried four different cards. For what its worth, I believe the I-river 512 is less expensive than the Rio Cali. Good luck. Coming soon to a bowl of Wheaties near you!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #12 January 2, 2004 QuoteI was going to get myself a nice portable MP3 player for Christmas, but there's a rumor that Apple is going to announce 2GB iPods for about $100. The announcement should come January 6th, so I'm going to hold off on a purchase until at least then. EEeeek! I WANT ONE! I love the iPod, but I choke on the price tag (I'm still unemployed, you know ). The HD-based players are fabulous (and I think the iPod is the absolute tops), but as with all things, there is a downside... The HD-based players weigh more (although the iPod is amazingly light!), they consume battery power at a much higher rate, and if you drop that thang, you'll be singing the blues... This is the advantage that solid-state players have over HD-based players - ruggedness, compactness and durability. The downside to this, however, is reduced capacity. The embedded-memory players can be tiny, but the ability to expand the memory capacity is limited in most (but not all) cases. Therefore, I think CF-based players offer the best all-around compromise because of their inherent flexibility. I'm surprised that there aren't more Compact Flash-based players on the market, given the CF card's compatibility with other devices such as digital cameras (BTW: a CF-to-PCMCIA interface adapter cost me $10, and a CF-to-USB interface adapter is about the same [for those who don't have a laptop or PCMCIA interfaces on their desktop machines like moi ]). The connection is much more positive with Compact Flash (pin-and-socket, as opposed to sliding contacts as with MMC, SmartMedia and others), so IMHO, because the stress is distributed across many more connections, the insertion / extraction cycle will result in less wear, and therefore, longer life. Engineering opinions, anyone? Edit for spelling mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrancoR 0 #13 January 2, 2004 Quote The HD-based players weigh more (although the iPod is amazingly light!), they consume battery power at a much higher rate, and if you drop that thang, you'll be singing the blues... I have dropped my Archos more than once, don't recomend doing that though. Battery lasts for about 8 hours and will last longer with better NiMh Batteries and yes, it is heavy, weighs 340g. I still don't want any other mp3 player, especially with the Rockbox firmware installed, except maybe if you offter me the iPod for the same price.If it does not cost anything you are the product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SniperCJ 0 #14 January 2, 2004 I got the Rio Cali a few weeks ago and I love it! Got a 512 card yesterday for $129 after the $40 rebate. Ive dropped mine a couple of times and I'm happy to report it is still working fine. I looked at the iRiver ones too cuz thats the one I would have gotten had I not gone with the Rio. Decision to go with Rio was based on the FM tuner, the expandability of the Rio and that the Rio is slightly 'armored' so I can drop it. Along with the FM transmitter I got, this is the coolest electronic device Ive played with in while. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #15 January 3, 2004 Same reasons here. I've dropped mine off the treadmill at the gym twice now, and it works fine. I have a $100 GC to compusa so I went to the store here in Warwick, RI. I was looking specifically for MMC cards - they don't carry any and were out of the 256 SD cards - so I went to the 'customer service desk' (must be an oxymoron) to ask about cashinging in the GC. Some snot nosed 16 year old (gosh, I sound like my dad) looked at me like I had 5 heads and explained how they could cash the card. Which is fine. I said "what if I buy something and then return it" - he says they put the money right back on the GC - which is ludicrous. THen he tried to compare their policy to Best Buys - which is crap, as I went through this with them when I returned the iRiver. I don't mind getting talked down to if its warranted or by someone who is older and wiser - but this kid was annoying the crap out of me. So... being the bitch that I am - I walked out while he was in mid sentence. Tomorrow I'll try another CompUsa - but they won't be getting my biz in the future. Those memory cards are super expensive though... I really wanted a 512 but they doubled the price of the 256. Oh well. Thanks for everyone's help! Much appreciated! JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #16 January 3, 2004 Try eBay, and a vendor who's been around for a while and has lots of excellent feedback. mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrancoR 0 #17 January 3, 2004 Well maybe not even at the same price: http://ipodsdirtysecret.com/If it does not cost anything you are the product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #18 January 6, 2004 The iPod mini just announced by Apple. 4gb $249....very small unit. Check it out. Franco...Apple now has a $99 battery replacement program to address what was definitely a bad situation.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #19 January 6, 2004 Damn. I was really hoping that the 2GB/$100 rumor would be true. Now I'm trying to figure out why I would spend $250 for 4GB when I could get 15GB for $300 (yeah, I know, the mini is smaller). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #20 January 6, 2004 Exactly.....unless you need one in a colour to match your eye shadow or something. What did the 5gb model cost when it came out 2 years ago? $499 or 599??-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrancoR 0 #21 January 6, 2004 looks nice. Not cheap lets see what the price in € will be over here, maybe something for my little sister, i need more space. I am even thinking of replacing my 20GB drive with a 40GB in my Archos.If it does not cost anything you are the product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #22 January 6, 2004 ooo! I LOVE my 20GB iPod! I couldn't believe how easy to learn and how user friendly it was. Within about 20 mins of playing with it right out of the box I had the software on my comp and my entire music library in the palm of my hand.Awesome! The sound quality is top notch too, IMHO. The only problem I've had it that the battery doesnt last as long as they say it will and the Belkin car FM transmitter sucks when you can't consistantly pick up one of the required stations.Its a bit inconvenient and frustrating, but I can live with that.Other than that the iPod is a cool toy. "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #23 January 6, 2004 QuoteExactly.....unless you need one in a colour to match your eye shadow or something. What did the 5gb model cost when it came out 2 years ago? $499 or 599?? I just did the math, and the "classic" iPods cost about $20 per GB of storage, while the Minis cost almost $63 per GB! Considering that 99% of the time I would have it hooked up to the stereo at home, the radio in the car, or sitting on my desk at work, I doubt if I would ever benefit from the Minis being 2 ounces lighter and a few cubic inches smaller. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #24 January 6, 2004 We got a 10 gig Ipod for christmas, and it works pretty well. I would like something a bit bigger, but the larger ones are just too expensive. The pricepoint is changing, perhaps in a year I'll buy a new bigger one. We use ours almost exclusively in the car - our car stereo as a line in, so we just plug the ipod direct into the car. Battery life is not so great. This doesn't affect us much, we bought a car cigarette lighter charger. My biggest complaint is the cold - the LCD screen does not function at all when its cold, so if we leave it in the car overnight we have to give it time to warm up first. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrancoR 0 #25 January 6, 2004 How long does the iPod battery last and how long does Apple say they last? I think mine lasts about 8 hours on one set of batteries, but i could get better ones for my Archos.If it does not cost anything you are the product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
