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| Connection to PC: | USB adapter cable which is the right length |
| Formats supported: |
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| Memory: | 64MB internal, 32MB on standard memory card - version 2.12. Firmware takes up 400 Kb of internal memory. |
| Buttons: |
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| Batteries: | 1 x AA |
| Sound quality: | Treble slightly clicky, electronic is "washy / swimmy" noise at Medium to Low bit rates. |
| Type | Source | Output | Rating (out of 10) | Comments |
| Low | CD | 16Kb V.2.5 MP3 | 4 | Voice OK, but swimmy |
| Medium | CD | 48Kb V1 MP3 Mono | 6 | Electronic overtones |
| High | CD stereo | 128Kb V.1 MP3 JStereo | 7.5 | Clear - symbols OK |
| Very high | CD stereo | 128Kb V.1 MP3 JStereo | 8 | Slightly clicky on treble |
| Software: | Rio Manager (both versions 2 and 3) look good but are difficult to use. The drag and drop command from Windows Explorer is only supported into the track database window, not into the player memory window and no notification of successful addition to database is shown, you have to check the database manually. The database will not take duplicate file names or ID3 TAG data - it tries to do too much and does not really succeed, it crashes or stops responding. |
| In use: | Reasonably light weight and small (although not as small as the Sony) and well put together. The memory card is located behind a hinged flap and the memory card is ejected by pressing down on the spring loaded eject mechanism, which works well (much better than others we've seen as it keeps the dirt out of the open slots). |
| Bit rate: | Low bit rate on version 1 and version 2 frames. The MP3 playback on low bit rate works fine with version 1 and 2 frames - Pause / FF / Rewind. Low bit rate on MP3 version 2.5 frames |
| Buttons: |
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| Overall: | Audio download software not very good. USB makes downloads fast. Bookmarks are handy for long audio tracks, e.g. Audio Books, Classical. Has problems with MP3 version 2.5 tracks. |
| Connection to PC: | Parallel cable which is about the right length, but with no printer to pass through and can emulate ECP ports on older computers without BIOS/Port support (i.e. Standard / EPP parallel ports). Pretty average download times for a parallel device. |
| Formats supported: |
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| Memory: | 64MB internal, 32MB on standard memory card |
| Buttons: |
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| Batteries: | 2 x AA |
| Sound quality: | Medium compression - base overpowering and distorted, mid rage quieter |
| Type | Source | Output | Rating (out of 10) | Comments |
| Low | CD | 16Kb V.2.5 MP3 | 4 | Voice OK, but swimmy |
| Medium | CD | 48Kb V1 MP3 Mono | 7 | OK (AM radio) |
| High | CD stereo | 128Kb V.1 MP3 JStereo | 8.5 | Clear - symbols OK |
| Very high | CD stereo | 128Kb V.1 MP3 JStereo | 9 | Fine |
| Software: | Has not crashed once. Drag and drop interface. Easy to use. Intuitive apart for the connect icon after the device is plugged in. Help is poor, with only links to Internet sites. |
| In use: | Slightly bigger than the Rio 500. Chrome effect buttons do not give much feedback when pressed. Track selection is Very slow and awkward - you watch the screen redraw each time. Control system is not very intuitive to use. Does not remember the track position when pushed into sleep mode. Sound quality is very good. |
| Bit rate: | MP3 version 2.5 tracks |
| Buttons: |
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| Overall: | Plays all types of MP3 files without problems (except for the EQ bug). Sound quality is good. Built-in voice recorder which may be useful. The control system in non-intuitive, the menus slow. The buttons lack a "feel" quality and there is no back light. There's no way of pausing the audio track for long periods of time due to lack of bookmarks or standby. No automatic power save mode. Memory card is OK, but not as well designed as the Rio 500. |
| Firmware: | V2.10A (supplied) |
| Software: | Downloading manager version 1.3 (15 pin cable). Easy to use once deciphered what buttons do, but not very helpful if it doesn't work. Download speed is slow on KX chipset m/b, faster on BX m/b. Not clear from the software which version is loaded. |
| Connection to PC: | Parallel cable - length fine - not too long or short, reaches from the back of the PC to twice an average PC case length. |
| Voice recorder: | VOC format |
| Buttons: | "Hold" switch: YES. Max "Hold" time: untested. |
| Batteries: | 2 x AA |
| Sound quality: | Noticeable click through head phones when powered on. Resets previous volume to 15 / 30 settings when powered on, which is rather annoying. Max volume is loud - this distorts the sound - possible clipping. |
| MP3 Format | Sound | Comments |
| V2.5 16Kbps 11,025Hz | Noticeable sound inflections on 16Kbps. V2.5, but understandable voice. | FF/Rewind doesn't work on V2.5 files and displayed play-time incorrect. A/B - start / end loop - doesn't work, but skips the first ¼ second on 16Kb V2.5 files |
| V2.0 24Kbps 11,025Hz | Sounds OK - better than 16Kbps - normally. V2.5 sounds better than 24Kbps V2.0 files | |
| V2.0 32Kbps 22,050Hz | Sounds OK - better than 24Kbps | |
| V1.0 48Kbps 44,100Hz | Sounds fine - better than 32Kbps |
| Firmware: | V1.55A |
| Software: | V2.0 (18 pin cable) - supplied software V2.0 works only with 18 pin cables - incompatible with SM-320V. It is not clear from the soft6ware what version is loaded. Downloads quite fast for a parallel cable. |
| Connection to PC: | Parallel cable. |
| Voice recorder: | VOC format, mono microphone. |
| Buttons: | "Hold" switch: YES. Max "Hold" time: untested. |
| Batteries: | 2 x AAA |
| Sound quality: | Unlike the SM-320V, there is no noticeable click through head phones when powered on. Resets previous volume to 16 / 30 settings when powered on, which is rather annoying. The FM tuner appears to be dependant in the supplied ear-bud phones - using other earphones results in worse reception. |
| MP3 Format | Sound | Comments |
| V2.5 16Kbps 11,025Hz | Noticeable sound inflections on 16Kbps. V2.5, but understandable voice. | FF/Rewind do work, but takes about 1.5 seconds to start. Displays the correct time of tract, including FF/Rewind. A/B - start / end loop - doesn't work, but skips the first ¼ second on 16Kb V2.5 files |
| V2.0 24Kbps 11,025Hz | Sounds OK - better than 16Kbps - normally. V2.5 sounds better than 24Kbps V2.0 files | |
| V2.0 32Kbps 22,050Hz | Sounds OK - better than 24Kbps | |
| V1.0 48Kbps 44,100Hz | Sounds fine - better than 32Kbps |
www.elex.co.uk www.jazpiper.co.uk www.jazpiper.com.sg
| Connection to PC: | Some players come with Parallel (not transparent) and some with USB, cable long enough - GOOD |
| Memory: | 64 built-in and another 64 could be added on the SmartMedia Card - VERY GOOD |
| Loudness: | Very, very loud - VERY GOOD |
| File Sorting: | - |
| Size: | 66mm x 90mm x 18mm weighs 86grams - VERY GOOD |
| Headphones: | In-ear |
| Buttons: |
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| Batteries: | 2 x AAA, easily changeable - 9 hours - GOOD |
| Software: | Easy to use - GOOD |
| Firmware: | Not upgradeable - NOT GOOD |
| In use: | Interruptions - after "off/on" button is pressed, it goes back to the beginning of the current file - GOOD ENOUGH |
| Bit Rate: | 16Kbps MP3 frame
V 2.5: works fine (except "<A-B>repeat) - GOOD
Note: Small BUG. We have tested it with MP3 files 16, 24, 32 and 48Kbps. All work fine but on the screen, 16, 23 and 32Kbps are shown as 128Kbps ??? Stanbe, but not significant. |
| Comparable To: | It is very similar to the Samsung Yepp-E64 and Vionic MP10-64SV |
Vionic MP10-64SV ~ ~ ~ Suitable for Audio Books ~ ~ ~
Identical to jazPiper MVR64
Pontis 503/504 ~ ~ ~ Suitable for Audio Books ~ ~ ~
www.pontis.de www.abcmp3ltd.co.uk
| Connection to PC: | |
| Memory: | No Built-in memory but 2 slots for MultiMediaCard (at present, it will give you up to 128MB) - GOOD |
| Loudness: | Loud enough |
| File Sorting: | - |
| Size: | 105mm x 75mm x 18mm, weighs 90grams |
| Headphones: | |
| Buttons: |
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| Batteries: | 2 x AA, 14 hours - VERY GOOD |
| Software: | - |
| Firmware: | - |
| In use: | Interruptions - Generally it will handle interruptions well and stay at the same point at the same file, but sometimes goes back to the point of the previous interruption??? |
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Bit Rate: |
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We can whole heartedly recommend you view the new ARCHOS HDD-MP3 Portable Player which we have on SPECIAL OFFER for US$500 and includes our best audiobooks pre-loaded. |
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