Iriver

[happynoodleboy]

OK seeing as there is an Ipod thread I thought I'd start an Iriver one.

For Xmas I got an Iriver H320
My brother got an Ipod Mini

Whats the difference?

Mine's a bulky piece of machinery- quite heavy for an MP3 player.. a gram or two more than a regular Ipod methinks. The software is also slightly confusing and the user interface isnt as instinctive as an Ipod. Computer Beginners may struggle.

Apart from that it seriously kicks the Ipod to pieces.

*The sound quality is MUCH MUCH MUCH better... I have never heard my Mp3s sounding so pure (and in some cases so crap). The sound quality is absolutely astounding!
*It's 20Gb versus 4 Gb on the mini.
*It has radio (you can record from radio too), dictaphone functions, line-out, usb-connectivity (you can just plug you camera in and download the phtos to the Iriver hard drive)
*It appears as an extra HDD in windows... Very nice- just drag and drop instead of Itunes DRM advert ridden poopy crap.
*It plays movies. OK the screen is tiny but It's as good as a portable TV. Great for anime and stuff!
*You can change the skins etc... The firmware is user-adaptable... you can basically make your own!
*Its a serious piece of kit instead of a fashion object.

Did I mention the sound quality?


Noodles

p.s.
misticriver (http://www.misticriver.net/) is a brilliant site with all the latest firmware and mods.

[TheTrout]

All I know is the Ipod is over rated hyped crap with dodgy batteries that are a nightmare to replace. If I didn't have kids, I would probably be in a position to review all MP3 players (I love gadgets and would buy everything regardless of needing them or not). Unfortunatly I have many kids and can only lick the window of the MP3 Hard disk world :(

[Pate Dogg]

Ipods can be set to show up and used as extra HDD and sound quality is based on ripping quality and your earphones :) My ipod also rad today for 6 hours on less than an hours charge. I can't skin it but then its in my pocket all the time so I don't wanna look at it and I can't watch videos on it but I don't really want to. I could easily get a FM receiver for an ipod as well if I wanted that. Depending on your generation of Ipod you get USB connections and the iPod photo will do all te picture stuff if that floats your boat. I'd also consider my ipod a serious piece of kit and not a fashion accessory as nobody ever see's it. I've never used itunes with my ipod either :)

I don't see where all the hate comes from? :)

Note: The iPod mini IS a fashion item and is stupid :)

[happynoodleboy]

No hate at all. I actually quite like the Ipods and did consider buying one. However I did a comparison as a matter of personal interest, and to point out some ifferences for other people who may be considering which one to purchase. You may notice I am pointing out quite a few areas where the Ipod is better than the Iriver (interface, ease of use, portability)
Forgot to mention Battery time- the Iriver has a much longer battery life (apparently 18 hours although I'm sceptical its that good)... also if the battery degrades Iriver will apparently replace it for free.

One thing though- the sound quality is better. Sorry but it is not as simple as bitrate and earphones... the base unit itself has a fair bit to do with it. And... come on... white earphones? Not a fashion statement?

Its all down to what you are looking for and prefer.

[Pate Dogg]

I'll admit I bought the white version of my earphones so it matches but any sensible person would by black so your less likely to get mugged.

[HaYl0]

yes i have white ones and am probably going to get mugged with them on by raydox more than likely!

you cant compare it to that ipod mini i got an 40gb version for xmas and its bigger than urse :P
mine is also a HDD all you have to do is set hard drive mode. The sound quality does depend on the song quality and the headphones iriver cannot physically change the files in any way.

[happynoodleboy]

Errr no they cannot change the files but they can have the best connections and improved sound processing... thats why winamp sounds different to media player.

Anyway I'm not trying to start an argument is this better than that. Of course an Ipod Mini cant really be compared to a 20Gb player...I listened to the same song on the same speakers on the two players and there is a difference. If you don't believe me well thats your problem.


Fuck this I dont have to deal with your pig-headed fanboyness.

[MIsc^|^decoy]

LOOK http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=301146&cks=PRL

and one little more expencive http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=301148&cks=PRL

[happynoodleboy]

Yeah they look nice but the reviews have not been great. I dont think anyone has come up with a real good Video file player yet....

[HaYl0]

Jesus christ you try put your point across. why do people bother replying to your posts?

[William]

I have a Iriver H120 for 5 months. It is very nice, try buy a nice earphone, it is worth it.

[M@rv!n]

Leave Noodles alone.. He'll be getting a complex.. but he is right.. its not all down to Bitrates and earphones... otherwise every song would sound the same on every player.. it has to do with DAC's and sound processors and the quality of componants used.. dont let it get out of hand,, we all have our opinions and we are entiltled to them. However Noodles is like me and likes to research things first..
I wanted the I-river H-340 but was scepticle due to the un-intuitive interface but if you can get past that I agree that its the most versatile player out there at the moment with the most features for the money. However if I wanted just sound only a IPOD might be worth a butchers. I am going to wait till the 60GB IPOD colour comes down a bit too..Peace