should i get the iriver h320

[cthcky33]

i just sold my week old ipod to get the iriver instead. i just want to make sure its as good as it looks before i buy it

[evilmax17]

I Have one, and enjoy it very much. Any specific questions?

[cthcky33]

not really anything that comes to mind, im gonna try to put the korean firmware on it to play videos. have u done that to yours??

[evilmax17]

I haven't but I've heard of it. I'm waiting to see what the next official firmware upgrade does before I do anything unofficial.

[peteyrose]

I've done that. Now I watch TV shows, anime, and movies wherever I go. It's truly a remarkable device that makes my iPod friends jealous.

[cthcky33]

I've done that. Now I watch TV shows, anime, and movies wherever I go. It's truly a remarkable device that makes my iPod friends jealous.

is it really complicated to install the new firmware as well as convert movies and all that???

i just got a wintv card for my comp, so i will record shows and then transfer them to the iriver if its easy enough

[humidore]

I'm looking forward to getting one as soon as I get the money. Is it "easy" or comfortable to watch stuff on the screen? What are the screen's dimensions?

[cthcky33]

I'm looking forward to getting one as soon as I get the money. Is it "easy" or comfortable to watch stuff on the screen? What are the screen's dimensions?

i believe the screen is 2.5"

[peteyrose]

It took me (a total newb when it comes to this thing) ten minutes to figure out how to upgrade the firmware. Putting movies onto the iRiver requires encoding the file to specific parameters, if you download a program called PocketDivxEncoder (I believe that's what it's called), it takes care of everything for you. Just select the file, click encode, and you're done. Easy stuff.

It is awesome watching shows off the screen, particularly because it's so bright. Obviously it doesn't compare to the PSP at all (once I get my PSP, I won't be using the H320 for watching movies), but it's still great considering that movie playback isn't even an advertised feature for the H320. You're getting a great feature for free.

[spidey]

If you like the H320, it is on clearance at BestBuy for ~$215 (if you can still find it).

The screen size on the H320 is only 2 inches.
http://www.iriver.com/html/product/prpa_product.asp?pidx=42

There is going to be a new H10 20GB, which has a slightly smaller screen 1.8 inch. Nothing too solid yet since it's yet to be announced at the US website, let alone the global website.
http://www.iriver.at/harddisc_player.html?p_id=145&L=0&view=

Either way, you can't go wrong with iRiver. Their sound quality is highly regarded (better than Apple's offerings) and their customer service is top notch (I had an easier time with them than Nintendo CS and we know how great the big N's CS is).

BTW, check out the forums at misticriver.net.

[moiety]

It is awesome watching shows off the screen, particularly because it's so bright. Obviously it doesn't compare to the PSP at all (once I get my PSP, I won't be using the H320 for watching movies), but it's still great considering that movie playback isn't even an advertised feature for the H320. You're getting a great feature for free.

That's great to know! I have an H320 too, but I wanted to hold off before adding any firmware. I'd love to be able to watch anime on my iRiver on my train ride to Boston. I'd have just enough time to watch one episode each way! Anyway, I'm going to wait to add this, but I'm really excited that it works effectively! (Lovin' my iRiver more and more each day!)

[Gameboy415]

WOO! Excellent choice my friend.

I have the H340 (same deal, but 40 Gig instead of 20) and the Korean firmware. It plays music, pics, and video like a champ.

Check out this site for everything you could possibly want to know about Iriver:

http://www.misticriver.net/

Cheers!

[SS4Brolly]

I've been meaning to make a topic JUST like this for a while now.

I have a few questions:

What's the battery life like? For both Audio and Video. And how about video quality? Decent?

THe other thing I was wondering is file sizes. After you encode it, how large is the file? Like, how big would your standard TV episode of Anime/Family Guy/Seinfeld/Whatever be? Movies?

Thanks a bunch. I plan to be selling my Dell MP3 player soon for one.

[peteyrose]

Battery life is very dependent on the bitrate of the songs you're playing. I'd say anywhere from 16-18 hours is typical. Of course, the audio quality is way above what the iPod offers.

I've never used an entire charge on just video playback, but from what I remember on misticriver.net, it seems to be about 5 hours.

Video quality is surprisingly good, considering that they have to be encoded at 220 x 176 resolution and 10 fps. I have a couple episodes of Naruto on my player now, and they're 100 MB each. The original file size was 170 MB, so encoding the video chopped off roughly 40% of the file size.

The H320/H340s are also mod-able. This photo isn't great quality (it was taken off a member from misticriver), but this is the same exact thing I see when I first boot up my H320 ;)

http://www.misticriver.net/photos/albums/userpics/13886/boot_screen.jpg

[cthcky33]

If you like the H320, it is on clearance at BestBuy for ~$215 (if you can still find it).

The screen size on the H320 is only 2 inches.
http://www.iriver.com/html/product/prpa_product.asp?pidx=42

There is going to be a new H10 20GB, which has a slightly smaller screen 1.8 inch. Nothing too solid yet since it's yet to be announced at the US website, let alone the global website.
http://www.iriver.at/harddisc_player.html?p_id=145&L=0&view=

Either way, you can't go wrong with iRiver. Their sound quality is highly regarded (better than Apple's offerings) and their customer service is top notch (I had an easier time with them than Nintendo CS and we know how great the big N's CS is).

BTW, check out the forums at misticriver.net.

i checked one BB last night and they didnt have it. im gonna try another one today

[bballplaya210]

Do yourself a favor and get this instead. I got one about 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. It was made to play movies you don't need some crappy Korean drivers to get it to work. It's 20gb. Also I have heard that the video on the H320 runs very choppy because it wasn't made to play video. The gmini 400 plays video at 30 fps.

http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=3zt7mln380ybb37&id=1003108&com boid=452

If you don't believe me then go to cnet.com and read the review for it.

[peteyrose]

Do yourself a favor and get this instead. I got one about 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. It was made to play movies you don't need some crappy Korean drivers to get it to work. It's 20gb. Also I have heard that the video on the H320 runs very choppy because it wasn't made to play video. The gmini 400 plays video at 30 fps.

http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=3zt7mln380ybb37&id=1003108&com boid=452

If you don't believe me then go to cnet.com and read the review for it.

That thing looks huge. How big is it?

If playing videos is the main thing you're looking for, you've gotta go with the PSP. Hands-down the most incredible screen you're going to get. Other than that, it just depends on what you're looking for in a player. If you're serious about music quality, iRivers are the way to go. If you have a variety of filetypes (mp3, WMA, egg vorbis, etc), iRivers are your only choice. Other than that, it comes pretty much to personal preference.

[cthcky33]

Do yourself a favor and get this instead. I got one about 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. It was made to play movies you don't need some crappy Korean drivers to get it to work. It's 20gb. Also I have heard that the video on the H320 runs very choppy because it wasn't made to play video. The gmini 400 plays video at 30 fps.

http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=3zt7mln380ybb37&id=1003108&com boid=452

If you don't believe me then go to cnet.com and read the review for it.

That thing looks huge. How big is it?

If playing videos is the main thing you're looking for, you've gotta go with the PSP. Hands-down the most incredible screen you're going to get. Other than that, it just depends on what you're looking for in a player. If you're serious about music quality, iRivers are the way to go. If you have a variety of filetypes (mp3, WMA, egg vorbis, etc), iRivers are your only choice. Other than that, it comes pretty much to personal preference.

im going for music quality first, i just thought video playback would be a nice bonus with the iriver

[peteyrose]

Do yourself a favor and get this instead. I got one about 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. It was made to play movies you don't need some crappy Korean drivers to get it to work. It's 20gb. Also I have heard that the video on the H320 runs very choppy because it wasn't made to play video. The gmini 400 plays video at 30 fps.

http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=3zt7mln380ybb37&id=1003108&com boid=452

If you don't believe me then go to cnet.com and read the review for it.

That thing looks huge. How big is it?

If playing videos is the main thing you're looking for, you've gotta go with the PSP. Hands-down the most incredible screen you're going to get. Other than that, it just depends on what you're looking for in a player. If you're serious about music quality, iRivers are the way to go. If you have a variety of filetypes (mp3, WMA, egg vorbis, etc), iRivers are your only choice. Other than that, it comes pretty much to personal preference.

im going for music quality first, i just thought video playback would be a nice bonus with the iriver

Indeed. H320 is perfect for you then ;)

[cthcky33]

i cant find a b&m store that has it. so i think im gonna get it from ecost for $279. any better deals out there

[flizmo007]

Once you get one, you will find all the IRiver information you will ever need, firmware, skinning etc., here.
http://www.misticriver.net/

Enjoy

$269 at http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=IRH320 - I have orderd from them as well as others I know.

$263 at http://www.shopharmony.com/product.asp?file=PRICEGRABBER&i=IRIH320

[cthcky33]

Once you get one, you will find all the IRiver information you will ever need, firmware, skinning etc., here.
http://www.misticriver.net/

Enjoy

$269 at http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=IRH320 - I have orderd from them as well as others I know.

$263 at http://www.shopharmony.com/product.asp?file=PRICEGRABBER&i=IRIH320

thanks a lot. ill probably get it from that buydig site if the one last BB im checking doesnt have it

[Gameboy415]

IIRC, I'm pretty sure I got my H340 from BuyDig.

No Problems here and pretty quick shipping.

[redgopher]

i just sold my week old ipod to get the iriver instead. i just want to make sure its as good as it looks before i buy it

Oops.

[spidey]

I can vouch for BuyDig as well. I bought a Canon digicam from them. Good prices and fast shipping.

[radjago]

I've also bought a camera from BuyDig, so they seem to be reliable.

[Mr. Anderson]

This thing looks AWESOME. And it's cheaper than a 20 GB iPod as well! The only thing really holding me back from getting one instead of an iPod is the inability to play AAC. Is there any way to get AAC files on the iRiver? And how easy is it to get files (audio and video) onto the iRiver, especially since I'm so used to using iTunes?

[Mr. Anderson]

Somebody please tell me?

[spidey]

No support for AAC. If you need AAC, you'll need another player.

You can always convert your AAC files to MP3.

If you run OSX, you can try this.
http://www.blacktree.com/apps/iTunes-LAME/index.php

Windows:
http://www.hymn-project.org/jhymndoc/

[cthcky33]

i had one more question. can it be used an external HD just to transfer files??

[spidey]

i had one more question. can it be used an external HD just to transfer files??

Yes

[Gameboy415]

i had one more question. can it be used an external HD just to transfer files??

Boy howdy!

I use mine to backup all my video editing/special effects work! And it works flawlessly with both PC and Mac (blah, but that's all we have at school).

In that regard, I recommend the 40 Gig model. I personally have about 8 gigs of music and its EXTREMEMLY nice having the extra space to backup stuff that's clogging up my PC.

[Mr. Anderson]

No support for AAC. If you need AAC, you'll need another player.

You can always convert your AAC files to MP3.

If you run OSX, you can try this.
http://www.blacktree.com/apps/iTunes-LAME/index.php

Windows:
http://www.hymn-project.org/jhymndoc/

Worked like a champ. Your my hero, spidey.