iRiver H320 vs iPod

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.shahine.com/omar/iRiverH320VsIPod.aspx' target='_blank'>http://www.shahine.com/omar/iRiverH320VsIPod.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I was really excited to see a device like the iRiver H320. However, upon opening the device the experience turned out to be an extreme disappointment. I believe that iRiver built the Kitchen sink here. This device tries to be too many things to too many people. A hard disk, a USB Host device (International only), an MTP sync device (US only), Photo Viewer etc. Make sure you read my post <a href="http://www.shahine.com/omar/PermaLink,guid,9a980f17-b81c-4ff1-8352-b28ac3cc83bd.aspx">iPod Replacement Criteria</a> before reading this review. Remember, I have only one goal, to review this compared to an iPod. I don't care about anything the device offers that does not meet my core criteria."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/iRiver_H320.jpg" /> <br /><br />I tend to agree with the reviewer here. iRiver makes some great players, but the reason the iPod is so popular that even idiots can use it. The plain fact that one needs to "hack" their player to support DRM WMA files just shows how far iRiver needs to come. This kind of stuff should be right the first time.

[PR.]

Just got my iRiver 320 a few days ago works great.

The 320 comes with a CD which features the DB building program but I had some problems with that so I went and retagged all my music and removed the IDv1 tags and started using IrviumExplorer compiled the database on 1k songs, boot up takes about 10seconds with the DBscan enabled.

Currently trying to get an LCD remote, off ebay.

I'm not an idiot and therefore don't need a UI that treats me like one. :)

As for DRM I wouldn't know, I won't waste my time on such things :evil:

[James Fee]

I'm not an idiot and therefore don't need a UI that treats me like one. :) Unfortunately for us, there are too many out there. iRiver will never be more than a niche product until they improve their UI.

[Kevin & Beth Remhof]

I'm not an idiot and therefore don't need a UI that treats me like one. :) Unfortunately for us, there are too many out there. iRiver will never be more than a niche product until they improve their UI.

I would not call myself a basic user at all. I'm a power user. But, I don't want to come home after a day of writing software to get stumped by a device or UI.

I find iTunes to be amazing. It's easy to use, intuitive, and heck... it just plain works. The reason that the iPod is so great is that it works so well. It's not just iTunes, it's the player and how it integrates with iTunes. It's easy to manage your music your way.

I really don't get the feeling that iTunes treats me like a novice. Its UI is clean and simple to understand. But it is extremely powerful. Heck, smart playlists can keep anyone busy for some time. If you have a Mac, you can hook in with Apple Script and go nuts. Honestly, I'm a bit jealous of Mac users right now...

I have not used any iRiver products (besides in the store) so I can't give a fair comparison. But I have played with my share of media player apps. Most are just overly complicated. Apple got it right. Their DRM is much easier to understand and handle than any of the Microsoft DRMs. Janus sounds like complete marketing speak to me.

OK, I'm ranting now... sorry... It's going to take a lot for any player to unseat the iPod. I welcome the challenge but I see the next evolution of digital media players coming from Apple not iRiver, Creative, or anyone else.

[rickster1213]

Being "idiot proof" doesn't mean the users are idiots or that the interface treats the users like idiots, Mr. Holier-than-thou! Simplicity is elegance.

Arrogance and tones of superiority may make Mr. "PR." feel superior to others, but just show the shallowness of the poster.

The self-righteous posters who are superior to "the masses" need to get a liife.

[PR.]

Being "idiot proof" doesn't mean the users are idiots or that the interface treats the users like idiots, Mr. Holier-than-thou! Simplicity is elegance.

Arrogance and tones of superiority may make Mr. "PR." feel superior to others, but just show the shallowness of the poster.

The self-righteous posters who are superior to "the masses" need to get a life.

lol, you are hilarious! :lol:

Declaring me as "arrogant and acting superior" then telling me to to get a life! Great irony :)

And all over my opinion of a simple HD based music player

I tried out an iPod before I bought my H320, it was ok but the differences on the H320 didn't leave me confused it was just different, I was happy to use a file browser, its how I have my mp3s in Windows sorted so I just drag and drop them over and I know where they are.

[jizmo]

I'm not sure if I'm ready for the comeback of that 80's double-deck cassette recorder look.

:?

/jizmo