Author Topic: What are the advantages of Rock Box? (Read 8849 times)

GrandMasterMark · « **on:** April 23, 2008, 05:37:09 PM »

Long story short:

I am a n00b.

Edirol R-09 sent to factory for repair. Should have listened to reports of it being on the delicate side. 62 days old. Seen very light use. 4 way button on the front went dead. Factory wants 2 - 3 weeks for repair.

Bought a new in the box iriver h120 on ebay.

Question: What are the advantages of "RockBoxing" the iriver rather than just using the existing programing?

stantheman1976 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2008, 06:20:07 PM »

Rockbox allows for more control and more options. If you plan on recording you need Rockbox. The original firmware sucks for recording. You can't change levels while recording.

cgrooves · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2008, 09:52:09 AM »

Original Firmware iRiver = Ford Pinto
Rockboxed iRiver = Ferrari Testarossa

(i.e. Tons more features, performance, capabilities, etc. with Rockbox)

sunjan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2008, 11:27:40 AM »

Quote from: GrandMasterMark on April 23, 2008, 05:37:09 PM

Bought a new in the box iriver h120 on ebay.
Question: What are the advantages of "RockBoxing" the iriver rather than just using the existing programing?

+T for joining the Iriver camp! ;-)

The main and crucial reason for rockboxing the Iriver is that digital artefacts occured when you record with the stock firmware.
Before Rockbox, no serious taper used the Iriver, because of that reason.

Apart from fixing that huge issue, you get a lot of other goodies:
- better mic powering if you go mic-in.
- better battery life
- better meters (+ histogram, right/left balance overview if you add REP)
- see how much battery life and HDD space you have left while recording
- much easier to navigate, more logical menues and better control over the settings
- option to replace the HDD with CF!
- geeky freeware games that you can play while on the bus/train ;-)

GrandMasterMark · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2008, 01:21:53 PM »

Quote from: sunjan on April 24, 2008, 11:27:40 AM

Quote from: GrandMasterMark on April 23, 2008, 05:37:09 PM
Bought a new in the box iriver h120 on ebay.
Question: What are the advantages of "RockBoxing" the iriver rather than just using the existing programing?

+T for joining the Iriver camp! ;-)

The main and crucial reason for rockboxing the Iriver is that digital artefacts occured when you record with the stock firmware.
Before Rockbox, no serious taper used the Iriver, because of that reason.

Apart from fixing that huge issue, you get a lot of other goodies:
- better mic powering if you go mic-in.
- better battery life
- better meters (+ histogram, right/left balance overview if you add REP)
- see how much battery life and HDD space you have left while recording
- much easier to navigate, more logical menues and better control over the settings
- option to replace the HDD with CF!
- geeky freeware games that you can play while on the bus/train ;-)

Dude! I like you! You always have the right answers and you deliver them in a concise manner. You ROCK!

I would give you +t's but I am not at that stage yet.

Keep up the good work!

Should have the H120 today or tomorrow. Found the instructions for the RockBox conversion so I will be attempting that soon. Wish me luck.

deadhoarse · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2008, 01:35:34 PM »

Unfortunately, the iriver's that have appeared on ebay are NOT new, they seem to be from the same batch that Overstock got. They are refurbs at best, with no case or remote.

ljsurfer2002 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:14:08 PM »

I'm in the same boat. A friend gave me his old iRiver. What do I need to do to download / upload the firmware to the machine? any other tips? i'm sure it will be clear when I download the rockbox.

petur · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2008, 03:20:47 AM »

I'm convinced that the information found in the rockbox manual, rockbox wiki and taperssection iriver FAQ is more than enough to get you going... Please take some time to read, it took a lot more time to write it all down

PhilG · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2008, 04:48:18 AM »

Got an iRiver iHP120 via an auction on Ebay yesterday night. Will give a try to the Rockbox upgrade as soon as I will get it. Should be anytime next week.

Phil

sunjan · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2008, 10:18:56 AM »

Quote from: GrandMasterMark on April 24, 2008, 01:21:53 PM

Dude! I like you! You always have the right answers and you deliver them in a concise manner. You ROCK!

I would give you +t's but I am not at that stage yet.

Keep up the good work!

Should have the H120 today or tomorrow. Found the instructions for the RockBox conversion so I will be attempting that soon. Wish me luck.

Thanks man, no sweat! Keep on writing here, by 50 posts you'll be able to T+ us folks...
Rockboxing is a breeze, very straightforward if you follow the instructions. You can't screw up anything, so just try again until the firmware sits there!

hypnotoad · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2008, 12:21:08 AM »

Quote from: deadhoarse on April 24, 2008, 01:35:34 PM

Unfortunately, the iriver's that have appeared on ebay are NOT new, they seem to be from the same batch that Overstock got. They are refurbs at best, with no case or remote.

How did they find that out? Did someone buy one and get it already? Or did someone call iriver? This bums me out because I was thinking of buying one.

GrandMasterMark · « **Reply #11 on:** April 26, 2008, 12:27:36 AM »

Got mine yesterday. I am happy with the purchase. Not marked as a refurb in any way. New condition. Plain wrap box with iriver identification. Box included:

iriver h120
charger
usb cable
ear buds

Manual is available online in several languages

Plan on doing the RockBox upgrade tonight!

hypnotoad · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2008, 12:45:21 AM »

Good luck with the rockbox! I've heard from friends that it's pretty easy to do.

deadhoarse · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2008, 12:52:58 AM »

Quote from: hypnotoad on April 26, 2008, 12:21:08 AM

How did they find that out? Did someone buy one and get it already? Or did someone call iriver? This bums me out because I was thinking of buying one.

I bought one and ran a disk scan on it. I found a whole collection of deleted mp3's. I argued over missing accessories (no charger), and they wound up sending me another iriver (with charger this time). That one too had deleted mp3's on it.

hypnotoad · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2008, 12:56:21 AM »

Ah man that is a bummer, especially if the mp3s they left on it were crappy. hahaha. Kind of like the story I read about a Father trying to sue Best Buy for a ipod he bought his kid. It was wrapped up as new but then when they turned it on they found it was full of porn . At least they sent you a new one with the charger to try and make up for it. Good for you.

Arni99 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 26, 2008, 02:06:18 AM »

One of the biggest advantages of rockbox is the "safety-clip"-feature which LOWERS levels to prevent from clipping.
So you never need to check your levels

.
Set l+r gain to ie. +15dB and activate safety-clip, start recording, slide the Hold-button to ON and enjoy the show.

rdflash · « **Reply #16 on:** April 26, 2008, 03:03:16 AM »

Quote from: cgrooves on April 24, 2008, 09:52:09 AM

Original Firmware iRiver = Ford Pinto
Rockboxed iRiver = Ferrari Testarossa

AWESOME POST

+T

GrandMasterMark · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2008, 10:56:35 PM »

Quote from: deadhoarse on April 26, 2008, 12:52:58 AM

Quote from: hypnotoad on April 26, 2008, 12:21:08 AM

How did they find that out? Did someone buy one and get it already? Or did someone call iriver? This bums me out because I was thinking of buying one.

I bought one and ran a disk scan on it. I found a whole collection of deleted mp3's. I argued over missing accessories (no charger), and they wound up sending me another iriver (with charger this time). That one too had deleted mp3's on it.

Looks like you are right. I just ran Restoration mine and found a boatload (or is it BUTTload?) of lame ass hip hop and psuedo rap
sh!t. I don't mind if it is a refurb unit. That just means that it has been "tested" before it went back out. it does make one wonder which part failed.

Installed RockBox last night and everything is working great. This seems to be a really nice little rig. I can't wait until 32 gig cf cards come down in price. That will make a really nice upgrade!

Arni99 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 27, 2008, 05:01:49 AM »

WAVPACK recordings with rockbox are a huge gain too when it comes to battery-life. my H120 recorded 12h45min on internal mics last night until the battery was down.
WAV makes about 8-10 hours with external mics and bbox.

cgrooves · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2008, 11:00:29 AM »

Quote from: rdflash on April 26, 2008, 03:03:16 AM

Quote from: cgrooves on April 24, 2008, 09:52:09 AM
Original Firmware iRiver = Ford Pinto
Rockboxed iRiver = Ferrari Testarossa

AWESOME POST

+T

+T Backatcha.

Concerning the 'new' iRivers on the market: I'm not sure that anyone who has been messing around with these devices for the last couple of years ever bought into this claim. Remember - if it appears too good to be true, it usually is. Kind of turns you off with the misrepresentation though. That said, I wouldn't fear purchasing a refurbished unit. I've had pretty good luck with them.

BayTaynt3d · « **Reply #20 on:** April 30, 2008, 12:50:32 AM »

Quote from: cgrooves on April 28, 2008, 11:00:29 AM

Quote from: rdflash on April 26, 2008, 03:03:16 AM
Quote from: cgrooves on April 24, 2008, 09:52:09 AM
Original Firmware iRiver = Ford Pinto
Rockboxed iRiver = Ferrari Testarossa

AWESOME POST

+T

+T Backatcha.

Concerning the 'new' iRivers on the market: I'm not sure that anyone who has been messing around with these devices for the last couple of years ever bought into this claim. Remember - if it appears too good to be true, it usually is. Kind of turns you off with the misrepresentation though. That said, I wouldn't fear purchasing a refurbished unit. I've had pretty good luck with them.

Yeah, agreed. I got one that's a tank. Bombproof, failsafe, runs for freakin' E-V-E-R. LOL.