[ProFingerSk8er]

yupp...just saw it on iRiver's firmware update page..

adds OGG and animation

link: http://iriver.com/support/download.asp

Ogg Vorbis supports a bit rate of 32Kbps~500Kbps, 44.1kHz

those of you with iHP-100 hurry up and update and let us know what you think

 

[spec20]

Wow that's sweet

but were does it say something about animation i couldn't find any thing about that at that link.

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

"Improved the display of the Title Scroll when the mode is changing from MP3 to FM mode."

well...title scroll kinda = animation...
LOL

 

[Sweet Spot]

I'm assuming that the upgrade will not affect the usage of MP3's or any of the other formats.... I was thrilled to find out that they will be releasing the Ogg upgrade for the iMP 350, until I found out that you have to choose between Ogg or MP3 because of the internal memory size or something. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll do the upgrade. What would push me over the edge is if they could fix the problem with seemless play. Not that the gap is that big, but that still affects the transitions for live concert files. If they fix that, I'll bite.

 

[mmortal03]

There was a big misconception made by some people, so go and re-read iRiver's press release for Ogg Vorbis support, especially the table at the bottom. You get to make the choice between 1) Mp3 and Ogg Vorbis AND 2) Mp3 and WMA. You will not have to make the choice of one or the other (e.g. Ogg Vorbis OR Mp3).

source: http://www.iriver.com/company/news_view.asp?idx=355

 

[Sweet Spot]

Yeah, I saw that one. Hmm..

Quote:

The Cirrus Logic EP7312 (iMP-250, 350 and 400) and Phillips SAA7750 (iMP-550) chips are capable of supporting Ogg file format. Unfortunately, the Ogg audio format codec size is extremely large for 8Mbit Nor flash memory. The iRiver R&D team estimates that customers who use iMP-250 and 350 might be forced to make a selection between Ogg firmware and MP3 & WMA firmware. This problem occurred because the Ogg audio file format codec needs to be installed on the Nor flash memory, but iMP-250 and 350 do not have sufficient memory space for an additional codec.

To me, that reads as if you have to choose between the 3 formats in question. Doesn't sound as clear cut as you make it out to be.

 

[elinenbe]

look at the chart a little further down the page, then it is much more clear.

 

[swalker]

yup, it's a choice between WMA and OGG. It seems they couldn't fit all the codes into the smallish Flash ROM.

 

[Sweet Spot]

Aaah..yes. Now my blind old eyes see it. Thanks for pointing that out. Well gee, now

Let

me

think.

Which will it be...Ogg, or WMA. I'll need time to think abou...Ok Ogg it is. What a no brainer that was.

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

you only havta choose between WMA and OGG on iFP players...
iHP has larger memory for firmwares so OGG, MP3, WMA can all work on iHP

 

[raynman]

iHP user reporting:
Good news and not so good news about this firmware:

Good

1.) OGG implementation. It works. I have actually ripped a *selection* of my favorite songs in OGG. The sound is indeed impressive even when I ripped at 128kbps. Sounded close to 192 ripped Mp3's IMO.
2) Faster start up time. Maybe it's me. I feel its just tad faster now when I start from a cold boot.
3.) The player now resumes exactly where you left it (song) when you turn your player off. This was quite annoying before, but now it is fixed. Yay!
4.) Removed the UI bug where if you would go back to navi menu by holding down the joystick from the artist/title lists and it would give a partial text on the bottom of the navi menu. Looks like iRiver reads their forums no doubt

Bad

1.) OGG not implemented in DB mode. Note why I only chose to rip a selection of my songs. I dunno why they can't incorporate this. If you want to find your OGG files, they are found only through the file navigation option. Bummer. WMA seems to do the same thing.
2.) OGG files are not gapless playback. They have a gap of <0.5 secs I would say, but there is a slight gap from my tests.
3.) FIRMWARE updating resets all your player's settings. I've lost all my EQ settings, saved tuner stations, backlight settings, etc. Why oh why does it have to do that? I just wish it didn't.

Other noteworthy functions I happened to find:
I was playing around in the IHP drive last night, and haven't noticed this before. When you right click inside your IHP drive, you have the option to select how you want to sort your files, just like the navi menu. Finding a specific file inside a specific folder is now even more easier. Pretty neat stuff