iRiver iFP-5XX questions

[matheis]

hello all!!!
i've done a little searching on head-fi and the irver user forum but have a few questions regarding the iFP-5XX series.

1. will they hit the states? if so, when? how much?

2. i'm interested to know whether they'll have any file size recording restrictions, like the iHP-100 series do. i like to record concerts i attend and would be looking at using the iFP as a possible replacements for md, which leads to the next question...

3. how much live recording potential will they have. i've looked over the user manual and know that they won't (at least initially - hopefully fw will update this) have any vu meters for monitoring recording levels. so, will it handle loud volumes without distorting (i'd be using my sound pros battery module and binaural mics)? is the quality of the recordings good (iFP-3XX users can probably answer this)?

4. what kind of battery life will i get while recording? will the battery be drained before i record my concert (uasualy 2-3 hours @ 320kbps)?

5. if i record @ 320kbps mp3, will it be okay to re-encode to lame 192kbps after i upload and master the recording?

any additional input y'all can provide will be appreciated!
later
nikolaus

 

[terrymx]

1. ofcourse, no idea when, probably christmas or early next year, no idea how much but should be more expensive than the ifp3xx series, which i think a ifp590 (256mb) would be like $250? i'm talking of my ass.

4. Approx.288:00 hrs(8kbps, 1GB) at Max.
Approx.144:00 hrs(8kbps, 512MB) at Max.
Approx. 77:00 hrs(8kbps, 256 MB) at Max.
"Sound Activity Detector (SAD) function saves memory and power of the player during voice recording. The SAD records only when the voice is captured automatically and turns off when it is silent.
The iFP-500 series also has a jack that connects an auxiliary microphone for a better sound quality."

recording to 320kps i have no idea, probably 2-3 hours. with the SAD feature, you might get more hours. i'm talking off my ass

5. yes, if you want to keep the recording at that quality. but if you are planning to reencode it at 192kbps, then why not just record it at lower bitrates to save space, since you're going to loose quality reencoding it from 320kpbs to 192kbps anyway.

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

i have a feeling we wont be getting the iFP-5xx, just look at the price of iFP-599 in korea... $500 for 1 gig?!
im sure most americans arnt willing to pay that much for 1 gig of space, which is why i think only us (U.S.) are getting the iGP-100, 1.5g at $250 without recording features

 

[matheis]

Quote:

Originally posted by terrymx 5. yes, if you want to keep the recording at that quality. but if you are planning to reencode it at 192kbps, then why not just record it at lower bitrates to save space, since you're going to loose quality reencoding it from 320kpbs to 192kbps anyway.

ahoy-hoy! very good point! must've been so intuitive i didn't even think of it ;p

Quote:

Originally posted by ProFingerSk8eri have a feeling we wont be getting the iFP-5xx, just look at the price of iFP-599 in korea... $500 for 1 gig?! im sure most americans arnt willing to pay that much for 1 gig of space, which is why i think only us (U.S.) are getting the iGP-100, 1.5g at $250 without recording features

i'm figuring if it comes here, it'll more along the lines of the iFP-3XX series but a bit more costly to compensate for the extra features (magnesium body and optical out). i sure hope it comes out. i'm not sure if i care about having all of my music with me all the time, as in the iHP-120. with ogg vorbis support, i figure i can cram 6-8 hours or so onto the iFP-3/595. i think that'd be enough for me. i really like the magnesium body of the iFP-5XX series after being spoiled by the metal body of my dr7.

anyhow, thanks for the replies so far! any more replies would be welcome. perhaps another topic starter - how would the iFP-3XX series stack up against the iFP-5XX series? i do like the metal bosy of the 5XX series and the optical out might be nice to hook up to my auvi home system.

later
nikolaus

 

[terrymx]

the ifp3xx is made of plastic becuase people who used it say its pretty hard to get it to scratch. i also heard that the 'door' to the usb connection get loose over time and might fall off or something like that.