Nomad Zen NX - the 8 mb buffer issue

[noguilt]

Compared to the Ipod's 32 mb, the Nomad Zen NX 8 mb buffer seems incredibly puny, but could somebody please tell me how much difference that would make in practical terms?

in particular, i am a runner, and i know the Ipod presents no skipping problems at all for runners. Can anyone say how much more likely that is to be a problem with the Nomad Zen NX, considering its 8 mb buffer?

also, the IRiver website doesn't say anything at all about a buffer on the iHP-100. Does anyone have information about that? In any case, am i the only person concerned about the 20 mw output on the iHP-100?

 

[williamgoody]

Quote:

in particular, i am a runner, and i know the Ipod presents no skipping problems at all for runners. Can anyone say how much more likely that is to be a problem with the Nomad Zen NX, considering its 8 mb buffer?

Ummm, I really don't think that's the case. As far as I remember, the Ipod gave many runners problems by freezing or locking up, if I remember correctly.

The only disadvantage I could think of as far as using a smaller buffer would be that the HD would be spinning up more, leading to potentially more wear and tear.

 

[White Knight]

If it would spin up more then it would use more battery power. And from what I read about iHP-100 buffer memory is only at 10 MB.

 

[ls20]

well the advertised battery life is still 14 hours so i dont think the zen can disappoint much there. i wouldnt take any hdd based players when running, though... thats gonna put some wear on it. and the ihp is sooo expensive, might as well buy a zen/ipod and then an iriver flash-player for running

 

[austonia]

as it turns out, the memory buffer issue is a non-issue.

iPod > 32mb buffer > ~7 hours runtime.

Zen NX > 8mb buffer > ~12 hours runtime.

the archos hard drive players have only a 2mb buffer and outlast the iPod in runtime.

I would guess that these companies have tested different hardware configurations and determined that buffer size has a negligable effect on overal runtime, so they can reduce manufacturing costs by decreasing the buffer size. Likely, this is in part why Creative can sell the Zen NX 20gb for $250 retail.

 

[lan]

I don't think harddrive players can skip because of vibration. It's not like a flimsy transport, laser, and disc like a CD or MD. So I think the buffer is non issue for that.

RAM is so cheap now though. I don't see how then can save that much.