[headache]

I recently got my second 550. It was replaced because of its well known bad behaviour (skipping, sound bursts).

The new unit has much better habits (firmware 1.20), but still skips occasionally. I didn't want to return it (as I love the sound and the features) so I made a few tests, tried this and that to find out whether I can do sth about it.

Here is what I found: The player only skips when the extreme EQ is activated. As long as I stick to the EQ presets, there are no problems at all. The test is running a few hours by now.

This might be the reason why some people experienced problems (even with several units) and some didn't!

I guess, this skipping and sound bursting might be a software/firmware issue related to the extreme EQ that might and should be solved by an update.

I'd like to ask the 550owners in this forum to make this test as well. The result would be interesting for me and for iRiver as well.

Thx a lot

 

[blr]

Test running.


headache, try to engage the anti shock (to 80 sec with audio CD) and walk with the player. Also try to put it in a vertical position. If it passes this test we can declare the problem solved (I hope)

Frankly, I can't imagine why Extreme EQ will affect the way information is read from the disc. I thought that the EQ is handled by the DSP chip and the settings are applied after the signal is read. What I know is that Extreme EQ is incresing power consumption, so perhaps the only explanation is that engaging the EQ cuts power to the laser in order to safe battery life. I dunno...

 

[Thasp]

I did the same thing.

I noticed the Xtreme EQ was running and it skipped like crazy. So I turned off that feature that I paid for.

Then I noticed it'd skip more with ID3 tags enabled, so I turned off that feature that I paid for.

And a week later, it still skipped. And it just got worse as time went on.

I kept trying to convince myself I was doing something wrong with this player, since it was so cool and $180, but once I tried my friend's Panasonic again I knew this thing was crap.

It was a lot better once I stopped trying to convince myself it was a good player. I should make a new meeting.. IA... iRiveraholics anonymous.

 

[eyeless]

I have turned off the new 3d EQ, but raised all levels on the ordinary EQ, so to get a higher out volume (so I can hear my low-volume-odd records too). I will try and turn that off too and see if it helps... . Have been plaaying a new mp3-CDR lately though and there's no problem with that (maybe a little 'pop' once, but ok). I will try and do new CDRs of the skipping audio CDs too -- probably will help, but is sort of annoying if that should be the only solution ... .

Jerry

 

[blr]

Turning the extreme EQ off didn't do it for me. It's basically the same. I'll be replacing my 550 soon.

 

[bangraman]

I think I'll be taking mine back too. The very ocasional gaps haven't gone away, and sometimes there's a 'bloop' in the sound.

 

[headache]

hey, thats funny: I heard those 'bloobs' too. They are not repeatable. Those silly things are definitely not caused by the laser but by severe software/firmware faults.

Ever tried to use the fast scan function (2x or 4x)? Play with it for a while and you will cause your imp-550 to behave very strange (sound bursts, silly charakters displayed).

 

[Ryan1524]

i rarely use audio cds, but for test purposes, i did and it was fine while walking, even randomly switching or jumping tracks. on the other hand, MP3 cds are superb so far. no skips. i can even run and jump track.

 

[bangraman]

My 550 has been replaced. I'll see how things go from here.

 

[bundee1]

Hi y'all, hi b-man. I just got my 550 today and my remote says my firmware is 1.3. What are you guys running? Ive only played one disc but (knock on wood) its worked fine. I need to play with more of the features to see if any of them will cause the unit to malfunction. I have 14 days to return it.

 

[bundee1]

Sorry checked it out in daylight and my firmware is 1.03. Ill try downloading the firmware upgrade today. There are no instructions on how to do it in the manual. Is it easy?

 

[bangraman]

I worked it out the first time, although the iMP-400 I had back then didn't

Just burn the file you downloaded (unzipped of course) onto a CD-R, close the session or disable multisession burning just to be on the safe side, then stick it in your player and press play. That's it. It should then inform you on the remote that it's updating. Don't turn off the player during this process.

 

[Stoney]

I've had mine for a few months with v1.03, and I've kept it in anti-skip buffer mode the whole time. No skipping problems that I can recall.

Is there any sonic degradation when using the anti-skip mode? I assumed it used memory for buffering, and thus might trigger use of a cruder/faster decoding algorithm. But I haven't tested it. Has anyone? I'd also be curious if it affects redbook CD quality.

The downloadable firmware is 1.1. Did I read above that headache has 1.3? Or was actually 1.03? Has anyone had problems with 1.1?

Thanks for the tips on installing the firmware... I suspected that might be the method, although I thought I read something about USB.

iRiver America - iMP-550 Support and Firmware