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Music Media

Rio, The Special Edition 80

Posted by CmdrTaco from the battle-continues dept.
Dan Guisinger writes "To match the NOMAD from Creative Labs (Which is ugly as sin and has worse battery performance), they released the Rio PMP300 Special Edition available from their website only. It has 64MB of Flash memory and a translucent Teal case. It sells for $249. " Getting closer.
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Rio, The Special Edition More

Rio, The Special Edition

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  • This is almost the set of features and price point that I want. The trick is, for a device like this you have to find the right target audience, and for the most part, geeks aren't it. We know that these things aren't as effective as a good palmtop/laptop and headphones so we're waiting for something amazing.

    On the other hand, my motorcycle riding brethren are starting to really dig this stuff. Its much easier to tuck one of these inside your jacket than trying to deal with a CD player strapped to your gas tank or the frequent retunning of a normal walkman radio. And the cost? Hell, you're talking to a group that routinely pays >$50 for a pair of gloves and thinks $300 for a jacket is a bargain. $250 for a radio? Sure, why not. Ever see how much it costs to get a good radio in a Goldwing?
  • If you make it use CD's you're back to a mechanical device that soaks the batteries and has a poor form factor. Blah!
  • Posted by freakycreep:

    CD-ROM MP3 player is already released.
    Yeah. Xeenon Mp3 Shuttle from Korea!
    I doubt if it is saled internationally.

    However,
    You can install it only in your car and design's kinda dull. But IT REALLY WORKS! You can store all your mp3s in a CD!

    Or altinatively, how 'bout this HDD-using MP3 player? It is not yet available. But it is just good. REFER www.mpman.com


  • Suggestion: Make the next "Special Edition" of the Rio (or any other player) fit into the Palm3 or Palm5 cradle, and have a hotsync module that identifies the "user" as needing to load .mp3 files just as the default user profile would load apps into the Palm.

    The slowdown from using the serial port instead of the parallel port would probably be offset by the convenience of popping the player into the cradle and pushing the hotsync button (just before I go to bed). One of these years 3COM will come out with a USB cradle, and the speed problem will disappear. I predict that any mp3 player vendor who designs their product to piggyback off the Palm (the de-facto pda standard) will reap great reward. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!
  • By the time you add a faster processor, good background processing to the Palm OS (so that it doesn't skip when you change apps), sound in/out jacks, volume contrrol, and a couple extra AAA batteries (or some Li-ion rechargables), you're gonna be paying more than $295. Not to say I wouldn't buy one... I'm just looking forward to the next step; simple improvements. What I really want (and will hopefully get by the time I'm 90) is fiber into my cortex with a couple of terabytes of holographic storage parked conveniently in my sinuses, and a 2ghz cdma-based local hotsync with the people around me. That way I won't have to complain about artifacts in the music D-A conversion; the MP3's will play directly in my brain.
  • That'd be really kewl... To have an MP3 player, sound recorder AND a stereo radio...
  • Lessee, what do I have on my work PC that won't fit?
    • Beastie Boys: Hello Nasty: 64.1 M
    • Dave Matthews Band: Before These Crowded Streets: 64.4 M
    • Rush: Different Stages (Disc 1): 67.2 M
    • Red Hot Chili Peppers: Blood Sugar Sex Magik: 67.7 M
    All 128k stereo. (No sense sampling higher with this corporate-issue Ensoniq POS!)

    There are still too many fidelity/size trade-offs, even at 64 M built in. 72 M looks more like a sweet spot for a CD's worth of 128k audio. Unfortunately, that would drive up the price, and Rio's already too expensive.

    Keith Russell
    Whatever happened to peaceful coexistance?
  • As long as there are geeks, there will always be quality reverse-engineering to produce software, adapters, etc. My point was more to say "hey - it's a cheap consumer device. As fun and cool as it is to go find all the neat software people have written for it, I don't necessarily _want_ to." I also want USB, but that's besides the point. The Rio would be perfect with 64MB of base RAM, USB (and maybe serial or parallel until Linux supports it), and Win/Mac/Linux drivers ready to go, with a little cheatsheet explaining the protocol for the roll-your-own crowd. And for half the price.

    I'd buy several of 'em, use one and give the rest away as holiday gifts to my non-geek friends. But as far as this model goes - if it looks like an iMac it ought to work with one out of the box.
  • Oh boy. An MP3 player that looks just like my wife's iMac but won't work with it. Yippee.

    Tell Diamond I'll be interested when they start using USB instead of the dead, useless, cheesy parallel port and include Linux and Mac support.
  • Well, I'm using a Mac (well, a clone) and I do find it funny.

    A couple years back I would have expected people to say 'Apple who?', but instead everyone is making fun of them just like old times. That's a Good Thing, it means they're not going anywhere.

    The better Apple does, the less defensive Mac users need to be. So bring on the jokes...


    - Darchmare
    - Axis Mutatis, http://www.axismutatis.net
  • 1) Yup. I do it all the time. You can build your own coax -> optical S/PDIF converter for a few bucks, or go out and buy a MidiMan CO2 bidirectional converter for around $80. It's built *very* well, and I love mine. I make many copies of stuff via my AWE64 onto my '702.

    2) The shock resistance is great. The only way it skips is if you shake it (and I mean *shake*... like, the to the point that you hear the mechanism inside smacking around the inside of the case) for a good 20 seconds or so, and even then, it only interrupts for a second or two.
  • Well... here's a review to give you all some food for thought.

    http://upgradecenter.net/reviews/peripherals/rio vsmd.shtml

    I'm a happy user of the MD-MS702 for a year now, not an employee for Sharp or Sony. =P

    /Andrew
  • Creative's wAb-site stinks. Anyone have a link to the Nomad?
  • duh. it's right on the front page of creaf.com
  • They've brought it up to now support as much as one full cd! And only at 2.5x the price of a portable cd player! What a deal. Is it just me, or is the rio absolute crap aiming for the "more money than they know what to do with" crowd? Personally, I'm waiting until a portable $300 or below laptop hd (2 gigs or so) based player to come out. It shouldn't be too big, so portability wouldn't be much of an issue.
  • I'm basically waiting for a player that can read CD-ROMs - having 650mb worth of MP3:s is a lot of music, and besides, I store all my MP3 files on CD-ROMs anyway.

  • The MiniDisk uses a compression technology similar to the MPEG Level 3 Audio format, i.e. eliminating parts fo the music that can't be heard due to 'technical deficiencies' of the human ear.

    So you should rather compare CD RAW and MiniDisk RAW (around 80MB,don't know exactly), or better:
    CD-R with MP3s: ~800min
    MiniDisk 80min

    The important thing with these compression algorithms is to know a lot about how the ear and brain handles audio information, and this means doing a lot of experiments, empirical research (as opposed to creating mathematical algorithms like wavelet compresseion et al).
    World leader in this area is the IIS Erlangen, which created the MP3 format and is currently working on the successor.

    This also explains why it's not so easy to come up with a new -and better- "standard" format, as MS and the music companies would like to...
  • Some points about the two posts above;

    * Moving parts suck. Suck power that is. Ignoring the shock-proofing (Pro-MD people with say it's near impossible to skip a good MD player), moving parts really drain power. Not that where I live is the best example, but a MD player the same approx. size at the Rio, that runs off a single AA, only goes for 6 hours, the Rio goes for 12. (the MD player is also noticably heaver, particularly when loaded with a disc)

    * It's all about infrastructure. If you've already got a library of MP3 files on your hard drive, buy a Rio - If you've got a library of MiniDiscs in your bookcase, but a portable MD player.

    And yes, someone PLEASE make a solid-state MP3 Player with a USB connection.

    Kris.

    Win a Rio [cjb.net] (or join the SETI Club via same link)
  • There is no device that will give you a personal collection of near-CD quality music with the small size, light weight and 12 hour battery life the Rio offers, at any price.

    * The minidisc players are typically half the battery life and a little heavier.

    * Normal CD players are much larger

    * Tape players are poor all-round, but especially in the quality department.

    * Radios don't give you control of the music.

    This says nothing about the shock-proof-ness of the Rio. Solid-state rocks.

    What's so insane about wanting to carry a personal selection of music around in such a small, light, long-battery-life, package?

    Kris.

    Win a Rio [cjb.net] (or join the SETI Club via same link)
  • The magnesia-something that the Sharp Actius case is made from is probably the best of all worlds. I've got one of those cute Nokia phones, and the fingerprints - oh, man.

    Anyway, it's nice that companies are producing electronic stuff in _anything_ other than black and cream these days - I say, take what you can get. (and if anyone knows an on-line place that'll ship the RioSE & 32MB cards to Australia, please drop me an e-mail.)

    Win a Rio [cjb.net] (or join the SETI Club via same link)
  • How can it be an answer to the Nomad, when all it does it equal the 64MB?

    The Nomad apparently has both FM tuning and Voice Recording. It's still my choice for now...

    +LO
  • I don't know if you've read tom's hardware, but the TNT2 benches faster that the Voodoo3 and Voodoo2 SLI in most cases. This hardly qualifies the TNT as crap...

    check out www.tomshardware.com
  • ... and include Linux and Mac support.

    I'd rather see them just release the specs on how to communicate with the device. This is an itch geeks can't help but scratch.
  • All the information and images you want. From Creative's marketing department, of course.
  • Thats a nice free gift :)

    My order was handled well by them, I got my 2x16MB pack within 3 days....unfortunately I was the one who screwed up and within 3 days more I lost one of the cards....so now I have a Rio carrying case that is currently being shipped by FedEx...
  • I have to admitt I have smacked my Rio around alot. That includes dropping it about 10 times onto concrete from 3 feet in the air. It happens to eject the battery which decreases the amount of mass being decellerated by the impact. If you know anything about physics, you will find it is a good design.
  • Uh, hey guys. I don't think anyone is going to be getting one this weekend. Or next for that matter. I called up Diamond today. I was gonna buy the Rio PiMP300 and they told me it was pre-order. Not only that, but the 32MB expansion card isn't out yet. The Rios aren't even being produced yet, and they don't have a date when the production will start and the units will be shipped. I know I don't want to chance it. That wouldn't be to smart. To hell with 96MB of memory. Oh, and is there any software to power these bastards under Linux? Thank you much... ------
  • Basically all this is is a spiffed up RIO with an extra 32m base memory. A better value for certain, but not a large step.

    Now, if they added the ability to record voice messages or incorporate an FM radio, that would definitely qualify as a Special Edition..
  • That is the sound of my point whizzing by you. I was not dissing the TNT, nor any Riva product. Rather I was trying to make a point about Diamond's apparent approach to making hardware: usually fairly half-assed. The Viper 550 could have been a lot more, as evidenced by Asus' TNT card.

    But why bother making something excellent, when you can make something "okay" for cheaper and still sell a bazillion of them? :P

    It seems they've done the same with the Rio Pimp, based on what people are saying.

    --

  • Well, they did at least make a half-arsed effort at sprucing it up, but I think they could have done a lot better. From personal experience (buying their hardware) it seems Diamond really has a "good enough" mentality. They don't try to be the best darned Diamond they can be. "Ah hell, let's just take that TNT crap and slap it on a board and ship it. They'll buy it." "Let's just dump some more memory in the damn thing, and make it all pretty-like. They'll buy it." I'm not impressed.

    Besides, don't they realize this thing is just asking to be called the "Rio PiMP-300?" ;)

    --
  • If you don't find this funny, you're probably using an apple...

    I found it mildy amusing, and I'm currently sitting at a Mac. I don't think there's much of a correlation between your sense of humor and the reader's machine of choice tho...

    I think it's in your delivery. ;)

    \//
  • I used to work at Diamond while the Rio was being developed...internally we called it the "Pimp" for that very reason.
  • Hmmm, I wonder if they will have any upgrade paths from the regular rio to this new one...
  • If you ask me, it's bloody Apple that started all this ultra-cool-neon-looking-transparency stuff. Now everything that comes out has to have some transparent part or it's just not 'cool'...

    I reckon some fancy chrome would be better, like that groovy Nokia phone that came out...oh, and maybe some extra functionality would be good too....like a photon weapon.
  • they went with the same wrong bad model.

    How am I going to play my eight versions of *The End* at a good sample rate on these babies while dancing about in a wierd drug-induced haze inevitably breaking that conveniently placed mirror lingering before me so hauntingly?!!!

    I'm not.

    Hopefully those IBM porta-drives get integrated soon.


    and translucent plastic teal... apple has inspiried yet another revolution...


    "With patience and plenty of saliva,
    the elephant deflowered the mosquito."

  • dang! they've made the ugly even uglier. Is it a bad eighties walkman or a cheap spacey waterpistol! I'd expect this sort of design from Digitor or Goldstar -- but Diamond?

    It's like those USB zip drives Iomega make. You want to shove a couple of AA batteries into it and start nailing office workmates with a thirty foot stream of tepid tankwater.

    I'm really not looking forward to seeing a bad Adam Sandler movie in 20 years time with Happy Gilmore sporting a swag of deal translucentia!

    schmack.
  • I dobut it.
  • I heard of one being made that will read CD's...I'll try to dig up the URL

    Jack
  • I ordered 2x16mb for my rio 6weeks ago,
    they have taken money from my VISA but i havnt recieved my memorys yet, when i mail them to comfirm my order they wont answer on my mail!!!

    i just wanted to tell you al this before you order one from them!!
  • I ordered 1x16M flash card from them last week, and recieved it two days later. They did mess up the order though, they sent me another RIO player as well as the flash card. The shipping invoice did not list the RIO, & the total price did not reflect it either. However, my cc has not been billed yet!

    No Complaints here
  • That's a nice, informative website. You can take comfort in knowing that because you listed that site, your post was not a total waste of time.

    Now, let's compare.... Both MP3 and Minidisc sound pretty good, but neither is CD quality (and neither will replace my CD collection). It comes down to convenience and your specific situation.

    In my case, I ride to work via a bike path or take a bus. Both take 30 min, so the 32 MB of memory is OK (though I'd obviously like more). I also want to have something for working out, cleaning, doing dishes, etc... I'm buying a RIO this week.

    I considered the Minidisc. I decided against it because:

    - The shock protection is good, but it still skips
    - It's impressively small, but RIO is smaller
    - Its battery life isn't too great
    - It takes too long to copy music to discs
    - The player is as fragile as a regular CD player
    - The players/recorders are still expensive (though the media is reasonably priced)

    The RIO has limitations (32 MB), but overall it's more convenient for me:

    - I've already converted several of my CDs to MP3
    - I use computers at work and at home
    - It's small enough to fit in any pocket
    - It can withstand more abuse than a MD player
    - I have a CDR, so I can store my MP3s easily
    - Battery life is excellent
    - Costs $90 after rebate

    So, explain again why I'm f*cking stupid?
  • I don't use cassettes anymore since they degrade so quickly, get tangled, etc... However, I agree that the RIO is not a good choice unless you need something tiny and skip free that only holds a small amount of music.

    However...

    > Walkman: $20 or less
    > PiMP300: $250 for SE

    Have you,listened to the sound quality of a $20 walkman? Also, RIO 32 MB Model = $90 after rebate.

    > Walkman: can be smacked around carelessly
    > PiMP300: eggshell delicacy with portability

    No. Both are tough, but RIO can withstand more abuse.

    > things like portable mp3 players are geek toys.

    Duh! You do realize you're posting at slashdot, right? :)
  • Here's a link to this week's press release [creativelabs.com].

    --

  • Introducing the iRio, first MP3 player to ship with USB headphones, and it looks uber-cool...
    But if you wait a few months you can get an even better looking Rio-G3 with more memory, better sound output and a faster processor. Diamond promises that the next version, the Rio-G4, will run circles around the best machines creative can put out. The G4 is expected to have the first firewire(r) headphones, and be made of carbon, inside a yellow box, inside a blue box. The G4 is also expected to ship with Rio's new MP-X format, built from the Mock microkernel, which promises to play MP3s as well as most standard UNIX audio files, offer superior multi-listening, and RioNetworking (previously known as TangledHeadphones 2.0).

    If you don't find this funny, you're probably using an apple...

  • I atleast would buy a Rio. It is light, shockproof, and can sport a reasonable collection of music. This is perfect for when I workout. I also suspect the internals hold up just fine because it has no moving parts, but the Rio looks chinsy on the outside. As for the sound quality, I couldn't give a rats ass. MP3 is extremely close to CD quality as far as the human ear can tell. The fact of the matter is that the headphones (or speakers) you use contribute far more noise and distortion than the difference between digital technologies. I'm not going to be lugging around large headphones, I'm going to be using those little cheap 'sports' type headphones for the most part.

    This combined with the fact that I have a rather large collection of mp3s, means that the Rio makes far more sense than a Minidisc. The only place where i'd really use a minidisc, would be on a long trip. You are essentially bound to your PC if you wish to swap music. I also would not recommend a minidisc to the rest of the world, but for my specific needs and wants its just about perfect. I just wish they'd clean up the design a bit.
  • I wonder when they're going to have Tangerine, Grape, etc.?

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