iRiver's 5GB H10 MP3 player gets real
By Peter Rojas 
posted Dec 16th 2004 8:45AM
posted Dec 16th 2004 8:45AM
A photo of this had already leaked out about a week ago, but iRiver's new H10 MP3 player just got all official on us. Right now there's only mention of a Korean release (it goes on sale there December 22nd with a list price of about US$344, which is way too high for over here), but everything is about like we'd expected: 5GB hard drive, 1.5-inch color screen (for looking at digital photos), built-in FM radio, 12 hour battery life, and a vertical touch pad that's "reminiscent" of the one found on Creative's Zen Touch (and let's just leave it at that, ok?).
Ok, now put a 20GB or 40GB hard drive in there and then maybe it'll actually be useful.
I don't understand these 5GB music players. Who has only 5GB worth of music these days? *And* you're supposed to put your digital photos on this at the same time? If you're going to be doing all that swapping of stuff in and out (putting new music and photos on every other day), why not just buy a cheap flash-based player, or spend an extra $50 on a 20GB model so you don't have to worry about it?
I guess this whole category mystifies me.
I actually prefer 5GB players vs 20GB. #1 reason - they are smaller. Plus I do not need to carry so much music with me. My favorite collection consist of 30-40 songs form dif. artists. 95% of music I get tired after listening after 5-6 times, so why do I need to carry them with me? I have enough free space on my computer to load them any time I want. If I go on the trip 5GB is plenty for me to listen 40 hrs of music and have some pictures of my kids.
That is a well hung MP3 player... er, I mean.. I bet it hangs well around your neck! Oh, nevermind. :p
Yeah buddy, it's called Smart Playlists.. try them out sometime.. I only listen to my playlists.. i have a shitload of music in iTunes which is rated 3 stars, but i dont have the heart to delete them... yet.
This is perfect.. you can just put all your playlists on there and sync your player from time to time.. all your playlists would probably be around 300-400 songs.. right?
Anyway.. the iRiver looks nice.. Apple still has the patent on the scrollwheel though..but I definitely like those earth tone colours over Apple's pastel..
You can read more about it here: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200412/kt2004121618562811810.htm
very Creative scroll touch pad
> or spend an extra $50 on a 20GB model so you don't have to worry about it?
Maybe you wouldn't have to worry about it, but I have 50GB+ of mp3s. I'm sure that there are plenty of people out there with bigger collections than mine. 5, 20 or 40 GB on the player still means data managment to us.
Different sizes fit different target markets.
It's the difference between a 2.5 inch laptop harddrive and a microdrive. Jeff, this has a very tiny harddrive, 1 square inch that also works as a CompactFlashII card. 5 GB is a HUGE stick of memory for your digital camara. It uses MUCH less battery power and puts off less heat. Plus the real bonus is 5GB is the largest microdrive they make right now, and I think they cost about $350 retail if you can find them. This is an amazing deal concidering. Plus why the hell do you need your own radio station library to ride the train to work?
Why would anyone need a 1,5" screen for photos? They've all got one on their digicams already! Usually bigger too. And who wants to show their friends the great, beautiful pictures they've taken on a teensie weensie screen like that? Don't your pictures deserve much, much better?
iPods (the Mini's too) can be great storage devices for full memory cards 'in the field'. I know: i've used one for that purpose for almost a year now. Works like a charm. I can store thousands of 8 megapixel photos.
But to 'display' photos, iPods (any type) SUCK!
The 5-way joystick on my present flashplayer have partially stopped working after less then one year of daily wear and tear. The touchpad is a step in the right direction - at least then it comes to mechanical reliability. I think Im going to buy this thing.
Anyone have any idea of where I can get any spec on the new 20gig H10?
Also, does anyone know roughly when the 20gig H-10 is getting released in the USA and in the UK?
Someone said, "I don't understand these 5GB music players."
I saw this quote from an iriver marketing guy today: "We think 5GB is the sweet spot"
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119224,00.asp
yer i don't need 20g worth of music, 5 is good for me. im getting this 5gb iRiver in a few days..yay exciting, because iPods suck, i know a lot about those now that ive looked into it..iRivers are awesome
I haven't really seen this iRIVER yet but will be gettin' it for christmas this year, wow im pretty far behind ehh?