iriver H10 :5GB MTP Firmware version 2.00

[Ioman]

Here is what the new firmware fixes:

New/Improved Features:

1. Displays "License Expired" when attempting to play expired DRM protected tracks.

2. Displays "SYSTEM INITIALIZING PLEASE WAIT" message when the device is powering on.

3. Improved EQ Software Volume Control for more dynamic sound.

4. Improved Playlist synchronization support

5. Time display blinks when Pause is pressed.

6. Improved file transfer stability and speed

7. Improved MP3 file playback support

8. Added Album-order playback (by track number)

9. Improved PlayList sorting by alphabet

10. Fixed Real-Time-Clock(RTC) synchronization

11. Progress bar display issues fixed.

12. Fixed Shuffle mode ID3 tag display

13. "USB connected" message appears after connecting to USB while in photo browsing mode.

14. Returns to previous state after timed FM recordings.

15. Powers off only after saving all data when voice recording is complete.

http://www.iriveramerica.com/download/H10/H105GB_v2MTPUpdate.exe

Firmware instructions are here: http://www.iriveramerica.com/support/hd/H10_upgrade.aspx

[gary_hendricks]

I've a few comments about the H10 5GB that I would like to share, they've been bugging me for a while:

1) I find that the side controls are impossible to operate by touch. So when the H10 is in my pocket, I can't feel where forward and back are. That's bad design, IMHO.

2) Inability to natively play songs in album order. This is a horrendous bug, particularly when playing albums whose songs blend into each other (musicals, thematic albums, etc.)

3) I don't like the earbuds; while they offer great sound, they keep falling out of my ears (though this could be simply a personal-preference/personal-problem kind of thing).

[Ioman]

I find the ear buds, to be pretty cheap and lacking on sound quality overall. Aren't they Sennheiser MX300 (I would have to run upstairs to check). I am thinking the ability to play songs in order could be because of WMP10 and the way it rips music. I am having a similiar problem with the Creative Zen Micro when adding tracks to it using WMP10 too.

[arrowmax]

I find the ear buds, to be pretty cheap and lacking on sound quality overall. Aren't they Sennheiser MX300 (I would have to run upstairs to check). I am thinking the ability to play songs in order could be because of WMP10 and the way it rips music. I am having a similiar problem with the Creative Zen Micro when adding tracks to it using WMP10 too.

For the US version, I don't think H10 is using the Sennheiser MX300, but the Korean version have better accessories. :(

Any suggestion on earbuds?

[k2]

have any of you guys used the h10 with the yahoo music store? i got an account on it lastnight and i need a drm compatible player. is the fm transmitter decent/good?

[Ioman]

Well there is no FM transmistter that comes with it, but you can guy it as an accessory. I am not sure how good it is.

Out of all of the 5GB players, the H10 is my favorite. It has the biggest screen and the most features. Better than the iPod mini, Zen Micro, Sony NW5, Samsung YH-820.

[k2]

great. try the yahoo music store if you haven't, it's pretty slick for $6/month. in a few hours i had grabbed around 4-5GB of music :)

[k2]

those irivers are extremely buggy. ended up with a creative zen micro.

[Ioman]

Ugh K2, I can't believe you said that. Out of the 30+ Microsoft MVP's that received a Creative Zen Micro, there were about 10 players that were bad due to buddy software or poor hardware. I would stay away from Creative at all costs.

[k2]

shrug, i did have one die 3hrs after i started using it. total hdd curruption; but i blame seagate for that. the 2.0.xx firmware seems to be bug free and my replacement hasn't caused any pain yet.

the iriver did however, 3 windows installs (original, sp1 and then with sp2 in the iso .. tried to work out if it was a driver prob) later i returned it for the zen micro. it had a great interface and feel, but was pretty useless since it just doesn't work (as your review mentions, and google covers pretty well).

if i could've bought a dell dj in store i would've. the only 2 players in stock that were playsecure compatible were the iriver and zen micro.

[Ioman]

I had the problem with the H10 on some of my systems, it simply was not recognized. The new firmware update totally fixes it though.

The Creative is just buggy all the way around IMO. You will see after using it. And the touch pad ont he Creative is a nightmare to use.

[k2]

the iriver firmware doesn't fix everything; it would only been seen on 1 of 2 pcs that are the same platform. same mobo chipset, os, etc. which is really a shame because it was such a nice player overall. the zen's no where near as buggy as the iriver was. the touch pad just takes a bit of time to get used to, i have no problems after 2days of use. the sound is much better, but the irivers last firmware did add a lot of nice eq presets which was handy for fm broadcasting.

the iriver also wouldn't work with the playsecure drm on my systems, which i attribute to the buggy firmware. it's on the compatibility list so it has to work on someone's pc out there :)

[neuroking]

I had an iRiver ifp-395. iRiver introduces new products so quickly they RARELY fix all teh bugs. They just introduce new hardware and eventually they think people will give up and buy a new player. Sure. They buy anything but iRiver. Personally, I would not buy another iRiver product.

[2shae]

k im having the problem of the iriver h10 5gb saying "system initializing please wait" when i turn it on and then nothing happens...i downloaded the latest firmware put for it to work i have to turn on the iriver and hook it up with the computer...however everytime i turn it on it doesnt connect to the computers usb...computer cant read it...so wat do i do now