40GB Internal Hard Drive - MPN: H340
Strengths: color screen cool DSP large capacity picture and txt viewer multi codec and case and belt clip
Weakness: hard button setup to many plugs
i bought recently and found out that i should have bought the 20gb version and that i didnt need so much space but otherwise the player is terrific and sounds great. I hope that I can find some accessories to go with my player.
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TopStrengths: Ease of Use. Color Screen. Large Storage Capacity. Long Battery Life.
Weakness: The Player none...the carry case obscures screen & buttons.
This product rocks! The interface is simple and easy to use. The player supports a bunch of different file types. The color screen is cool and the music sounds great. I like the fact that you can store and view text and pictures on your screen. We just had a baby and when people ask to see pictures, I just whip out the player and show them pictures. I hooked up an FM transmitter and now I take all my albums with me when I drive the car and blast them on my car speakers. No more taking CD’s to the car!
It is very easy to update your player. When you plug it up to your computer, it just looks like another hard drive. Just drag you songs over and you are done. The USB 2.0 is great. I had USB 1.0 and it took a while to copy my music over. So if you don’t have USB 2.0 do what I did, invest in an adapter card (about $20-30) and you will love the quick transfer speed. If you ever visit a retail store and see this player lined up next to the competition, you will see why it’s the best. (But don’t buy at the retail store…use price grabber and save!) This product is good for your health because battery lasts up to 16 hours, leaving you 8 hours to sleep at night. Any more play time would mean that you would not get enough sleep, like I said, good for your health!
I have no gripe with the player itself. My only complaint would be the carry case that ships with player. One side of the case has a belt clip, but the other side is solid and completely hides the screen & all the buttons used to operate the device. You have to take out of case to change the volume, song etc. I don't use case anyway, but if you want to use a carry case, then you need to order one from the manufacturer that has an open side allowing you to see the screen. All the case is good for is a storage case (which is a good thing to have I suppose.) Case aside, great great item. I would absolutely buy again and recommend to anyone.
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TopStrengths: Compact, Color Screen, HUGE Capacity, Fast USB 2.0 Xfer capability. Acts as a hard drive on Win2K or XP, meaning no need for special software to copy files. Line IN socket - a very unique feature!
Weakness: Awkward when it comes to intuitive menuing. I found this to be less than straightforward to find features and execute them. Included case is for protection only, not use. Somewhat heavy.
Nice unit for the price: allows the transfer of files directly from PC via fast USB 2.0. Color screen, allows the copy, storage, and display of pictures on-screen (a nice built-in perk!) Included carrying case with belt clip is for protection only since it does not allow access/view to the screen or pushbutton controls, which should be backlit. You are required to order a custom case from iRiver directly (another $35 investment) if you want functionalty and protection. Supports many popular music formats, allows you to categorize and edit on the fly (remember, this is just like an external hard drive.) HUGE 40 GB Capacity in a small package.
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TopStrengths: Multi features.
Weakness: Fixed battery. Heavy weight.
Lot of features which can not be found at another MP3 players. If the battery were not fixed, it would be 100% perfect. Photos loading is somewhat weird. The best part is drag and drop, no other harassments. IF the storage capicity can be improved, that will be much better. Accessories are not immediately available, so it is the weakest point for iriver company. Overall, that device: H340, is better than the rest of MP3 players in the market.
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TopStrengths: Color Screen, Large Capacity, Recording capability (line in/ext or int mic), good reputation for reliability, good sound, free case (although not the best design), ability to view photos & text
Weakness: Not as intuitive as iPod, but much more flexible and feature-packed. About 30% thicker than iP*d, fixed battery, hard to find accessories (cases & remote)
I've only had mine a few days, but so far I love it! More features than other players. Drag and drop ability is a major asset, as well as lots of freeware available for ripping, converting and syncing. If you're at all PC-savvy, this model appears to beat iP*d hands down.
I'll update my review after using the unit for awhile.
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TopStrengths: In-Line Recording, Mic In/Out Recording
Weakness: Controls and interface could use some improvements.
I never owned a HD mp3 player before this one, and I took my time into researching all that mattered to me. However, I did own a Sony-Clie with a 1GB Flash-Drive which seemed to always run out of space. Therefore, I decided to take my time into purchasing the right player.
When you think about spending the kind of money that gets you into the 40GB Club, you better make sure that you're going to love what you buy, otherwise you better be a good used goods salesmen.
The H340 doesn't offer anything more than most of the other high-end mp3 players out there. I will not go into details of what it does or not offer(for that please read the manufacturers description, this review is only about my personal opinion and what I love from the H340), however I would like to make clear the need that it satisfies - the main reason why I choose the H340.
In-Line Recording! That's all you need to know. No other mp3 player offers it. No one else even contemplates about offering it as an option in the future. You think that they can't, of course they can. Anyone can, but they won't.
Why? Think about it. If you're able to answer this question, and if that is what you're looking for, then you have found your perfect match on the H340.
P.s. I love the dual headphone outlets, it's so romantic..., instantaneous song transfers through USB 2.0 and 16 hour plus battery charges. Plan on buying some good head phones, this baby has SRS, Everything else, no matter if you own an iPod, H340 or whatever you own, is just hype...
Oh, and it gets only 4 stars because I'm a perfectionist
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Topactually, polaroid made a mp3 player with up to a 40gb hard drive. their mp3 also has line in recording, a built in microphone for voice memos, and an fm radio that you can record from. i would not suggest the polaroid to anyone unless they dont mind having a big bulky thing.
Strengths: Color Screen, Price, FM Radio, View Pictures, Voice Recorder, Upgradeable Firmware,
Weakness: No backlight on Buttons. Big Oops!! No built in playlist.
I had purchased the Iriver unit in hopes that i would be better and more usefull then the ipod. However, I came to realize a few things. 1. It is bulkier then the new 4G 20 gig Ipod. 2. How often will I really use the FM transmitter? At 20 gigs of music I should have more music then the radio stations. 3. There was no built in playlist. The playlist they have is from WinAmp. Unfortunately, winamps transfer speed and rip speed is super slow. The slow speed maybe caused to my inexperience with winamp. Lastly, I don't believe the use of recording fm radio or just recording is useful. I didn't think I would use it that often. Sadly, I had returned the unit and bought an Ipod instead.
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Top"No built in playlist."
Really? Weird... Mine has one... ;)
"It is bulkier then the new 4G 20 gig Ipod."
40 gigs not equals 20 gig. The storage capacity does affect the hdd size.
Now, about the "winamp issue". How is WinAmp playlist connected to its read speeds?? You can take any reader and later use winamp to just create the playlist, after the files read. You can even do it without using winamp at all.
I'm not even commenting on your "unneeded features".
I believe you mean "FM reciever" boss. And as the above poster wrote, your product is 40 gigs, not 20. I'm afraid I have to tell you that "You don't know what your talking about." I quit reading after the "transmitter" reference, but I suspect there are other factual errors since you are free and loose with whatever happens to pop into your head.
iRiver H340 40GB MP3 Player
Strengths: Awesome sound, Capacity and capabilites. Music support, FM Radio,Photo and text viewer, optional (color) remote, and voice recording.
Weakness: Slightly larger than H320 model and controls slightly difficult to get used to. Also Firmware support is non-existant in US Version. International support is available but may disable features.
I research this product for several weeks before I bought it. There are two versions available the international version and the North american version. The north american version or SE edition comes only with the ac adapter, carrying case, USB cable, headphones, stero cable and player. The International version contain all of the accessories in the SE version plus a dock cradle, and a backup AA batter adapter and allow for USBtoGo feature in the player. Look for the International version if you are planning to buy the H340. Otherwise the player was awesome with its ability to play different media formats, photo support and lower cost than Ipod color. Its cool black case and mulitple line in and out allow for different accessories.
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Jul 8, 2005
Getting an International version sounds great... where would you suggest one look for it?
Also, no one has said what music formats it uses. I suppose that is because most of the reviewers are Windows people. But I am pretty certain that even windows plays more music encodings that just wav or the newer wma .
I am particularly interested in Ogg-Vorbis. Which gives much better sound at the same comppression rates.
Different codecs do things differently. Some better some worse many just different. In the case of Ogg-Vorbis the way they do the compression makes a huge difference in what sudiophiles hear.