Rating: Summary: No Driver problems here Review: So I've noticed a large number of complaints about installing/configuring the drivers for Windows XP. Let's see, I installed the software, plugged in the device, and the driver was automatically found and installed. Yes I can see how that would be difficult. Anyway, yeah the radio is kind of pointless, but there's a reason why this is called an MP3 player, not a 'portable radio machine.' To store more songs, just turn the compression rate on your MP3s down a bit. The difference between 128 and 112 really isn't noticeable for the most part. Overall it's a great little unit, perfect for tucking into my pocket while riding my bike indoors.
Rating: Summary: Poor engineering!!! Review: I can't belive I spent money on this mp3 player. It constantly "hangs-up" and skips. Also, you can't save your equalizer settings. Every time you turn it off and turn it back on, you have to reset the equalizer. The sound quality is also very poor. I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone!!!
Rating: Summary: Great for everything but pockets Review: Delighted with the Rio - I use it for my daily commute (either on foot, bike or bus) and for running. I had no problems with the software - interfaces very nicely with iTunes and am pleased with sound quality. My sole complaint is that the big round button is too easy to push - when i put the Rio in a pocket (coat or bag) it often get paused or skips a song just from touching the inside of the pocket. not an irredeemable problem since it comes with a nice clip, but i don't like it to be too visible... so: not perfect, but acceptably close.
Rating: Summary: False Advertizing Review: Although it makes as a great mp3 player, it is not as rugged as they say it is. My dad and I bought one each but both broke. Mine was moderately hit and completely broke. My dad's started coming open and and the volume wouldn't go down. It makes as a great mp3 player but just doesn't stand up rugged of a teenager.
Rating: Summary: Great for jogging Review: I had been looking for a mp3 player with a radio for about a year with no success. So when I saw this model I grabbed it up right away. After 2 1/2 months of steady use, it has not given me any problems. The installation went off with out a hitch, and I've had no problems with any of the firmware. It definitly sucks down batteries (AAA) so I recommend buying a set of rechargable batteries and charger. Also the radio is not the strongest... it is crackely indoors, but no problem outside even in a modestly sized city like Boston. It takes a little work to figure out the radio presets but if you read the instructions there shouldn't be any problems. Have fun and keep running...
Rating: Summary: Excellent player for the sports enthusiast! Review: This player is an incredible piece of machinery, despite the reviews to the contrary. I run with my on a daily basis and it by far exceeds any CD player I have run with in the past. The convenience of this MP3 player has made my protable CD players obsolete. The only problem this player has is that there is no radio reception, but as a previous review said, who cares?? If you want a radio then buy a tuner instead. I found the transition between my computer and the Rio flawless, and a lot faster than burning a cd. If anyone has a problem using the Rio, then that problem probably lies with a defect in the particular Rio they received, or they own a computer incapable of handling the transition for one reason or another. I use both the included software and RealOne, both have been equal in performance on my end!!
Rating: Summary: Looks cool but doesn't do anything ... Review: The product design of the piece is great. Perfect size perfect weight. -but- I got a disk error while trying to copy files. Since then, when I turn it on, the screen says "upgrade". That's it! No music, no radio, no nothing. Escpecially no support. I've tried to reach Sonic|Blue for the last 2 days. I either get, "high volume of calls" or both times I've actually gotten through I waited on hold for over a half hour without talking to 1 person. If you buy this product. Good luck and you're on your own!
Rating: Summary: Excellent MP3 Player with plenty of room to grow! Review: I bought my S35S because I wanted a small portable device that could hold a lot of data. The RIO S35S is exactly what I was looking for. It comes with 128MB intenal memory, and is also expandable through a MMC memory card slot. The documentation that comes with the player and the box says it is expandable with up to another 128MB of memory, but once you have upgraded the firmware through Sonicblue's website, it can be expanded up to another 512MB! (and potentially even more depending on how large MMC cards get in the future!) I have a Sandisk 256MB SD memory card in mine, and it works like a charm. Some SD memory cards require firmware version 1.62 or higher, so make sure you have upgraded if you want to use that type of memory (check out www.rioworld.org if SonicBlue's website only has firmware 1.60. Sonicblue hadn't updated their website as of this posting.). Even though the FM tuner doesn't get good reception inside buildings, it works fine outside with local stations. Also, because this device is firmware upgradable, future enhancements can be easily added as SonicBlue develops them! I would highly recommend this MP3 player for anyone looking for a very compact and expandable portable music player.
Rating: Summary: 3 hours and still trying to load! Review: I have been trying to load the SonicBlue 35s driver now for about three hours and no luck. An hour of that was spent on the phone with customer service rep. Everything she suggested I had already tried. She admitted that there is a problem with Windows ME which I have. It is unable to recognize current driver. I would appreciate a reply to this if anyone has been able to fix it. Her only suggestion was to try on a different operating system. My USB recognizes it as the Sonic but that is as far as it gets. Then the program stops responding. I will now spend the rest of my time trying to return the product for a refund!
Rating: Summary: After initial frustration, very pleased with results Review: Pros: Great little unit for my morning workout. Lightweight, great sound, easy to attach to arm or waist, good volume control, easy change in song selection. Haven't used the radio too much because of the great clarity in downloaded music. Cons: Initial EXTREME frustration with software to get my Toshiba PS141U-01F3 Laptop (XP Windows version) to 'communicate' to the Rio S35S. I had to wait on the telephone and eventually talk to a customer service representative, (2 occassions totalling 2.5 hours) to walk me through the software updates and help me get it to work. The company definitely needs to improve instruction manual that is included in the packaging. It seems that others have had the same type problems as this. However, once the computer and unit were compatable, it has worked well. Would recommend this product. I will be purchasing the extra MMC card next.
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