Rating: 
Summary: The standard for the next generation mp3/cd player(oct 2001)
Review: This unit offers all of the features of the original (now sp100) with greatly increased memory, an FM tuner, leather carrying case and rechargeable batteries. The antiskip protection now totals 8 MINUTES! The player can load the whole song by spinning the cd for a few seconds and then play from memory. The test unit was flawless. The unit is pricey but the firmware is upgradeable (like the sp100 but is not on the sp90), so the investment will never go out of date. Updates to the sp100 firmaware have improved its controls and ability to play error and skip free. This feature is by far the most important on any player. The biggest hassle on new tech gear is stuff that doesn't work well. You cannot go wrong with this RIO.
Rating: 
Summary: A good player, but needs better instructions.
Review: This item arrived with very little information on how to burn and play MP3 files and, in particular, WMA files. I burnt two discs and messed around with the player and my computer for a week before writing Rio and receiving a technician's answer. I appreciated the customer support, but the information really should have been in the player's documentation or on Rio's website. To listen to WMA files, I ended up having to delete and restore the 1200 songs on my computer because I'd stored them initially with the "automatic rights control" (or some such) box checked in the Windows Media Player. After all the headache, and two years of continuous use, I do enjoy having this player. Do remember that it only plays MP3 or WMA files burnt to a disk; it does not function as an MP3 player that stores and plays files in its hardware.
Rating: 
Summary: there must be something better
Review: When I first got the thing, I thought it was fantastic. It had all the features I wanted, and wasn't too difficult to figure out on my own. The FM tuner worked as well as my car radio and was a nice perk. The sound was good, too.
The downside, it's skip protection is, well, mediocre. I've certainly seen better, although I have owned worse as well. I wasn't jogging with the thing and it would sufficiently occupy me durring a long car ride, so I didn't really mind. After awhile though, it stopped recognizing any batteries other than the rechargables it came with. I know it sounds weird; I still don't know why. Not to mention recharging takes a really long time, and the battery life is also mediocre. I can't get more than 2 or 3 hours from it. Consequently, the thing seems to never have any power to it, and I can't use any other batteries. Heaven forbid I don't charge it every day. It'd be a nice player, if I could actually use it. I don't know that this is something inherent in the player, or if it's just a flaw in my unit, but it makes me extreamly hesitant to spend any money on Rio products.
Rating:
Summary: Great player
Review: I have had mine for over a year now and haven't had any trouble. Mine gets extremely lite use, (I only use it every other month), but the the case has held up. I've taken it on several trips and never had a problem. I'm sure to keep it in the included case although it is a bit ugly it prevents scratching and gives a little cushion if you drop it. The sound quality is excellent and I haven't had any trouble with the firmware. Battery life is acceptable and the controls are easy. I haven't had any skipping problems either. Overall I would recomend it, but if you need a rough and tumble player this is not for you. Spend the extra cash and go with a flash or hard drive based player.
Rating: 
Summary: I've had one for a year
Review: I was issued this player when I began my training. It is a pretty good player. It comes with 2 sets of headphones. AC adapter, rechargable batteries, carrying case, remote, and some software. I don't really believe it is worth the money for what I use it for. I don't use the radio. I only use it to listen to music now and used it to listen to MP3 files on discs issued to me for class. I think it is a bit ridiculous to have an 8 minute shock protection, especially when mine skips when I run. I had to stop it and didn't even use it the last time I ran because it was skipping so bad. I have dropped mine a few times and now it makes a funny noise when the cd rotates, but it still works. I know people who have said that it is easy to break the plastic. I know someone who has to use a rubber band to keep it closed. I think it is a nice player, however I am very disappointed in the 8 minute skip protection that doesn't work, I really don't think it is worth the price.
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