Upgrading the iAudio M5L hard drive

[vexecuter]

Are there any advantages to one player over the other?

I was looking for one with a NAND flash drive so as in the future I can replace it with a larger one when they do come out.

If not, then an HDD one is good. I was looking at the iRiver HP140 - is the hard drive replaceable in that (mechanical, I know).

Cheers,

Offie.

See below for updated question!

[ColdSphinx]

Have a look at
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/DeviceChart
and
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=10721.0

[markun]

Because this question gets asked a lot we try to made a wiki for it:

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/BuyersGuide

I don't know if it helps making the choise easier

[vexecuter]

Right. Cowon iAudio M5L it is. Definately - looks amazing.

Next question.. can I upgrade the hard drive in this beauty? I've had a google but haven't found anything yet.

[pixelma]

Yes, the harddrive should be upgradable but only with a single platter drive because the case has to hold the big battery too. As far as I know 40GB 1.8'' single platter drives are available (and 50GB are announced).

The problem for me was finding an M5L at all but then discovered a british ebay-store that sells a bunch of new ones every now and then. I'm quite happy with it.

[vexecuter]

Yeah I think I found that store...

Are there any links to upgrading the drive and how to open it/format it etc? Or is it self explanatory and a risk I have to take?

Also... what drive can I upgrade it to? Makes/models? Apparently it can take the same single platter drives (and double.. but say bye bye to extra battery) as the iRiver H140/300. Where is this 50gb single you speak of?

[markun]

This 60GB drive from Seagate should fit as well I think:

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=Lyrion%E2%84%A2_CE-ATA_60-GB_Hard_Drive&vgnextoid=37c344ab7cffd010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4b6cf7e846f7d010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&reqPage=Model#

Can anyone confirm this?

[gnu]

Search this forums: http://www.iaudiophile.net/forums/
There are lots of threads on how to change/upgrade your HDD.

[frause]

This 60GB drive from Seagate should fit as well I think:

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=Lyrion%E2%84%A2_CE-ATA_60-GB_Hard_Drive&vgnextoid=37c344ab7cffd010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4b6cf7e846f7d010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&reqPage=Model#

Can anyone confirm this?

I don't think so. The link you gave talks alot about a CE-ATA interface and if I understand this:
http://www.ce-ata.org/docs/CE-ATACabConRev2Gold.pdf correctly, that is a ZIF connector.

The naming on Toshibas site also suggests that "CE" means a ZIF connector.

[vexecuter]

Thanks frause - can anyone confirm this for certain though?

What connector does the M5L use then?

[frause]

I'm not sure what it's called. On page 8 in the linked pdf, there is a picture of what it looks like.
http://sdd.toshiba.com/localcache/820000002BC600000C440000000100000000.pdf

Note that those pictures are actually NOT of an MKxxxxGAL, but an MKxxxxGAH. Toshiba seems to be lacking pictures of their single platter drives... Documentation is nice, but it's even nicer if it is correct.