Current Usability of Rockbox for Sansa?

[nx_2000]

I'm a longtime user of Rockbox (since the Archos Jukebox was new, now have iRiver h320 too) and I'm interested in  finally installing it on my Sansa e280.  I was wondering what the currest usability of the firmware is, and if it is yet an improvement over the included UI.  Last I heard, there were issues with the sound.  Has that been resolved yet?  Frequent crashes?

[GodEater]

Why not install it and find out ?

[Bagder]

The sound issues were fixed ages ago.

The UI is not as slick-looking as the OF, but it looks very much like Rockbox does on the other targets it runs on.

I wouldn't use anything but Rockbox on my Sansa.

[cpchan]

The UI is not as slick-looking as the OF, but it looks very much like Rockbox does on the other targets it runs on.

Actually I find, after applying an icon theme, it looks quite good. Here is a screen dump of my personal modified unofficial build:

I wouldn't use anything but Rockbox on my Sansa.

I totally agree.  

Charles

[jurrie]

The screen meltdowns appear to be a thing of the past.

The only problem I run into now is in rebuilding the database after installing a newer Rockbox version.  My last two upgrades have required me to "rm -rf ./.rockbox" and then reinstall Rockbox, fonts and themes.  You may want to copy some .cfg files before doing this.

Coming from a Karma, the database is my comfort zone.  If you don't use the database then this issue is moot.  See FS#7355 for details.

[cpchan]

The only problem I run into now is in rebuilding the database after installing a newer Rockbox version.  My last two upgrades have required me to "rm -rf ./.rockbox" and then reinstall Rockbox, fonts and themes.  You may want to copy some .cfg files before doing this.

Which build are you using? I have no problems rebuilding the db (although I prefer directory browsing). However, I have confirmed that the "db commit" error will occur when conbining the "MicroSD Card" (hotswap) patch, the "LCD Fade" patch and if you are using a unicode font that contains cjk characters.

Charles

[jurrie]

The only problem I run into now is in rebuilding the database after installing a newer Rockbox version.  My last two upgrades have required me to "rm -rf ./.rockbox" and then reinstall Rockbox, fonts and themes.  You may want to copy some .cfg files before doing this.

Which build are you using? I have no problems rebuilding the db (although I prefer directory browsing). However, I have confirmed that the "db commit" error will occur when conbining the "MicroSD Card" (hotswap) patch, the "LCD Fade" patch and if you are using a unicode font that contains cjk characters.

Charles

I'm using r13711-070625.  I've never installed any non-official builds.  I use the RettumBox theme.  No MicroSD, no eplicit LCD fades, no patches whatsoever.

My gut says that there's stack corruption behavior when the database is rebuilt on my Sansa, causing the program counter to point to a low address.

[jurrie]

However, I have confirmed that the "db commit" error will occur when conbining the "MicroSD Card" (hotswap) patch, the "LCD Fade" patch and if you are using a unicode font that contains cjk characters.

Charles, it looks like you're on to something here.  I've updated the FlySpray bug report to reflect my new findings.  

Following a fresh install, if I build the database before selecting the RettumBox theme things work as expected.  However, if I select the RettumBox theme before building the database I continue to see the problem.  The RettumBox.cfg specifies the following font: /.rockbox/fonts/neep-alt-0815-bold-L1.fnt   It also specifies a background image.

Odd, but hopefully the info will help somebody isolate the problem.

Update: not so fast!

OK, I lied.... my "working" scenario, above, doesn't work on subsequent reboots.  Time to try things with just a plain-Jane install (rockbox + fonts only) and see how that goes.

[nx_2000]

I went ahead and installed it and it looks like it's working great.  The only 'problem' is I can't find a theme/WPS I like so I'll just have to make one.

[robin0800]

Does the radio work in the euopean version of this player?
I belive this is disabled for europe but don't know if its firmware or hardware or both perhaps?

[Vortex]

That depends on whether you bought a radio enabled version of the player or not. I bought a european version without the radio and it does not work (i.e. there isn't even a radio chip in the Sansa or it has been disabled in hardware).

[riksweeney]

That depends on whether you bought a radio enabled version of the player or not. I bought a european version without the radio and it does not work (i.e. there isn't even a radio chip in the Sansa or it has been disabled in hardware).

I believe the chip itself has actually been removed to prevent people re-enabling it.

[Bagder]

Yes, other people have confirmed that the radio HW is in fact missing in the euro models.

The funny part is that my SanDisk guy told me that this was just a software thing... Obviously not even he knew things correctly.

[cvitullo]

so, screen melts are a thing of the past?! thats awesome! thats one of the only things that was keeping me from using rockbox full time!

[meowmeow]

so, screen melts are a thing of the past?! thats awesome! thats one of the only things that was keeping me from using rockbox full time!

Ya thank god they fixed that I haven't experienced it for a while now so it's safe to say they have nailed it.