What are "Running Time" and "Top time"?

[JEJ]

In the System menu there is an option named "Running Time" that shows two lines of information, Running time and Top time. What are they? And if the running time is the time that Rockbox has run on the player, what is the use of it?

The manual doesn't mention either one of them.

[bluebrother]

"Running time" is the time the player is running since it was last charged. "Top time" is the runtime except that it won't get reset when connecting the charger. Unfortunately on some players connecting a charger doesn't automatically reset the runtime, and if you charge the player while Rockbox isn't running (for example while using the OF) this also isn't recognized. You can reset the displayed time by pressing the Select button.

[Strife89]

It can be handy for a number of things. I like to listen to music while I work in the yard or ride my bike, and I usually reset "Running Time" before I begin.

For me, the top time is slightly more reassuring than Rockbox's own estimates of time remaining. I like having both, but oh well.

The top time can also help you notice if the battery's running time begins to shorten; i.e., if you take note of the percentage when you make your first "marathon" measurement, then the next time you get there you can see if the percentages are different. This can warn you if your battery is about to "permanently" die.

[rbhawaii]

what is the tag so i can put running time in to my WPS ?
thanks!

[saratoga]

what is the tag so i can put running time in to my WPS ?
thanks!

I don't think we expose those in the WPS, although I could be wrong.

Also, I've since fixed the running time issue, so it should be accurate now on all players.

[rbhawaii]

I tried %St(Running Time) but all it did was break my WPS. If you or anyone else reading this has time could you please let me know what that correct tag might be to see the so called up time since last connect or reset.
thanks!

[JdGordon]

those arnt exposed to the WPS and i have no intention of adding them. I very much want to just remove that screen.

[rbhawaii]

thanks JdGordon
i dont think extra screens are bothering anyone. i for one love knowing how much time it takes for a full battery to go down to a full discharge. or how many hours during the day i listened to my mp3 player.

[gbl08ma]

JdGordon, please don't remove that runtime screen. It has its flows (e.g. it doesn't reset the runtime when I put the iPod on my dock, but that is a general problem of Rockbox, since it doesn't detect it's charging when it's on that dock).
It can be useful for monitoring the runtime of the battery, even if you sometimes need to manually reset the counter.

[JdGordon]

don't worry, it's not in danger just yet.

[chrisjj]

"Running time" is the time the player is running since it was last charged.

Here, "Running time" is the time the player is running since it last stopped being charged.

When I start charging, "Running time" does not change.