Spare 120gb ZIF Drive -- Upgrade Another H3xx or Different Player?

[piscator]

I can't get a refund on my Samsung drive, so I'll have to exchange it for a second 120gb Toshiba MK1214GAH.  I could also take a 'credit' from the vendor and wait for the 240gb Toshibas to to 'hit our shores' 

In any event, I'll have a spare ZIF drive with no player.

I thought about buying another H340 to install the 'spare' drive in -- but it might be fun to 'mod' a different player.

My RB 'collection' currently consists of one H340 with the 120gb Toshiba drive and an H320, that is getting 32gb CF memory.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a different player that can utilize the Toshiba MK1214GAH?

Are there any advantages to trying a different player or would I be best to just build a spare 'hot rod' H340?

I'm having fun doing modifications and thought I'd ask for ideas.

Thanks,  Piscator

[LambdaCalculus]

Go for a Gigabeat S60. That'll happily accept the MK1214GAH, plus you'll be getting what is (or will be) the most powerful target that runs Rockbox.

[AlexP]

Although it doesn't yet run Rockbox fully.  Whilst it is close, there is no charging, it is not possible to uninstall unless you first put the disk in a caddy to backup the OF before installing (the same applies for dual booting) (or you go searching the net), the battery life is very short, treble and bass controls don't work etc.

There is a patch for charging, and other things may not bother you, but please do be aware that this is not yet considered ready hence why you cannot download builds of it etc.

[piscator]

Lamda, thank-you! 

I only know the players talked about on the board, so the S60 must be one I missed.  It looks like it has a great screen.  I don't play movies, so sound quality for my flac files is probably the most important thing to me.  Not sure how the S60 rates in the that department.

I appreciate your pushing my attention in a new direction, since I do focus more on the 'usual suspects' -- Archos, iAudio, Toshiba, etc.

BigBambi, thank-you! 

Those are rather significant issues, that I'd rather steer clear of!

'Trolling' for iRivers on Ebay, I started checking out Toshibas F series, Archos, and iAudio.  I don't notice any 'huge' differences between these players, but a 'change of pace' might be fun.  The convenience of AAA size batteries, makes the Archos an interesting possibility.

piscator

[LambdaCalculus]

Make a note that the Archos players use 2.5" hard drives, use AA-sized NiMH batteries, and are only capable of playing MP3 files (HWCODEC).

[AlexP]

I use the gigabeat S pretty much daily (also with a 120 GB MK1214GAH drive in it - I just want you to be aware of potential issues before getting one   I too am waiting for the 240 GB one to become available.

The F, iriver H100 and H300 (not H10 IMO) and iaudios are excellent - if you don't need radio or recording the F can often be had fairly cheaply on ebay.  The H100 is a world beater if you want recording.  However, all of these would need adapting as with your H300 to use the MK1214GAH.  Also keep in mind that as with the H300, these came in two different thicknesses depending on the original drive (and in the case of the iaudio L models, how many batteries)

Make a note that the Archos players use 2.5" hard drives, use AA-sized NiMH batteries, and are only capable of playing MP3 files (HWCODEC).

Just being pedantic, the Archos will also play wav but through a plugin.  This means it is a bit of a pain and doesn't really integrate nicely into the playback system.

[piscator]

Lamda,

Oops, I should have recognized that the Archos players had 2.5" drives.  I think the Archos 'look' pretty neat.  I was very impressed with the 'paint job' and amber backlight project, here on the site.

BigBambi,

Wow, 120gig in the gigabeat S !!  With that screen, I'll bet that's great for photos, as well as music.     I'll have to give this idea some thought.

I did notice that Toshiba F's are selling very reasonably.  I may 'Rockbox' one as present for a friend.  I always admire the iAudio X5's in the the 'tower of Rockbox' photos and there's a nice one on Ebay right now.   

I did know that the iRiver H1xx came in two sizes.  I've only seen one of the 'thicker' versions in my time trolling Ebay.

240GB !!  Good heavens!!  That's half of every CD, Cassette and LP that I own as FLAC!!  For someone old enough to remember the transition from Reels to Cassettes -- indeed from tube radio to TRANSISTORS -- that is ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHING!

I'd love to know when that'll 'hit the streets'!  I ask my supplier if they know anything.  In the meantime, I chew over yours and Lambda's suggestions.

Lastly,

I got rougly 22 hours of music and games with the 2200mAh battery in the h340.

Rockbox 3.0 is running 'like a champ' on both the H340 and the H320.  I'm not experienced with the builds, like you guys, but 3.0 seems very stable.  I've had no freezes or glitches of any kind. 

I showed a friend the 'credits' screen and she was amazed at how many people have dedicated themselves to this awesome project!  Great job!

Best, piscator