newbie looking for advice

[jjf]

I just read about this project while researching portable players on the Ubuntu forums, and it looks awesome.  I'm looking for some advice on which player to get.

criteria:

 1.  relatively cheap ($100 - $150)
 2.  small physical size
 3.  mounts like a USB device in Ubuntu so I can drag and drop files
 4.  plays OGG files
 4.  storage doesn't need to be huge: I could make due with 5 GB, but would prefer 20 GB
 5.  color screen would be nice

The iRiver H10 looks like it meets my criteria pretty well, but it seems to be a recent port that's still getting the kinks worked out (wiki page says "A lot of things aren't working yet [eg. scrollpad not fully functional, radio, recorder...].")  

I searched your threads and saw a lot of people recommending the H120/140 to some other guy with much the same question.  But the H1x0 looks a littly bulky to me (with all those wires running hither and thither so you can use the remote).  So I guess this is my question:

Is the iRiver H10 a good enough match that it's worth waiting for (and with no intention of pestering the dev's for a "release date": does development from this point forward typically take weeks or months?), or should I settle for the H120/140, or is there some other player that meets my criteria?

Thanks.

[Didgeridoohan]

The H10, as I understand it, is a very nice device. The fact that Rockbox still has a few kinks and quirks for it is no reason to not consider it. If you just want small physical size and a nice audio player, don't go for the H100 series. The H10 would fit your needs and it is just a matter of time before Rockbox works fine on it.

If you want even smaller physical size and can make do with around 5 GB, you might also want to consider the Ipod Nano, but if you want more storage space the H10 is a very good choice.

[L]

Please do NOT consider the Ipod Nano as it the 2nd Generation of Nanos do not yet work with RockBox.

Only, only consider it if you manage to get your hands on the First Generation Nanos which can be distinguished by the covering - it is not of a metallic looking colour.

[jjf]

Thanks for the advice and warning.

I've read reports around this site of iPods with jerky playback.  I think I'll stick with the iRivers.  They seem to be the most mature, and I'm glad to support (even if indirectly by an Ebay purchase) a company that supported OGG out of box and seems to take a more "open" approach in general.  Oh, and I dig the FM tuner.  

So the H320's are cheap on Ebay.  They look pretty bulky, but I'd get my 20 gigs and a real nice screen.  Right now it's either that or wait a bit and go for an H10.

Thanks again, and more advice is always welcome.

[Llorean]

The H10 should for all practical purposes be considered an iPod in the context of Rockbox. It and the iPod share pretty much the same playback issues.

That being said, it's been a very long time since I've experience skipping on my Nano, as it's only really a problem with the larger screens, and even then some recent changes have changed it so the music is much more stable and instead the interface lags, which is preferable if you like actually hearing your music but still frustrating.

[Mmmm]

I have had rockbox installed on my H140 since before you could actually play any music on it at all... So I have lived through the excitement of each and every improvement... Coming home from work and finding that there has been a bit of optimization for your player is a really exciting moment and you really appreciate every little thing that improves it.

If my player was to break down, I would have no problems with starting afresh with a new player that is in it's rockbox infancy.

But maybe I'm just a sad git!    

[L]

Yup. If you manage to get your hands on the first gen Nano, I would definitely recommend it.

I personally prefer flash memory over hardisk.

[Noxneo]

Rockbox does work well on the first gen nano, from my personnal experience. A bit laggy at times, but it's fine. I've never personally experienced skipping.