iriver h320 - basic questions

[red]

I just got an iriver h320, which I plan to use for recording (wav), and playback (shn; flac; wavpack files).  I have a few basic questions --

1) which firmware do should I use?  From what I can glean,  1.29k or 1.29j seem best.  

2) does anyone have any ideas as to what daily build is most stable for my needs?

Thanks in advance.

[Llorean]

For recording in Rockbox, it really doesn't matter which original firmware version you're using.

[Davide-NYC]

For recording in Rockbox, it really doesn't matter which original firmware version you're using.

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IriverH300FAQ

I presume you don;t care about DRM. In that case using the Korean firmware allows for a few more options. Good luck.

[Llorean]

I'm not sure why you're quoting me there.

If you're recording in Rockbox, the only thing that matters about the firmware is that it's compatible with the Rockbox firmware patcher.

[Genre9mp3]

I presume you don;t care about DRM. In that case using the Korean firmware allows for a few more options. Good luck.

DRM is only on 1.04 U.S. and you can't patch that firmware with the bootloader so either way you need to upgrade to another firmware before installing Rockbox. I think Korean is the best choice but who cares?

[petur]

For recording in Rockbox, it really doesn't matter which original firmware version you're using.

Read the above again, Genre9mp3... :p

[Genre9mp3]

I think Korean is the best choice but who cares?

Read the above again, petur... :p

[Davide-NYC]

Llorean: My comment was in addition to, not in response to your comment. I guess I should have made that more clear.

Petur: If it is possible to patch a US iriver firmware with the rockbox bootloader there please let me know.  Currently there is conflicting information on the wiki with regard to this. See ManualRockboxInstall vs IriverBoot.  I was under the impression it was for 'international' versions only.

The Korean iriver firmware allows the user to do a little more. (radio regions and video at the very least, IIRC)

AFAIK the only reason to boot into the iriver firmware is WMA playback and video playback at this point. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Enjoy! :-)

[Genre9mp3]

Currently there is conflicting information on the wiki with regard to this. See ManualRockboxInstall vs IriverBoot.  I was under the impression it was for 'international' versions only.

Indeed. The ManualRockboxInstall page states clearly: "The US H3xx firmware is not currently supported and cannot be patched to be used with the bootloader. If you wish to install Rockbox on a US H3xx, you must use an international firmware which will permanently remove DRM support from the player." while the IriverBoot page lists the 1.04-US firmware to the supported ones. Minor notice though that the md5 checksum for the patched US firmware is added quite recently (Apr 3 2006).

I also had the impression that the US firmware is not supported but anyway, I would choose the safest way out of this (switch to international firmware first). - BTW, the op didn't actually state that he has the US firmware, but is good to know in general.

AFAIK the only reason to boot into the iriver firmware is WMA playback and video playback at this point. (correct me if I'm wrong)

...and USBOTG.

[red]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice/tips.

After some rocky moments, I think my rockbox is up and running, and I can't wait to try out the record function in great detail.  

I have another general question -- I also have an iriver h120, and when the backlight goes off on the h120, I can still read the screen faintly.  On the h320, the screen is not at all readable without the backlight on.  Is this normal for the h320s?

Thanks again.  This is a great and helpful forum.

[Multiplex]

I don't know about 'normal' but my H320 screen is not readable without the backlight in Rockbox - can't speak for the stock firmware, I've never used it.

It is noce to be able to read the display on the H120 without the light - but not worth sacrificing Jewels in coulour ;-)

[petur]

No, the display of the h3x0 isn't readable without backlight at all, only when shining a very bright lightsource on it you can see a very faint image. Which is why rockbox switches off the LCD too to save more battery.

[red]

Thanks again everyone for your help.  

So far, I'm loving the h320.  It's been recording for over 7.5 hours and the battery still has some juice in it.  Rockbox rules!

I have another question about the backlight.  I have it set to turn off in 10 seconds, and I have my clipping light also set to turn off after 10 seconds.  But whenever it clips (I'm making it clip sometimes as I'm testing it out), the backlight stays on for a good minute.  I don't see any other settings that might be affecting this, so I'm back to reread the manual.

[pabouk]

It is this parameter: General Settings > Display > Peak Meter > Clip Hold Time.

[red]

Thanks pabouk for confirming how to alter the clip hold time.  I've doublechecked, and all of my backlight settings are set for only 5 or 10 seconds.  

But oddly, sometimes (and only sometimes) the backlight stays on for a minute, and a few times it stayed on indefinitely (I stopped my test recording, started it again, and the backlight functioned correctly again).  Does anyone have any ideas why this is happening (if I want to record and be stealthy a constant backlight is not a good thing, not to mention a drain on the battery).

I'm going to try a different build.