H320 compatability with Rockbox

[mpeill]

I've just taken delivery of a H320 secondhand, USA model with 1.04 firmware. I understand rockbox (or the boot loader) is only compatible with the EU firmware.
Can I safely load the EU firmware into the H320 then your patched boot loader , then Rockbox, and be able to recover back to my original state in the event of problems?

[bascule]

No, I believe that replacing the US bootloader permanently removes the ability to play DRM-protected files.

That's no loss for me, but YMMV

[arrow224]

Flashing a US player with international firmware permanently removes the DRM key, which enables the player to play DRM-enabled files. Flashing back to the US firmware will not get the key back.

[mpeill]

So is this a big deal or not? Do I need to play DRM music. If I rip music from my own CD collection will it be DRM protected? Sorry, but being new to this I'm not sure what DRM excludes me from (or enables me to listen to).

[jewman]

DRM excludes you from certain music services such as Napster, Real Rhapsody, and other companies that DRM-protect their music. If you're ripping your music straight from the CD, it will just be a regular music file. Even if you do need to put a DRM-ed file on your player, there are programs out there than take the DRM off.

[mpeill]

Does this mean that the H320 player with european firmware as supplied could never play DRM protected music in the first place?

[RotAtoR]

Does this mean that the H320 player with european firmware as supplied could never play DRM protected music in the first place?

That's correct, only the US h3xx players ever supported DRM.

[midgey]

Also, please note, the Rockbox bootloader is also compatible with the Korean or Japanese firmware.