S35S 128MB MP3 Player

This is my first mp3 player. I like being able to ...

Strengths: Small, seemingly durable (after three months), easy operation, with additional sd card can carry just about all the music I desire.

Weaknesses: Short battery life (I use rechargeables so your experience may be different, terrible OEM headphones, bad FM (reception so-so but initial hiss terrible), cannot organize music on player.

Summary: This is my first mp3 player. I like being able to store several hours of WMA music with supplied memory and 20 hours of music with a 1GB SD card. Seems pretty durable, easy to down load music. The FM reception is so-so but there is a very distressing hiss when you turn on or change volume with FM on for about 10 seconds. Buy new headphones, OEM suck big time. Needs software upgrade to allow organizing music on unit. Not bad but could be better.

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I wasn't sure about this product after reading som ...

Strengths: battery life, ease of use, FM tuner, expandability, upgradeable firmware, excellent display, comes with goodies

Weaknesses: uncertain company future and support, OEM headphones

Summary: I wasn't sure about this product after reading some of the reviews. I checked CNET to see what was an Editor's Choice product. I chose the S35 because of the ability to add a memory card and because it comes with a pretty trick protective carrier/arm band.

The unit isn't completely protected, but the rubber surround helps.

The software and setup are a breeze. Even though I wish I could use my software to access the unit, the OEM software is simple and easy to use.

The OEM headphones aren't great. They don't have very dynamic sound, but they perform their function well as an exercise companion. I plugged my Sony Monitor headphones into the unit and enjoyed much better quality sound.

Overall, I have been very pleased with the performance of the unit. I am just uncertain about the future of SonicBlue and the Rio line. I heard at Best Buy, where I bought the unit, that the Rio line was purchased by Sony. Who knows. For now, I recommend the Rio S35.

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This is the best mp3 player ever...EVER!! The hea ...

Strengths: Great all around.

Weaknesses: The headphones

Summary: This is the best mp3 player ever...EVER!! The headphones aren't that great, but I have my own anyway. I HIGHLY recomend this product. Oh, and the software could not possibly be easier to use. Just find the files you want to put on the player, check the box next to each of them, then click the giant "transfer" button.

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This is a nice MP3 player in a small package. The ...

Strengths: Small size; expandability; intuitive interface; nice software package.

Weaknesses: weak headphones.

Summary: 2002-12-27 14:55:32 This is a nice MP3 player in a small package. The interface is good and it comes with what appears to be decent software (at least Windows Version). According to Sonic Blue, new firmware (Version 1.60) allows use of up to 512mb SD Card -- awesome expandability.

Initially, I was critical about lack of a "button lock" feature. While not obvious, it turns out there is one -- activated by holding down the menu and enter buttons simultaneously. I should have paid closer attention to the owner's manual!

The the "over-ear" headphone is weak, both in terms of sound quality and fit of the earbud itself. That, however, is not unexpected in an OEM headphone on any personal audio device, and can be remedied easily and relatively inexpensively. The FM reception is poor -- but I didn't buy the device to listen to FM.

This is an excellent workout companion.

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This is not my first player but I would recommend ...

Strengths: The equalizer is excellent!!! Battery life pretty good.

Weaknesses: The headphones are the worst!! If you don't already have a good set...plan on buying some. The belt clip/ carry case very cumbersome!

Summary: This is not my first player but I would recommend as a first player to others. I needed more storage so I decided to buy the Rio s35s....(because I got a really good price through pricegrabber) I already had a 64MMC and with 128MB it would be enough, until I decide to upgrade later. My original player(by RCA) is smaller than the Rio s35s...so I had to get use to that.

I was very excited when I got my player...but started having problems. Rio manager would not let me load my mp3's @ my desired kbps. I had to do extra conversions. So I use Real One. I used Music Match with my other player and was very happy but it is not compatible with this player.

Major Problems...I started having problems with the memory. The player would just shut off for no reason while it was locked. Twice the internal memory just wiped out all my mp3's. I thought it might be my MMC, so I took it out. Yet , the player still just shuts off for no reason while locked. I have never had any problems with my original player. I now keep it as backup when my Rio s35s crashes on me.

I have not called the company yet...but I will soon! I just wanted to make sure that it is defective ...since it does not crash everyday!

I really wanted the iFP-390T or iFP-290T even the -190T. I should have spent the extra money and got what I really wanted.

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Stuck in "upgrader" mode defect of product. I woul ...

Strengths: Looks nice, easy to upload songs

Weaknesses: When running it suddenly stops and I have to play the song again... stuck with "upgrader" screen.

Summary: Stuck in "upgrader" mode defect of product. I would think twice if I were you in buying the product. Uploading was easy I just wish this could work like any other mp3 player. I don't know what this "upgrader" bug is about. If I find out I'll let you know

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I own a minidisc player and downloading music stin ...

Strengths: super easy to use and figure out

Weaknesses: sucky headfones and back light doesn't stay on long enough.

Summary: I own a minidisc player and downloading music stinks. this player is basically like a pager (a little bigger) in size and weight. Software is real easy to use.

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Downloading music is unbelievably hard. Usually yo ...

Strengths: Can't think of any.

Weaknesses: Downloading music is really hard, display gets distorted after time, battery life is short, earphones are really uncomfortable.

Summary: Downloading music is unbelievably hard. Usually you can only download one or two songs before it completely freezes and you have to take the battery out to get it going again. If it's left in the sun for any length of time it develops splotches on the display that never go away. Their customer service is awful. You have to go through a Spanish Inquisition just to get a service number and then you have to get connected to someone else. AND the customer service is not a 800 number! Each time I've called I've been on hold for a minimum for 30 minutes - most of the time it's an hour +. I would never, ever buy another product from this company. This is my second MP3 player from them - I should've learned the first time. My recommendation is to not buy this product or any other RIO products.

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this is a great product but it has alot of extra j ...

Strengths: small and sport like with a great memmory

Weaknesses: hold button is hard to figure out and needs and easier way to access the memmory card also too much extra stuff on it

Summary: this is a great product but it has alot of extra junk that u probally wouldent ever use othr than that this is one of the best!!!

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This product is one of the worst electronic device ...

Strengths: Not many, but I like being able to change songs on the player whenever I want. But you could do this with any MP3 Player.

Weaknesses: BUYER BEWARE! Completely and totally unsatisfactory product. Cheaply manufactured, not worth the price.

Summary: This product is one of the worst electronic devices I have ever purchased. It is made to look as though it is durable, but do not be fooled. The Rio Sport looks like it has a rubber shell, but it is in fact hard plastic which offers little, if any protection. In fact, about three weeks after I started using the player, I was wearing it on my arm when I got too close to a doorway. The player popped out of the armband and fell about 4 feet, where it dangled for a moment from the headphone cord, then dropped to the floor. When I picked it up, I realized that the LCD screen had a huge black splotch across the corner of it. The player sometimes stops working for no reason. The only way to get it working again is to take the player out of its shell, remove the battery and replace it. Also, if the player bumps against anything while it's playing, even lightly, it often restarts from the beginning. If you leave it on accidentally, it supposedly has a power saving mechanism. This does not work very well, because I've left it on accidentally and the battery drained completely. It also offers no "hold" function, meaning you cannot stop controls from being accidentally pressed and causing the player to jump to the next or previous song. FM TUNER BARELY WORKS! The reception is EXTREMELY POOR. I also think it's pretty sleazy that you get an 800 number for ordering, but you have to dial long distance to get tech support (which is not very good.) Don't get ripped off like I did!

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