[seadzz]

[Q] I just purchased a new ifp player and do not get anything close to claimed battery life. What can I do to increase the battery life or what am I doing wrong?

Answer

The advertised battery life in all iRiver products is based on playing 128kbps mp3 files encoded at CBR. This while the volume is set at a mid to low level, without manually changing tracks, no use of the backlight, with EQ levels set to normal, using stock easy to drive earphones, in a constant 22 degree C room, by iEngineers in white lab coats playing "pop" Korean music.

Anything you do that is not exactly matching the above mentioned parameters will detract from the battery performance you will see in real life.

There are however some things you can do to maximize the life:

* Use top quality alkaline batteries. Stay away from unknown or cut-rate price batteries. Also keep in mind that the best rechargeables do not last as long as alkalines.

* You should make sure the backlight time setting is set to the minimum you can live with. Each time you adjust the volume, change track or touch the joystick in anyway the backlight will come on. Backlight usage impacts battery life big times.

* Use only enough EQ and volume….don’t over kill this. Not all earphones sound the same. If you can afford to do so look at using better earphones. Maybe you can find a set that give you the sound qualities without having to pump up the EQ.

* Make playlists. By doing so you can avoid using the joystick, which eats batteries.

* Consider using MP3 and not Ogg. Yes I know Ogg may sound better at a smaller file size but until Ogg2 is released (who knows when that will happen) MP3 files impact battery less.

* Look at the use of CBR and not VBR. Again, I know VBR sounds better but if max battery life is your goal something has to give.

Lastly, if you want the best quality sound use high bitrate VBR files and just carry extra batteries.

enjoy the music

sdz