Demands of iRiver

[ziegfhried]

Originally Posted by ShamrockMan

Fixing that might need more CPU power than the PMP has. Carefull encoding greatly reduces the artifacting and audio-sync problems.

I am a very carefull encoder.
The fact is since the archos plays my divx perfectly without any artifact, how come my PMP does not...

[Jesster]

Originally Posted by Astec123

Jesster, I cant add your points they are invalid, sync cant be properly fixed through firmware,

And what are you basing that claim on? It seems to me simply a better implementation of the codec in the firmware certainly COULD fix audio sync. Afterall, synch was much worse in earlier firmware revisions, why couldn't they improve it further.

What puzzles me about the audio synch problems on the PMP is that its the audio that lags behind the video, and not the other way around. Typically decompression of the video stream requires more processing power than the audio stream so in most cases when a low speed processor has problems running a compressed video file, its the video that lags behind the audio.

It seems to me that whatever codecs iRiver is using are overcompensating for this and trying to ensure the best possible video performance even at the expense of the audio stream. I see no reason why this couldn't be corrected.

and widescreen is down to bad encoding by you.

Its not bad encoding by me. The files play just fine in the 2.01 firmware, but they screwed it up when they went to 2.03 and now they chop off the bottom of the picture (actually, 2.01 chops a little bit off too but its much less.) Keep in mind, this is not an issue of chopping the sides off to make it fit a 4x3 aspect ratio. Its chopping the BOTTOM of the picture off, and thus leaving even MORE of the screen unsused when playing a widescreen file.

-=The Jesster: Gatchaba Goose=-

[Astec]

What is it based on, the fact that all PMP type players the world over suffer from it, there is only so much firmware can do, this is not the uber powerful desktop, its a small underpowered cold state processor. The archos, iRiver and more all suffer sync problems, it can be improved but not removed totally.

Its not bad encoding by me.

Yes it is, the screen is 320x240, that is the size of the screen, encode at the correct size and the problem is gone, same applies on non wide screen TVs it wont fit so it wont make it fit it will have a go with the spare processer power but not a lot of changing.

[Jesster]

Originally Posted by Astec123

What is it based on, the fact that all PMP type players the world over suffer from it, there is only so much firmware can do, this is not the uber powerful desktop, its a small underpowered cold state processor.

I'm well aware of that. I never claimed it was a simple request. They've done a good job so far, all I ask is that they continue to work on minimizing the problem.

The archos, iRiver and more all suffer sync problems, it can be improved but not removed totally.

Okay, so audio synch can be improved, and yet my request that they do so was deemed invalid. I fail to comprehend your logic.

And just because no media player has yet succeeded in completely eliminating the problem, that does not make it impossible.

Yes it is, the screen is 320x240, that is the size of the screen, encode at the correct size and the problem is gone, same applies on non wide screen TVs it wont fit so it wont make it fit it will have a go with the spare processer power but not a lot of changing.

Yes, the screen is 320x240, but the device specifically supports files encoded at 512x384 and 640x480. So obviously support exists for scaling a larger picture to fit the smaller screen. There is absolutely no reason a file encoded at 512x280 should not be able to be scaled to properly fit the 320x240 screen. All the player needs to do is scale it down to 320x175 and simply leave the remaining 65 horizontal lines black. And in fact, as I said before, v2.01 firmware did just that, but they screwed it up with the new firmware.

Asking them to fix something that used to work but no longer does is NOT an invalid request.

-=The Jesster: Gatchaba Goose=-

[Astec]

Okay, so audio synch can be improved, and yet my request that they do so was deemed invalid. I fail to comprehend your logic.

And just because no media player has yet succeeded in completely eliminating the problem, that does not make it impossible.

You fail to see the most simple thing, technology has not advanced that far that PVPs can play seemlessly, they can minimise it but its just what we have to play with that limits us.

Yes, the screen is 320x240, but the device specifically supports files encoded at 512x384 and 640x480. So obviously support exists for scaling a larger picture to fit the smaller screen. There is absolutely no reason a file encoded at 512x280 should not be able to be scaled to properly fit the 320x240 screen. All the player needs to do is scale it down to 320x175 and simply leave the remaining 65 horizontal lines black. And in fact, as I said before, v2.01 firmware did just that, but they screwed it up with the new firmware.

Yes, thats why the player is specified at playing the sizes you stated, other ones are scaled as best it can, encode properly ie to the correct size for the player putting in your lines of black yourself solves said problem, simple, end of story, not a problem for iRiver at all.

[Jesster]

Originally Posted by Astec123

You fail to see the most simple thing, technology has not advanced that far that PVPs can play seemlessly, they can minimise it but its just what we have to play with that limits us.

No, I'm well aware that the hardware certainly has limitation. However, you seem to be operating under the assumption that the current PMP firmware has already achieved optimal audio synch performance, and no further imporvements are possible. I, on the other hand, am not convinced of this and see no basis for this assumption.

Yes, thats why the player is specified at playing the sizes you stated, other ones are scaled as best it can, encode properly ie to the correct size for the player putting in your lines of black yourself solves said problem, simple, end of story, not a problem for iRiver at all.

Well if you're going to use that line of reasoning, then the following request is equally invalid:

-Ogg support

To paraphrase your argument: "Thats why the player is specified as playing mp3 files. Encode properly with the correct audio codec and it solves said problem, simple, end of story, not a problem for iRiver at all."

I realize the player isn't specifically advertised as supporting files encoded at widescreen aspect ratios, but as the 2.01 firmware proves it IS capable of doing so, so why shouldn't I request that they support this? You seem intent on dismissing my problems just because they don't apply to you. Well guess what? I could care less about Ogg support or games. I use my PMP exclusively for video. But you don't see me trying to claim you have no right to request these features.

And incidentally, I wouldn't mind encoding my videos at 4x3 aspect ratio and adding in the black lines myself, but I have yet to find a tool that does this that I'm happy with. I've tried IRiverter, and I wasn't happy with the overall video quality. I don't know if its just because it uses a different codec or what, but I find the results I get with PocketDivXEncoder just look much better at the same bitrate. Unfortunately, PocketDivxEncoder does not allow me to add blank space in order to preserve the original aspect ratio of the picture while reincoding to a 512x384.

-=The Jesster: Gatchaba Goose=-

[Astec]

No, I'm well aware that the hardware certainly has limitation. However, you seem to be operating under the assumption that the current PMP firmware has already achieved optimal audio synch performance, and no further imporvements are possible. I, on the other hand, am not convinced of this and see no basis for this assumption.

Because more powerful PVPs exsist and sync is a problem on these too.

As for the second point, I cant really say anything more than it wont be added, though your point is a problem for you, it is not irivers fault, there are lots of encoders that will do as you wish. While I accept that the player is by no means perfect and or at its limits, the screen size problem is not one that iRiver will sort as its not a problem with the player. I will not pick a fight with you but I will tell you now, that unlike yourself I have been working hard to get things moving with regards the PMP on this site and with iRiver and I will reserve judgement of what happens with the petition etc as I am calling the shots. If you want there will be a compromise, I will let the sync in but I know that it wont make a difference. The encoding as I have told you is up to you.

[Jesster]

Originally Posted by Astec123

Because more powerful PVPs exsist and sync is a problem on these too.

As for the second point, I cant really say anything more than it wont be added, though your point is a problem for you, it is not irivers fault, there are lots of encoders that will do as you wish. While I accept that the player is by no means perfect and or at its limits, the screen size problem is not one that iRiver will sort as its not a problem with the player. I will not pick a fight with you but I will tell you now, that unlike yourself I have been working hard to get things moving with regards the PMP on this site and with iRiver and I will reserve judgement of what happens with the petition etc as I am calling the shots. If you want there will be a compromise, I will let the sync in but I know that it wont make a difference. The encoding as I have told you is up to you.

I'm not trying to pick a fight. I've got nothing but respect for the work you have done and are doing for the PMP community. In the past, I've found your posts to be quite helpful. This is why I'm simply baffled by your insistance on dismissing my complaints.

Other people in this thread have been making far more demanding requests than myself. I've seen requests for all sorts of brand new features that while certainly nice, and many of them even reasonably feasible, would require a significant amount of work on iRiver's part to fully implement and test.

Yet, when I make a simple request for them to tweak an already existing undocumented feature (and make no mistake, widescreen support IS an undocumented featrue. If it weren't, it wouldn't work at all.), a request that would probably require far less work than adding whole new features, I get blown off as if what I'm requesting is totally unreasonable.

-=The Jesster: Gatchaba Goose=-

[Astec]

Im not saying your point is unreasonable, I have not dismissed the others yet because I have not looked properly. I took your point (as it was the last one I read) and told you the facts on the table, I am looking for the most wanted features and rest assured that other posters have posted ones that are not going to make it.

The one you made may go in a list at the end of things we would be interested in but I want a list of features we really all want and that we are owed by them.

[Billy McSkintos]

Err.... shut up......

[Astec]

Who me? Why, not done anything wrong so far as I know.

[DrSuave]

Clam down guys we are all on the same side.......

[tadp01]

I Dont Know If Anyone Has Mentioned It But I Would Love To Have A Docking Station!!!
Usb And Charger.

And Obviously We Neeeeeeeeeeed Gameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee s

[PMPdean]

Hebrew support for sure

[peepboon]

I would just like to see:

-Games (GameBoy (color and advance)
-Sega Mega Drive
-More codecs avalible (ogg video)
-Better picture viewing options
-Recording from Radio
-When using TV out...the image can still be seen on the PMP (optional)
-Maybe a text file with diagram (picture) capabilties
-Accessories (battery/casing/REMOTE)

Peter

[Culio12121]

hi guys, this is a great idea and i hope you find the cached file, but what happened to this thread, it just kinda died. Also a good idea, playing music, while doing other things at the same time, just dont include video in that because it would crash, and why cant i change my clock while im running something?
-Fm recorder
Good idea for that song u just want to hear again, without owning the cd, i have another mp3 player with fm recording, but it does it in wav, and that sucks
-Larger selection of usb hosts
I'd like to be able to buy a digital camera, that is good and still works with my PMP, and when im on the go and want to share my music with other people im so limited.
-Games, Duh!
anything!

[EdrickVelLorin]

If you really want to record radio, all you need is a cheap walkman and the line-in recording cable. Connect the headphone jack on the walkman to the PMP's mic jack and use the voice recorder.

There may be more cameras that work then you might think. However they're likely older cameras. Camera/USB device support on the PMP I think should mirror Linux 2.4.19 support, since that appears to be the version of the Linux kernel it uses. (As far as I know, they're using the stock USB-Storage driver from the Linux kernel. So whether a given camera works or not isn't IRiver's fault, it's the manufacturers.)

[wandering_ninja]

There are few things that I would definately like. Some may have been stated before:
Pdf reader.
Firmware to increase the speed of transfer via the host adapter!
Support of Morphune games is not any other.
Support for more cameras, phones, and other media via the host adapter.
Bluetooth support (if possible) and of course
The Linx source code!

[EdrickVelLorin]

The Linux source code is already available. And as far as camera support, iRiver doesn't have anything to do with that, the USB device support comes from the Linux usb-storage kernel module. iRiver didn't make that, it's part of the Linux source code. They just used it. (Just like for the PMC they didn't create Windows Mobile or whatever that OS is called, Microsoft made it.)

[dalezer_elpale1]

Upgrades I sure love to see:

Video:
*eliminate slow/studdering frames (no frameskip)
*proper in video mp3 VBR support
*AC3 support
*better high resolution support
*better MPeG/MPeG-2 support
*higher bitrate support atleast 2.5mbits
*MORE CODECS - open source if possible (drag and drop codec files)

Audio
*perfect

Radio
*recording

Text
*Full Adobe Acrobat (PDF) support

GAMES!!!
*emulator - snes/gba/genesis/n64?? .. whatever the system can support

[boroboro69]

iriver lied, sue them! lets put money together we can't lose this one -_-

i am very dissapionted with this product, and the response time when switching mp3s is t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e

[captainu]

Remote; Alarm clock (That will alow you to wake up to radio, or music); More control on the fast foward (slow medium fast); In the Power menu to be able to set the timing not just with 3,10,20... I want to be able to set 1-120(sleep and power off stuff).
RESUME FOR THE MP3!!!!!!!!!!!

thats all I can think of right now (I only got the pmp120 a day ago)