What exactly is UMS and MTP

[kajero]

I have read so many threads regarding the UMS/MTP information for the T10 and I still don't understand it. Is there an advantage to one over the other. I have read a lot of posts stating that when they converted to UMS things went awry. Can someone, in non-technical terms, explain the differences and the problems with each? Thanks.

I have used WMP 11 in the past for syncing my audiobooks to the player. For some reason, something has changed and I am having difficulty with it now. I don't know if the UMS/MTP thing has anything to do with it. I haven't changed anything since I purchased the player. However, I may have updated the firmware when I first got the player.

[clixoveripod]

UMS- Universal Mass Storage device. Shows up as a disk drive in my computer. Can sync with WMP11 with some devices. Drag and drop is available.

MTP- Media Transfer Protocol. Does not show up as a drive. Sync with popular programs.

[kajero]

Thanks for such a simple explanation. I must have UMS because I can drag and drop files.

Is there any way to "manage" those files on the T10 once they dragged over to it?

[clixoveripod]

you can rename them.

[ShyAnne]

Originally Posted by kajero

I must have UMS because I can drag and drop files.

Not necessarily. It's a myth that MTP "never" allows drag and drop. T10 and T30 in MTP mode will also accept drag and drop. There are three sure ways to tell whether your T10 is MTP or UMS:

1. When turning the device on watch carefully for the opening splash screen. If it's MTP it will say in small letters on the bottom (under the iRiver logo) "T10 MTP".

2. When the T10 is connected, find it in Windows Explorer. If it has a drive letter assigned then it's UMS. If there is no drive letter then it's MTP.

3. Again while T10 is connected, right click on any folder or file contained in it. If you have an option to rename that folder or file directly on the device then it's UMS. If not then it's MTP.

Originally Posted by kajero

Is there any way to "manage" those files on the T10 once they dragged over to it?

The fact that you are even asking the above question leads me to believe your T10 is MTP and not UMS. If it were UMS then there would be no question about how to 'manage' files that are already on the device since doing that would be as simple as if they on any any other UMS device, just as if it were a thumb drive or any other external hard drive.

If you want to 'manage' files but still use drag and drop on an MTP T10 then just create and name/rename your folders/files on your desktop, then drag and drop the completed folders and files to the T10. Alternately, there is always the option to convert to UMS.

I have converted my T10 units and one T30 back and forth from MTP and UMS, and can assure you that absolutely nothing "went awry". If you do a forum search there are full directions on how to do this, the key is that you must follow directions to the letter. To begin with, make sure you have a full fresh battery before doing any firmware changes so that you do not end up inadvertently turning your player into a paperweight. (Any conversion from MTP to UMS or vice versa IS a firmware change.) Once you have the full fresh battery in there then just follow directions and there shouldn't be a problem.

[kajero]

The drive appears in Window Explorer where I can rename them, but once I drag the files to the T10 and I change my mind (a female thing, I guess) I don't seem to be able to change file names. I will have boot up the device and see if the MTP appears.

In any event, I want to thank you all who provided answers for me. It seems that so many people keep referring to UMS and MPT and I just wanted to know what they were. Now for the Firmware explanations . . .

Hope eveyone had a safe and happy fourth of July!

Kajero

[Thomas M]

Watch the bottom of the window when you start the player. There is small text at the bottom of the screen. Mine says "MTP" when it is starting. It shows it only for a second or two, so watch carefully. I have a T10 onto which I have just downloaded Firmware Version 1.77. Here is the link for the update if you are interested. I now can load music onto my player without using Windows Media Player 11, which I also have on my computer. It's just a matter of "dragging and dropping" the MP3 files into the T10 window under START>MY COMPUTER.

This may not be true for other firmware versions. See your owner's manual to find out what firmware version is on your player. It's under Settings>Advanced>Sy stem Info

http://www.iriver.com/html/support/d...pSearchString=

thomas m
vancouver, wa

[ShyAnne]

Originally Posted by kajero

The drive appears in Window Explorer where I can rename them, but once I drag the files to the T10 and I change my mind (a female thing, I guess) I don't seem to be able to change file names.

The drive appearing in Explorer is identifying the drive on your computer. If you can't rename files that are already on the T10 then it's MTP. If it were UMS it would have a single alphabet letter assigned to identify it as a drive, instead of being identified in Explorer as just "T10" or "T10 MTP".

Kajero, can't resist adressing your "a female thing I guess" comment though! Gender stereotyping ...gack! I am also of the female persuasion yet am the one in this household who makes final decisions on electronics, and the one who maintains them. Also not known for changing my mind unless presented with a reasonable and logical argument.

My significant other (a male) is the one who is sometimes mystified as to why we need yet another or newer gadget and equally mystified as to their maintenance and sometimes operation. He still hasn't figured out the new cordless phone system I chose for the land lines LOL, ... and we've had the new system for 5 months! He is much older than me though, so perhaps at least one stereotype fits?

[kajero]

It is just making that decision I have trouble with. (I was trying to be "humorous" anyway.) When I finally do decide on something, then I do hold to my decision. That is why I have TWO T10 players. I like them so well, I decided to have an extra in case one breaks. Everyone thinks I am nuts! They say, "wait until something better comes along." But I LIKE this one!

I am not sure if I will change mine to UMS. I am happy with it now so don't know if it is worth the hassle. But if I do, is it still necessary to use WMP and still "sync" the audiobook files I download from the library?

[ShyAnne]

Originally Posted by kajero

I have TWO T10 players.

As do I. Had the blue T10 1GB for a while, then the black 2GB came out later. Liked the idea of double capacity but wasn't going to get it, then ran across one at an incredibly good price that was too hard to resist! Also have a red 1GB T30 for the line-in recording, which is missing on T10. So I sure don't think you're nuts!

Originally Posted by kajero

I am not sure if I will change mine to UMS. I am happy with it now so don't know if it is worth the hassle. But if I do, is it still necessary to use WMP and still "sync" the audiobook files I download from the library?

Nope, you would just use drag and drop, the files will appear on the player's browser in the order they were added. But drag and drop works on T10 players in MTP mode as well ... try it out. It's just you can't rename files or make folders directly on the device if it's MTP.

You could change to UMS, but if as you say MTP is working fine for your purposes then there may be no need. Falls under the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" thing. It's all individual preference. Changing to UMS doesn't have to be final though, it's still possible to change back to MTP.

P.S.: Realized the stereotyping comment was meant to be humorous. Seemed funny to me too but for a very different reason ...because things here are so opposite of what's considered 'usual and customary'. Do wish he'd figure out the phones though! I programmed all his frequently-called numbers into the handset in his office, but he's still dialing manually from a printed list because he can never find the phonebook on the handset ...lol.