42% report 4G iPod audio problems!

[h0p3l355is4]

I'm feeling good about choosing iRiver,

Having problems with your fourth-generation (4G) iPod? You're not alone. Three weeks after the release of Apple's newest iPods, iPodlounge readers have reported that approximately 42% of their 4G units have manifested an audio defect identified by iPodlounge, while others have complained of receiving soiled or physically damaged hardware. The problems affect new-in-box 20 Gigabyte and 40 Gigabyte iPod models sold with a Click Wheel control system. Click "Read more" below for additional details.

http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_c...d=4753_0_7_0_C

Wooohoo time to smack this info on my iPod friends at school and make them cry. Those idiots only believe that mp3 = iPod. FOOLS!!! To me iPod = beauty & %&*#@#ed up product.

[altered_beast]

The 4G iPod is cheaper than the 3G iPod in more ways than just the price tag. There has been a drop off in quality as well. Minor things like the packaging. Major things like the sound quality.

Apple is used to serving a small, incredibly dedicated niche market. I don't think they know how to handle being #1 in a product category all of a sudden.

[Slacker]

hahahahahahahhahaha sucks for ipod owners

iRiver <3

[reddshack]

Good news for my friend that got a 3G for his birthday a few months ago. I agree that the 4G's price comes at a great cost...... packaging, included accessories, build quality, sound quality, etc.......

I thought that was the whole reason for the mini, to create a lower priced iPod. I guess not.

iDud anyone?

[Haku]

This makes me chuckle and makes me more glad I bought an iRiver although an iPod was never on my list of players to consider.
The only times I've found the harddrive on my iHP-140 to be audible, apart from putting my ear up to the unit, is when using the internal mic (which is expected and isn't surprising) and when charging it via USB and listening to music through a mains powered amplifier you can hear harddrive inteference (something to do with conflicting ground levels I think as the hd inteference doesn't affect headphones & battery powered speakers) - but it's a 'user hack' and not something they apparently designed the H1x0 series to do.

[NPswimdude500]

Out of 287 users on www.cnet.com, 71% gave the fourth gen ipod a positive review
(Cnet editors rating:9.0)
Out of 445 users, 73% gave the third gen ipod a positive review
(Cnet editors rating: 8.7)
Out of 807 users, 87% gave the iRiver iHP-120 a positive review
(Cnet editors rating: 8.7)
This says something about how many people buy ihp-1xx's compared to ipods.

As for the editors rating, I have been pestering them to re-review the ihp-1xx, once the new firmware is out, and re-rate it. So far, they havn't answered my e-mails, but I'll keep trying

[OPP]

Oh my god thank you for posting this I was feeling weary about how much better the iRiver was compared to iPod(I got my iRiver 4 days ago) but I now see that the ipod is just a piece of crap now. Yes its 100 dollars cheaper but you lose the 40 dollar case,60 dollar dock, and of course we now see product quality.

[Yoshi_GSH]

Not to mention the radio and voice recorder for iPod costs even more.

[Fluidity]

I don't think the ipod is a piece of crap, I'm sure this figure is overstated, much like the karma's HD failures. People that have a problem, surf the net to find the answer, come across the survey and think "hey thats me" and fill it in, the other regular forum users, many of which don't have the problem will fill it in as the negative response. The only way to gauge the actual figure is to look at people that were already regular members that have the new model and have run into problems and those that haven't, it would give a more reliable figure. I would hope its less than 5% otherwise apple have screwed up bad although I realise how many people on this board would revel in that and I'm quite happy to watch apple stew. Its nice to see them stuggle again for a bit but I doubt it'll dent its sales much in the long run.

Anyway, sucks for anyone's that is playing up, reassures me for going for an H340 and actually spending more than getting a 40 gig ipod but for what I feel is a superior product (still no resets or any problem of any kind! Touch wood!). It certainly looks like a cheaper product and I guess unfortunately sounds like it too, depsite them actually upgrading the audio decoding on this model.

Anyway, I'm not going to stand here and blow raspberries at apple owners, I still think any DAP is an amazing piece of kit and still can't get over being able to listen to anything I have at any time I want, its revolutionized by listening. The ipods problems are i-relevant to me, they can sort it out, I'm more interested in seeing a true shuffle mode, gapless and OTF playlisting implemented in the H100 series so I can see what I hopefully have to look forward to come october (Well late october or maybe early november!)

Fluidity.

[h0p3l355is4]

I still can't believe the 4th gen got 9.0. That is wrong. Apple is probably paying them to make it that high. Wait till they review the new iRiver products with COLOR (Ohhh AHHh NICE!!!) and extended battery life.

[fwumpbungle]

Wait till they review the new iRiver products with COLOR (Ohhh AHHh NICE!!!) and extended battery life.

They'll still only give it 7.5. In case you hadn't noticed CNet is not exactly, erm, 'impartial'. The only true gauge is personal satisfaction. And I give my H340 10.5!

[XavierGr]

Users of affected iPods will be able to hear a hard disk-like whirring sound in their earphones, coupled with several seconds of light static at the start of a song that has just been loaded.

Well its something like using the remote of the iHP. This problem though isnt from the hard disc but from the remote's screen itself. Very annoyning if you ask me. (especially with shure e2 earbuds)

I saw that they will fix this in the upcoming firmware, time will tell...

As for the iPod problem:
Ok I agree with Fluidity but on the other hand I am a little wicked and glad about this turn of events. (cant help my anti-ipod(apple) feelings)

But I must say that I feel sorry, for those that bought 4G iPod, as the best mp3 player.(which someone else told them)

[andsoitgoes]

A survey just came out that stated that 90% of surveys are wrong

Surveys, just like reviews, are biased. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. It's the luck of the draw, and generally you have to make your own opinion on things.

I don't like the iPod - but that's just because everyone has one, and it doesn't have the same really cool things (optical out, etc.) that the iRiver does. However, even though people may say the 4th gen is crappier quality, well - a buddy of mine has one and it's really, really nice. Sounds good, no complaints from an iRiver owner.

We love the iRiver - simple as that, people love the iPod - no changing those facts, and no one should want to. I STILL recommend certain people get the iPod - Honestly, I can imagine someone like my Mom using an iPod - but looking at the iRiver confusedly for hours.