Review Item:

iRock 730i

Date:
6 - September - 2003

Manufacturer:
iRock

Supplier:
iRock

Cost:
$139.99

Reviewer:
Chad

Installation
Installing and understanding the software was simple. The irock 730i came with a CD that included there transfer management software. The software allows you to; control the transfer of songs to the internal memory and additional to the removable Smart Card Media.

It is warned that you do NOT connect the player to the PC UNTIL the software is already installed.

Once the software was installed, learning to use it was not very difficult. First power up the player, and then connect it to the PC via the USB cable. Once it is connected a message is displayed on the player showing that it is connected, and the software on the PC also shows that the player is connected. Once all was connected it was just a matter of searching for the songs needed, and selecting them to be transferred onto the player. There are two different tabs for the player’s memory, one for the internal on board memory and one for the removable Smart Card Media. So you can choose where you want what songs. The interface is very easy to understand, even without a manual it should be easy for novice to pickup and understand very quickly.

Front

Back

One nice thing about this player is that not only does it play MP3’s, and WMA’s, but it also plays MP3i’s. If you have not heard of MP3i’s before, they are basically interactive, enhanced MP3’s. And you can create your own MP3i’s with “MP3i Creator” that is included. MP3i Creator allows you to add multimedia to MP3 audio: pictures, animation, lyrics, web links, and more. You can actually have a slideshow of images playing while listening to the audio files, as well as following along with the lyrics. The software also allows you to create interactive MP3’s for use on your PC.

730i actually showing images!

The ability to take memo’s or voice recordings is just another great feature of this player. Let me tell you the internal MIC on this thing is SENSITIVE. I will tell you how sensitive it is, I did a test recording, over my talking there was the TV in the background, and about 20 feet away; outside, some people were talking, and I could hear everything they were saying clearly. Everything was crystal clear. What was also nice is the fact that I had 34 songs already loaded onto the player’s internal memory, and I was still able to record eight (8) additional minutes of audio, very impressive! After making voice recordings then can then be uploaded onto the PC via the same software that is used to download the files.

The menu of the 730i gives you the option to change the following: Backlight, Contrast, Repeat, Mic Mixing, the ability to check, format and wipe the memory. The equalizer has five different options: Rock, Flat, Classic, Hip Hop, and Pop.

Left Side - Showing the SmartCard media slot

Right Side - Showing volume control and hold switch

Conclusion
This thing is fantastic! During the time that I was reviewing the 730i, I searched around to find other digital audio players, and none that I saw, had the features of being able to play the MP3i’s. Now having the ability to play MP3i’s its not necessarily going to attract customers to buy it over another, but it is cheaper than some other digital audio players that I have seen, with some great features, so if it has the ability to play the MP3i’s, why not get it? The voice recording feature is superb. The quality of the play back is very impressive, with the ability; in my case, to clearly hear people talking from about twenty (20) feet away, what more do you want?

One thing I would like to see different is a better user manual/instruction guide shipped with the irock 730i. It comes with a manual on the CD but I would rather a printed version.I would like to see a small booklet showing what all the buttons on the device are for. a printed version would be much better and easier for expeditious understanding and use of the irock 730i.

Although there is the small issue with the user manual, that does not take away from the impressiveness of irock’s 730i Digital Audio Player. irock is coming out with a 256MB model (760i) with an included FM tuner, and will be available in September 2003 for $169.99. For $139.99, this isn’t bad at all, I do not miss the FM tuner, but when the 760i comes out in September that one should be even better. 256MB with an included FM tuner for an additional $30.00, why pass up that?

With all that said and done, I am happy to give the irock 730i, the second Wild 10 rating.

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