[Review] iRiver H120

[cal2002]

Okay, I have been an iPod owner for the last year. Everyone loves the iPod, right? Wrong, As much as I like the interface and controls of the iPod, the battery and lack of software transfer choices had me looking to the side of iRiver.

Note: I think iRiver renamed iHP-120 to the H120.

Pictures's are below

Basic Specifications

-20Gb hard disk (Really 19GB)

-Supports MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV and OGG Vorbis

-USB 2.0 transfers

-Integrated FM tuner

-Backlit remote control with 4-line display

-Built-in voice recorder

-Real-time MP3 encoding

-Store or transfer files of any type

-Optical input and output

-Upgradeable to future formats and features

Comparison between iPod 15GB and iRiver 20GB

Note: 15Gb iPod is $299.99 ? 20GB H120 is $329.99What you getb>The H120 includes the following:i>

-The H120

-USB 2.0 cable

-Earphones

-Wired Remote w/ Display

-External Mic

-Power Adapter

-and MoreThe iPod (15GB) includes the following:i>

-The iPod

-Earphones

-Power Adapter

-Firewire Cable

-Not much moreFeelb>

The first thing you notice about the iRiver is that it ?seems? bigger then the iPod. Now, it?s really nearly the same size, (H120 is a bit thicker) but the iPod definitely ?feels? much smaller. Now the old had the iRiver ?seems? much lighter then the iPod did. So that?s an even mControls.

Controls

The interface and the controls of the iPod are still an overall winner. I don?t think anything can beat them. But iRiver made a great attempt! The H120 has the same number of buttons as the iPod does. It consists of 4 buttons, and the jog-dial. The iPod also has 4 buttons and the the wheel. With the iPod all of the controls and basically self-explanatory, yet with the H120 taking a look at the manual does indeed get you going. I never looked at the manual for the iPod. The iRiver relies on quick taps or the buttons and longer holds to control and get to the different features. One thing to remember is the H120 offers a Voice Recorder, MP3 or WAV encoding from different sources, FM Tuner, and then the basic MP3 player. So, having the extra functions iRiver had to do it this way, or have 8 or so buttTransferring Filesansferring Files

Choices!!! I had purchased Anapod for my iPod. Its works great, adds some cool features, but it costs money! To ad to that it?s a program running in the background if you wish to take full use of it. iTunes, I?m not a fan. You have the iPod Service and iTunes Helper running all of the time. Each one takes generally over 10MB of RAM each! Then throw iTunes into the mix at its 25-30MB of RAM. Nearly 50MB of RAM! Not Cool! Now with the H120 all you do is plug it in, Windows XP found it and within 10 seconds I could drag and drop folders and files directly to the device. It supports WinaFormat Support.

iRiver H120

iRiver H120

-MP3

-MP3 VBR

-WMA (DRM Enabled Too)

Apple iPod-ASF

Apple iPod

-MP3

-MP3 VBR

-AAC

-Audible

-WAV

-AIFF (Mac)

Bottom Line: File format support means nothing unless you really use the formats! But purchase the iRiver based on the fact that it plays OGG unless you have encoded or plan to encode your tracks with OGG. But purchase the Apple based on the fact that it plays AAC unless you have encoded or plan to encode your tracks with AAC. iTMS lovers, the iPod is for you. Napster users, H120 is for you.

If you are just listening to the players through earphones the truth is its very doubtful you will hear a difference in AAC vs. OGG or AAC vs. MP3 (I based that on MP3 at 160kbps of greater). If you plan to spend $300 on a nice set of earphones/headphones or you are hooking a device up to your HT then you should worry about AAC vs. MP3 (Or whatever)

I personally use these devices to (1) Go running (2) Use on trips, when you are on a plane sound quality becomes the least of your worries (3) Sit around the house and listen. If you are running and noticing difference in AAC vs. MP3 you need to start thinking about running and notBatteryhearing.

Battery

I was getting really ****** at the crappy battery life of the iPod. It claims 8 hours, I was getting more like 6. 6 hours and that?s with the backlight turned off. If you are say, getting ready to take a nice trip 6 hours is not enough. You got 1-2 hours in the Airport, and then at least 3 hours on a plan. That?s around 5 hours of battery life, what if I would like the backlight on while on the plane? That just kills the iPod. With the H120 I?m getting 12+ hours with the backlight on (3 seconds). For me, thFinal Wordsing point.

Final Words

I?m happier with the iRiver H120. You make your own choice on which on:yes:or might be right for you. :yes:

Edited June 4, 2004 by cal2002

[syphern]

Include pictures man. Nice review by the way.

[Keito]

You're right about the fact that they renamed it to H120 ;)

And I must say i totally agree with your final words, the batterly life and extra features do it all for me, especially the OGG Vorbis playback, becuase I back-up my albums to OGG...

Nice review ^__^

[cal2002]

Pic's are coming!

[cal2002]

Pic's attached

[Rahul]

cmon man i dont think that anuthing can beat the charm & looks of an ipod

[Keito]

The european version looks different, it's more brownish, I honostly think it's better looking, but that's matter of preference.

And I agree with Rahul, the only think that the iPod is better at then an H120 (in my opinion) is the looks...

[xxdesmus]

wow...yeah, sounds like the features and performace is very good, i just wish it looked a bit cleaner.

[jaffa]

cmon man i dont think that anuthing can beat the charm & looks of an ipod

charm and looks.. no

sound : yes:yes:s:

[Si Veteran]

wow...yeah, sounds like the features and performace is very good, i just wish it looked a bit cleaner.

..and played AAC :p

[Veedems Veteran]

I am so happy I bought the iRiver. Once you spend5 minutes getting used to the controls, you won't ever have to second guess them again. Nice review.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I don't like the screen text anywhere near as much as the iPod... also, the joystick has no grip and I know someone that put superglue on the stick to give it grip (they found out about the superglue thing on the web - it just dries slightly rough and gives it some grip). The iPod has plenty of problems but I don't think the H120 is better - it has better battery life and so is a lot more practical but saying it is better purely on battery life is a mistake.

I bought a 40Gb iPod but ending up selling it - it would skip occasionally, the back would come off and it just wasn't a good as I expected it to be. Still, it looks better, has a better screen and a better navigation system than the H120. I love the H120's remote (changing files and seeing what you are changing to... and being backlit) and it looks quite nice (not iPod nice, but nice). This generation of MP3 players is just slightly lacking - a mix of the iPod with the H120 battery life, remote and file support would be a good step.

So to summarize - the iPod and the H120 are nice... but this generation of MP3 players is merely a step in the right direction for better players to come along.

[nuka_t]

charm and looks.. no

sound : yes:yes:s:

this has higher rated soundquality. ive never heard an ipod but irivers are supposed to have better sound.

[jaffa]

this has higher rated soundquality. ive never heard an ipod but irivers are supposed to have better sound.

well that's what i meant :huh:

i got a chance to test them both.. and imo the iriver has a better sound.. :yes:

[Galley]

Just days after buying my iHP-120 in Dec. of last year, I had to fly to North Dakota for a funeral. Leaving the iHP-120 strapped on my belt, and being able to control everything from the remote is great when you're strapped into an airliner seat.

Red Cahir Software makes an iRiver version of Anapod, iRivium Explorer. It makes copying songs to the iHP-120, syncing and creating playlists a breeze. One feature I like is that it will filter out data files. You can copy any folder of files, and it will skip over Folder.jpg and Thumbs.db data files. It will even sync Outlook contacts; wacky!

http://www.redchairsoftware.com/irivium/

[Premgenius]

Red Chair Software rocks!

[nuka_t]

well that's what i meant:huh:h:

i got a chance to test them both.. and imo the iriver has a better sound..:yes:s:

oh, i htought you said that the ipod was ugly but sounded better. i actually prefer this thoguh, too many people have an ipod and this is packed with features. its a more geeky mp3 player i guess.

[giga Veteran]

the ihp-120 is definately a great player. (Y) Good review.

[devilman2590]

Great review man, right now I'm using the Dell DJ, and was about to either go buy a 20 gig iPod or a new cell phone. I can't decide between the two, but now I guess it will be iRiver, iPod, or new cell phone :p (they are all around the same price one way or another..)

[hoyablue]

Not to flame but it sounds more like a comparison rather than a more focused review on the iRiver.

[dt26]

cmon man i dont think that anuthing can beat the charm & looks of an ipod

but what does that matter when the thing spends most of its time in a pocket or bag?

[cal2002]

Not to flame but it sounds more like a comparison rather than a more focused review on the iRiver.

he he

[Review]iRiver H120 (Pages 1 2 )

Review Plus Comparison w/ Apple's iPod

[.will]

can you take an angled picture so you can get a better view of the joystick?

thanks :D

[ProtoPunch]

I think I'd rather wait for reviews on the iRiver H300 series before buying an iRiver or an iPod

you give good reason to buy an iRiver based on PRACTICAL reasons.

[imtoomuch]

charm and looks.. no

sound : yes:yes:s:

I disagree with that. I don't think the iPod has anything on the iRiver in terms of looks or this so called "charm." The iPod is just trendy IMO.

Nice review. Makes me want an iRiver even more.