| I picked up one of these thinking it would have support for mp3PRO -- but I was sloppy and didn't read the fine print. It's "mp3PRO ready"... meaning it's ready for a firmware update that isn't done yet. Other than that it has been decent to me. On the plus side:
* Lot of storage
* Doesn't need any software to load - just appears as a drive letter in Win2000. I love that.
* The accompanying headphones are better than most portables - still not truly high quality though.
* Decent price for the storage On the minus side:
* No mp3PRO support yet
* System crashes a lot with seemingly average jostling - I can't walk to the post office with it in my pocket without the system crashing. It's ok if tossed in a backpack though.
* Audible interference buzz - when the drive light flashes, you can hear it causing a bit of buzz in the headphones.
* The USB port is pretty obscure - I could not find a cable that matches the super small port. If you want to use it at home and work, you either have to carry the cable each way or maybe order another one from RCA Another point which I have noticed is common with hard-drive based MP3 players, but surpised me when I got this was that ther battery is build in - so there is no way to carry a spare. With 10 gigs of storage, I had visions of extended listening "in the field" but that's just not possible. I love my rechargable AAs but they don't help here. I have since purchased a 10GB iPod -- also uses a built-in battery -- which is otherwise vastly superior to the RCA, but at a higher price point. I'd recommend saving up for the iPod if you want a high capacity MP3 player if you have the means - but, in a crunch the RCA is not too bad. | .jpg)
