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General discussion

SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players

Nov 9, 2004 7:03AM PST

Which one should I get? the new SanDisk 1 GB (SDMX11024A1Cool or the iRiver IFP-799T (1 GB)?

I know the basic specs of both players. The Sandisk is smaller, uses an AAA battery and is good for 15 hours of play. The iRiver uses an AA battery and is good for 40 hours of play. Both have FM tuner and recorder.

What I need to know is: what about the sound quality? what about FM reception? and the navigation? etc? how do they compare? Can anyone help me? Any opinions?

Many thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 11, 2004 9:22PM PST

Opinions?!? I personally know that iRiver is always better... But what i dont know, is anything about that ScanDisk player. I know that, first of all, iRiver has a graphic equalizer and a 3D sound thingy and it may have SRS(Sound Recovery System)... i dont know about ScanDisk but most likely it at least has a graphic equalizer. iRiver, of course comes with very special iRiver earbuds . It uses the headphones, no matter what kind you connect to it, to get the FM signal and it can, if you so choose to do so, record FM radio.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 12, 2004 4:42AM PST

I just got the SanDisk 1 GB at Circuit City. I have 14 days to decide if I want to keep it. So far I'm impressed. I compared the sound (with same songs) with that of my iRiver ifp-190t, and I'd be very hard pressed to say which one is better. FM reception is also very good. I also connected it to my stereo and the sound came out loud and clear. I really like the small size, because I want to wear it on a neckstrap. It's really nifty, better than the bulkier 799. For my purposes I think it will be great. Downside is that you need a new battery (AAA) after 15 hours (compared to 35-40 with the iRiver - AA). But I can cope with that, I think.

One feature bothers me a bit. The "SELECT" button is "loose", compared to the much firmer one of the 190t. So i called up SanDisk and the tech said that's the way they are made. Anyway there's a one-year warranty.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 12, 2004 4:59AM PST

I must add that the essential reason I am not getting the iRiver 799 is the horror stories I've read about a "white noise" problem with the 700 series. Someone wrote that he sent it back to iRiver for an exchange, and the one they sent him back still had that problem! I've read elsewhere that the culprit is a chip.

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IRIVER Models
Apr 13, 2005 8:02AM PDT

Can anyone comment on the IRiver 700 series vs 800 series. I am interested in the 1GB model

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the are the same
May 23, 2005 12:42AM PDT

just the looking is different
79x is maybe more stylish
89x is maybe more official suited

thats all

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 14, 2004 12:04PM PST

Heya Maurice,

Well, can't say that I'm an MP3 expert of any sort, but can tell you that in the past two weeks, I purchased both the SanDisk and iRiver products your questioning.
I've not owned an MP3 player before and am very picky about my music, how I listen to it and how it sounds. I tell you I had my eye set on the iRiver from the get-go, but when I went down to Circuit City to buy it, the customer service person that helped me suggested the SanDisk product. A big factor was the cost savings. Both products looked very similar. I took his suggestion and bought the SanDisk. I got home, tore into the packaging and got my SanDisk up and running. The moment I put the earphones in my ears, I knew I'd made a mistake. I've got to tell you that prior to buying the SanDisk, I had already tried out a Rave and the new Rio Forge. The Rave was crap, the Forge had great sound, but FM tuner was crap. This was all in the past two weeks mind you.
The SanDisk didn't have an equalizer, and it didn't have line-in recording. Plus, the SanDisk just felt so plastic and fragile. I returned it and bought the iRiver and am very glad I did. Not only does the sound blow me away, but the iRiver feels much more sturdy. It takes some time to figure out the buttons and functions, but once you do, you have lots of choices.
I believe the iRiver product is the best on the market for the price and you won't be disappointed.
Hope that helps you some.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 15, 2004 4:45AM PST

Webslinger, I don't think we're talking about the same SanDisk MP3 player. The one I got at Circuit City does have an equalizer. Also. the sound is as good as the iRiver I already own (ifp190t). Granted the player does not feel as sturdy. But it's half the weight. Its smaller size is also a plus to me, cause I'm wearing it on a thin neckstrap. If I needed 35 hours of playback time, I'd get the iRiver (799); but 15 hours is fine for me. Just bought a bunch of AAA batteries. No problem.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 21, 2004 11:11PM PST

Now that you've owned the Sandisk for a while, I wonder if you could give us a little more detailed review? I need to buy 3 players for Christmas presents and I'm considering the Sandisk Red 256 (for price reasons).
Thanks.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 22, 2004 1:15AM PST

I've been looking for a comprehensive review of the SanDisk on the web but so far haven't found one. When comes the deadline for returning the unit on Thursday (or keeping it) I'll most likely keep it.
Reasons:
- I like the small size and the light weight (substantially less than the iRiver), especially because I wear it on a neckstrap.
- sound quality is very good.
- FM sound is very good.
- navigation is easy enough
- joystick is a little "loose" (not as firmly anchored as I would like), but I'll be careful with it
- 1 year warranty parts and labor
- when connected to my stereo, sound comes out nice and clear
- presumably 15 hours of battery life

I don't plan on doing any recording with it, so have not experimented with that aspect.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 22, 2004 1:35AM PST

Thanks, maurice. I think I'll take the plunge. The Sandisk Red (256mb) is priced around $65 on the net, so 3 of them won't bankrupt me. I'm assuming the features/quality is the same as the 1GB unit you have.
Could you post sometime and let us know if the battery life is as advertised?
Thanks again.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 24, 2004 9:27PM PST

You might want to go back and return it today (Thursday), then go back first thing in the morning and get another one. They are on sale Friday for $129. I plan on running over and getting one first thing, partially based on your review. Thanks.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 24, 2004 11:50PM PST

Stupid me! I could kick myself in the ***! Without further checking, I decided yesterday to keep the unit and tore off the bar code from the package -- and mailed it with the rebate form. Today I see on their website that Circuit City has them for $120.!!! -- after rebates.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 25, 2004 9:03AM PST

Did you try using it for data? I am not sure how does that work. My creative jukebox can't maintain windows like folder and data has to be copied in certain fold only. It is also hard to organize the mp3s in it since you can't realy create any folder. Additinaly you have to use Create Software to copy songs to it.
How does the SanDisk 1 GB works? Can you creat folders? Can you just use it as a flash drive? Do you have to use any accompany application to copy songs or will do like a flash drive? Another important question is how long does it take to start up and ready to play...my creative takes about 10-15 seconds to startup and thats why I comsidering upgrading with this more portable unit.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 26, 2004 1:10AM PST

Sandisk takes about 3 seconds to start up. Press the button again and it starts playing right away.
You can use this unit just like an external hard drive. Haven't used it for data.
For music MusicMatch is the program that comes with it. You create your playlists (which are effectively "folders")in MusicMatch and transfer them as such, and the songs will play in the same order. Very easy. Haven't tried another program, but am virtually certain it can handle it. For me it was very easy because all my music files were in the Musicmatch Library, and I'm happy the way it works.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 26, 2004 5:25AM PST

is the navigation on the sandisk a linear playlist where you scroll through every song to get the one you want or is it more like the ipod where you scroll though the lot and pick which one you want to play?

and does the sandisk show the name of the song while its playing or does it rename the songs once they go onto the player as track 1,2,3,etc?

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 27, 2004 1:54AM PST

The Sandisk shows the name of each song.
You scroll thru each one, select the one you want and press the play button.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 27, 2004 7:30AM PST

Hi can you help me? I just got the Sandisk 512mb but i'm having trouble! The cd it came with doesn't load the user manual, could you send me a copy of it to my mail , 122412@gmail.com ? Also do the mp3s go in the folder called "voice"? and my tracks are playing in alphabetical order what should i do?

Thank you so much

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 27, 2004 10:29AM PST

I receive my iRiver iFP-899 1 GB Player this Thursday
and will do a write up on its performance and overall attributes.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Nov 27, 2004 11:26PM PST

I don't know how to email you the CD. Call Sandisk.

Use MusicMatch (it's included on the CD but you can download it for free at the MusicMatch website). Then create playlists within MusicMatch (start with one to see how it works). Give a title to each playlist and copy it to the Sandisk. This title will become the title of that folder within the root directory of the Sandisk (VOICE is a folder for new recordings, I believe; just ignore it). The songs will play back in the same order that they are in the playlist.

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Re: review of iRiver iFP-899
Nov 28, 2004 9:10AM PST

"Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players

I receive my iRiver iFP-899 1 GB Player this Thursday and will do a write up on its performance and overall attributes.

Posted by: Max Power Posted on: 11/27/2004 6:29 PM "

I am very interested in reading any reviews of this as well as where to buy?

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Dec 1, 2004 3:47AM PST

The manual is on the cd, it's just not included in the "startup screen" you see after you put the cd in. To access the manual, browse the cd's contents in windows explorer and you'll see the pdf.

I too have the 512md player and think it's great.

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Dec 3, 2004 4:22AM PST

I am interested in purchasing either the Sandisk or the Iriver. I know they both have voice recorders, but can either record music from the radio this way?
Thanks for helping me decide!

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Dec 12, 2004 5:27AM PST

Hopefully, someone can help me with a question I have. I just bought my 13 year old a Sandisk 512MB, which is the same except the storage space as the 1GB, for Christmas. So that I can prepare it for Christmas, what type of files are suitable for use? Do I download from WalMart.com, napster, etc.? Are all these sources downloadable and usable or are certain types and websites not in the proper format?

Thanks,
sothpaw62

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MP3 Plyaer I river
Apr 13, 2005 8:00AM PDT

Can anyone talk about the 700 servies vs 800 series ..the model with 1GB

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Dec 4, 2004 8:28AM PST

If you are looking for 3 players for Christmas and price is an issue, I would suggest a different player, the brand new Creative MuVo N200, with 512 mb, AAA, 15 hours of battery life, and an FM tuner. I got mine very recently at ecost.com for $122.70 which includes shipping. Great small flash mp3 player, with a good FM radio. Since it is only about $30 more than the sandisk model you mentioned, consider the Creative model.

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help
Dec 14, 2004 11:24AM PST

Hi,
I just got a sandisk. I dont know anything about these things (it was a present) and i have no idea how to use it. I installed the musicmatch program and ive tried to transfer playlists onto the player several different ways (i'm not really sure how you're supposed to do it) but it either says theres an error or it transfers a blank file onto the player. If anyone could help, i'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

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what's the serial number?
Feb 24, 2005 12:53PM PST

What is your Scan Disk mp3 player's serial number? Is it SDMX11024A18? Is it the 1 Gb one? I think this one comes with an equalizer.

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iriver
Jun 9, 2005 8:29PM PDT

hey iriver kicks *** right now i have an iriver iand ite the best rest go to hell kind of a thing check it and prove me wrong

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Dec 3, 2004 9:38AM PST

I just got the iRiver 899 and it records perfectly off the radio and then you can dl it to your computer

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Re: SanDisk 1 GB vs. iRiver 1 GB MP3 players
Dec 6, 2004 12:59PM PST

Max
What made you choose the 899 over the 799 or 799T?
Do you know any differences between them? I emailed iRiver and they promptly replied the only the difference was the weight and size.
Its my Xmas gift and my 1st MP3 so I want to get the best of the 3.