http://www.rca.com/content/viewdetail/1,,E...I700433,00.html

"RD2800/2820 Applications Utilities/Drivers Upgrade

This is the latest RD2800/2820 Applications Utilities/Drivers upgrade. It supports Microsoft Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows Me and Windows XP operating system. (Replaces previous version 1056b)

Version 1057 includes these new features and enhancements:

NEW FEATURES:
mp3pro audio support! - Now enjoy the superior sound quality of mp3pro and double* your music storage capacity."
[...]
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Furthermore RCA also releases a new Lyra Audio/Video Jukebox with a 20 GB HDD):

http://www.thomson.net/gb/06/c03/030109.htm

/me cries @ mp3pro :'(

[sarcasm]



HOORRAYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/sarcasm]

Imo mp3PRO support wouldn't be needed for hard-drive based portables, but it would be very nice for portables with reasonably low storage capacity, since it's imo the best quality codec at 64kbps.

Though I've had the opportunity to hear some AAC+ samples (FhG AAC+SBR implemented by Coding Technologies), and seems that there will be a new low bitrate quality champion soon..

Wow. A 20 MB HDD? And I thought that portable MP3 players were supposed to be moving up in capacity!

I love it... B)

Thanks for the correction...

That's right, it is even more usable on portables with Flash Memory or Memory Cards, also CD portables. But I think this is only the start, because it took so long for RCA to come up with this update.



Did Ivan also tell you something more precise about the date?

Umm.. Ivan can't disclose much about his work issues, so I have no idea. And I guess if he's working on Nero AAC+ implementation, the tech is so new that even he himself probably couldn't say any exact dates.

Im not waiting for Iavn's AAC+... Im not even waiting till this summer... because I know a secret


But when you said...

I about busted a nut before my early-morning eyes wanted to read the rest of the subject....

What do Americans mean when they "bust a nut", I hope nothing filthy?

Ha! In that case, Hans, you don't want to know.

Perhaps other portables will support it via firmware soon. This seems to be a start.

Considering the insanely expensive hardware licensing costs that Thomson requires for mp3PRO, I wouldn't hold my breath for such firmware updates. Ogg Vorbis is free (and is comparable to mp3PRO at low bit rates) but still has not seen any significant hardware support yet.

It has namebrand behind it. Therefor some people may believe a bigger user demand.

Whenever I see an asterisk like that, I expect the footnote to say:

* If you're gullible.