I'm looking to buy the 128mb version of this player after I've found out the following things.
1. Does it support VBR playback?
2. Does the firmware upgrade available fix the 2 annoying bugs I've heard about:
* If failing to dismount the unit properly in windows, the unit gets corrupted and needs reformatting
* When low on battery the unit produces some sorts of white or pink noise instead of shutting down.
3. I dont like WMA anymore than the next fellow, but if a WMA9 128kbps tune outclasses a mp3 I'll go with WMA9. Is WMA9 supported?
I've tried to find this info in all Creative documents and knowledgebases. haven't succeeded yet, this is why I ask here.
I'd appreciate if someone that already has this unit could answer these 3 questions for me.
pike
Full Version: Nomad Muvo
After doing a search for WMA9, I ended up finding WMA9pro. So now I wonder if this format is supported by the MuVo =)
My little brother has the 64Mb version and uses it with wma8. However, I will try out wma9 on it to see if it works when I get the chance, probably on the weekend, if he brings it back with him 
QUOTE(JEN @ Apr 23 2003 - 11:24 AM)
My little brother has the 64Mb version and uses it with wma8. However, I will try out wma9 on it to see if it works when I get the chance, probably on the weekend, if he brings it back with him
Edit:
Hmm, I'm looking to order this puppy in a day or two
Great, would be even better if you also could try a vbr mp3 and a WMA9pro (if possible). If it doesn't work, perhaps you could try with the new firmware?
QUOTE
1. Does it support VBR playback?
Yes, both with mp3 and wma9 (tried 2pass 96kbs vbr)
QUOTE
2. Does the firmware upgrade available fix the 2 annoying bugs I've heard about:
* If failing to dismount the unit properly in windows, the unit gets corrupted and needs reformatting
* When low on battery the unit produces some sorts of white or pink noise instead of shutting down.
* If failing to dismount the unit properly in windows, the unit gets corrupted and needs reformatting
* When low on battery the unit produces some sorts of white or pink noise instead of shutting down.
I have this problem too, but i didn't know about this firmware upgrade, thanks
I will try.QUOTE
3. I dont like WMA anymore than the next fellow, but if a WMA9 128kbps tune outclasses a mp3 I'll go with WMA9. Is WMA9 supported?
Wma9 is supported. I tried wm9 2pass vbr at 96kbit/s (well, it's abr...) and I found it fine for listening while going to work (in metro, on buses).At 64kbps it's too metallic.
For mp3, i use lame 3.90.2 with alt-preset 128 switch.
Don't think wma9pro is supported (5.1 channels, 48khz)
Bye
Thanks for your replies Atlantis
However basic this player is, I think it's for me. I like it's dual functionality and it's small size and I only intend to use it while I use public transportation and while jogging, so I think it will be enough.
The device have a few nasty quirks, but I hope they will be ironed out in the future, like these:
* While using ff/rew, it's silent, so you're blind to your position
* When you turn it off, it forgets where you were in your list, so it starts from the beginning the next time
Gonna order one tonite I reckon. Once again, thx =)
However basic this player is, I think it's for me. I like it's dual functionality and it's small size and I only intend to use it while I use public transportation and while jogging, so I think it will be enough.
The device have a few nasty quirks, but I hope they will be ironed out in the future, like these:
* While using ff/rew, it's silent, so you're blind to your position
* When you turn it off, it forgets where you were in your list, so it starts from the beginning the next time
Gonna order one tonite I reckon. Once again, thx =)
QUOTE(pike @ Apr 23 2003 - 12:04 PM)
* While using ff/rew, it's silent, so you're blind to your position
* When you turn it off, it forgets where you were in your list, so it starts from the beginning the next time
* When you turn it off, it forgets where you were in your list, so it starts from the beginning the next time
I've received the 64mb version as a gift, and i'm happy with it.
One other quirk (over the two that you noted), is that it uses too much battery with wma playback, but i don't care much.
It plays music and that's all (for me)
bye
it uses more battery for wma playback because the wma decoder is more cpu/dsp intensive.
Also, I'd be grateful if you let me know if the firmware updates fixes the problems
And here's a nice resource I'm digging through now:
Nomadness.net muvo forum
Also, I'd be grateful if you let me know if the firmware updates fixes the problems
And here's a nice resource I'm digging through now:
Nomadness.net muvo forum
QUOTE(pike @ Apr 23 2003 - 12:16 PM)
Also, I'd be grateful if you let me know if the firmware updates fixes the problems
Just flashed the new firmware... I'll test
Thanks for the link
bye
Ok, got the MuVo just before the weekend so I haven't had much time to listen to it yet, listening to it now while typing this.
Included headphones was nothing less than utter crap. I swear, I've never heard anything worse than them. (no surprise there).
So I had to borrow a pair of Fontopias (MDR-EX70) from a friend to see what the MuVo were capable of. Quite much I must say, the audioquality is very good, when the played back source is good.
I've toyed with various lame settings trying to squeeze the bitrate down while keeping the quality as intact as possible.
I started with
--alt-preset 96 but the artifacts were just too clear
--alt-preset 112 alot better, but not good enough for me
--alt-preset 128 quite good actually. only downside is that I wanna shrink further to fit more tunes in the 122mb available space.
I haven't updated the firmware yet, I figured I'd try to get used to this fw first, then I can hopefully notice some differences when I upgrade (I haven't even used up the included battery yet)
Included headphones was nothing less than utter crap. I swear, I've never heard anything worse than them. (no surprise there).
So I had to borrow a pair of Fontopias (MDR-EX70) from a friend to see what the MuVo were capable of. Quite much I must say, the audioquality is very good, when the played back source is good.
I've toyed with various lame settings trying to squeeze the bitrate down while keeping the quality as intact as possible.
I started with
--alt-preset 96 but the artifacts were just too clear
--alt-preset 112 alot better, but not good enough for me
--alt-preset 128 quite good actually. only downside is that I wanna shrink further to fit more tunes in the 122mb available space.
I haven't updated the firmware yet, I figured I'd try to get used to this fw first, then I can hopefully notice some differences when I upgrade (I haven't even used up the included battery yet)
Given the poor quality of the bundled headphones probably lame 3.93.1 --preset 64 would be good
Don't know if muvo can play mpeg 2 layer III
Don't know if muvo can play mpeg 2 layer III
I don't think that it'll support WMA9pro, because it's a somewhat different format with higher complexity. If it does afterall, just say so, it will increase my interest for this thing.
wma9 is supported (edit: this is based on my tests: afaik creative says only "it plays wma").
wma9pro not (as far as i've tested) since of 48 khz frequency
wma9pro not (as far as i've tested) since of 48 khz frequency
WMA9pro supports 44khz.
QUOTE(Tripwire @ Apr 28 2003 - 12:10 PM)
WMA9pro supports 44khz.
Yes sorry.
I've confused things a bit.
I tried wma9pro but was unable to play it on muvo.
I think it is not supported because wmeconder produces 44khz, 24 bit, 2 channels or 44khz, 16 bit, 5.1 channels: muvo should play only regular 16bit / 2 channels.
Or probably it supports wma9pro and i messed up something
I created this thread on NOMADness forums, to investigate what ppl want further enhanced with the player, please take a look if u got a MuVo and add your wishes. I intend to spam Creative with this list later.
Just a thought, just because the player is basic, doesn't mean it must stay that way. The suggestions I added are only logical and quite feasible to add to the firmware imho. And if you were too lazy to click the link above, here's a copy of my current 'wishlist':
Considering that the player is upgradeable, I bet its just a matter of time before someone with the skills reverseengineer it
Just a thought, just because the player is basic, doesn't mean it must stay that way. The suggestions I added are only logical and quite feasible to add to the firmware imho. And if you were too lazy to click the link above, here's a copy of my current 'wishlist':
QUOTE
High Priority:
* Resume Function
* Audible Preview while using ff/rew
Mid Priority:
* Tweakable EQ preset (thumb connected to pc)
OR
* Tweakable EQ preset (repeat button used as a qualifier for the other buttons like Volume for instance)
Low Priority:
*Ogg Vorbis support (wont be easy, but would make this player highly wanted)
* Resume Function
* Audible Preview while using ff/rew
Mid Priority:
* Tweakable EQ preset (thumb connected to pc)
OR
* Tweakable EQ preset (repeat button used as a qualifier for the other buttons like Volume for instance)
Low Priority:
*Ogg Vorbis support (wont be easy, but would make this player highly wanted)
Considering that the player is upgradeable, I bet its just a matter of time before someone with the skills reverseengineer it
Looks like I'm a bit late. You already have the answers. Sorry!
QUOTE(JEN @ Apr 28 2003 - 12:44 PM)
Looks like I'm a bit late. You already have the answers. Sorry!
Please post freely your impressions/test: they're welcome!
one word: Ouch!!
Using original firmware and yesterday I pushed the batteries wanting to see how long they could last. I got my reward in the end. The famous SQUELCH sound... It's very poor by Creative to release something in this state and then dont release a fix immediately. I hope the updated firmware fixes this...
Besides what I've written before, here's another idea. The MuVo is connected to a pc quite often. The ultimate would be to have a config program for Muvo that can change settings like:
or what do u say?
Btw, does anyone know which the 'strongest' (highest mAh) available for NiMh AAA batteries? I found 750mAh
Using original firmware and yesterday I pushed the batteries wanting to see how long they could last. I got my reward in the end. The famous SQUELCH sound... It's very poor by Creative to release something in this state and then dont release a fix immediately. I hope the updated firmware fixes this...
Besides what I've written before, here's another idea. The MuVo is connected to a pc quite often. The ultimate would be to have a config program for Muvo that can change settings like:
- number of seconds one has to push the on/off button for power on/off
- delay until MuVo turns itself off when in pause mode
or what do u say?
Btw, does anyone know which the 'strongest' (highest mAh) available for NiMh AAA batteries? I found 750mAh
Phase -1- in progress, see http://se.europe.creative.com/support/foru....asp?thre=34393
800 mah
Hopefully you'll be able to find some near you (although the difference is negligable in my eyes)
Hopefully you'll be able to find some near you (although the difference is negligable in my eyes)
thx Lev,
will look for these, but I doubt they reached this continent yet.
I'll probably settle for 750mAh ones.
Btw, I've ordered a pair of Sony MDR-EX71's damn, this type of headphones are for sure the future compared to the old models that sits in the 'outer' ear.
will look for these, but I doubt they reached this continent yet.
I'll probably settle for 750mAh ones.
Btw, I've ordered a pair of Sony MDR-EX71's damn, this type of headphones are for sure the future compared to the old models that sits in the 'outer' ear.
QUOTE(pike @ Apr 23 2003 - 12:30 AM)
I'm looking to buy the 128mb version of this player after I've found out the following things.
1. Does it support VBR playback?
2. Does the firmware upgrade available fix the 2 annoying bugs I've heard about:
* If failing to dismount the unit properly in windows, the unit gets corrupted and needs reformatting
* When low on battery the unit produces some sorts of white or pink noise instead of shutting down.
3. I dont like WMA anymore than the next fellow, but if a WMA9 128kbps tune outclasses a mp3 I'll go with WMA9. Is WMA9 supported?
I've tried to find this info in all Creative documents and knowledgebases. haven't succeeded yet, this is why I ask here.
I'd appreciate if someone that already has this unit could answer these 3 questions for me.
pike
1. Does it support VBR playback?
2. Does the firmware upgrade available fix the 2 annoying bugs I've heard about:
* If failing to dismount the unit properly in windows, the unit gets corrupted and needs reformatting
* When low on battery the unit produces some sorts of white or pink noise instead of shutting down.
3. I dont like WMA anymore than the next fellow, but if a WMA9 128kbps tune outclasses a mp3 I'll go with WMA9. Is WMA9 supported?
I've tried to find this info in all Creative documents and knowledgebases. haven't succeeded yet, this is why I ask here.
I'd appreciate if someone that already has this unit could answer these 3 questions for me.
pike
I bought last month the 128 MB Version at Karstadt here in Germany.
1. Yes. The MuVo plays for example LAME --aps files rock solid.
2. I don't make a firmware upgrade yet, but i can't reproduce the dismount issue in windows. From my experience with USB Memory Sticks i know that you can just remove the units without umounting or something in windows. Under Linux i've never tested to remove the media without umounting. I can't reproduce the second issue too. My MuVo shutts down when battery is too low.
3. WMA 9 not tested yet.
BadHorsie
QUOTE
I can't reproduce the second issue too. My MuVo shutts down when battery is too low.
With Alkaline batteries or rechargables?
With Alkaline. No rechargable batteries tested yet. i listen one hour every day (on the way to work) and the battery stays a whole week
BadHorsie
BadHorsie
Had a chat with a Creative "support tech" yesterday. Here's some of our chat:
5minutes later
After this ~15min chat, I was not happy cause I was basically told to not play so loud. Any views on this? Btw, the noise that the MuVo generates when it runs low on batteries is very unpleasant.
QUOTE
>You : hi. bad noise in my headphones when battery runs low...
>
>You : both with alkaline and 750mAh NiMh
>
>You : updated firmware to the one on nomadworld.com. didn't help
>
>Lorraine : Hi Staffan, this is normal, you need to replace the battery as
>soon as it starts running low (the red light flashes) -it can also be
>related to the quality of the mp3 files, how long to batteries last?
>
>You : both with alkaline and 750mAh NiMh
>
>You : updated firmware to the one on nomadworld.com. didn't help
>
>Lorraine : Hi Staffan, this is normal, you need to replace the battery as
>soon as it starts running low (the red light flashes) -it can also be
>related to the quality of the mp3 files, how long to batteries last?
QUOTE
>You : using mp3 encoded with lame @ alt-preset 128.
>
>Lorraine : how loud is this though?
>
>You : I'm not sure how long they last, but I usually play at max volume,
>low sensitive headphones
>
>You : but after the light start to flash red, there's atleast 1 more hour
>playtime left on the batteries
>
>You : are you sure this is normal behaviour?
>
>Lorraine : yes, it has approx one hour but you should change it before it
>runs out to avoid this, this is normal behaviour but how loud exactly is
>this noise?
>
>Lorraine : it happens everytime the battery runs out?
>
>You : aha, the noise... it's VERY loud. much louder than the music. yes,
>has happened every time
>
>You : this cant be meant to be. I know CREATIVE thinks there's no bugs in
>your product, but if this isnt a bug I dont know...
>
>You : funny thing is, I talked with another tech support person last week
>and he said he never heard of a similar thing, he also told me to try a
>firmware update
>
>You : and I *think* I managed to update the firmware. is there a way to
>check which firmware my muvo has currently?
>
>Lorraine : You should ensure you are always using the muvo format rather
>than the windows version, I have had this happen with a muvo I use but
>found it related to the battery used and it also depended on whether or
>not I changed the battery after it started flashing or powered it down,
>how long have you the muvo?
>
>You : I've had it approx 10 days. But please, you cant seriously say that
>I must throw the battery when there's so much 'juice' in it??
>
>You : I've never formatted it with anything else except the tool you
>supplied
>
>You : Creative I mean
>
>You : battery I use is mftd. by Energizer
>
>Lorraine : one moment
>
>Lorraine : how loud is this though?
>
>You : I'm not sure how long they last, but I usually play at max volume,
>low sensitive headphones
>
>You : but after the light start to flash red, there's atleast 1 more hour
>playtime left on the batteries
>
>You : are you sure this is normal behaviour?
>
>Lorraine : yes, it has approx one hour but you should change it before it
>runs out to avoid this, this is normal behaviour but how loud exactly is
>this noise?
>
>Lorraine : it happens everytime the battery runs out?
>
>You : aha, the noise... it's VERY loud. much louder than the music. yes,
>has happened every time
>
>You : this cant be meant to be. I know CREATIVE thinks there's no bugs in
>your product, but if this isnt a bug I dont know...
>
>You : funny thing is, I talked with another tech support person last week
>and he said he never heard of a similar thing, he also told me to try a
>firmware update
>
>You : and I *think* I managed to update the firmware. is there a way to
>check which firmware my muvo has currently?
>
>Lorraine : You should ensure you are always using the muvo format rather
>than the windows version, I have had this happen with a muvo I use but
>found it related to the battery used and it also depended on whether or
>not I changed the battery after it started flashing or powered it down,
>how long have you the muvo?
>
>You : I've had it approx 10 days. But please, you cant seriously say that
>I must throw the battery when there's so much 'juice' in it??
>
>You : I've never formatted it with anything else except the tool you
>supplied
>
>You : Creative I mean
>
>You : battery I use is mftd. by Energizer
>
>Lorraine : one moment
5minutes later
QUOTE
>Lorraine : this is not hardware related, it would happen at high volume
>levels, you do not need to change the battery as soon as the light flashes
>but if you let it run out completely you will risk this noise. I will pass
>on your complaint but at the moment I would suggest trying diferent
>batteries
>
>You : brand new Energizer NiMh 750mAh. And the other batteries were
>Energizer Alkalines. damn good batteries, dont you agree?
>
>You : if the player is this picky with batteries (and it's a known factor)
>Creative SHOULD put up a list of approved batteries...
>
>You : the other tech support person 'Boris' hinted that my player may be
>defective.
>
>Lorraine : no this has happened with my muvo and I have just confirmed
>here it is not a hardware problem, if you listen to music at quite a high
>level this can happen.
>levels, you do not need to change the battery as soon as the light flashes
>but if you let it run out completely you will risk this noise. I will pass
>on your complaint but at the moment I would suggest trying diferent
>batteries
>
>You : brand new Energizer NiMh 750mAh. And the other batteries were
>Energizer Alkalines. damn good batteries, dont you agree?
>
>You : if the player is this picky with batteries (and it's a known factor)
>Creative SHOULD put up a list of approved batteries...
>
>You : the other tech support person 'Boris' hinted that my player may be
>defective.
>
>Lorraine : no this has happened with my muvo and I have just confirmed
>here it is not a hardware problem, if you listen to music at quite a high
>level this can happen.
After this ~15min chat, I was not happy cause I was basically told to not play so loud. Any views on this? Btw, the noise that the MuVo generates when it runs low on batteries is very unpleasant.
sounds weird... never heard such a noise on my device. as i said before, my muvo plays the tracks normal even when the battery is low. and when battery is empty the device shuts done. nothing more.
BadHorsie
BadHorsie
another thing:
for me a "-h -b 192" file sounds better than a --alt-preset standard file on the muvo. especially in the bass area. seems that --aps files are a little bit overkill for this little device. what's your experience?
BadHorsie
for me a "-h -b 192" file sounds better than a --alt-preset standard file on the muvo. especially in the bass area. seems that --aps files are a little bit overkill for this little device. what's your experience?
BadHorsie
Same with my brothers Muvo 64Mb
Makes on other noise through headphones when red light is flashing???
Makes on other noise through headphones when red light is flashing???
I have had my 128 MB muvo for 3 months and I've never hear such noise. Actually, it produces some noise when you play at the HIGHEST volume, but it's not loud, and not really anoying.
I don't know, maybe it only occurs in a limited number of units?
I don't know, maybe it only occurs in a limited number of units?
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.