iRiver U10

Slackworth · 17 Dec 2005 at 15:40

We have just been playing with a test sample we have and this thing is fantastic. In fact, I'd say it is better than any Apple iPod available, or anything else for that matter.

The U10 supports MP3s, Videos, Text, Games, FM Radio and Pictures. Navigating between each of these modes is simple. Just press the screen at the top and bottom to scroll between them and press the screen at the right hand side to access it.

When looking at Videos, the screen is superb. It is so clear you could watch a film on it very easily and with 1GB of space, pretty much anything will fit that you want.

There is some pre-installed flash games which are pretty good for a bit of a laugh and again, the screen makes these look vivid.

Music and FM radio is also good and navigating through the tracks and stations is quick. The sound quality of the unit is just as good (if not better) than the iPod.

Best of all, the unit is so small and with only 4 buttons, is a fantastic little unit. For what it does for the money, it's excellent!

james.miller · 17 Dec 2005 at 15:47

been waiting for the U10 for a while, but with the price that it is it's nothing i'd even concider right now. 20gb hdd player, or the u10 1gb flash player thats actually more expensive?

Far too expensive and low on storage for their own good. Not to say they aren't brilliant - they are. Just about £100 too expensive atm.

Slackworth · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:06

james.miller said:
Just about £100 too expensive atm.

That's ridiculous. You honestly want this player for £20? :confused:

A Creative Zen Nano Plus is £70 and this is far superior in every way.

james.miller · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:08

sorry but the 1gb alone is £130, i paid £149 for my 5gb h10 nearly 5 months ago. How much is the 2gb u10?

£200. £200 for a 2gb player. £100 a gb and you think that's not too expensive for a player who's only advantage over the H10 is the fancy looks and a paltry 2gb of flashram?

That is ridiculous.

Slackworth · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:10

james.miller said:
sorryu but the 1gb alone is £130? i paid £149 for my 5gb h10 nearly 5 months ago. How much is the 2gb u10?

£200. £200 for a 2gb player. £100 a gb and you think that's not too expensive?

The H10 5GB may have more space but feature wise it's not even remotely close and it's far far bigger in size.

Gibbo · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:11

james.miller said:
been waiting for the U10 for a while, but with the price that it is it's nothing i'd even concider right now. 20gb hdd player, or the u10 1gb flash player thats actually more expensive?

Far too expensive and low on storage for their own good. Not to say they aren't brilliant - they are. Just about £100 too expensive atm.

If you find them in the £20-£30 region let me know, I will buy a few hundred and sell them.

Seriously I have used Ipods, the cheap usuable MP3 players you can get for 20GB and the Creative Zens. This new Iriver is just like a MUST HAVE TOY, its absolutely awsome. I am not incorrectly using the word "awsome" as I am so impressed that for one its so small yet the screen is so large, if that makes sense. Watching video's is a joy as the screen is so clear and anybody could navigate this MP3 players it is so simple and it will impress anyone with its video and sound quality. I think that £120 is a bargain for something so advanced as this and when it comes to MP3's who really needs more than 1-2GB's of space, obviously video files will eat away at that but we all have PC's and a quick connection up to the PC and you can change your selection of songs and video's quickly.

The Iriver U10 is definetely a move forward in MP3/MP4 technology to have something so small that does not sacrifice quality but can still be used by anyone without hassle. Its a great product!

james.miller · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:16

Sorry but i dont argee. i've played with a u10 and yes its smaller (not far far smaller) but its too expensive over here and the ram is too small. Get that ram up to 5gb than ill be interested. id put 3gb minimum on an mp3 player, and that only music not video's as well. give me 5gb and 20hours of battery life for <£200 then ill be interested.

It certainly is a step in the right direction, but its only the first step.

Kainz · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:33

james.miller said:
been waiting for the U10 for a while, but with the price that it is it's nothing i'd even concider right now. 20gb hdd player, or the u10 1gb flash player thats actually more expensive?

Exact thoughts too, I'm waiting for the storage capacity to increase before I opt for one. Been watching these for a while now and they're gorgeous. It's too obvious that we'll see higher capacity models sooner rather then later.

Gibbo · 17 Dec 2005 at 16:53

Hi there

2GB model in january, price unknown but shall give all this feedback to Iriver to try and push prices down but even though it does lack in space the small size, quality and ease of use does still make them an attractive buy.

Stellios · 17 Dec 2005 at 18:25

Stick a hard drive into it to give it more storage and £130 would be justified, but not for 1GB. 1GB is anly a couple of movies, in that perspective it isnt much. Flash drives are just too expensive at the minute.

If you want one, and you can live with 1GB then get one, but i could fill 10 times what the U10 storage just on videos if i had movie playback capabilities.

Joachim Winter · 17 Dec 2005 at 19:29

Viciously overpriced but hey new flash tech always is, I'm sure lots will sell to the "more money than sense" crowd

DanMc07 · 18 Dec 2005 at 11:20

I was opting to get one of these, but one 1gb for £130 is not really a bargin even with the features, I opted for the 60GB ipod video for £300, YEah the fancy tutch screen looks great and everything but the space on the U10 is the only downside of it, imo even 2GB is not enough...

toString · 18 Dec 2005 at 15:28

Shame they didn't make one with a HDD, even if it was bigger - i'm sure more would buy.

Le Samourai · 18 Dec 2005 at 21:16

What's the software like for these or can it run independently?

My shortlist is between this and perhaps the mpio (the U10 does look considerably sexier though).

Are there any links to piccies comparing size and looks yet?

Kappa · 18 Dec 2005 at 22:55

This looks really cool, I think 2gb would be good for the price.

Whats the actual battery life on this thing? Will you be getting the docking station with remote?

To be honest with my way of usage of video on my iPaq, there is no point in storing all your video, you just watch a programme/film/episode, and then I dont want to see it again for weeks and want to watch something new, so i'm always rotating, I hate it when there's nothing new on the player, so as long as you have the means to change whats on the player, (which you should), 1GB, while not sounding much, is quite good.

EDIT - what video formats will it take? Divx? etc?

Neoni · 18 Dec 2005 at 23:58

it looks ok, but is way overpriced, and you could only fit like one full length movie on it in form of mp4.

the ipods can hold something ridiculous like 30films+ on...

Chiz · 19 Jan 2006 at 14:46

Any latest news on the release date? Is it still Jan 31st, or has it been pushed back again untill march 1st?

Stellios · 19 Jan 2006 at 14:48

If you mean the U10 then they are available form OcUK now, or shey should be.

Chiz · 19 Jan 2006 at 16:05

i mean the 2gb version

Kamakazie! · 19 Jan 2006 at 18:12

yeah noewhere seems to have any availability on the 1 or 2gb models.
im really looking intog etting one of these, they look great. would like a bit more storage but if the 2gb fits 2/3 movies and a few hundred songs on it then its perfect for me.