Rockbox

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Features

License:
Free
Editor's Rating:
5.0 stars
Average User Rating:
4.0 stars (out of 3 votes) Rate it!
Downloads:
14,808
Requirements:
See list of supported devices in description
Limitations:
No limitations
Date Added:
September 04, 2007

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Publisher's description of Rockbox

From The Rockbox Crew:

Rockbox is open-source replacement firmware for MP3 players. It runs on a number of different models: Archos Jukebox 5000, 6000, Studio, Recorder, FM Recorder, Recorder V2 and Ondio; iriver H100, H300 and H10 series; Apple iPod 3rd gen, iPod 4th gen (grayscale and color), iPod 5th/5.5th gen video, iPod 1st gen Nano and iPod Mini 1st/2nd gen (Nano 2nd gen is not supported); Cowon iAudio X5 (including X5V and X5L) and M5 (including M5L); Toshiba Gigabeat X and F series (the S model is not supported); SanDisk Sansa e200 and e200R series; and other models are in development. Rockbox is a complete rewrite and uses no fragments of any original firmwares.

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Editor's review of Rockbox

5.0 stars
"Rock out with Rockbox"

If you can't stand the native operating system on your portable MP3 player, you can make it rock out with Rockbox. Open-source and free, Rockbox is firmware that represents the first step for audiophiles regaining control of how portable devices get used.

Compatible with more than two dozen MP3 players, including most iPods, iRivers, and Archoses, Rockbox comes with a detailed and lengthy installation and usage guide. Although we tried out its auto-installer, it was less successful than the manual install. We recommend reading the manual thoroughly, since the installation process can be confusing. The short version: Download the firmware archive, then extract the files to your device. Disconnect the device and reboot, and the Rockbox firmware should load. Rockbox doesn't override the original firmware, and it's quite easy to jump back to the native system.

Rockbox's features are quite impressive. Besides being skinnable, it comes with dozens of games and productivity plug-ins like a chess clock, a drawing program, and a feature called Voice for users who have vision difficulties. The sound settings are completely customizable, from bass, treble, and balance to dithering and more complicated equalizing. You can also create CFG files for different setups, so you can have one for your car and one for your headphones. MPEG videos are supported on players with native video capability.

Although the installation is challenging and Rockbox takes some getting used to, we think it makes an excellent challenge for audiophiles who feel constrained by using default settings.

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5 stars

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Version: Rockbox

"collaborate well with my friends and my family"

by josemia on September 4, 2007

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Rockbox

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