Rio Carbon 5 GB MP3 Player

Average customer rating:

More trouble than it's worth

Love it!

totally love it

Don't waste your money, but more importantly don't waste your time!!!

Its been with me for 3 years and survived 1 year in Iraq

Rio Carbon 5 GB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: Rio
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Remanufactured Rio Carbon 5GB MP3 Player

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iTunes $15 Prepaid Card

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Product Features:

5 GB storage capacity holds up to 2500 songs, 80 hours of MP3 , or 160 hours WMA

Plays MP3, WMA, and Audible audio formats

Rechargeable battery offers up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge

USB 2.0 for faster downloads; built-in microphone for voice recording

Compatible with Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP and MAC OS X v10.2 or later

ASIN: B0002UB2P0

Product Description

The Rio Carbon 5GB is the next generation compact player with power and performance. Rio Carbon 5GB is perfect for the music lover with a few hundred CDs or someone starting out their digital audio collection who wants room to grow. The ultra slim design goes anywhere, and its superb battery life of up to 20 hours continues long after mini-powered players have died.With it's built-in voice memo recorder you can quickly capture your thoughts and organize your ideas. And like all Rio players, the Rio Carbon uses simple menus and intuitive controls for easy one-handed operation. In the box with your Carbon is a USB cable for downloading music as well as battery charging from your computer. Also included is an AC power adapter and carrying case.

Customer Reviews:

More trouble than it's worth.......2007-09-05

I have owned this product for 2 1/2 years and have been wholly dissatisfied with it. I have had troubles since the beginning with it freezing up and skipping. I spoke with customer service (which does not have a 1-800 number) and they sent me a few downloads which temporarily remediated the problem. I spoke with customer service on many subsequent occasions complaining about the problems I was having, but all I was directed to do was download more updates. Recently, I have been having even more problems with the device but when I went to call the rio customer service, I found that they will not even talk to you until you have given them your credit card number and they have charged you a "service fee." Way to back up your product. Overall, the product was bad and the customer service worse. I don't recommend it.

Love it!.......2007-08-16

I've had my Rio for 3 years and I have to say that while friends of mine have gone through multiple players, had problems and whatnot, my trusty Rio does the job perfectly and has the best profile out of most of the new players.

Best of all, no need for iTunes, the most cumbersome Windows port of all time.

totally love it.......2007-05-27

I bought my rio over two years ago. I love it. No regrets. It has crashed a few times, and I did find the software that comes with it annoying. I like to listen to songs I like to listen to, I'm not the kind of guy that dumps 4 gigs of music on his player and hits random. So at first I found that I needed to create and import playlists and then navigate through the player using the playlists function. When I upgraded the firmware and discovered the folder navigation item I never used the software again. I just plug it in to the PC and drag my albums/compilation folders onto the drive and play 'em through the folders tool. Makes it easy to delete a playlist from windows explorer as well. Never had another crash either. The reset function (you need a paper clip) dealt with every crash and never scrambled the music or the drive. I'm back here now because I'm looking for a player for my wife. Might even get another...

Don't waste your money, but more importantly don't waste your time!!!.......2007-04-05

This is the worst MP3 player I have ever used, I would give it zero stars if that was an option. I have and still use an old Rio S35S. I love it, it plays great and withstands just about any sort of mild abuse (dropping, being on an armband daily for running, tumbling around in a gym bag). But the max it can upgrade to is 1GB, so when the time came that I needed more space I naturally decided to get another Rio. What a huge disappointment this Rio Carbon was! It worked well for about the first month and then it was all downhill. The player and Rio Music Manager wouldn't match up. For example, I would add 45 songs to a playlist in the Manager, and then when I turned on the player there would only be 12 songs in that playlist. The player constantly locked up and crashed, and had to be rebooted. And after every crash, the battery would have to be totally recharged again. I tried every version of firmware out there and even other music managing software, nothing worked. Wasting the money was bad enough, but the hours, days and weeks of time I lost over the past year trying to get this damn thing to work is the worst. I finally (and happily) threw it in the trash and bought an 80GB Ipod and am thrilled. I'm not saying not to buy a Rio, just don't waste your time with a Rio Carbon.

Its been with me for 3 years and survived 1 year in Iraq.......2007-03-07

I love my Rio Carbon and like the title says I bought my Rio Carbon 3 years ago, took it to Iraq for a year and its still going strong now that I'm back in the states.
The only con that I've found for my Rio which isn't a con for everyone is that you won't find those neat add-ons that your friends have for their ipods. For me it doesn't matter so much but for others it might....I personally use a small camera case that I wear around my neck sometimes on the go and at work or just lock the conrols (like you would your cellphone) and just put it in my pocket(its slim and small). It's a tough little player that doesn't scratch easily and still serves me well.
The Rio Carbon is part of the "Plays for sure" group which is cool although I prefer to use the software provided (I think it works better than using just Windows Media Player)and is easy to use.
I'm not sure how long my battery lasts(never been replaced) but it did just fine on a 14hr flight.
The controls are are easy to use and you can search by song, album, artist, play everything, or a playlist that you've created.
I honestly don't remember what earbuds came with my Carbon but just about anyone who has ever bought a MP3 player can tell you that the free set that come with a player are usually not the greatest. I have a set of Sony earbuds that I love.
The screen lights up in response to using any control and makes the screen very easy to see(I've even used in to find things in the dark in my car).
The USB cable that is provided with the player is a pretty standard cable(the same one that my camera uses) which is used for charging from the computer and uploading/downloading music. There is also an adapter so you can plug it into a wall socket to charge.
I can't think of anything else to tell you about the Rio Carbon except I love it, it worked great for me, and I think it looks cool too.

Average customer rating:

RIO CARBON 5 GB CARBON MP3 PLAYER

Manufacturer: RIO
ProductGroup: CE

Product Description

Features 1 Sporting an ultra-thin and tapered design, and with 25 percent more memory than iPod mini, this tiny MP3 player, about the size of a business card, will slide into any pocket virtually unnoticeable. The Rio Carbon is capable of holding up to Production Condition:Refurbished Features 1 Sporting an ultra-thin and tapered design, and with 25 percent more memory than iPod mini, this tiny MP3 player, about the size of a business card, will slide into any pocket virtually unnoticeable. The Rio Carbon is capable of holding up to Production Condition:Refurbished

Remanufactured Rio Nitrus 1.5 GB MP3 Player

Average customer rating:

Get a free iPod Video instead!
beware
Very good for the money
great in the short ter
Nitrus Nice Package for $69.98, Refurbed...so far so good!

Remanufactured Rio Nitrus 1.5 GB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: Rio
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Hard Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | 10 GB | 20 GB | 30 GB | 4 GB | 40 GB | 5 GB | 6 GB | 60 GB | 8 GB
Product Features:

Compatible with computers with USB 2.0 (1.1 compatible) ports running Windows 98 SE, 2000, ME, or XP
1.5 GB HDD plays over 25 hours of MP3 of 50 hours of WMA music
Includes Sennheiser earbuds; 5-band adjustable equalizer with pre-sets
16-hours continuous playback with rechargeable LiIon battery
Remanufactured to like-new condition; includes 30 day warranty

ASIN: B00067YXT6

Product Description

THIS MODEL HAS BEEN FACTORY REFURBISHED TO PERFORM AS NEW. IT INCLUDES A 90-DAY RIO LIMITED WARRANTY! Rio Nitrus 1.5GB Digital Audio Player - The Nitrus from Rio combines the small physical size of flash memory players, with the large storage space of hard drive based players. It does this by using a tiny 1" hard drive that can store up to 1.5GB of music! Its durable plastic body with rubber bumpers is perfect for the active individual. Supports - Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP

Customer Reviews:

Get a free iPod Video instead!.......2006-04-12

Why settle for less, when you can get a brand new original iPod Video 60GB for Free! I got mine from this web site: http://getbestfreestuff.com/ipod-video

beware.......2006-01-03

It will function for about 3 weeks after the warrenty expires and then die. Go online and read the rio users forum. If you buy this product you will regret it.

Very good for the money.......2005-12-25

This is my first MP3 player. I just recieved it today as a Christmas present. So far, I am satisfied with this product. HOWEVER, there are some problems. When I took it out of the package, there was a very little chip on the corner of the back. Adding to this problem, there are some scratches on this product.

Other than those minor problems, I highly suggest you get the refurbished unit. 1.5 GB for this price is very good (although the actual compacity is about 1.3 GB). Uploading songs through the provided USB cord is very fast and easy(I am using Windows Media Player).

Overall, this product is very good for the money. I recommend the refurbished unit.

great in the short ter.......2005-11-23

YEP, I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN I GOT THIS RIO. IT WORKED GREAT, LOOKED COOLER THAN AN IPOD (SUCKERS), THE ONLY THING THAT PISSED ME OFF STRAIGHT AWAY WAS THAT I COULDN'T MAKE A PLAY LIST WHEN OUT & ABOUT....HOWEVER, I GOT OVER THAT.
THE REST, MY GOD. I EVEN CONVINCED MY MATE TO GET ONE. BIG MISTAKE. I FEEL ITS MY FAULT. MINE GOT FAULTY ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER HAVING IT, IT WOULDN'T CHARGE PROPERLY, THEN MIRACULOUSLY STARTED CHARGING AGAIN (?) ....HERS STARTED DOING THE SAME. NOW I CAN'T EVEN TRANSFER MUSIC TO IT, COMPUTERS DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEVICE AND THE DIVICE SEEMS NOT TOO BOTHERED ABOUT A COMPUTER EITHER...SO...
WHO KNOWS, MAYBE ITS A COINSIDENCE,
AS I SAID, ITS GOOD IN THE SHORT TERM.

Nitrus Nice Package for $69.98, Refurbed...so far so good!.......2005-11-18

I ordered the refurbed Nitrus from Amazon. So far so good, everything arrived like it was new. Free shipping from UPS, I got it in exactly 5 days after ordering it. I charged the unit for 5 hours, and loaded 1.47GB worth of MP3's as it was charging. Mine came with a silver-colored stick button instead of the red one pictured on the ads. I wonder if that means it is a refurbished unit? The Rio-ware CD works really well with XP SP2 and USB2 port the transfer speed is great - 4 songs at about 4 MB each take about 7 seconds. My unit arrived with firmware ver 1.23, so no need to flash it. So far, sounds great, had to adjust the contrast since it arrived with the display almost transparent, hard to navigate until I adjusted it. Using other headphones now, have not tried out the ones that came with it. You can hear minimal clicking of the HD and slight vibration, so you remember that it is not a flash-based player. I am giving this to my girlfriend anyways to replace her Dell DJ with a bad HD. So far (12 hours) it is flawless, arrived with no scratches or flaws. Would recommend. Not giving 5 stars since the 90-day warranty should have been 180 day instead. Buttons are rather smallish, but click well. Sort menu for play is querky for navigating the menu. Would have been even better if an arm band were included.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding product for Napster to Go!
OH MY GOD
Liking it better all the time
Like this MP3 a lot!!!
solid mp3 player

Rio Carbon Pearl 5 GB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: Rio
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Product Features:

5 GB of memory stores up to 1250 songs
Built-in mic for voice record
Drag & drop data and music files
Rechargeable battery -- up to 20 hours
Plays MP3, WMA & Audible

ASIN: B0007LNFL8

Product Description

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding product for Napster to Go!.......2006-02-12

It is like having your own digital jukebox to hook up to speakers and play all the music you want for a small fee. The only item that I enjoy as much as my Rio is my XBOX 360. PS.. make sure you are in the proper mode before flashing the firmware for playforsure. If not it will hang during the "acquiring license" phase.

OH MY GOD.......2005-12-26

Within 1 day of owning the product the thing broke. I spent ages looking at this player, comparing it to the new sony walkman and decided that this beats it. Mainly on size, price and software. I have to take it back tommorow which sucks.

I plugged the thing in for three hours and came back to find that the charger was not working, THEN, thought oh well at least i can charge it through my computer which i did, but later after turning the thing on again and just listening to it for five minutes turned it off again, i mean surely a £130 mp3 player could handle this, but obviousley not as i can not turn it back on again!!! It wont turn on, charge or anything. The dam thing has broken and im so annoyed.

Liking it better all the time.......2005-10-30

I know the name Apple is big in the industry of electronics, and I had never heard of Rio Carbon until [...] . The reviews I read there made me want to look into this one. I have had my "Pearl" for about a week, and just like most things you take the time to understand, I have continued to enjoy it more and more. I read on review that said it shorted out. If they had taken the time, they would have realized that the "Pearl" has a reset port to get it up and running again. I have had to reset mine twice. It doesn't loose any of the downloaded music, about the only thing you might have to do would be reset the time and date.
As for sound, it is fantastic. I do go through Music Match Jukebox to load music onto it, because Matchbox has music leveling. That way all your songs are about equal in volumn.
Lastly, I would say take the time to get to know your merchandise, and if it's as good as this item you will never be sorry. Party on!

Like this MP3 a lot!!!.......2005-10-25

I have a question for people that "think" and write reviews where they define these MP3s "Not as sexy as Ipods",.... what exactly do you used them for?
I use my to listen to music, The sound quality is excellent, once you replace the earphones. Honestly, I look at the Ipods and they don't do anything for me. So if what you want is to look at "sexy" things, go out more or go buy a especial magazine, there is tons of those. If you want a reasonably price Mp3 with great sound quality, get this one. People that buy things because they think it makes them look good, are sad and insecure. I am tire of reading reviews based on that crap instead of the item quality.

solid mp3 player.......2005-09-13

- love the size and weight.
- great for the price.
- have to go through menus to get to the Hold option.
- not as sexy as the ipod nano.

conclusion: a solid mp3 player

Product Description

With computer technology pushing performance envelopes across the board, one area of the marketplace has lagged far behind - computer cables. For the most part, computer cables have had the same technology ever since the computer was invented, some 20 years ago. Yet with all the advances in computer technology, it's now more important than ever to have high quality cables that are capable of transmitting all the digital signal information accurately.Fortunately, Monster Cable has recognized the need for higher quality computer connections, and introduced a complete line of products to optimize today's cutting-edge computer technologies while paving a path for the technologies of tomorrow.The Monster family of products includes cables for PC and Macintosh peripherals, multimedia, networking, and the Internet. All of the products are manufactured to the highest quality standards. Don't let your computer cables be the weakest link in your home or small office. Get all the performance you paid for with Monster.

Average customer rating:

Not a TV for audiophiles (or semi-audiophiles)

Overall a great TV

Great Picture, Worst sound

No Buyers Remorse

Very good monitor/TV

Samsung TXN2730F 27 Inch Dynaflat TV

Manufacturer: Samsung
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

TVs | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
All Samsung | Samsung | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
By Size | TVs & HDTVs | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
All Analog TVs | CRT TVs | TVs & HDTVs | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
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Recoton DVD476 S-Video Cable (6 Feet)

Product Features:

4:3 Aspect Ratio

V-Chip System

DVD Component Input

Digital Comb Filter

Side Speaker Design

ASIN: B00009B59P

Product Description

DynaFlat refers to a line-up of Samsung TVs that incorporate a flat anti-distortion, anti-glare picture tube as is found in the 27" TXN2730F. Samsung has always offered exceptional values and the TXN2730F is no exception. Connect your favorite video components via the DVD input, the 2 rear composite inputs, the S-video jack, and the convenient, yet hidden, side A/V inputs. A zoom screen-filling option is available for customizing the view of letter-boxed DVDs from the Samsung full function remote control.

Amazon.com

The 27-inch TXN2730F uses Samsung's proprietary DynaFlat technology to provide a perfectly flat viewing surface with none of the curvature, image distortion, or detrimental glare that accompany traditional TV screens. The stereo set offers a pair of two-way, side-mounted, front-firing speakers powered by five watts per channel for spacious, full-bodied TV sound.

The DynaFlat screen brings higher resolution than that achieved by earlier-generation sets because the individual phosphor color spots (or pixels) are smaller and closer together in this configuration. The set's multiple-focus electron gun is capable of illuminating finer spots for a much more detailed picture, edge-to-edge, and it's assisted in this job by a three-line digital comb filter and velocity-scan modulation circuitry.

Velocity-scan modulation improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas.

A shadow mask is a thin sheet of perforated metal behind the screen that restricts electron flow, each hole in the sheet corresponding to a single pixel. An Invar mask uses an alloy that's especially resistant to the high temperatures generated by the electron beam, allowing in a brighter, clearer picture.

Connections include a component-video input, an S-video input, a trio of composite-video inputs (with accompanying stereo analog RCA audio inputs), an RF input (for VCR or cable box), and a set of audio/video outputs for feeding a VCR or PVR. Convenient side-panel audio/video inputs that foster hookups with camcorders and gaming consoles while preserving the set's uncluttered silver front panel.

A zoom screen filling option lets you customize the view of letter-boxed DVDs from the supplied full-function remote control. All onscreen information and menus appear in translucent overlays, letting you view video programs in the background while consulting the setup menus. Several sound mode offer dynamic audio settings for whatever you're watching; choose from standard, music, movie, speech, or custom. Virtual Dolby simulates an exciting surround effect from any two speakers, and a side-panel headphone jack allows private listening (headphones not included).

What's in the Box
TV, full-function remote control, remote batteries, user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

Not a TV for audiophiles (or semi-audiophiles).......2004-08-19

This TV looks great, both off and on. I really like it and would like to keep it, especially since I've had great experience with Samsung products previously (including years of flawless service on their TVs).

Unfortunately, the internal speakers cannot be turned off in either the "normal" or service menus, and the audio outputs are fixed-level only. What this means is, if you are planning to use the TV as a standalone cable tuner and you want to route the audio signal from cable through your stereo, you had better have a receiver with remote (which I do not have and probably will never have-- ever try to find a modern receiver with a decent phono stage for under a grand?). Otherwise you'll be getting up and down a lot to adjust for volume differences between channels and/or to mute during commercials.

You would probably want to run the TV through a stereo anyway if you had the option, because as is alluded to below and elsewhere, the internal speakers really don't sound all that great. I don't expect greatness from TV speakers but these are especially anemic.

Overall a great TV.......2004-04-22

I've owned this TV for a few months and I really like it. The picture quality is very good (after some adjustment from factory settings) and the set itself looks really nice. Its build quality appears to be better than that of other televisions in its price range and it has a fair number of video/audio inputs (3) to allow for moderate expandability.

I can think of three minor things I do not like about this set. First, the DVD component input and the S-video input share their audio input, so that you can not conveniently connect devices to both inputs simultaneously. Second, it seems that when a device is connected to the side A/V terminals, the DVD sound will not play in component input mode (I'm not sure if the problem exists in S-video mode). This is a minor annoyance as I have to disconnect my nintendo in order to watch DVDs. Finally, the remote control seems cheaply made -- more appropriate for a TV half the price of this one.

Overall, I am very happy with the TV. Samsung could have done a little more debugging and spent a few more dollars on a second set of audio inputs and one of their better remotes, so I will give it only 4 stars.

Great Picture, Worst sound.......2004-01-13

The picture is as clear as they come, but had I known that the sound was as bad as it is I would have bought a different tv. Other than the sound the tv is a decent buy.

No Buyers Remorse.......2003-10-17

This is a product that has given me no buyers remorse. I have buyers remorse for any large purchase I make.(I know you may be laughing at the fact that this is a large purchase for me.) I have had this TV for 2 years and have had no problems with it. My only minor complaint is that I wish the a/v jacks on the side of the TV were in the back, but a lot of people may find it more convienient this way, for all I know. Either way, I would whole-heartedly recommend this product to anyone.

Very good monitor/TV.......2003-09-07

I bought this flat screen monitor/TV for my in-laws to replace their old bedroom TV. The picture is very good and the setup menu is very intuitive. Also, the side component jacks are very convenient to use. Overall, a pretty good TV for the price.

Electronics:

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