Not logged in. · Lost password · Register
Forum: Digital Audio Players RSS
A question regarding SigmaTel DAPs
Avatar
LiQuiD_FuSioN 2007-02-15, 20:03 #1
User title: RiOld Pro
Member since Dec 2006 · 18 posts
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
Subject: A question regarding SigmaTel DAPs
If I wanted to figure out what players were coming out with SigmaTel-based chips inside.. how would I find out?

And another question - the player "Vibez", is it owned by SigmaTel or is it done by another company? Since this is a SigmaTel forum, does SigmaTel release their own products or something?
Riolist 2007-02-16, 05:54 #2
Member since Aug 2006 · 141 posts
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
I don't know of an individual source for information on all Sigmatel-based players. I just sort of pick up information here and there on various tech websites.

The company that makes the Vibez is Trekstor. Samsung also uses the Sigmatel chip in at least some of their players (the Z5 for example). Creative is rumoured to be working on a Sigmatel based player.

What makes the Vibez unique is that it uses the Sigmatel reference design, not just the chipset. The reference design includes the Sigmatel firmware with some of the best features on the market. Most companies that use the Sigmatel chip don't actually use the Sigmatel firmware, not the user interface portion of it at least. The Samsung Z5, for example. While it has great sound, it's quite crippled in comparison to the Vibez because they locked out most of the great features in the Sigmatel firmware.

I don't have a lot of confidence that Creative will leave well enough alone either, but their interface should still be better than Samsungs, but probably not as good as Trekstors (Sigmatels). Too bad, because Creatives hardware and Sigmatels firmware would be unbeatable.
Avatar
LiQuiD_FuSioN 2007-02-16, 08:34 #3
User title: RiOld Pro
Member since Dec 2006 · 18 posts
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
Ahh, I think I understand. Thanks for the reply!
Avatar
Peregrine 2007-02-16, 12:48 #4
User title: Endangered Species
Member since Jul 2006 · 801 posts · Location: Cleveland
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
Personally I find Trekstor's hardware and Sigmatel's firmware pretty unbeatable. ;)
[Image: http://pfalcon.org/sigs/Siggy.jpg]
Hartmeister 2007-03-26, 08:56 #5
Member since Nov 2006 · 8 posts
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
Subject: umm, no
While I like many parts of Trekstor's design (removable battery for instance), I think many on Riovolution where hoping for also variations in addition to microdrive. Personally, I'd love to see an 80G SigmaTel design in addition to a heavy-duty flash design. The people who run Apple are not idiots and there is a reason why they split their line between the flash and large-capacity HD designs and disposed of the microdrives. Creative uses all three storage options in their design. Personally I'd also like to see some external flash storage designs, too.  One option could be for Trekstor to come out with model with just a compact flash or SD flash slot

Personally, my ideal DAP would be of a modular design where you could replace both the battery (which the Trekstor does allow) and the storage unit. This way you could replace and upgrade the storage unit whenever you want to. You want to go out jogging, plug in the flash drive with a subset of tunes and podcasts. When you are back in the house you could then pull out the flash drive, plug in the hard disk to listen to your full collection of tunes and audio books.
---
Proud owner of a 20G Rio Karma.
Avatar
Peregrine 2007-03-26, 10:06 #6
User title: Endangered Species
Member since Jul 2006 · 801 posts · Location: Cleveland
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
Quote by Hartmeister:
The people who run Apple are not idiots 


You give them far too much credit.

I see nothing wrong with 'micro drives'. The technology has arrived to do them right.
[Image: http://pfalcon.org/sigs/Siggy.jpg]
gorman 2007-10-17, 07:00 #7
Member since Sep 2006 · 24 posts
Group memberships: Members
Show profile · Link to this post
Well... I don't see any 40 GB microdrives around, let alone 80GB ones. So the technology has arrived to the point where they could be competitive with solid state memory, but they still have moving parts, but it's not to the point where it could challenge 1.8" drives.

Trekstor lost a customer with their decision not to release an HD based DAP with that firmware. I ended up rockboxing a Gigabeat 40GB, but I still long for Karma's user interface (even though I have to say that the lack of replaygain support would matter to me).
Close Smaller – Larger + Reply to this post:
Verification code: VeriCode Please note the verification code from the picture into the text field next to it.
Smileys: :-) ;-) :-D :-p :blush: :cool: :rolleyes: :huh: :-/ <_< :-( :'( :#: :scared: 8-( :nuts: :-O
Special characters:

Go to forum
This board is powered by the Unclassified NewsBoard software, 1.6.4, © 2003-7 by Yves Goergen
Current time: 2008-12-04, 11:34:18 (UTC -07:00)