Rio One (32 MB) MP3 Player

Pros: Easy to use. Inexpensive.
Cons: High-frequency decoding errors of mp3s. No "resume" feature.

The Rio One uses a cheap 16-bit DSP:
http://www.ti.com/sc/docs/news/2001/01147.htm
It pretty much has to to cost $80 (after rebate) and run from a single penlite cell.

This makes it very hard on the folks writing the decoding...

Pros: None
Cons: No firmware fix, weak battery door, cheap body case.

I bought my Rio One and it worked for about 2 months, after which it suddenly stopped working and flashed USB. It turns out you're not supposed to access it through windows explorer, and SonicBlue never made a fix. Also the battery door breaks extremely easily which is really annoying. In summary: DO NOT BUY!

I first got my Rio One for christmas, and not even 1 year has passed, it is dead. I take it everywhere with me, and i guess i had a life style that demanded too much of my Rio One. First off the battery hinge broke off and i had to use a rubber band to keep the battery from falling out, at first i tried tape, but it stripped the paint. Now if it moves too much it makes a very loud and painful beep. AND the memory is awful, you have to spend a lot more just to able to listen to CD worth of MP3's. I suggest buying a MP3 player that will last.

I got this product because I wanted an MP3 player and because it was on sale for $75. It worked for a while about 10 months. It started flashing USB I E-mailed Sonic Blue (the maker). I got an auto response that wasn’t even about my MP3 player. So I put in storage, trying to fix it on a rainy day (doing drive checks, formatting it stuff like that). Then about 9 months later I was about to buy a Slim-X MP3 CD player but the price was to high. I E-mailed Sonic Blue one more time that night, I got a good response with a whole new layout this time and it had what I needed so as it turns out I just needed a firmware update because I accessed my MP3 player through windows explorer. So in conclusion it's a pretty good MP3 player.

I've owned two and on each the catch has broken, the battry compartment has failed in some way and this leads to poor operation. Do NOT buy!

Software for downloading discontinued for latest versions of Windows because Rio not supporting their product. In case this is Rio's general strategy, suggest steer clear of their products. Also, this has a tiny memory capacity and settings keep changing of their own volition. Pity.

I have exchanged the unit three times for various problems related to firmware and ability to load from the only suggested means, Realjukebox. I have just got my 4th RMA to get another one and am assured that this is unusual. We will see. Also, the paint wears off the unit starting the first day. Very disapointing to give as a gift, let alone owning the little gem for yourself.

Day one - battery cover pops open at will. Hold switch very cheesy and difficult to operate - within 60 days the unit began to lose its memory at will. When I tried to get help with the unit I got the absolute worst customer service experience I have ever had.....Sonic Blue sends you an automated response when you ask for help that has nothing to do with the message you send them. Then when you use their link in the automated response to get them to address your specific problem they send you the same automated response you got the first time. Then they have the nerve to ask you to rate their customer service. This company sucks big time. I can afford to lose the money I lost on this unit and will replace it with another brand but I hate to think of all the younger consumers that have laid down their hard earned cash and gotten screwed.

I bought this player because of the price after rebate. It shows you that the truth is the more you pay the better product you get. I have win98. The software Realjukebox can't copy songs to it. My system just keeps hangup. I have to reinstall and reinstall so the software will work with the player. Rio seems to give up the support because I emailed them for help and all I have for answer is to reinstall the software. This isn't support it is like giving up to me. I recommend other potential buyer to choose other one than Rio One.

Bought the player in July last year. To ramp up the memory I bought a 128 MB SM card. It worked well with the latest Windows Mediaplayer (7.0 I think). Connectivity was never a problem. The problem is the hardware. The player refused working after six weeks. I sent it in for a replacement I'm still waiting on (after 5 months). Now I'm sitting on a 128 MB SM card. I do not recommend to buy this (or any product) from RIO.

I really like the size of the player, but it doesn't accept a compact flashcard. The Real Juke box software doesn't accept the player. I have to "copy and paste" music from a folder to the card. I have Win XP....it accepts the player as a new drive....so copy/paste does work...just a pain to use.

Ok here goes. I got my Rio one in christmas as a gift i basicly used it everyday and after 2 months I already noticed things going wrong. First off like the comment earlier the little pieces of plastic used to keep the battery in tore off as if I could have made them myself. Now i use tape and it has turned into a piece of garbage paint wise. I stopped using it after 6 months and cause of the tape i can no longer read the words on the front (A-B, Random, Etc). One time I went to use it and it wouldn't even work and I had to dl some sort of patch to get it to work. I put windows XP on my computer and now I cant even put songs on it. I looked all over the web for a patch... NOTHING... This thing is a piece of garbage. Mines practicly worthless I definetely reccomend getting a better model NOT from sonic blue. U can get a 64 MB one or a 10 gig one for the same price from another company. Definately not worth it. SO if your looking for an MP3 player definately dont get this one.

I got my Rio for my birthday and it was easily the worst present ever. The software is nearly impossible to use it froze 8-10 times in the first month and the sound is nowhere near good.

I got my rio on Christmas of 2001 and it was good until November of 2002. What first haped was well I pretty much take my rio everwhere so it gets some wear and tear, but come on I didn't even have it for a year and the thing breack which was upseting not to mention that the paint is coming off. I was so mad. Then I tried to fix it my self but that was hopeless too. So next I thought I would call rio and ask how much to fix it but that didn't work to well. So I suggest that rio build some more durable cases or just a better battery hing.

I have purchased 3 of these monsters. And if I were the company QC person I'd hang my head in shame. Customers you do not matter to these people either. The entire case fails long after the battery doors fail. This means that even securing the door with tape the power cuts in and out with just about any movement. The ear piercing squeal can cause severe damage. I loved the consept but I haven't seen them make any attempt at satisfying their customers. I was a very loyal fan of their pioneering efforts but when they blow you off the way they did me?!?! All the while we support them I believe they are probably violating Federal safety codes and the units should all be recalled. Either reimburse, replace with a working safe unit or repair all at the manufacture's expese. We didn't create this thing. I can not recommend this product.