This is the recorder that started it all for me. I started podcasting in 2005 and latched on to the iRiver MP3 player because it also could record with an external or internal mic. It is a great tool and was very popular among early podcasters. Since then quite a few solid state recorders have come along like the my Edirol and Marantz PMD-660.
I have kept my collection of iRivers for one reason. I can use record several people all at the same time at a remote location. With my four recorders, I can record eight people with excellent fidelity. That would get expensive with newer recorders.
I did have a panic when the iRiver software would not work with Windows Vista. After some searching on Google. I found the solution to keep the iRivers in my toolbox. Here is what I did to upgrade my iRivers:
- Find a Windows XP computer.
- Load the iRiver Music Manager 3.17 software from iRiver USA.
- Download iFP-800 Series Firmware V1.95 UMS and extract it.
- Connect the iRiver and use the Music Manger to upgrade the firmware.
- You now have the equivalent of a USB drive. You can record and then download the files when the Vista computer recognizes the iRiver as an external drive.
I was so excited to be able to extend the life of my iRiver recorders. The Edirol is my primary recorder, but I regularly carry a backup (or two). Even when recording video, I will record a separate track of just audio – just in case.
My thanks to Jan Karlsbjerg for the details to make the firmware upgrade work.
