Sansa® Clip | Sansa® Clip+

[Marvin_Martian]

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NottLuis wrote:

Hello Marvin Martian, and you guys reading this

I'm about to buy a new mp3 player and the Sansa clip + 8GB is my first option, but I am wondering about the firmware, should I leave it with the original one or change it to rockbox? Which one do you reccomend? I mention you Marvin cuz I see you have a sansa clip+ 8gb rockboxed, how its been working? Any bugs? I would love to read your opinion, thank you.  

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I've had Rockbox on it for over a year now,  and it works very well. The battery lasts longer with RB, and the equalizer is much, much better.....and there are many other things it can do if you want to take the time to learn.  I  have the latest stable release on mine right now, which is 3.9.1, and I'm not seeing any bugs.

[Tapeworm]

One of the nice things about Rockbox is that it does not replace the Sansa OF (original firmware), but rather sits alongside it so it's a dual-boot system. When you want the features of Rockbox, you can use that firmware. If you just want the simplicity of the OF, you can boot into it as well.

[Miikerman]

Lest I get yelled at for mentioning it, please keep in mind that Rockbox on some rare occasions can brick a Clip. Seemingly, this is rare (and I believe that, having used Rockbox on my iRiver player for over 5 years now)--but it can happen. I just checked at the Rockbox site, and this cautionary note is still there in red type, including with a specific reference to the Clip v2--http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SansaAMS. Do I think a Clip will be bricked? That's very unlikely to happen. But I would hate for someone who has the only copy of files on his/her player (which, of course, you never should do), or who can't afford to replace the player in the worst of possibilities, to be put out.

[Miikerman]

Also (I forgot earlier): keep in mind that Rockbox eliminates the DRM capability of the Clip players (if things are the same as they were before); even if you delete Rockbox from your player, the DRM capability may be gone. Important to consider, if you use Rhapsody or other services that use DRM protection. (And let me emphasize: I like Rockbox! But one always should know the full issues going in, with something like this.)

[gwk1967]

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Miikerman wrote:
Also (I forgot earlier): keep in mind that Rockbox eliminates the DRM capability of the Clip players (if things are the same as they were before); even if you delete Rockbox from your player, the DRM capability may be gone. Important to consider, if you use Rhapsody or other services that use DRM protection. (And let me emphasize: I like Rockbox! But one always should know the full issues going in, with something like this.)

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Someone actually posted a possible remedy for this (it may not have been for the Clip/Clip+/Clip Zip, but if their conclusions about WHY Rockbox breaks DRM were correct, it would seem to be applicable to all Sansas). I don't remember all the details, but the most pertinent point was to NEVER adjust the time in Rockbox, only in the original firmware.

[Miikerman]

Also, I should add that, if I recall correctly, Rockbox's breaking of the Clip's DRM capability was an initial observation that had been made; since then, I believe that it also has been posted that DRM capability has come back after Rockbox was uninstalled.  But the issue still is murky enough to note, if DRM capability is important to someone.

[Lincarson]

I have had the 8GB Sansa Clip+ for almost a year and it works perfectly in "standalone" mode, or when connected via USB to my Windows 7 or Windows XP PC's. It also works well when USB-connected to my car stereo. But when connected via USB to my Sony Blu-Ray player or to my LG smart TV, those external devices cannot see the MP3 files on the Sansa's internal memory-- they display the folder names (Music, Podcasts, etc.) but cannot see any MP3 files within those folders. If the same MP3's are loaded onto an SD card in the Sansa's auxiliary slot, those files are visible to the Sony and LG but the MP3's on the Sansa internal memory are still invisible. Sansa support has been very responsive but we have exhausted all troubleshooting ideas such as reformatting, resetting, using a different cable, and changing the USB mode. I'm using the latest Sansa firmware (1.02.18A) and am only using 2GB of the Sansa's available 8GB. At this point T'm convinced this firmware release still has some compatibility issues.

[JK98]

Some car stereos and other devices only see mp3 files on an mp3 player that are in the player's root.

[lumberjake]

I don't see how being unable to download itunes on your computer has anything to do with the Sansa Clip plus. obviously it is not an Apple product and would therefore not be compatible. Frankly, a big reason why I moved from an ipod to a Clip was because I would not be forced to use that massive bloatware that makes everything a small project(itunes) and instead be able to simply drag and drop files. I just want to listen to music and I don't need a million options, features and steps to listen-if I do I'll download Rockbox!

[CJ100]

Not being a computer geek but needing a simple compact music only player I went for the Sansa clip+ on "Whathifi" recommendation.

For what its worth to anyone starting with a Sansa. The manual is all about W. XP so I run W7 Home. Step by step for idiots is not the same. Beyond me to get it working with windows media player. When it comes the LCD? display it has a black! protect cover. The instructions don't say anything whatever about it & it took a while to figure I wasn't wrecking the equipment in getting it off (very hard) Not a good start.

I went to the website to update the firmware. It told me it needed doing, and I accepted the download.  It couldn't (wouldn't) update the firmware from Sandisk website. It made the computer run very slow (maybe the AVG?) Finally the earphone jack on some better quality phones won't  plug in all the way, don't even try!!. Its very vulerable and VERY filmsy especially sticking out of the side of a mobile player size of a matchbox. Its the junkest bit of an otherwise decent player. Its now loose, keeps losing contact & crackling. I put a ferule over the jack to stop it going in too far but it needs a bit of tape to keep the contact (on a brand new player!!). Certainly an area to be improved.  Enjoy the music.