Firmware Documentation

SanDisk MP3 players Sansa® Clip | Sansa® Clip+
1

This may seem a silly question, but has anyone documented the changes for features and operation with the latest firmware? The user manual doesn’t even begin to describe the operational changes that the new firmware brings to the party.

Documentation of this sort would go a long way to reducing confusion and frustration, and would make the user experience more enjoyable for a great little product.

:stuck_out_tongue: 

2

I know the sticky link on the latest firmware (1.29) has some details (see below).  Not sure if there is a similar place for older firmware updates.

-Matt

Release notes for Sansa Clip Version 1.01.29

This new firmware has various bug fixes, including key fixes listed below, as well as enhancements. Upon completion of the firmware upgrade, the device will turn off.  Power on the device to complete the upgrade process.  If the device does not initiate or complete, press & hold the Power switch for 6 seconds to reset the device and then release and press again to restart.

Bugs Fixed:

Rhapsody Licenses

·         Rhapsody licenses expire early. 

Battery Indicator

·         Battery indicator is not linear with respect to the play time remaining.

 

Fast Forward / Rewind Long MP3

·         Device will skip to next song if fast forward past halfway through a long vbr mp3 file.  

Genre (Tag Encoding)

·         Same file with same genre appears twice regardless of the format (mp3 or wma).

 

FM Autoscan

·         Device does not return to FM tuner display after scanning for stations. Custom EQ Settings·         Custom EQ settings get cleared after power cycle. Miscellaneous

Deleting files on the device is not stable.

 

Enhancements:

-  Device highlights “Play Previous” after returning to Music from FM playback -  Increased Brightness for 4 GB devices for better reading under the sun. - Added OGG-Vorbis (\*.ogg) Decoder Support in MTP and MSC mode: • Note: PC with WMP10 will not be able to drag and drop OGG files to device under MTP mode • Workaround: Install WMP11 to PC or use MSC mode instead. - Audiobooks and Podcasts sorting and resume features: • Content placed in Audiobook or Podcast Folders are now accessed separately from Music. • Content with Genre tags of "Audiobook" or "Podcast" are now handled from any location and  sorted by the UI. • PodCasts and Audiobooks are now organized by 2 level hierarchies. • Podcast content is sorted with newest episode first. • Auto Bookmark: will prompt the user with "Resume?" or "Restart" option when restarted. - Much better shuffle algorithm to maintain the sequence of up to 2000 songs. User can skip to the previously played songs without reshuffling. Sequence is preserved after power off and on. - Handle playlists up to 1000 songs.  Fixed playlists with large count taking long time to load. • Note: Playlist limited to 1000 songs only applied to .pla playlist.  For .m3u playlist, there is no limitation. - Battery power percentage is now displayed on the “Settings \> System Info” screen. - Device auto powers off if the radio is paused / muted. - Add support for Melon SKT (South Korea Telecom) MusicDRM v1.4 (For Korea market). - Performs faster, more complete MTP Format operation.
3

Thanks but this isn’t exactly what I had in mind. I would like the user manual updated to show how to use new features, show pictures of new screens, etc. The user manual is sketchy to begin with. A little effort to bring an electronic document up to date would be appreciated.

I work with software professionally. When new features are added, I am expected to update the documentation as well. At a minimum, I have to issue a “technote” describing any new feature, any new parameters and how they work, etc. I also know it takes time. But this firmware version has been out for a couple months already

The bug fix list (what you showed me) is a start, but not enough, AND it’s not complete. I know they have done some tweaks on the voice recording as it no longer incorporates noise “spikes” in the audio track (there is still background noise that I would like to see eliminated, but it’s no longer as audible as the spikes). 

4

You are, of course, absolutely correct, especially where the on-line manual is “the” manual for the Clip (no physical manual is included with the Clip).  Long overdue.

5

@cyberron wrote:

Thanks but this isn’t exactly what I had in mind. I would like the user manual updated to show how to use new features, show pictures of new screens, etc. The user manual is sketchy to begin with. A little effort to bring an electronic document up to date would be appreciated.

 

Ah…sorry.  I suspected you might spot the difference…  ;)  …but a quick read of the bug fixes suggested a few ways the new functionality could be accessed (or so I thought).  I like your approach better.

-Matt