How can I tell if I my e200 is version 1, 2, Or Rhapsody?

So if I understand this right -

If you buy a Sansa e250 Ver1, it will NOT play audiobooks. If you buy a Sansa e250 Ver 2, it WILL play audiobooks. Is this statement correct?

However, you cannot tell what version you are buying (especially over the Internet)  until you get it home and check the firmware. Is this statement correct?

I am very interested in playing only one audio book and five songs on my MP3 player. Of course, more is better but I would be happy with this minimum. But I am really looking to play an audio book. I want to spend less than $35 for a player as I plan on upgrading to a Sansa View 32GB if I am happy with this cheaper player .

Any suggestions as what to buy that is inexpensive but will play audiobooks?

To clear up the confusion regarding audiobook compatibility:

The v1 players do not support Audible format .aa files natively, as synchronized via the Audible Manager.

That does not mean that you cannot enjoy Audible books, however. Remember, the books purchased from Audible are yours, meaning that you have the rights to the book. Simply use an application like Nero to burn your purchases to CD as mp3 files. These files are readily useable on the Sansa e200 v1 series, just not as convenient to load.

You should burn all purchased media to CD, whether it be music or audiobooks, so you are protected in the event of a computer crash. These things can and do happen when you least expect it!

If you wish, don’t forget that you can use the CD-RW (rewritable) format, or DVD, if that’s your preference.

The v1 player doesn’t support the native .aa format of the Audible downloads, meaning that you can’t port the books directly onto your v1, and you lose the “chapter” function, but those books are still readable!

The v2 devices fully support the format, meaning you can load .aa format files directly.

Hope this helps! Audible is a great deal, especially when compared against the “average” audiobook price out there.

Enjoy your books!

Bob :smileyvery-happy:

Message Edited by neutron_bob on 08-30-2008 03:36 PM

Thanks for the quick and very informative reply. I am not familiar with Audible books but I will research them. I am more familiar with the library downloads of Overdrive and NetLibrary.

I do have Nero Express Essentials though. So as I understand it: I download these audiobooks in whatever file format they are and then I change them to mp3 files so I can load them on the v1 Sansa 200. Correct?

I suggest you go to your library (or libraries) and see  exactly which format it offers. Then check out  Overdrive and NetLibraryand see what their FAQs say about the compatibility of Sansa units.  On this NetLibrary demo

it looks like NetLibrary uses .wma, which is one of the formats that the Sansa does play.  Overdrive’s devices page

says Sansa are supported.  

Still, each audiobook format carries certain restrictions. They may time out. They may not work with certain players. They may resist copying.  Sansas play .mp3, .wma and (version 2) .aa files. Anything else needs to be converted to .mp3. You may need to use Windows Media Player to transfer over these audiobook files–not just drag and drop them–because WMP can also send over digital-rights information to unlock the restrictions. 

You could find out exactly what the file format is, including the file extension, from your library–or just download a book and see what it is. Then use Nero or look at the list of formats in Media Coderand see if it can be converted to mp3.

The cheapest Sansa player you could get would be the Clip.  It’s got a small screen, but it’s supposed to have good sound. 

Wow, I am impressed by your knowledge! Thanks for the info.

Can you recommend any library books that are about mp3 players for a beginner?

I doubt book publishers could keep up with the constant introduction of new products. A better bet is to look at places like Cnet or Anything But Ipod which have reviews of units. Compare a couple of reviews, and if you can, get the unit in your hand to see how you like the controls and screen at a place like Best Buy (before ordering one from someplace cheaper than Best Buy). 

The various mp3 players are made to play certain kinds of files. mp3 is pretty much universal. .wma means that the manufacturer has paid Microsoft to use its Windows Media Audio format, which seems to be what library audiobooks prefer. .aa is the format used specifically by the Audiobooks company. iPods also play .m4a files, the kind sold at the iTunes Music Store. Because Apple and Microsoft are competitors, iPods do not play .wma, which is why the Overdrive page is so proud that it now has mp3 files to feed the iPods. 

Obviously you want to get a unit that will play the files you are going to use.  So you need to think about that before purchasing one. However, if a file does eventually come along that you are desperate to play but is in the wrong format, there are converter programs around like Media Coder that will convert between formats. 

I’d recommend getting a player that is capable of both MSC and MTP use. MSC lets the unit work like a disc drive–you just put the music on it the way you would move around any other files on your computer. MTP lets Windows Media Player control the unit, and is necessary for things like library books that depend on hidden data sent over by WMPlayer.

Along with Sansa, you could look at Creative Zen, Samsung and iRiver.  

I wouldn’t get an MTP-only unit because I like to see exactly what’s going on. You’ll need to check out the fine print. For me it’s no MSC, no deal. 

And of course there’s the iPod, which is integrated with iTunes and usually means you don’t have to worry about how it works. But they are more expensive and often have inferior sound quality and fewer features–and they don’t play .wma without conversion. 

@mickeyfan1 wrote:
Can you recommend any library books that are about mp3 players for a beginner?

I can . . . and you’re reading it right now. There’s no better place to find out about an mp3 player than reading a forum. Here you get to see & read about the operations, limitations, strengths, weaknesses, common failures, fixes and assorted other tips & tricks.

Also you get not just one author’s viewpoint, but a whole collage of opinions & ways of looking at things from many different perspectives. If you want just one angle that’s one of the best, just do a search on this board for any/all posts by C1u31355. If you put all his informative writings on this forum together, that would make an _ awesome _ manual on the Sansa players!

If you’re looking to buy a device and want to compare or check out the ins & outs of a particular few, then definitely look at anythingbutipod.com (link provided by C1u above). Of course, if you really want info on the “fruity I-thingy” you’ll have to go elsewhere. :smiley:

The ABI forum has many, many sub-forums on vitually any & all mp3 players on the market today. No else else I know can you read so much information on so many different devices all in one place. The only downside to this site is that it doesn’t seem to get the same volume of traffic as this one does, so some posts don’t get responded to very quickly; sometimes not at all! And some of the advice dolled out there is rather limited.

The ‘standard’ answer/solution to any problem or request for help there seems to always be:

  1. Re-load firmware
  2. Re-format player

Now, granted these 2 recommendations help in many cases, but they are not the “silver bullet” or “magic pill” that everyone there seems to think they are. As a result, some requests for help go un-solved, but then that’s why your’re HERE and not there, isn’t it? :smiley:

I am amazed at the wonderful (and fast) response I get from all of you. Thanks a bunch (picture me giving you flowers!).

I am copying/pasting your answers in a document so I can refer to them later.

ANd no, I am not interested in that “fruity I-thingy.” After my research of some players, I decided to stick with Sansa.

you guys are wonderfully fabulous !!!

i sing your praisses to the heavens !!!

however…lol, i is still confuzzeled on which version of the e250 i have…

it was purchased from ubid.com and has a refurb stamp on the back case

under settings it reads

Version    01.02.15A

is this version 1 ?

or      version 2 ?

PS - if someone could help direct me to a thread / post discussing help with / working with ‘playlists’

on my (just ducky) sansa e250 refurb - i would AGAIN be eternally gratefull

tony from AZ / USA

You have a v1 unit, as evidenced by the fact that your firmware starts with an .01. Version 2 unit’s firmware start with .03.

There have been 2 updates since your firmware was current, so I’d suggest updating it. If you can find version 01.02.18a, I’d load this version instead of the latest (01.02.24a). It’s more stable and trouble-free. Unfortunately, since the v1 units are long-discontinued there most likely will not be any further updates to this firmware to fix the bugs in the .24 version.

If you are looking to put playlists on your device, there are numerous threads/discussions on the subjuct on this board. Just be aware that the v1’s and v2’s handle playlists differently, so when doing a search, don’t bother with the ones about v2 players.

I’d recommend a free little piece of software called Sanse Playlister (yes, with and e, not an a). It’s not very complicated (easy to learn), and works like a charm! It only works on the v1 devices, but that’s right up your alley.

I’d also suggest reading the FAQ’s & stickies (shaded posts) at the top of the board, including d/l a copy of the User’s Guide. There’s a ton of good info there and may answer a question for you before you even ask it. Feel free though, to start a new thread if you have any other questions that you can’t find the answers for, or join in an ongoing discussion if you have anything to contribute.

Good Luck and have fun with your new toy! :smiley:

TAPEWORM - i see why they call you a guru, lol

all my answers in one post!!

next time ill try harder to challange your knowledge base, heh

as far as the faq/stickies, ect - i already have several page saved in my exploers FAVS, lol

just wanted to say thank you for the help

i know its often a thankless job answering all these Q’s :))

thank you

:open_mouth:

i was recently on the sansa site, and i found out that they DISCONTIUNED the e200 series, hmm, wonder why?

anyway i just wanted to put that out there, i personally have the e280v2 and love it, i dont understand why they discontinued it so early. Even my local staples doesnt sell it anymore, so if it breaks, im skrewed. :frowning:

Now I know mine is version 1 e280 what now? Its on recovery mode…and stuck there I have tried downloading firmware but theres another error message I have no clue what else to do Please please please help!:robotsad:

@nikolasharris wrote:

:open_mouth:

 

i was recently on the sansa site, and i found out that they DISCONTIUNED the e200 series, hmm, wonder why?

anyway i just wanted to put that out there, i personally have the e280v2 and love it, i dont understand why they discontinued it so early. Even my local staples doesnt sell it anymore, so if it breaks, im skrewed. :frowning:

So early??

Amazon has reviews going back to April, 2006.

If 1 human year is 7 dog years, then 1 human year is like 40 years for electronics…

@formula wrote:
Now I know mine is version 1 e280 what now? Its on recovery mode…and stuck there I have tried downloading firmware but theres another error message I have no clue what else to do Please please please help!:robotsad:

OK . . . you’ve determined what version you have. That’s what the 1st post in this thread is supposed to help you with.

Now what? Depends on what your problem is. You haven’t said anything. At least not enough for anybody to help you.

  1.  Start a new thread with a short, yet descriptive Subject heading.
  2. Explain in detail what exactly your problem is (it does this, it doesn’t do that, etc.).
  3. How long have you had the player? Did you get it new, or re-furbished?
  4. How long has it been doing this (or not doing that)?
  5. What OS are you using? (Windows, Linux, Mac)?
  6. What USB mode on your player are you using?
  7. Explain in detail exactly what you have done up to this point to try and resolve your situation.
  8. What exactly is the error message you’re getting? When do you get it? Is it an error msg. on your player’s screen or on your computer?
  9. Have you read the FAQ to see if anything there addresses your problem?
  10. Have you used the Search function to look for similar posts of problems like yours?

Could someone add to the main sticky post in this thread how to identify the version from the version.txt file?

Husband has an e260, what kind we’re not sure.  He got he refresh database freezeup and I’m trying to help him.  Followed the instructions on getting it to start in recovery mode.  I can see the version.txt file but when I tried to download firmware got the ‘Application failed to read the version details’ error, which I am hoping is because it was the wrong version.  Sansa Updater just gives me Updater Service Not Available.

He usually uses it on Vista but I’m trying to fix it on XP Pro sp2.

version.,txt contains:

Version Info: Product Rev.: PP5022AF-05.51-S301-01.01-RN01.02.165-D

Base Code: 05.51-S301-01.01-RN01.02.165-D

ODM Ver.: S301-01.01-RN01.02.165-D

OEM Ver.: RN01.02.165-D
Build Type: -D

Build Date: 2007.04.27

Build Number: (Build 32.10)

(though it runs together in the file)

I thought I bought it from Rhapsody to go with his service but I could be wrong.      This is the first prob he’s had with it.

IF someone can ID the version from this I can try downloading the right firware exe.  Thanks in advance,

spud                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

That’s an e260R. I recognize the “01.02.165” as a Rhapsody firmware.

Thanks GWK.  One step at a time…