iriver iFP-190T 256 MB Digital Audio Player

• 256 MB built-in memory
• Supports playback of MP3, WMA, and ASF music files
• Integrated digital FM tuner with presets and built-in voice recorder
• Record to player directly from FM tuner
• Comes with Sennheiser MX300 earphones, neck strap, AA battery, USB cable, and printed manual

Pros MP3, WMA, records FM radio and voice, UMS (USB Mass Storage*), user-friendly GUI with green backlight, FM tuner with 20 presets, Duracell AA battery included, "Hold" switch to prevent accidental button-pushing, small size

Cons Lanyard that comes with the MP3 player is stupid, memory cannot be expanded, uses USB 1.0 (slow if you're used to 2.0), FM Tuner recording quality is sub-par.

I received the iRiver iFP-190T as an early Christmas gift. At first I was hesitant to open it, since I had read reviews about how you had to use iRiver's proprietary software (iRiver Manager) to transfer files and how you could not transfer MP3 files from the player to the PC.

However, after a quick Google search, I found that you can install a UMS driver for Win2000/XP (not sure about the others), and the UMS driver also allows you to easily convert the .REC files created to .WAV format. Just go to the iRiver web site and do a search for UMS for your player. The directions on the support site are easy to follow as well. Note that you must format your player as FAT in order to configure UMS, so you will end up deleting any files you already have on the player.

One thing to note is that if you install the UMS drivers, you won't be able to use the iRiver Music Manager. That's fine for me, since I can now transfer files by drag-and-drop. Again, this is on the web site.

After installing the UMS driver on my Win2000 host, I was able to drag-and-drop MP3 and WMA files easily to/from the iRiver. If you make a recording, copy the .REC file to your computer, then right click, and you should see an option to convert your .REC file to .WAV. It's so easy!

So far, the sound quality is pretty good. The voice recording was good quality too, but I was recording with the mic pretty close to my mouth. However, the FM recorder seemed to be of pretty poor sound quality. The quality is definitely not as nice as hearing the FM tuner real-time.

I use this MP3 player when running, and it works great. I don't like to hang it on the lanyard, but if your shirt has pockets, it fits into the pockets nicely. The "Hold" button also helps prevent accidental button-pushing.

*For non-techies out there, UMS allows you to see your iRiver as a removable disk in "My Computer" in Windows. It acts very similar to the floppy disks of yore. You just plug it into your computer's USB port and turn it on (after you install the drivers, of course.)

Buy iriver iFP-190T 256 MB Digital Audio Player Now

I recently purchased this item as my CD MP3 Player seemed to be getting old. This MP3 player is truly great, it could do with a bit more memory but still, its good for a regular playlist of songs.

It's so small and light it hardly noticable to carry unlike my previous CD MP3 player which was bulky and heavy in comparison. Also, battery wise it great, one good battery will get you about 17 hours playback, and if you use rechargables its totally economical if you use it everyday.

This thing is suited to everyone, its simple to upload music and if you get bored of your songs its got the radio on it. It's simple to use anyone can figure it out.

I recommened buying this if your in the market for a good priced MP3 Player.

Read Best Reviews of iriver iFP-190T 256 MB Digital Audio Player Here

I bought the 128 megabyte version of this player (180T) and then discovered that the 300-series (in both 128 and 256 megabyte versions; 380T and 390T) includes MP3 encoding and inline recording. I prefer to buy from Amazon.com or Circuit City, but they don't yet have the 300-series yet so I returned mine to Circuit City and bought the 256 megabyte 390T somewhere else. I want to use this device for recording lectures, and it's much easier to have files in mp3 format right away rather than have to convert from the larger WAV format (as one could do with the 100-series). If neither this nor inline recording matters to you, then the 100-series may be fine for you. Other differences: slightly different shape, blue backlight in 300, battery compartment different and presumably fixing the problem others complain about (but which I didn't find). There is not a great difference in price however, so I would recommend the 300-series.

I was/am very pleased with the iRiver MP3 player, especially because it is so small and light and easy to carry around, and it seems less "precious" and vulnerable than the iPod, which it probably is because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive. (Of course there is no comparison in terms of storage capacity. This is not a player for storing all your music, as the iPod can be.) Everything functioned well. I was disappointed with the default software, but if you are comfortable with Windows file management, you can go to the iRiver web site and download firmware that allows you to use regular Windows file management with this player.

Aside from music, I use this player along with one of the 'Tivo-for-radio' programs available online (e.g., Replay Radio or Cybercorder). I can record radio programs I want (BBC, NPR, etc.) and easily transfer to the iRiver. (See also the web site PublicRadioFan.com for radio stations of music and information all over the world.)

If you are looking for something really easy to use, you may be put off by all the complicated features and the need to use small buttons and look at small print on the iRiver screen. But if you want lots of features and don't mind learning how to use them, this is a great player. I'm well into middle age, but I don't find the small print to be a big problem, especially since there is good backlighting. But I'm comfortable with complicated features and appreciate them. You can listen to FM radio, record from it, do voice recordings, set the speed of fast forward, adjust equalizer settings, etc. Gadget freaks will love it. Or you can just enjoy your favorite music.

Final surprise: I twice called iRiver support, and each time a PERSON answered immediately. I think that's the first time that's happened to me calling a company in this century! I'm told that isn't always the case however. But the support was good, quicker than Apple and much better than the disastrous support I found at Samsung.

In sum, I'm very happy with the iRiver flash memory mp3 player.

Want iriver iFP-190T 256 MB Digital Audio Player Discount?

I've owned an iRiver ifp series player for over a year. I've been pleased in general with their operation except for the issue that when the unit breaks (which yours may or may not) iRiver has no facilities to repair a unit beyond its warranty period.

On the plus side:

+ Small size

+ Long battery life with single AA battery.

+ No OEM battery that can't be replaced

+ Audio good, and EQ settings very flexible

+ Many changable option features

+ Software can be flash upgraded

On the negative side:

The software for loading the device is only fair. The unit can supposedly be modified by software to act as an external drive, but I have not tried this.

The need for an external cable is a hassle, nicer if it could just plug into a USB port without a cable

FM radio is not very sensitive. Only local stations are heard. The earphone cord is the antenna, so this accounts for the lack of sensitivity. The stereo decoding takes about 10db more signal so only strong signals will be heard in stereo

But, I bought this unit as an MP3 player, so the FM aspect isn't that important.

NOW... FOR THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IRIVER.....

I had my unit for a little over a year. One day, while playing music, the unit just quit, and the display went dead. Checking for the obvious problems, like a dead battery, nothing seemed to be wrong with the unit EXCEPT that it wouldn't turn on or do anything.

I sent multiple emails to iRiver and received no reply. I called their 800 number, and was informed that "they do not have a servive center, and make no repairs of the flash players"

I cannot give any higher rating than two stars to a company that charges $150-200 for a product and then expects it to just be thrown away as they don't service their product.

Apparently, if the unit is still in warranty, they can send out a new unit as a replacement, but beyond the warranty period, you're out of luck as iRiver won't touch the unit.

Buy iRiver at your own risk.

I rarely feel compelled to write a review, but just knowing how much better this mp3 player is than the millions out there, I felt I had to let everyone know. I don't want to repeat what everyone else has been writing, but it's all true the small size, long lasting battery, great sound quality. The screen lets you actually navigate through menus, very easily. And with a voice recorder, FM radio, and the ability to record FM, there's so much to this gadget. I wanted to get an ipod, but this tiny thing had so many features, enough space (55 songs at hi quality) for the music I need to listen to, and was so perfectly small I could take it anywhere without fear of dropping or losing it. I know there is a new model coming out, but I would recommend getting this one for the price. I've tried many other players, and this one makes them seem [bad]