MP3
players are quite a proliferate item these days, and they
vary quite a bit in their specifications and in some cases
even their purpose. What's that? An MP3 player is an MP3 player,
right? Well, yes and no. iRock's
150VM is aimed at a different market than your average
MP3 player. The 150VM features not only MP3 playback but also
Digital Voice Recording too, so if your job or hobby requires
you to make a lot of notes then the 150VM has been designed
with you in mind. With Voice Activated Recording but only
64mb of storage, does it actually do its job? Let's find out.
FEATURES:
• 18-hour recording time
• Voice operated recording
• Includes iRock!® 100 Series Voice and Audio Manager
software
• 64MB of memory built-in
• Five mode equalizer (MP3 Mode only)
• EL backlighting
• Time/date stamping
• Alarm clock function
• Includes 1 AAA battery, USB cable, earphones, CD-ROM
and handstrap
SPECIFICATIONS:
• Processor: 8bit CISC Processor
• Digital Audio Standard Supported: G.729/MP3
• Built-in Memory: 64MB
• Software Included: iRock! 100 Series Voice & Audio
Manager
• Operating Systems Supported: Windows 98/ 98SE/ ME/
2000 PRO/ XP Home/ XP PRO
• Size: 1.5" x 4.2" x 0.6"
• Weight: 1.8 ounces
• USB Transfer Rate: Approx 500Kbps (10sec for 5MB typical)
• Battery Life with 1 AAA Battery: Voice Recording:
5 hrs; MP3: 7.5 hrs
• EQ [MP3 Mode Only]: Normal, Rock, Jazz, Classical
and Bass Boost
• MP3 File Bitrates Supported: 32Kbps to 320Kbps
• Output Power: 2mW in MP3 Mode and 3.5mW in Voice Mode
• Output Frequency Range: 300 - 3300 Hz
SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS:
• IBM compatible PC Windows® 98/98SE/Me/2000 Pro/XP
Home/XP Pro
• Pentium 166MHz or higher
• 64MB available RAM (recommended)
• USB port Internet access (recommended)
• Sound card
• CD-ROM 4x or higher
Yep
only 64mb of storage, but do try to keep in mind here that
this isn't a dedicated MP3 player, although it will
function in this manor. The 150VM is designed to be an all
round device, providing voice recording, alarm/clock functions
and the aforementioned MP3 playback.
Unlike
the 860 I reviewed before, the 150VM comes in a more professional
appearing box, but retains its listing of the important
features. I personally prefer this to a plastic carton style
packaging that can often be a hassle to get into; with a
box you simply open it. This is in line with its intended
market of those folks who need a voice recorder; the MP3
function just adds to its appeal. Inside the box, the 150VM
is carefully presented to you in an insert display, with
the rest of the contents below.
Note
in the contents that iRock supply a battery which means
that the 150VM package has everything you need out of the
box. Like the 860, iRock once again include the high quality
earbud style earphones, and whilst the 150VM has a jack
for a microphone with one built in iRock does not include
an external mic with the package. As you can see, the 150VM
is smaller than a CD in size, which makes it ideal to put
in a shirt pocket.
Starting
our tour with the face of the unit we are presented with a
circular display that when the unit is not in use will display
the current time in 12hr Digital format. Below the display
and just off centre to the right we find three flush sitting
buttons, the first of which being the record button for use
when in voice recording mode. Below are the two buttons for
volume control. Above the display, we can see a red LED which
will light to indicate the unit is recording.
Turning
the unit over, we can see the battery compartment as well
as a mini speaker. Just to note here that the speaker can
only be used for listening to your voice recordings; MP3's
will only play through the headphones.
The
right hand side has the majority of controls for the device.
Starting towards the bottom of the unit we have the display
button which will cycle between the date, the time and back
to your function display be it MP3 or Voice recording. Next
to this is the A-B repeat button followed by the folder button.
This button will cycle between the 4 folders you can use to
record with. This allows you to save 4 separate recording
areas so that you don't record over any you may have saved.
Next is the fast forward/rewind rocker switch and menu buttons
that are used for navigation and setup features. The final
button is the Play/Pause button that also doubles up as the
power button when held for longer than three seconds.
The
left hand side has three buttons; starting towards the top
we have the Hold switch. When this is slid into the hold position,
all button presses are ignored, so you can be assured you
won't accidentally press the wrong button when it's
in your pocket or bag. Next is the mode button that will switch
between MP3 Playback and Voice recording modes. To get back
to Alarm/Clock you need to turn the unit 'off'
via the Play/Pause button. The final button is the erase button
which should be fairly explanatory to its function.
Moving
to the top we can see from left to right the headphone jack,
the inbuilt microphone and the microphone jack. As I commented
earlier, iRock does not include an external microphone for
use with the iRock, but as you can see one is built in and
works rather well. The bottom of the 150VM has the tiny
USB Connection protected by a rubber insert.
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