VisorCentral.com - Problems with Innogear MP3 Player -- BEWARE !!

VisorCentral.com >> Discussion >> Visor Related >> Springboard Modules
Problems with Innogear MP3 Player -- BEWARE !!


	Post a New Thread \| Post A Reply

Last Thread Next Thread

Author

Topic: Problems with Innogear MP3 Player -- BEWARE !!

dulino
Member

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

I just purchased a $199 64 Mb Innogear MiniJam player and can't think of a device I had more problems with. It crashes my Visor, corrupts its own MMC card that came with it regular, and is just plainly a nightmare to use. Error messages are helpful only to PalmOS developers !

For your information as my fellow consumers, I am keeping a log of the all of the problems I am having with the device and my transactions with their tech support at http://www.olegdulin.com/innogear

Regards,
Oleg Dulin

04-03-2001 04:09 AM

ashmed
Member

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

I read your website, that particular error is caused by having the hotsync manager running while you are trying to commit the changes you made with miniloader. Granted, the error message is not helpful in any way (I had the same thing a few times) and whenever it happened it corrupted the MMC. Just make sure that little hotsync manager isn't in your system tray before you run the miniloader application.

__________________
You know it's bad when your Calculus Professor uses the word "Unpossible"

"It's a long way from my thoughts to what I'll say, It's a long, long way from paradise to where I am today." -Switchfoot, Home

04-03-2001 09:02 AM

dulino
Member

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

Updates on the problem

I posted more information on my site at http://www.olegdulin.com/innogear .

Regards,
Oleg

04-03-2001 02:16 PM

EricG
Member

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

You may have a defective MiniJam.. I always leave the hotsync icon running and don't have any problems, I also have a USB zip drive (100mb). no problems, I don't use the music match program by the way, and until I got the USB speedloader, I used the MJLoader program.

I'd try to get the unit exchanged..

One problem I did discover and it's not documented anywhere is with the USB speedloader, if the file name of the mp3 is too long it crashes the loader program. The fix is simple, rename the mp3. Another thing I noticed is the miniJam is picky about the bitrate/khz an mp3 is encoded with, try some other mp3 files (possibly created with other mp3 compression programs), You didn't say what you created your mp3's with, the program may have introduced errors in the mp3 file that is causing the minijam to gack..

I can sympathize with your frustrations.. good luck.

__________________
"One of the most important things you learn from the internet is that there is no �them� out there. It�s just an awful lot of �us�." -- Douglas Adams

04-03-2001 03:51 PM

dulino
Member

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

I used MusicMatch that came with the product.

I too noticed that MJLoader crashes if the filename is too long. This is not so bad. I just wish they documented this bug and saved me a few hours of frustration.

The bitrate of the MP3 files was 96kbps.

I have to note that I was able to download those exact files to the player a week ago and was able to listen to them. The problems started over the weekend when I tried to upload "Lord of the Rings" audio book, recorded at 64kbps using MusicMatch.

Regards,
Oleg

04-03-2001 03:58 PM

gayguy
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 23

sorry to hear that you're having so many problems. personally, i'm on my 4th (!) minijam. this, the 4th one, is the first minijam that has been completely functional and not caused any crashes on my visor deluxe. first thing i'd suggest: check your minijam's versions; with "MiniJukeBox" running, do an "About" (command-A). mine's says "MiniJukeBox Ver.: 2.00, MiniJam API Ver.: 2.00, Firmware Rev.: 4.01". you may need to exchange your minijam to get the most current firmware revision; depending on your visor (and the minijam RAM configuration), firmware revisions less than 4.00 can be problematic, particularly if you have more than 64mb on the minijam. also, are you running the current release of the host software? i'm on a mac so i can't speak to the windows software, but i do know that there has been at least one update released. i don't know anything about the windows version of musicmatch, but the mac version is *total crap*. i suggest avoiding musicmatch at all costs.
i've had pretty good luck with innogear's support staff -- by toll-free telephone call -- i've never tried to get their help over the internet.
also, lastly, do all your other springboards work ok? maybe your problems have something to do with the visor itself??
steve

04-03-2001 07:10 PM

EricG
Member

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

quote:
Originally posted by dulino
I used MusicMatch that came with the product.

I too noticed that MJLoader crashes if the filename is too long. This is not so bad. I just wish they documented this bug and saved me a few hours of frustration.

The bitrate of the MP3 files was 96kbps.

I have to note that I was able to download those exact files to the player a week ago and was able to listen to them. The problems started over the weekend when I tried to upload "Lord of the Rings" audio book, recorded at 64kbps using MusicMatch.

Regards,
Oleg

I recall reading at one time on the minijam support page that the latest minijam firmware update was not compatible with the shipped version of MusicMatch, I think MusicMatch now has an updated driver, but like I said before, I don't use the musicmatch software.. But that could be some of your problems.. As a test, try using MJLoader to move the files and not MusicMatch, also, make sure MusicMatch isn't running when you use MJLoader, I don't think they can both be running at the same time..

MusicMatch on windows isn't very good either, and I think (but not confirmed yet) that is also a form of spyware.

__________________
"One of the most important things you learn from the internet is that there is no �them� out there. It�s just an awful lot of �us�." -- Douglas Adams

04-03-2001 07:29 PM

bolson
Member

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 56

MusicMatch is spyware. If you own a firewall, everytime you open MusicMatch you get it accessing the internet at random intervals. If you block it MusicMatch complains. Other than that it isn't too bad of a player, especially when it is free

04-04-2001 12:49 AM

gayguy
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 23

well, again, just judging from the macintosh end of the rainbow: musicmatch comes "for free" with a number of products, including innogear's minijam and iomega's cdr/w drives. too bad it's just so freakin' awful! an ugly, awkward user interface, combined with a lack of feature parity against the top-tier macintosh consumer-grade audio programs (apple's itunes, casady&greene's soundjam mp; panic software's audion) -- all also free -- it's no wonder they're forced to give musicmatch away...nobody in their right mind would buy it. what i can't figure out is why a macintosh version of musicmatch even exists...

04-04-2001 01:36 AM

EricG
Member

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

quote:
Originally posted by bolson
MusicMatch is spyware. If you own a firewall, everytime you open MusicMatch you get it accessing the internet at random intervals. If you block it MusicMatch complains. Other than that it isn't too bad of a player, especially when it is free

thanks.. Now I recall, the first/last time I used it, my Atguard firewall light up like a Christmas tree..

__________________
"One of the most important things you learn from the internet is that there is no �them� out there. It�s just an awful lot of �us�." -- Douglas Adams

04-04-2001 01:56 AM

swendor
Member

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

quote:
originally posted by gayguy:
first thing i'd suggest: check your minijam's versions; with "MiniJukeBox" running, do an "About" (command-A).
mine's says "MiniJukeBox Ver.:2.00, MiniJam API Ver.: 2.00, Firmware Rev.: 4.01". you may need to exchange your
minijam to get the most current firmware revision

I got my MiniJam when they first came out and my "ABOUT" is as follows:

MiniJukeBox Ver.: 1.04
MiniJam API Ver.: 1.04
Firmware Rev.: 3.02

It performs fine. But am I missing anything without the latest? Or if it ain't broke don't fix it?

04-04-2001 02:17 PM

dorelse
Member

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 248

MiniJam & Visor Edge.

I've been using a 64mb version for 3-4 months now, never a problem, when I used it with my Platinum.

However, I have noticed that with my Edge, I *must* shutdown the player before I unplug it.

If not, it may or may not lock up the Edge and require a pin hole reset.

I am at the versions listed above, and usually unplug the Springboard Exp. w/ the MiniJam loaded at one time, never taking the MiniJam out of the expansion port. If I shut the player down, I never have any problems, but if its active, playing music or not, I lock the Edge up 30% of the time.

Seems like the hard shutdown terminates the apps such that I can unplug it whenever I need to then.

I've just made it habit, and never have a problem with it.

BTW...I use RealJukebox to record my MP3's...not the supplied app since I got it. Never have a problem with any recording speeds, etc.

04-04-2001 07:11 PM

MPM
Member

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 216

A thought...

quote:
Originally posted by dorelse
I've been using a 64mb version for 3-4 months now, never a problem, when I used it with my Platinum.

However, I have noticed that with my Edge, I *must* shutdown the player before I unplug it.

If not, it may or may not lock up the Edge and require a pin hole reset.

I am at the versions listed above, and usually unplug the Springboard Exp. w/ the MiniJam loaded at one time, never taking the MiniJam out of the expansion port. If I shut the player down, I never have any problems, but if its active, playing music or not, I lock the Edge up 30% of the time.

Seems like the hard shutdown terminates the apps such that I can unplug it whenever I need to then.

I've just made it habit, and never have a problem with it.

BTW...I use RealJukebox to record my MP3's...not the supplied app since I got it. Never have a problem with any recording speeds, etc.

I have an idea on why your Edge is crashing when you remove the MiniJam, but since I don't have an Edge myself, so this is just a guess...

You said that you usually remove the MiniJam from the Edge by pulling the Springboard expansion adapter out of the Edge, instead of pulling the MiniJam out of the adapter and then removing the adapter. This could be the cause of the problem.

On the regular Springboard slots on all the other Visors, the connector has three different length pins - long, normal, and short. The long pins are the power and ground pins, as you insert the module, they make contact first before all the other pins. The rest of the pins, with the exception of the card detect pins, are normal length and mate second as the module is inserted. The card detect pins are the short ones and mate last.

Now when you insert the module the Springboard slot is powered off, so the different mating times of the power and signal lines has no effect, but the short card detect lines do. When they finally mate, the internal circuitry of the Visor knows that the rest of the signal and power lines are mated up and read to go. It then powers on the Springboard slot.

Now, upon removal, the card detect pins unmate first. This is the key - they signal an interrupt to the processor that the module is being pulled. This lets the processor know that the module is going away so it can handle any possible errors that might occur as the module signal lines disconnect.

But from photos of the small Springboard slot connector on the Edge I noticed that the edge connector does not seem to have different length contacts. So maybe the Edge cannot get that "early warning" that the module is being removed if the adatper is removed along with the module.

Just an idea. You might try removing the MiniJam from the adapter without removing the adpater and see if that helps.

04-04-2001 09:21 PM

dorelse
Member

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 248

Good info

Thanks for the info. It makes sense after you've explained it.

I guess I won't buy the extra Springboard slot then b/c I thought I'd be able to just always keep my MiniJam plugged into one, and my modem in the other, no 'double' swapping...but I can see how that probably isn't the best way to do it.

So if there's an inherent design issue with keeping modules always in the expansion slot, why would they want to sell extra ones?

Seems like they're increasing the chances of hanging Edge's all the time.

04-05-2001 05:24 PM

Matthew Nichols
Member

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I use MusicMatch to do all my encoding (I don't own a MiniJam, I've got a portable Rio 500 and Aiwa for my car) and its speed is one of the best in my opinion. I hated RealJukebox & could care less if people know what I listen to.

On the other hand though, does anyone know of any free software that encodes as fast as MusicMatch with CDDB support?

__________________
Matt Nichols
[email protected]

04-06-2001 02:08 AM

gayguy
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 23

the only thing i know that the 4.01 firmware update fixes is miscellaneous problems with mmc's: my 3.02 firmware minijam had problems with a 64mb sandisk mmc purchased over the web -- i could hear crosstalk during quiet musical passages and occasionally there would be sound drop-outs or garbled playback. all that ended with the 4.01 update. i also was told that 3.02 had problems addressing more than 64mb, although i don't know that from personal experience.
as for the question about free mp3-encoding software that's very fast and supports cddb: if you've got a g4-powered macintosh, try itunes -- it has cddb support and is altivec-enabled, so it really flies, even the guys over at ars technica were impressed.

04-06-2001 02:24 AM

dorelse
Member

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 248

Hey MPM -

Just thought I'd give you an update...my Edge actually crashed more now that I pull the minijam out separately. Still not repeatable yet though.

I'm up to 4 out of 10 attempts. I think I better just stick to shutting it down first. Seems unreliable any other way.

-D

04-06-2001 03:39 PM

MPM
Member

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 216

quote:
Originally posted by dorelse
Hey MPM -

Just thought I'd give you an update...my Edge actually crashed more now that I pull the minijam out separately. Still not repeatable yet though.

I'm up to 4 out of 10 attempts. I think I better just stick to shutting it down first. Seems unreliable any other way.

-D

Oh well. I thought I had a good idea...

Still, your Edge should not be crashing at all when you remove a module. I have three modules: Handspring Backup Module, Innopak2/V, and homemade CF adatper. I have NEVER had a crash/hang/reset when inserting or removing the modules.

04-06-2001 09:02 PM

Pztachyo
Member

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 2

Has anyone had experience using a MiniJam with Mac OS X? Since I installed OS X, I've been getting error messages when I try to transfer songs. "The MiniJam is not responding (or maybe too slowly)" or something to that effect. Anyone else had this problem? I haven't tried to restart with 9.1 and try it that way yet...that seems to be a lot of work just to use the minijam. Tech support, although supportive, didn't have any ready answers.

04-24-2001 02:12 AM

dulino
Member

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

quote:
Originally posted by MPM

Oh well. I thought I had a good idea...

Still, your Edge should not be crashing at all when you remove a module. I have three modules: Handspring Backup Module, Innopak2/V, and homemade CF adatper. I have NEVER had a crash/hang/reset when inserting or removing the modules.

MMJ is one of the few modules that need to be shutdown before being pulled out. I read somewhere that the Omnisky wireless modem is like that also. I think both modules, when on, do some kind of DMA.

04-24-2001 04:19 PM

All times are GMT. The time now is 03:49 AM.

Last Thread Next Thread

[

Show a Printable Version |

Email This Page to Someone! |

Receive updates to this thread ]

Forum Jump: