M5 - Short of it's potential?

enouen · 11-11-2004, 12:51

so I started reading some random page about the release date, and the mentioned what processor the M5 would use (ColdFire SCF5249). Being curious, I went to the processor manufactureres website and read a little about it.

SCF5249 Features
V2 ColdFire processor core
96 KB Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
8 KB instruction cache
Enhanced Multiply-and Accumulate (EMAC)
Four (4) Programmable Chip Selects
Debug module - background and real time
Two (2) independent Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UARTs)
Two (2) independent 16-bit timers
I2C interface
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory Controller (SDRAM)
System integration (PLL, Software watchdog)
4-channel Direct Memory Access (DMA)
Audio Interfaces
Three I2S inputs
Two I2S outputs
***SPDIF input ***
***SPDIF output ***

The last two are what I would really want to see implemented. iRivers have had this for a few generations now, and I think the M5 could use it. Along side a losses codec, this could be a "professional" recorder that would slip in your pocket, much like a mini disc player (I'm sorry but most iRivers won't just slip in your pocket).

There's my two cents.

ENOUEN

Koolshen · 11-11-2004, 13:27

Yeah the theoretical possibility exists but that (unfortunately) doesn't mean that the optical ports are included. As far as I know these ports won't be included.

enouen · 11-12-2004, 13:29

Anyone ever had any success in getting schematics of the M3? The way the little expansion pack looks (I don't own one yet; still researching/waiting for M5) it might be possible to build one with optical ports.

zaphanathpaneah · 01-10-2005, 10:44

iRiver is a very serious contender for the DAP's. They currently don't have anything to compare to the M5 besides the H320 which is too bulky but......but with the intro of the H10 we might see a slim H3?? in the near future.

taz · 01-10-2005, 11:31

is there a noticeable difference between normal and optical line in and out? not alot of players have optical do they?

i dont rekon the iriver h300 series will be changed. they probably will be developing the h10 into a bigger capacity player...obviously bigger sized players aswel..but i rekon the style of the h10 is what well see from iriver for thier new series of hd players.

neither h300's or the h10 comes with optical line in/out...as far as i know...wonder why

01-10-2005, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by taz

is there a noticeable difference between normal and optical line in and out? not alot of players have optical do they?

Well it's digital instead of analogue.

So there shouldn't be in theory any quality drop from the original source to the destination. It's also better IMO at working out the end of a track so as not to have one huge file.

Quote:

Originally Posted by taz

i dont rekon the iriver h300 series will be changed. they probably will be developing the h10 into a bigger capacity player

That is what I'm thinking. The predecessor to the H3xx range is now no more.

Technically speaking the H3xx range cannot be beaten, they have everything all these new players have BUT they are big and clunky. I can lose optical in for a smaller player.

Quote:

Originally Posted by taz

neither h300's or the h10 comes with optical line in/out...as far as i know...wonder why

The H10 has optical in on the cradle but not the device and the H3xx (H320 or H340) has optical in on the device.

None have optical out as it's not really needed. It's a pity the X5/M5 doesn't have optical in as it is a useful feature but in reality for me I can live with the analogue line in. My minidisc player has optical in and it is useful. The crucial thing here is the H10 has line in or optical in but only on the cradle which means in order to direct record you need the cradle with you.

taz · 01-10-2005, 14:51

unless they make a sub pack for the h10 aswel, like the m3, and even the sony hd3 now...however i doubt it as the h10 is foldable and stuff, meaning they thought about people who want to take it with them...never know they may make a smaller sub pack....

to this date i havent used line in on my m3....cant really think of why i wouldnt need it in a situation. ive tested line in once and thats becasue i never knew what it would be like...as for line out, i just use the headphone jack....although 1 question to ask, is quality better through remote jack or from the actual line out? im guessing they are both analogue so both the same?

01-10-2005, 15:32

Line out as it is the raw sound unmodified or amplified. The headphone jack isn't designed to be used into speakers or a hifi. So have you used line in or not? You say you've never used it and then say you tested it. If it you did test it what was the quality like?

Does the M5/X5 have line out as well as line in?

p.s - What is a sub pack?

taz · 01-10-2005, 15:56

i meant i have never used it for any purpose and only tested it once to see what it was like. i guess ill have to test line out with my home sounds, but im pretty sure it will sound the same as i heard it is the same, in another post. i did test it but cant really remember the outcome. i just set line in to 320kbps..sounded arite but im not a line in recording person.

i dunno bout the newer players. i presume they will be based on the m3..line in/out on cradle and sub pack...and yea the sub pack is the other connected cowon give with the m3..not the cradle but the other rectangle shaped one. it means you dont have to use the cradle when on the move.

01-10-2005, 17:03

I'm not saying in the real world you will notice but technically line out is better.

I don't own an M3 how does the sub pack differ from the cradle?

taz · 01-10-2005, 18:45

technically? how does that work then?

well basically the sub pack can be used instgead of the cradle. it has the same functions as the cradle...line in/out, charging,usb.

http://onlinestore.jetaudio.com/inde...PROD&ProdID=21

you can see the m3 in the cradle on the jetaudio page..scroll down and in accessories ull find the sub pack...the same function as the cradle but much smaller and more portable.

01-11-2005, 13:56

Technically it's better quality. For example a SACD disc is better quality than DVD Audio but would the human ear notice the difference maybe not? Technically a Ferrari is faster than a Lamborghini but both are bloody fast cars (okay I've no idea if this is true but you know what I mean).

Thanks Taz.

What a cool idea, a sub pack. I hope the M5/X5 has this but what would it add? Doesn't the M3 have line in on the unit directly? I'm sure the M5/X5 does.

I can't see it happening but a sub pack with optical in would be great.

taz · 01-11-2005, 14:09

but then wouldnt the human ear notice it with the appropriate speakers and set up?

oh yea...depends which ferrari vs lambo

i see what you mean though.

i havent heard that the m5/x5 will be having all the bits on the unit such as charging, usb(apart from usb otg), line in/out, such as that of the iriver H series. i always thought it was going to be like the m3 where nothings on the unit, and no the m3 doesnt have line in/out on the unit. if the m5/x5 does have these features on the unit then yea there will be no point of a sub pack, nor would it be useful to bundle in a cradle...if the price of the player doesnt justify it.

i wouldnt rekon a optical sub pack would be released...but you never know

01-11-2005, 14:20

I can't notice many so called poor quality DVDs but many can.

I hope you can charge it at the very least without the sub pack, that would be a pain to carry just to charge it.

Can't you charge M3 without the sub pack?

shaka_1205 · 01-11-2005, 14:50

no you can't the M3 without the sub pack

11-11-2004, 13:27	#2
Koolshen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 334	Yeah the theoretical possibility exists but that (unfortunately) doesn't mean that the optical ports are included. As far as I know these ports won't be included. __________________ Audere Est Facere THFC forever!

01-10-2005, 10:44	#4
zaphanathpaneah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA Posts: 521	iRiver is a very serious contender for the DAP's. They currently don't have anything to compare to the M5 besides the H320 which is too bulky but......but with the intro of the H10 we might see a slim H3?? in the near future. __________________ Call me "Z" Iaudio 5 Iaudio X5 Cowon D2 4gb + 8gb SDHC iriver 900 series Etymotic ear budds. (perfect sound) Metallica rules.

01-11-2005, 14:50	#15
shaka_1205 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 122	no you can't the M3 without the sub pack __________________ Eagerly waiting for the M5L or the X5

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11-11-2004, 12:51	#1
enouen Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 48	so I started reading some random page about the release date, and the mentioned what processor the M5 would use (ColdFire SCF5249). Being curious, I went to the processor manufactureres website and read a little about it. SCF5249 Features V2 ColdFire processor core 96 KB Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) 8 KB instruction cache Enhanced Multiply-and Accumulate (EMAC) Four (4) Programmable Chip Selects Debug module - background and real time Two (2) independent Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UARTs) Two (2) independent 16-bit timers I2C interface Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory Controller (SDRAM) System integration (PLL, Software watchdog) 4-channel Direct Memory Access (DMA) Audio Interfaces Three I2S inputs Two I2S outputs *SPDIF input * *SPDIF output * The last two are what I would really want to see implemented. iRivers have had this for a few generations now, and I think the M5 could use it. Along side a losses codec, this could be a "professional" recorder that would slip in your pocket, much like a mini disc player (I'm sorry but most iRivers won't just slip in your pocket). There's my two cents. ENOUEN

11-12-2004, 13:29	#3
enouen Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 48	Anyone ever had any success in getting schematics of the M3? The way the little expansion pack looks (I don't own one yet; still researching/waiting for M5) it might be possible to build one with optical ports.

01-10-2005, 11:31	#5
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	is there a noticeable difference between normal and optical line in and out? not alot of players have optical do they? i dont rekon the iriver h300 series will be changed. they probably will be developing the h10 into a bigger capacity player...obviously bigger sized players aswel..but i rekon the style of the h10 is what well see from iriver for thier new series of hd players. neither h300's or the h10 comes with optical line in/out...as far as i know...wonder why

01-10-2005, 14:51	#7
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	unless they make a sub pack for the h10 aswel, like the m3, and even the sony hd3 now...however i doubt it as the h10 is foldable and stuff, meaning they thought about people who want to take it with them...never know they may make a smaller sub pack.... to this date i havent used line in on my m3....cant really think of why i wouldnt need it in a situation. ive tested line in once and thats becasue i never knew what it would be like...as for line out, i just use the headphone jack....although 1 question to ask, is quality better through remote jack or from the actual line out? im guessing they are both analogue so both the same?

01-10-2005, 15:32	#8
bradavon Guest Posts: n/a	Line out as it is the raw sound unmodified or amplified. The headphone jack isn't designed to be used into speakers or a hifi. So have you used line in or not? You say you've never used it and then say you tested it. If it you did test it what was the quality like? Does the M5/X5 have line out as well as line in? p.s - What is a sub pack?

01-10-2005, 15:56	#9
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	i meant i have never used it for any purpose and only tested it once to see what it was like. i guess ill have to test line out with my home sounds, but im pretty sure it will sound the same as i heard it is the same, in another post. i did test it but cant really remember the outcome. i just set line in to 320kbps..sounded arite but im not a line in recording person. i dunno bout the newer players. i presume they will be based on the m3..line in/out on cradle and sub pack...and yea the sub pack is the other connected cowon give with the m3..not the cradle but the other rectangle shaped one. it means you dont have to use the cradle when on the move.

01-10-2005, 17:03	#10
bradavon Guest Posts: n/a	I'm not saying in the real world you will notice but technically line out is better. I don't own an M3 how does the sub pack differ from the cradle?

01-10-2005, 18:45	#11
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	technically? how does that work then? well basically the sub pack can be used instgead of the cradle. it has the same functions as the cradle...line in/out, charging,usb. http://onlinestore.jetaudio.com/inde...PROD&ProdID=21 you can see the m3 in the cradle on the jetaudio page..scroll down and in accessories ull find the sub pack...the same function as the cradle but much smaller and more portable.

01-11-2005, 13:56	#12
bradavon Guest Posts: n/a	Technically it's better quality. For example a SACD disc is better quality than DVD Audio but would the human ear notice the difference maybe not? Technically a Ferrari is faster than a Lamborghini but both are bloody fast cars (okay I've no idea if this is true but you know what I mean). Thanks Taz. What a cool idea, a sub pack. I hope the M5/X5 has this but what would it add? Doesn't the M3 have line in on the unit directly? I'm sure the M5/X5 does. I can't see it happening but a sub pack with optical in would be great.

01-11-2005, 14:09	#13
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	but then wouldnt the human ear notice it with the appropriate speakers and set up? oh yea...depends which ferrari vs lambo i see what you mean though. i havent heard that the m5/x5 will be having all the bits on the unit such as charging, usb(apart from usb otg), line in/out, such as that of the iriver H series. i always thought it was going to be like the m3 where nothings on the unit, and no the m3 doesnt have line in/out on the unit. if the m5/x5 does have these features on the unit then yea there will be no point of a sub pack, nor would it be useful to bundle in a cradle...if the price of the player doesnt justify it. i wouldnt rekon a optical sub pack would be released...but you never know

01-11-2005, 14:20	#14
bradavon Guest Posts: n/a	I can't notice many so called poor quality DVDs but many can. I hope you can charge it at the very least without the sub pack, that would be a pain to carry just to charge it. Can't you charge M3 without the sub pack?