RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player

RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player

RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player

Product Description
Amazon.com Review
The RCA Lyra 64-MB MP3 player comes with all the amenities you need in a state-of-the-art Internet music player: a 64 MB CompactFlash card, RealJukebox MP3 software, headphones, and a car kit. It's a decent player, but as with all computer peripherals, it has some drawbacks.

When we first unpacked the Lyra, we noticed that it was a little larger than most MP3 players but felt somewhat flimsy and lightweight.

Setting up the Lyra involves two easy steps: First, install the card reader/writer software, and then install the RealJukebox MP3 player software. One potential drawback is you must use the RealJukebox software with the Lyra. This is no big deal if your purchase of the Lyra marks the start of your path down the MP3 highway, but if you already use and prefer one of the other MP3 software programs out there--Music Match, SoundJam MP, or Winamp--you're out of luck. Fortunately, you can easily transfer your MP3 files over to RealJukebox, so it's not a huge loss in the end.

Once you've installed the software and attached the CompactFlash reader drive, you're ready to begin transferring files to the Lyra. The 64 MB card that comes with the player holds approximately an hour of music (one minute of music per megabyte of memory). We easily transferred close to 20 songs onto the Lyra. The transfer process was a bit lengthier than we've experienced with other players, taking close to one minute per song. However, we were able to drag and drop all the files we wanted into the player; then we left it alone to finish the job. We wished the player came with some onboard memory--instead, the only memory available is in the 64 MB CompactFlash card that comes with the player (or any additional CompactFlash cards you purchase).

The Lyra has a backlit display, which is a great feature. You can scroll through each track you've uploaded to the player and view six song titles at a time. While each song is playing, the display shows the name of the song, artist, album title, track number, compression rate, mode, and the elapsed time of the song.

The Lyra's sound quality is quite good for an MP3 player, but we did notice a bit of static when we operated the device next to other electronics products. You can choose any preset DSP mode--flat, bass boost, rock, pop, jazz--or you can opt to set the equalizer yourself, which delivers far superior results. As with most MP3 players, the headphones are worthless, and upgrading to a pair of alternative headphones will make a world of difference in sound quality. We also appreciated the fact that RCA made the Lyra upgradable to other music-compression formats, so you won't get stuck with an out-of-date player down the road.

All in all, the Lyra is a good player that will work for you if you don't have any issues using RealJukebox as your MP3 software and if the lack of onboard memory doesn't bother you.

Pros:

Cons:



Product Description:
Now there's a digital music system that goes where you go. The Lyra player delivers everything you need to download and play MP3 and RealAudio G2 files - anywhere. You get CD-quality sound with no skipping because Lyra has no moving parts. Store over an hour of music on removable SkipFree memory cards. You can even create playlists from your CD collection with the included music management software. One of the most important features of the Lyra is the possibility to upgrade it for future alternative audio compression formats.

RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player
RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Crap, utter and total crap
  • rca is junk
  • Great Player, Dump the Real Jukebox!
  • Price is Worth the Real JukeBox Hassle
  • Durable and Easy to Use
 RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

CD Players & RecordersCD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | CD Players | CD Recorders | DJ CD Players | Portable CD Players
Up to 64 MBUp to 64 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
MP3 PlayersMP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & VideoAudio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
RCARCA | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics | MP3 Players | MP3 Player Accessories | CD Players | Remote Controls
Accessories:
  1. NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
  2. Viking 16 MB CompactFlash Card (CF16M)
  3. Viking 32 MB CompactFlash Card
  4. Viking 64 MB CompactFlash Card
  5. Viking 128 MB CompactFlash Card (CF128M)

Product Features:
  • Upgradable for future or alternative audio-compression formats
  • Create your own MP3 or Real G2 digital music library by converting your existing CD collection
  • Store files on removable CompactFlash memory cards (comes with 64 MB card)
  • Includes headphones, batteries, software, CompactFlash, CompactFlash Reader/Write, and car DC adapter/car cassette audio-output adapter
  • Choose from equalizer presets like flat, bass boost, rock, and pop--or customize your own settings

ASIN: B00004NKLN

Product Description

Now there's a digital music system that goes where you go. The Lyra player delivers everything you need to download and play MP3 and RealAudio G2 files - anywhere. You get CD-quality sound with no skipping because Lyra has no moving parts. Store over an hour of music on removable SkipFree memory cards. You can even create playlists from your CD collection with the included music management software. One of the most important features of the Lyra is the possibility to upgrade it for future alternative audio compression formats.

Amazon.com Review

The RCA Lyra 64-MB MP3 player comes with all the amenities you need in a state-of-the-art Internet music player: a 64 MB CompactFlash card, RealJukebox MP3 software, headphones, and a car kit. It's a decent player, but as with all computer peripherals, it has some drawbacks.

When we first unpacked the Lyra, we noticed that it was a little larger than most MP3 players but felt somewhat flimsy and lightweight.

Setting up the Lyra involves two easy steps: First, install the card reader/writer software, and then install the RealJukebox MP3 player software. One potential drawback is you must use the RealJukebox software with the Lyra. This is no big deal if your purchase of the Lyra marks the start of your path down the MP3 highway, but if you already use and prefer one of the other MP3 software programs out there--Music Match, SoundJam MP, or Winamp--you're out of luck. Fortunately, you can easily transfer your MP3 files over to RealJukebox, so it's not a huge loss in the end.

Once you've installed the software and attached the CompactFlash reader drive, you're ready to begin transferring files to the Lyra. The 64 MB card that comes with the player holds approximately an hour of music (one minute of music per megabyte of memory). We easily transferred close to 20 songs onto the Lyra. The transfer process was a bit lengthier than we've experienced with other players, taking close to one minute per song. However, we were able to drag and drop all the files we wanted into the player; then we left it alone to finish the job. We wished the player came with some onboard memory--instead, the only memory available is in the 64 MB CompactFlash card that comes with the player (or any additional CompactFlash cards you purchase).

The Lyra has a backlit display, which is a great feature. You can scroll through each track you've uploaded to the player and view six song titles at a time. While each song is playing, the display shows the name of the song, artist, album title, track number, compression rate, mode, and the elapsed time of the song.

The Lyra's sound quality is quite good for an MP3 player, but we did notice a bit of static when we operated the device next to other electronics products. You can choose any preset DSP mode--flat, bass boost, rock, pop, jazz--or you can opt to set the equalizer yourself, which delivers far superior results. As with most MP3 players, the headphones are worthless, and upgrading to a pair of alternative headphones will make a world of difference in sound quality. We also appreciated the fact that RCA made the Lyra upgradable to other music-compression formats, so you won't get stuck with an out-of-date player down the road.

All in all, the Lyra is a good player that will work for you if you don't have any issues using RealJukebox as your MP3 software and if the lack of onboard memory doesn't bother you.

Pros:

Cons:

Amazon.com Product Description

Now there's a digital music system that goes where you go. The Lyra player delivers everything you need to download and play MP3 and RealAudio G2 files anywhere. You get CD-quality sound with no skipping because Lyra has no moving parts. Store over an hour of music on removable SkipFree memory cards. You can even create playlists from your CD collection with the included music management software. The Lyra 64 MB MP3 player comes with a 64 MB CompactFlash memory card and a car DC adapter/car cassette audio output adapter that lets you listen to MP3 and RealAudio music in your car.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Crap, utter and total crap.......2004-03-07

This is a piece of junk, the screen went out shortly after is was bought. Avoid at all costs.

1 out of 5 stars rca is junk.......2003-01-10

It takes 1 hour to fill the 64mb flash. If Real doesn't crash. You have to format the the memory card each time you use it, because you can't add or delete tracks off the memory. It uses an incripted mpx format mp3's (only 96-128 stereo) and real media (3...quality) must be converted. You can't drag and drop. The files have to be in the "play list". The batteries last 25min. There is no real "off" button. You buy it from RCA's website there is a 10 return policy and it takes 7+ days to mail it. And they won't take it back. The tech support can't handle anything other than "get new batteries". The install for the cardreader lockup the sys and [messed up] the regestry, had to sys restore from Ghost. Had to use install from another reader.
And the pres of RCA won't answer the e-mail I sent to his home AOL address. I will never buy RCA again.

3 out of 5 stars Great Player, Dump the Real Jukebox!.......2002-09-04

I received the 2204 player as a gift. It took me two hours to get the thing to work on my Windows XP. The card drive would ot install from the CD that was included with the player & the real jukebox crashed Windows XP each time I opened it up. I was worried becasue the literature says you absolutely cannot use anything but Real Player to load songs.

After about two hours and just before I chucked the thing out the window and bought an iPod, I went to the Lyra website, downloaded the drivers for the card drive & the drivers for Windows Media player & everything worked.

The machine is simple to use now that everything is talking to everything else. The interface is relatively intuitive.
The major drawback is the price of the media. [$$$] for a 64Mb flashcard! That's as much as a new Rio player & half the price of an iPod!

Would I choose this over the Rio or the iPod? I didn't even know about the Lyra before receiving it as a gift so I don't know. I was leaning toward the iPod. The Lyra seems to work fine and it suits my needs. I would have seriously considered this player based on the price and features.

I can recommend this player if it can be had at a low enough price.

5 out of 5 stars Price is Worth the Real JukeBox Hassle.......2002-07-10

I purchased my RCA MP3 player [on website] after comparing several models on this great Amazon.com web site. The unit, while appearing flimsy, has held up through much more than any of my CD players would take. In comparison to a Samsung model I have tried, the actual recording process to the memory card is MUCH easier, and that goes ditto for "transfering" CD tracks to be put on your MP3 player. I do have to agree that RealJukebox is not the best program out there, but I am VERY happy I bought this unit.

5 out of 5 stars Durable and Easy to Use.......2001-06-28

If you plan on using a MP3 player while exercising, you need to get the Lyra. I freely admit that I am a klutz, and although I have dropped my player probably a good 50 times, it still functions without error and doesn't scratch or crack. The software is easy to use, allowing you to just drag songs from your desktop to the player. This allows you to completely switch all songs easily depending on your mood. Also, I recommend getting the car kit to go allow with this. The Lyra fits about 30 songs on it and I just plug it into my car. This means I have over 100 minutes of my favorite songs and don't have to switch CD's every couple songs.

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