RioVolt SP250 Portable MP3-CD Player with FM Tuner and 8 Minutes Anti-Skip

RioVolt SP250 Portable MP3-CD Player with FM Tuner and 8 Minutes Anti-Skip

Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Taking portable CD players to new extremes, the RioVolt SP250 lets you play both standard music CDs and CDs containing MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) files--making it possible to store up to 350 songs on a single CD. Designed for the serious music enthusiast, the SP250 is one of the most advanced multifunction CD players on the market.

Building on the award-winning features of the original RioVolt SP100, the SP250 adds:

8-minute shock protection that stores multiple songs in memory and stops the disc from spinning, protecting music from skipping, regardless of conditions.

An integrated FM tuner with custom programs that make it easy to find the right station.

A highly customizable user interface based on the award-winning Rio 800 solid-state MP3 player that gives you absolute control over how you listen to your music.

Rechargeable batteries that grant more than 15 hours of playback with quick recharging capabilities. An AC adapter is also included for nonstop music.

2 styles of headphones--folding headphones and earphones--for freedom of choice and comfort.

A convenient inline remote control for using the player while it's tucked in a backpack or briefcase.

The same high-resolution backlit LCD as that on the award-winning Rio 800 for a large, clear display.

Support for firmware upgrades via downloading (wherein you'd burn the updates onto a CD to be read by the player, ensuring that the SP250 is always up-to-date).

Adjustable EQ, repeat, and shuffle play modes, and programmable playlists.

Simple PC and Macintosh audio-management software that lets you organize music and rip CDs.

Support for ID3 tags and CD Text title display to recognize audio and data CDs that have built-in song titles and display them on the SP250's large LCD for better navigation.

A newly designed carrying case with functional access to the unit's controls.

Product Description:
The RioVolt SP250 is the premier portable CD player. The RioVolt SP250 plays CDs with MP3 and WMA files as well as standard audio CDs. This high-powered CD player delivers 8 minutes of shock protection and features an integrated FM tuner. It comes with long-life rechargeable batteries, an on-wire remote control, carrying case, and two styles of headphones. The RioVolt SP250 sets a new standard for excellence in portable audio.

RioVolt SP250 Portable MP3-CD Player with FM Tuner and 8 Minutes Anti-Skip

Average customer rating:

A good player, but needs better instructions.
there must be something better
It is good and still kicking!!
Great player
I've had one for a year

RioVolt SP250 Portable MP3-CD Player with FM Tuner and 8 Minutes Anti-Skip

Manufacturer: RioVolt
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Portable Audio | Rio | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Product Features:

Plays standard audio CDs as well as MP3- and WMA-encoded discs; integrated FM tuner
Electronic shock protection up to 8 minutes; upgradable firmware for enhancements
Supports ID3 tags and audio CD title display (CD Text) as well as M3U playlists
Includes 2 sets of headphones (earbud and over-ear)
15-hour battery life using only 2 AA batteries; includes rechargeable batteries. Resume play feature.

ASIN: B00005QXWI

Product Description

The RioVolt SP250 is the premier portable CD player. The RioVolt SP250 plays CDs with MP3 and WMA files as well as standard audio CDs. This high-powered CD player delivers 8 minutes of shock protection and features an integrated FM tuner. It comes with long-life rechargeable batteries, an on-wire remote control, carrying case, and two styles of headphones. The RioVolt SP250 sets a new standard for excellence in portable audio.

Customer Reviews:

A good player, but needs better instructions........2005-01-24

This item arrived with very little information on how to burn and play MP3 files and, in particular, WMA files. I burnt two discs and messed around with the player and my computer for a week before writing Rio and receiving a technician's answer. I appreciated the customer support, but the information really should have been in the player's documentation or on Rio's website. To listen to WMA files, I ended up having to delete and restore the 1200 songs on my computer because I'd stored them initially with the "automatic rights control" (or some such) box checked in the Windows Media Player. After all the headache, and two years of continuous use, I do enjoy having this player. Do remember that it only plays MP3 or WMA files burnt to a disk; it does not function as an MP3 player that stores and plays files in its hardware.

there must be something better.......2004-11-07

When I first got the thing, I thought it was fantastic. It had all the features I wanted, and wasn't too difficult to figure out on my own. The FM tuner worked as well as my car radio and was a nice perk. The sound was good, too.
The downside, it's skip protection is, well, mediocre. I've certainly seen better, although I have owned worse as well. I wasn't jogging with the thing and it would sufficiently occupy me durring a long car ride, so I didn't really mind. After awhile though, it stopped recognizing any batteries other than the rechargables it came with. I know it sounds weird; I still don't know why. Not to mention recharging takes a really long time, and the battery life is also mediocre. I can't get more than 2 or 3 hours from it. Consequently, the thing seems to never have any power to it, and I can't use any other batteries. Heaven forbid I don't charge it every day. It'd be a nice player, if I could actually use it. I don't know that this is something inherent in the player, or if it's just a flaw in my unit, but it makes me extreamly hesitant to spend any money on Rio products.

It is good and still kicking!!.......2004-03-11

I have had mine for a year now and it kicks azz! I don't think they break so easy, since mine was wedged between a metal stopper and an iron crate being pushed by a forklift! It dented the batteries in the case, I can't charge the batteries in the player anymore and the lid is a tad bit crooked, but it still plays perfect and the display works fine too. That convinced me that is was rock solid. Just hope you don't have any problems with it, because Riovolt has the worst customer service ever rated, they are horrible to talk to. just so you know.

**** I wrote a review in here earlier about how strong it is. It got crushed by a forklift and still works. I have now had it for 2 years (actually my little brother has it), and it's still kicking strong. The SP250 was designed by the same people who designed the iriver iMP-350, and the menus look almost exactly the same. I have since upgreaded to the iMP-450, a new model from iRiver, and am a tad happier. I bought my Riovolt for $100 and it was worth it then. But after the forklift mishap, it stopped recharging batteries, and the batteries got a dent in each of them, and I wanted to recharge them at work. The case it comes with is VERY nice and got used all the time. I didn't have to buy a case for it that way and it saved me some dough. Plus, all the buttons were imprinted in the leather on the case, so you could push the buttons through the case without seeing them. The batteries lasted fine, about 12-14 hours with MP3 playback. The remote was great. I now have the iMP-450 and wish I had the SP250 remote. There is the cool level to having a slim case with a screen on the remote, but the buttons aren't as easy to hit by feel. I believe they are actually interchangeable, since I know you can order a LCD remote for the SP250. I just can't do it with mine cuz there's no screen on the main unit. But the SP250 remote was the best designed one I've seen, and I've looked at a lot of MP3/CD players, since everyone in my family wants one now. I guess I would recommend the iMP-450 over this one, cuz of the cool factor, the battery life, ongoing firmware support, tech support is slightly better, new technologies in place (like solid servo to stop skipping), more menu options, and price. I bought mine for 100 bucks, the iMP-450 is $120 on Amazon, and now Amazon shows this unit for $200, which is too much.

Great player.......2004-03-02

I have had mine for over a year now and haven't had any trouble. Mine gets extremely lite use, (I only use it every other month), but the the case has held up. I've taken it on several trips and never had a problem. I'm sure to keep it in the included case although it is a bit ugly it prevents scratching and gives a little cushion if you drop it. The sound quality is excellent and I haven't had any trouble with the firmware. Battery life is acceptable and the controls are easy. I haven't had any skipping problems either. Overall I would recomend it, but if you need a rough and tumble player this is not for you. Spend the extra cash and go with a flash or hard drive based player.

I've had one for a year.......2003-12-26

I was issued this player when I began my training. It is a pretty good player. It comes with 2 sets of headphones. AC adapter, rechargable batteries, carrying case, remote, and some software. I don't really believe it is worth the money for what I use it for. I don't use the radio. I only use it to listen to music now and used it to listen to MP3 files on discs issued to me for class. I think it is a bit ridiculous to have an 8 minute shock protection, especially when mine skips when I run. I had to stop it and didn't even use it the last time I ran because it was skipping so bad. I have dropped mine a few times and now it makes a funny noise when the cd rotates, but it still works. I know people who have said that it is easy to break the plastic. I know someone who has to use a rubber band to keep it closed. I think it is a nice player, however I am very disappointed in the 8 minute skip protection that doesn't work, I really don't think it is worth the price.

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