Customer Reviews

RCA RD2204 Lyra 64 MB MP3 Player

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Well, it sounds wonderful. The fact that it uses compact flash cards is a definite plus as I already use these cards with my digital camera, and i've found that I can even use the same card with both devices interchangeably. I can have both digital pictures and digital music on the same card at the same time, and just move it between devices as necessary. It also appears to store its operating system on the flash card, making it easy to update. It has some built-in DSP functionality, though mostly in the form of graphic EQ effects, than more sophisticated processing usually associated with the term "DSP"

However, it has a few major (in my opinion) drawbacks which make it unacceptable for my purposes. It will only play MP3 files which have been "encrypted" via the included software. This means that its impossible to just transfer mp3 files to the flash card, and have them play properly (they sound like noise with lots of popping). Furthermore, the included software refuses to recognize the PCMCIA slot in my laptop and insists on using the included parallel/keyboard port adapter. Also, after installing on windows NT, the software checked the internet and found an update for itself, but the update failed partway through with a mysterious error message (and, yes, I was logged in as administrator, as the software suggests).

I primarily use linux, and even if I used windows I don't like being forced into a particular software application, especially a proprietary one. As far as I am concerned, this item is falsely advertised as an MP3 player, as it will not play files in the MP3 format. I don't want to have to waste time and space re-encoding things just to make them work this this player.

Until RCA releases software for it capable of playing regular MP3s, or someone else develops an alternative OS for it which will, i'll keep looking and return this item to the store (in spite of an in-box flier that says not to return to store; I really doubt RCA will fix these problems to my satisfaction over the phone). Nowhere on the outside of the box to they mention this encryption, but there is a big yellow flier about it on the inside (in a sealed plastic bag, with the rest of the documentation).

+++ uses reasonably standard compact flash
++ sounds good for a portable device
+ graphic EQ
- more sophisticated or better described DSP functions.
------ proprietary file format
--- requires proprietary windows/mac only software
-- software only wants to create the "encrypted files" on the flash card, via the included interface.
-- what on earth is this encryption for? MP3s can certainly be transferred without running them through an mp3 player. As is usually the case: inconvenience to pirates: 0; inconvenience to legitimate users: 9
I have not tried its G2 capabilities.

Fix it so it will play MP3s that I can get on the flash card via linux mount/copy/umount and i'd give it 4 stars and keep it.

After checking the prices and reviews of other manufacturers' MP3 players, I bought the RCA LYRA a month ago and believe that I have sufficient experience with it to share several thoughts that you will hopefully find helpful in your quest.

1.) I agree with virtually everything that is cited in the AMAZON.com review for the RCA LYRA MP3 Player. Essentially, it is a thorough, objective, and accurate review. READ IT!

2.) Prices appear to be fluid-- effectively coming DOWN. The stores and the web cites are competing and running their specials. You can almost count on a price this week changing within the next week or two. This will make your choices harder if you are basing a significant part of your decision on price comparisons. Waiting for a "better deal" can be good, but there is such a thing as "waiting too long". Newer models are replacing those of today and are offering more features to confuse you!

You must be careful to compare "apples to apples". One of the biggest differences among players is the "amount" and "type" of memory. A player equipped with 64 MB will naturally cost more than one equipped with 8MB or 32MB. CompactFLASH or Smartmedia Cards serve as the storage media. Technically, there doesn't seem to be any discernable advantage of one media type over the other. However, there can be a price variation [between] the two depending on where you buy them. In retail stores, the prices appear to be the same. However, SmartMedia Cards appear to cost a little less on internet sites-- possibly due to a growing preference for them. BOTTOM LINE-- the internet sites can save you $20 to $30 over retail store prices.

3.) There is a lot most of us will probably never understand or realize about "formatting" of the storage media that can cause disappointment when planning to use it with "other" products as well (i.e. Digital Camera, Multiple Media Reader/Writer, etc).

Each device seems to use its own format which makes the storage media incompatible with the other products. If you're lucky, you have two products that use the same format. How would you positively know until you try it? That's when the disappointment sets in! At least the RIO MP3 Player tells you this on their packaging if you know to look for it.

I believe that "formatting" will always be an issue since everyone is attempting to protect their technology or end-product. The music industry serves as a good example. As hard as it is to accept this fact, DON'T AGONIZE OVER IT!

4.) When comparing features of MP3 Players, remain REALISTIC about your needs and intended uses. It is easy to "try" to make the product do more than it is intended to do.

Until music is sold as less expensive CompactFLASH and SmartMedia Cards presumably compatible with your MP3 Player of choice, remember that the MP3 Player is not supposed to give you all sorts of versatility for hours of music listening pleasure and variety at a low cost through a simple change of the storage media. If this is what you want, then you should buy a compact Disc Player/Recorder!

The MP3 Player provides you with a portable, lightweight product that contains NO MOVING PARTS and needs minimal accessories (if any). This makes the product more reliable and offers SKIP-FREE music listening pleasure-- great for active people. It serves as a good stop-gap product to occupy your time while using public/commercial transportation or during lunch break. It is not necessarily practical for that long vacation automobile drive where you will have to listen to the same music over and over again until you can get to your computer and change the song list. If economy is not a priority, you could purchase multiple 64MB CompactFLASH Cards to take with you for easy changeout. IF YOU DO THIS, I SHOULD INVEST IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK!

5.) The MP3 Player should not be expected to be all things to all people. I suppose that a RADIO function or a VOICE RECORDER function would be useful-- neither of which can be found in the RCA LYRA.

How much do I really need it to store 300 telephone numbers and addresses? Isn't that what Electronic Pocket Organizers are for? Fortunately, the RCA LYRA Player does not come with such a feature! Perhaps it would be more advantageous for the Organizers to include a MP3 player function for those that have the need (and the money) for such products!

6.) Contrary to the AMAZON.com review, I find the headphones to be one of the better quality versons packaged with the MP3 Players. In part, I suppose it depends on your preferences. I prefer the full, one-piece headphone that comes with the RCA LYRA even though it is less compact than an ear-bud, foldable style.

As AMAZON.com stated in their review, you can always purchase another style of headphones or even use your favorites from another product. THANK GOODNESS THE HEADPHONE PLUGS WERE STANDARDIZED YEARS AGO!

7.) It is important to hold the various manufacturers' MP3 players in your hand and sample the pushbuttons/displays.

I find that the RCA LYRA fits comfortably in my hand and provides controls that can be operated single-handedly. I attribute this phenomenon to its "larger size" when compared to other MP3 Players. Someone referred to it as "the bar of soap" which is a suitable description. It is more rectangular than square like its competitors. It is also as much as twice as thick as some of its more compact competitors which I think is a good characteristic. Therefore, it doesn't fit as comfortably in a pocket as its competitors.

I find that thin products usually require two hands to operate them since they have controls located in odd places. I also find it more difficult to cradle square shaped objects than rectangular shaped objects in one hand-- depending on the dimensions.

8.) Initially it bothered me that the RCA LYRA Player does not have a "HOLD" button to prevent unintentional activation of its controls. However, the controls appear to have been designed with this issue in mind.

The buttons require a genuine, intentional activation to get a response. The unit seems to ignore rapid, light activations of the buttons. This may be one reason that both AMAZON.com and I experienced the need to push buttons a second time to activate the desired function. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I can see where it can be irritating at times.

9.) The only EQUALIZER setting that is worth anything on the RCA LYRA Player is the "customizable" version. You can do some really good things with the feature.

Minimal impacts to the music are distinguishable with the five other preset Equalizer settings. This is disappointing-- particularly since the "customizable" version must be reprogrammed EVERY TIME the CompactFLASH Card has been altered to make changes to the play list files. Frustrating? THIS IS WHERE SOME BUILT-IN EPROM MEMORY WOULD BE HELPFUL!

10.) Don't let the WEIGHT figures fool you! The RCA LYRA is relatively lightweight until the two AA-Batteries are installed.

Obviously, a product that utilizes only one AA-Battery or possibly disc/puck type batteries found in calculators will weigh less. Then again, they are probably thinner and more squarely shaped. YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT!

11.) The parallel port computer cable for the RCA LYRA Player involves more than that. It includes two "pigtails"-- one to be plugged into the keyboard or mouse port and one to be plugged into a printer cable.

These "pigtails" make the cable arrangement unwieldy. A federal case does not need to be made of this issue! Just the same, it's something you should know about.

It seems advantageous to have a separate storage media reader/writer which comes standard with the RCA LYRA Player. It serves as an external drive for your computer-- limited only by the amount of CompactFLASH memory inserted.

12.) There doesn't appear to be any reason to perform hand-stands and cart-wheels over the RealJukeBox software. I don't have much experience with comparable software programs. The software does the job.

Contrary to the AMAZON.com review, I am not so sure that the files are strictly MPX-- an extension that "protects" the file from duplication. The "options" can be set to less protective extensions. Of course, RealJukeBox is quick to flash WARNING notices on your screen to advise you of the potential consequences for doing so.

As I recall, RealG2 files require less space than MP3 files. Even a little savings adds up. Any time storage space can be saved, this is an advantage. Chalk one up for RCA!

Let me tell you that I've had my Lyra for about three monthsnow and never had a single problem with it. The encrypted file formatmentioned earlier is only used on the flash card itself. It causes noproblems because the transfer software included (Real Jukebox) is made to use this type of format. All you need to do is click and drag your songs into another folder to transfer them onto the falsh card. Apart from that, the player has great features. You can change play mode, DSP (digital signal processing), and even the contrast of the LCD screen. The flash card is easy to eject and change and you can fit the whole thing in your pocket. It also has a cool looking illuminating light for dark areas. This package also comes with a DC power cord, a tape adapter and headphones. Even the batteries are in there! So, even though that the lyra only plays encryted file formats, it doesn't mean that you can't put your mp3's on it! Believe me, it is one of the easiest things to do on my computer. Buy one of these now. END

While I found the player itself to be fantastic, there was one major drawback that forced me to give it a one-star rating: it does not actually play mp3 or rm files. Instead it uses two proprietary file formats, mpx and rmj, which can ONLY be written by the included RealJukebox software. The only file format it actually handles straight-through is wma (Windows Media Audio), a proprietary format itself. As I have no facility for creating any of these three formats, and the specification for the executable format of the on-board decoder is not open, I was forced to return this device in favor of another CompactFlash player. If you run Windows exclusively, you might consider the Lyra (or its equally proprietary successor, the Lyra II), but otherwise I would highly recommend another player which can handle standardized formats (such as the Kodak MC3 or the Frontier Nex II).

The Lyra is in my eyes the best you can buy without going overboard on the price. Many people have complained about the RealJukebox software that was included--I didn't even bother installing it.

There are several programs which will install the software on the Lyra for you, and you can simply drag-and-drop MP3s from Windows explorer, it all depends on the software in the directory Lyra loads from.

Another great quality about the Lyra is the utilization of the CompactFlash card. In the future, these cards may be able to hold much more than 64 MB, allowing the expandability of the player's storage. For now, you can simply downgrade the MP3 quality to a lower rate, I normally encrypt at 96 or 128 KBPS, this allows for more storage. Another reason the CompactFlash is useful is that it will allow you to not only use it for your MP3 player, but it is compatible with digital cameras. You can pull the CompactFlash right out of your MP3 player, put it in the camera, and it will store it all (and no, the Lyra won't show your pictures).

If you are looking for a higher storage (but bigger) MP3 player, look to the Creative Nomad line. They may be a big more bulky, and more expensive, but they hold much more. The only small complaint I have is that I purchased the Lyra before they offered a USB compliant CompactFlash adapter for the PC, and in the past I have had a few problems with the serial adatper. I believe it is now sold with the USB port CompactFlash drive standard.

Here's my only problem with the Lyra and the reason for the missing star; the buttons are not only on a hair-trigger setting (no click), they protrude from the front. If you put it in your pocket, attach it to your pocket or to your belt, you will inevitably inadvertantly brush across the front and turn it off or skip a track. I don't know if the jogging case solves this, but it doesn't look like it from the picture. It's irritating. Other than that, I think it's an excellent machine.

This product has excellent sound quality that surpassed my expectations and putting songs on the card is as easy as can be. The drawbacks, however, exist on the player itself. To begin with, the buttons are very unresponsive a lot of times. I have to hit a button 2 or 3 times sometimes to get it to work. The other thing that especially disabpointed me was the fact that there was no lock option. There is nothing to prevent the buttons from being pushed in my pocket, which will either turn it on and drain my batteries when it is off, or it will change the track when I am listening to a good song. To make sure it is not turned on it your pocket, eject the memory card and leave it in the slot, but not in far enough to be connected. Other than this, I love the player. the different sound modes are great, the different play modes (shuffle, repeat, program) are nice, and the indiglo type backlight is a really nice addition. It is small, compact, and pretty much easy to use, therefore I would recommend this product to any mp3 music enthusiast.

The RCA Lyra is the best MP3 player hands down. It was incredibly easy to install, and downloading songs took no time. Many people complain of popping songs with Realjukebox, but they just didn't notice the preferences feature, allowing you to use the error control. That ultimatly fixes the problem. The Lyra has a clear LCD screen and convienient back light. Its state-of-the-art compact flash memory is so easy to use. Automaticly upgradeable,and convienient when you want to change the songs. Unlike on-board memory and such, you can switch cards instead of downloading again and again. The Lyra also comes with excellent headphones, that give a real-life sound. I can just imagine Darren Hayes singing right next to me when I listen to his music with this player. No contest, the Lyra is simply the best there is. Great job RCA, I look foward to buying your products in the future.

Okay I bought this on a whim. It's been okay for that last few months. The version of the Real Juke Box it came with is buggy as ... and crashes often, mostly when moving files to the lyra. It's started skipping and popping on MP3's that otherwise work fine. Some tracks have pieces of other tracks mixed in OR parts of the song play backward. The CF card is fine. I'd recommend something else, like the NOMAD or RIO. I feel like I flushed my money down the toilet. RCA also has some of the worst support on their website. They should stick to making TV's. It's obvious they just wanted to crank out a product.

One of the better things about the Lyra for me is that it uses CF Type II cards. It specifically says on newer printings of the packaging that it supports IBM's MicroDrives.

I already have a 1.0 GB Microdrive for my Canon G1 camera so I am going to get a Lyra in hopes of taking advantage of already owning one.