(r1) WhyRockbox < Main

Downloads
release
dev builds
extras
themes
Documentation
manual
wiki
device status
Support
forums
mailing lists
IRC
Development
bugs
patches
dev guide
Wiki > Main > WhyRockbox (r1)
---+!! What is Rockbox? Why should I use it?
Rockbox is an open source firmware replacement for a growing number of MP3 players. Rockbox aims to be *considerably more functional and efficient* than your device's stock firmware while remaining *easy to use* and *customizable*. Rockbox is written *by users, for users*.

For a quick introduction to and summary of Rockbox and its features specific to your MP3 player, please *select your model* from the following list of supported Rockbox models, or select "General" to view general features and goals common to all models:
%TOC%

---++ General
Rockbox has been in development *since 2001*, and recieves new features, tweaks and fixes each day to provide you with the *best possible experience* on your MP3 player. A major goal of Rockbox is to be simple and easy to use, yet remain very customizable and configurable. We believe that you should never need to go through a series of menus for an action you perform frequently. We also believe that you should be able to configure almost anything about Rockbox you could want, pertaining to functionality. Another top priority of Rockbox is *audio playback quality* - Rockbox, for most models, includes a wider range of sound settings than that device's original firmware. A lot of work has been put into making Rockbox sound the best it can, and improvements are constantly being made. All models have access to a *large number of plugins*, including many *games*, *applications*, and *graphical "demos"*. You can *load different configurations* quickly for different purposes (e.g. a large font for in your car, different sound settings for at home). You can even *customize* your "[[CustomWPS][While Playing Screen]]" to display *only and exactly what you want* to see when you're playing music. In addition, Rockbox features a *very wide range* of *languages*, and all supported models also have *the ability to talk to you* - menus can be *voiced* and filenames *spelled out* or *spoken*.

---++ Archos Studio or Player

Rockbox for the Archos Studio and Player models features MP3 playback that, to many users, *sounds considerably better* than the standard Archos firmware. In addition, there are a number of "[[PluginIndex][plugins]]" (games, graphics demos and useful apps, such as a stopwatch and a text viewer), the menus are laid out in a *more logical* way, and you have access to a lot more information and *configuration* options than you ever had in the Archos firmware. You can even [[FlashingRockbox][flash Rockbox to your player]] if you like it, which drastically reduces the boot time (Rockbox boots in about 1/3 the time the Archos firmware boots once flashed).

---++ Archos Recorder, FM Recorder or Ondio

Rockbox for the Archos Recorder, FM Recorder and Ondio models features very high-quality, fine-tuned MP3 playback - along with *many extra adjustments* the Archos firmware doesn't allow, including an *automatic volume adjustment* for files with uneven output levels, Micronas Dynamic Bass (MDB), a very configurable *"bass boost on steroids"*, and more! A very *intuitive* and *organized* menu system gets you where you want to be quickly, and quick access to common features is at your fingertips with the screen-specific context menus. *Over fifty plugins* (including games and apps) provide you with many *useful tools* and *hours of entertainment* - including a *video playback* plugin, with sound, and a *JPEG viewer*! You can even [[FlashingRockbox][flash Rockbox to your player]] if you like it, which drastically reduces the boot time (Rockbox boots in about 1/3 the time the Archos firmware boots once flashed). *On-The-Go playlist creation and adjustment*, full file *bookmarking* support, and *recording* with *time-splitting and automatic triggering* are just a few of many more features that Rockbox for Archos Recorder, FM Recorder, and Ondio provides.

---++ iriver iHP1x0, H1x0 or H3x0

Rockbox for the iriver iHP100 series, H100 series, and H300 series features a *very wide range of codec support* and *sound configuration*! Supported formats include *MP3, OGG, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, AC3 and <nop>WavPack*. Rockbox for these irivers also features *gapless playback* and *crossfading*! A *five-band parametric equalizer* allows fine-tuning output, *ReplayGain support* allows you to normalize your volume levels, and a *large amount of plugins* (games - many in full color on the H300 series - applications, and "demos") allow you to *have some fun* when you're bored, or put one of our multiple *applications* to use: open files with the *text viewer*, time yourself with the *stopwatch*, view some *JPEG photos*, or turn your iriver into a desktop *clock* with the clock plugin. *On-The-Go playlist creation and adjustment*, full file *bookmarking* support, *Recording* and *FM Recording* with a variety of settings and features are more key points of Rockbox for the iriver iHP-1x0, H1x0 and H3x0 series.

---++ iPod 4G, Color/Photo, Nano or Video

Rockbox for the iPod 4G, Color, Nano and Video models all have a *wide range of codec support* - *MP3, OGG, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, AC3 and <nop>WavPack* are all supported in Rockbox. Additional music playback features include *gapless* and *crossfading*, as well as a *five-band parametric equalizer* to fine-tune sound output. iPods also get *ReplayGain support* for volume level normalization, and a *large number of plugins*, including games, applications, and "demos" - *have some fun* when you've got some free time to kill, open files with the *text viewer*, make use of the *stopwatch*, view some *JPEG photos*, or turn your iPod into a desktop *clock*. *On-The-Go playlist creation and adjustment*, full file *bookmarking* support, *Recording* and *FM Recording* with a variety of settings and features are more key points of Rockbox for the iriver iHP-1x0, H1x0 and H3x0 series.

---

---++ Learn more about Rockbox

Are you interested in learning more about Rockbox? A couple pages worth visiting are the [[FeatureComparison][comprehensive feature comparison page]], and the [[DocsIndex][documentation index page]], which has many links to useful pages, including installation instructions, how-tos, and frequently asked questions.
r1 - 21 Mar 2006 - 05:39:41 - ZakkRoberts