08-19-2010, 03:19 PM

Ok. This will be the first time that I've used my Sansa e-280 with my mac, since converting.

Never changed the native file of itunes, so all of my music is in m4a format.

So after stressing about either converting all of the files or buying a new player, I discovered that I can install rock box and it should play m4a. Problem 1 is solved.

However, I'm not exactly sure what I should sync it with. I imagine there are several programs out there. I want to know which one is the best for this, especially considering I'll have rockbox on the player.

And does anybody have any reviews on how well rockbox plays back m4a? Should I abandon this idea?

08-19-2010, 03:40 PM

ROCKbox FTW !

I've RB'd my Sansa Fuze and my Sansa 280, as well as my iPod Video 30 gig and all of my iRiver iHP's (3 of them)

Forget about 'synching' though, just do everything manually in Finder. It's easy enough to just drag and drop, or you could use a program such as Carbon Copy Cloner since it, and the micro SD card will be seen as removable drives.

But man.. I haven't updated any of my Mp3 players to the latest RB firmware in a loooong time. Is it stable on the e280 now ? Not that it wasn't stable per say.. just wasn't as fully functional as with other DAPs as of last year. Guess I'll have to look. You can also look at Misticriver.net or DAPreview.net for more information. Oh, there's also anythingbutipod.com, but I find their bias to be a bit over the top for my tastes.

Doug

Edit: Almost forgot sorry... ROCKbox plays EVERYTHING under the sun extremely well. Monkey, APE, FLAC, MP3, MP4, Ogg, Cue, etc etc.. Loove my Rockbox'd DAPs.

08-19-2010, 03:50 PM

Not sure, honestly, how functional it is. I had read a review from 2007 that said it wasn't stable, but that they were working on it. So I went to the rockbox site and it's listed as one of their stable releases, so I can only imagine.

Honestly, as long as it plays my music without dropouts or anything, I'll be happy.

08-19-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by SweetCosmicPope

Not sure, honestly, how functional it is. I had read a review from 2007 that said it wasn't stable, but that they were working on it. So I went to the rockbox site and it's listed as one of their stable releases, so I can only imagine.

Honestly, as long as it plays my music without dropouts or anything, I'll be happy.

Oh, well that you don't have to worry about. I've had it on my e280 since it was released and it never skips a beat with any codec. Install and enjoy !

Doug

08-20-2010, 09:20 PM

Ok...so I deleted all of the music files in finder, but they still show up on my player (and still take up alot of space). Since you're experienced, how do I remove music from the player. Doesn't show the songs in finder, anymore, but they sure as **** play in the player.

08-20-2010, 09:22 PM

Did you empty the trash before ejecting the drive?

Doug

08-20-2010, 09:30 PM

mmm...no. That could be the issue.

08-20-2010, 09:34 PM

And that fixed it. Gracias!

08-20-2010, 09:36 PM

My pleasure sir. Remember, it's simply a removable drive, the same as any external HD and all of them work the same way, just as any internal HD works on your Mac. Space is only freed when the trash is emptied.

Doug