Ok so I was reading up on anythingbutipod today and saw that the Gigabeat S30 uses a Freescale MCIMX31LVKN5. So I remember somone mentioned a freescale chip in the sony's in this thread:
So this got me thinking. Why not read up on this processor and see what it can fully do? I grabbed the service manual and decided to check up to see what information is there.
The units seem to use hitachi or seagate harddrives. I would prefer the seagate drives myself, but anywho. Funny in the service manual, there is chart on page 3 that has which colour models are available in each region. The US is there with all the colours, even gold black. The seagate is a ST1.2 drive, here are some quick specs for it from zdnet:
Product Short Spec:
Hard drive size: 8 GB
Interface type: CompactFlash
Buffer size: 2 MB
Average seek time: 2 ms
Spindle speed: 3600 rpm
Mean time before failure 100,000 hour(s)
Min operating temperature 32 °
Max operating temperature 158 °
(in fahrenheit)
Specs for the hitachi, there are 2 models, the 3K6 and 3K8, with the former being for the 6 GB model and the latter for the limited edition 8GB model.
Performance: Sustained data rate up to 10.0 MB/sec
As for the A3000, I can only guess. But assuming it uses the same chip and brand of hard drives, I came up with these solutions. The LD25 from seagate, up to 80 GB, or the EE25 (20, 30 and 40 GB), I have a hunch it's the ST18 (60 GB). Perhaps the hitachi in the A3000 is the C4K60, 1.8" drive (20, 30, 40, 60GB).
As for the chip. There seem to be 3 versions of it.
SCF5249
SCF5250
SCF5251
The A1000 uses the SCF5250 one (assuming A3000 uses the same one, no point for it to use a different one). The 5251 model has also ATA in addition to IDE. I'll mention some quick info on the 5251 and what it can actually play or display, codec wise:
-MP3
-WMA
-mp3PRO
-AAC
-Ogg Vorbis
-SRS WOW
-JPEG
-MPEG-4 decoding
-MP3 encode *****
-ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse code modulation) recording, basically PCM recording like the MDs.
-finally microsoft's PlaysForSure
As well, the company provides info on parts for 1.8 inch drives, colour LCD, support for jpeg, mpeg-4 and USB 2 OTG. I was a bit shocked when I read this, and wonder now what chip sony can stick in the new HDD units? Unless sony will only just release somthing using the same chip 5250 and different body. Difficult to say what sony will do. 3 options, either leave the 5250, upgrade to 5251 or a completely new chip.
The 5251 has the IDE option that hte 5250 doesn't, but basically the 5250 in the A series is almost identical to the 5251.
Checking up on the 5250 on various sites, it has USB, USB 2 and USB on the go. Even though there is no firmware, the processor can handle wma, and wma DRM 10 as well as jpeg and mpeg-4 video. ok like the 5251 it does have all this:
-MP3
-WMA
-mp3PRO
-AAC
-Ogg Vorbis
-SRS WOW
-JPEG
-MPEG-4 decoding
-MP3 encode *****
-ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse code modulation) recording, basically PCM recording like the MDs.
-finally microsoft's PlaysForSure
So all good. As well it has the ability for VCD, or mpeg-1 layer 2 decoding. In addition to ADPCM recording it also have MP3 recording ability! (jackpot)
As well Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) support was planned for july 2005, so we are past that date and I am sure that these sonys have that added on. In addition:
-JPEG and MPEG4 decode (20 fps at QCIF resolution while simultaneously playing audio files)
-SRS WOW and other third-party algorithms
-ADPCM voice record
crazy, Imagine where Sony could have taken this player? To the top of the market and easily could have competed against the best. Shame really. Perhaps this is what sony has coming up next for us this upcoming fall/winter 2006?
As well I found out the iAudio X5 uses the same chip. If you want info on the X5 check it out here:
Basically, we could look forwards to a brighter future, with a lot more codec support, basically ALL, video, recording, possibly easier mneu design, play lists on the go and more. I just hope Sony you are reading this, because in the world of DAPs and now DMPs,
Sony is falling heavily behind. I'll use a simple analogy using cars. Why buy a more expensive car with less options, when your competitor is offering something for the same price or less with more standard options? Rank over.
Question
Ascariss
Ok so I was reading up on anythingbutipod today and saw that the Gigabeat S30 uses a Freescale MCIMX31LVKN5. So I remember somone mentioned a freescale chip in the sony's in this thread:
http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1080
So this got me thinking. Why not read up on this processor and see what it can fully do? I grabbed the service manual and decided to check up to see what information is there.
The units seem to use hitachi or seagate harddrives. I would prefer the seagate drives myself, but anywho. Funny in the service manual, there is chart on page 3 that has which colour models are available in each region. The US is there with all the colours, even gold black. The seagate is a ST1.2 drive, here are some quick specs for it from zdnet:
Product Short Spec:
Hard drive size: 8 GB
Interface type: CompactFlash
Buffer size: 2 MB
Average seek time: 2 ms
Spindle speed: 3600 rpm
Mean time before failure 100,000 hour(s)
Min operating temperature 32 °
Max operating temperature 158 °
(in fahrenheit)
Specs for the hitachi, there are 2 models, the 3K6 and 3K8, with the former being for the 6 GB model and the latter for the limited edition 8GB model.
3K6:
Capacity: 6GB maximum capacity
Size: 42.8 x 36.4 x 5.0 mm, 16g
Reliability: 200G operating shock, 2000G non-operating shock
Performance: Sustained data rate up to 9.4MB/sec
High performance disk storage
Low power consumption
3K8:
Capacity: 8GB maximum capacity
Size: 40 x 30 x 5.0 mm, 13g
Reliability: 400G operating shock, 400G operating shock
Performance: Sustained data rate up to 10.0 MB/sec
As for the A3000, I can only guess. But assuming it uses the same chip and brand of hard drives, I came up with these solutions. The LD25 from seagate, up to 80 GB, or the EE25 (20, 30 and 40 GB), I have a hunch it's the ST18 (60 GB). Perhaps the hitachi in the A3000 is the C4K60, 1.8" drive (20, 30, 40, 60GB).
As for the chip. There seem to be 3 versions of it.
SCF5249
SCF5250
SCF5251
The A1000 uses the SCF5250 one (assuming A3000 uses the same one, no point for it to use a different one). The 5251 model has also ATA in addition to IDE. I'll mention some quick info on the 5251 and what it can actually play or display, codec wise:
-MP3
-WMA
-mp3PRO
-AAC
-Ogg Vorbis
-SRS WOW
-JPEG
-MPEG-4 decoding
-MP3 encode *****
-ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse code modulation) recording, basically PCM recording like the MDs.
-finally microsoft's PlaysForSure
As well, the company provides info on parts for 1.8 inch drives, colour LCD, support for jpeg, mpeg-4 and USB 2 OTG. I was a bit shocked when I read this, and wonder now what chip sony can stick in the new HDD units? Unless sony will only just release somthing using the same chip 5250 and different body. Difficult to say what sony will do. 3 options, either leave the 5250, upgrade to 5251 or a completely new chip.
The 5251 has the IDE option that hte 5250 doesn't, but basically the 5250 in the A series is almost identical to the 5251.
Checking up on the 5250 on various sites, it has USB, USB 2 and USB on the go. Even though there is no firmware, the processor can handle wma, and wma DRM 10 as well as jpeg and mpeg-4 video. ok like the 5251 it does have all this:
-MP3
-WMA
-mp3PRO
-AAC
-Ogg Vorbis
-SRS WOW
-JPEG
-MPEG-4 decoding
-MP3 encode *****
-ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse code modulation) recording, basically PCM recording like the MDs.
-finally microsoft's PlaysForSure
So all good.
As well it has the ability for VCD, or mpeg-1 layer 2 decoding. In addition to ADPCM recording it also have MP3 recording ability! (jackpot) 
As well Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) support was planned for july 2005, so we are past that date and I am sure that these sonys have that added on. In addition:
-JPEG and MPEG4 decode (20 fps at QCIF resolution while simultaneously playing audio files)
-SRS WOW and other third-party algorithms
-ADPCM voice record
As well I found out the iAudio X5 uses the same chip. If you want info on the X5 check it out here:
http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudio/x5/
or I'll list some quick ones.
-colour LCD
-video playback
-USB OTG
-test and image viewer
-high quality voice recording
-direct mp3 encoding
-FM although that is not part of the chip lol
-EQ
-lyrics display
-clock
-dynamic playlist
-m3u playlist (already have it kinda)
a lot more information here: http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudi...#specifications
It boggles the mind to what sony COULD have done.
Basically, we could look forwards to a brighter future, with a lot more codec support, basically ALL, video, recording, possibly easier mneu design, play lists on the go and more. I just hope Sony you are reading this, because in the world of DAPs and now DMPs,
Sony is falling heavily behind. I'll use a simple analogy using cars. Why buy a more expensive car with less options, when your competitor is offering something for the same price or less with more standard options? Rank over.
(sorry for the long read)
So opinions, comments, complaints, errors?
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