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Insignia NS-DVxG Firmware (1.20) - adds Gapless, WMA Lossless, and more!
comment: 37 | Friday, July 13 (2007) 03:10AM | Posted by Michael
Sure Insignia won't sell millions of players like Apple, or be as well known as Sandisk or Creative, but that's not going to stop me from saying they're one of the best DAP makers around. The company amassed a huge following for their line of players in our forums, especially the NS-DVxG (aka Insignia Video), and workers from Insignia have certainly taken notice. They've just released a firmware that has added many of the features that were requested by owners on this site. Here's the full list of changes in this new firmware:

Firmware version 1.20 Release notes:

1. Lossless WMA, WMA pro, support.
2. Gapless playback (for clear content only)
3. Shows artist and track titles in the “Next” in the music screen.
4. Changed DB file limit to 2000 internal and external.
6. Photo Thumbnail support.
7. Folder Browser support.
8. UI main graphics updated.
9. Wheel seeking implemented for Music/Audible/Video (press and Hold play to enter seek mode).
10. Added a setting for muting sound during Video FF/REW.
11. Seamless playback when connecting to a charger.
12. M3U playlist support.
13. Variable rate seek for FF/RW.
14. Changed 30 second sleep time to 30 mins at the request of users.
15. Alphabetical listings for Video/Audible lists.
16. Ogg Tag support.

The list of changes is simply astounding. Typically, you'd only expect these types of firmware upgrades from Cowon, but I'm glad to see other companies listening to customer requests as well (take notes Creative!). Although they've only released three players to date, they've shown time and time again that they're a legitamate DAP maker, with great customer support, and a have wonderful future ahead of them.

Download the new Firmware HERE

(via our Forum)

Insignia Video at Best Buy

Thanks tobey!
Comments

Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 13 (2007) 05:23AM  

wow this is great! if all those updates work then these guys have surpassed cowon, ogg tags still don't work on my D2 after about five or six updates

Great going insignia team!




Thebassness

Comments: 168
Jul 13 (2007) 07:14AM  

Man, this is awesome customer feed back. Guess that huge thread in the forums made a point lol. And what do you mean by clear content for the gapless?




Anthony7

Comments: 98
Jul 13 (2007) 07:23AM  

This is great news for Insignia owners. Calling Cowon (D2 owner), we need gapless, can you read me Cowon?




epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 150
Jul 13 (2007) 07:30AM  

I'm wondering the same thing, tbass, since my LAME-encoded MP3s (-V 2 and -alt preset standard) are not perfectly gapless with the firmware update. They generally suffer from a small "pop" or hiccup during song transitions. It's a shame that now we may have to request "popless" playback...

My assumption when reading the release notes was that "clear content" meant non-DRMed music files...but maybe it's code for "non-MP3 music files" or just "non-music files"...




Ricardo Dawkins

Comments: 383
Jul 13 (2007) 08:31AM  

Hope this works for my Zune....what..wait a minute...that isnt a Zune.




Digitaldel

Comments: 12
Jul 13 (2007) 10:00AM  

Clear content, means non DRM content.




epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 150
Jul 13 (2007) 11:03AM  

Digitaldel, did MP3s play back seamlessly on your test units? IMO, "poppy" gapless is about as bad as no gapless.

EDIT: Sorry, that was rude of me. First off, thank you for your hard work in getting this update out to us! I really do appreciate it! Remember, minor bugfix releases are always welcome too!
[ edited Jul 13 (2007) 11:08AM ]




mdscriber3

Comments: 54
Jul 13 (2007) 11:41AM  

Wow ... impressive! Wish more companies were like this.




Ricardo Dawkins

Comments: 383
Jul 13 (2007) 12:02PM  

yeah...good job. But since I don't own any of the Insignia players I bought (sold 9 of 'em) cant test it.




pecker

Comments: 501
Jul 13 (2007) 06:04PM  



why do small companies seem to surpass all large companies??

meizu and insignia are simply amazing...




tobey

Comments: 12
Jul 13 (2007) 11:03PM  

Yes, gapless isn't quite gapless yet. There's a 500ms delay between tracks, which isn't THAT bad. But perhaps they'll tweak it a little more in the next update (please don't PM me asking when it'll be out!).

And the changelog posted by Micheal lists only a fraction of things changed. Check the "Implemented/Fixed" section of the feature request thread for a complete list of changes.
[ edited Jul 13 (2007) 11:04PM ]




Utew
Location: Oregon USA
Comments: 351
Jul 13 (2007) 11:34PM  

Certainly an impressive response to user feedback. Insignia is to be complimented on listening and responding to their customers needs.

Though I don't own an Insignia player, I could well be tempted by the tremendous support shown for their current players..
Kudos Insignia!




Saijin_Naib
Location: Warren, NJ
Comments: 927
Jul 14 (2007) 02:32AM  

Digital, can we send you flowers, or donuts, or coffe, or something? Perhaps new eyes for spending all that time coding?! Thanks sir! Thank your team too, or if it was just you, then you get all the above!




PeterDLai
Location: San Diego/Los Angeles, California
Comments: 149
Jul 14 (2007) 02:35AM  

I'm probably super impatient, but anyone care to take a quick snapshot of the new UI? I won't get my player back until Monday or so.
[ edited Jul 14 (2007) 02:35AM ]




Saijin_Naib
Location: Warren, NJ
Comments: 927
Jul 14 (2007) 02:57AM  

Next up, microSDHC.




Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 14 (2007) 09:54AM  

Would any body be able to post some before/after photos of the the GUI tweaks?




epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 150
Jul 14 (2007) 10:49AM  

The GUI change is actually very minor, though I like it. I suspect Insignia simply chose a different supplied option from Joytoto's reference firmware (since I've seen a few different pre- and post-release variations in pictures floating around the web).

Before (lower left pic):


After:


aka


...and Other (never used in a released version of the player, AFAIK):


Going by these pictures, it appears the new NS-DVxG menu screen is the same as the one Insignia released on its Bluetooth version.


[ edited Jul 19 (2007) 10:24AM ]




Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 14 (2007) 10:56AM  

I like the old one, and the unused one not overly fond of the "new" aka the video bluetooth version.

Thanks for posting the images epitheless dude!




epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 150
Jul 14 (2007) 11:02AM  

No problem, Dom. I have to say: as far as ease of use goes, I definitely prefer the new version to the old one, which was simply confusing in practice, IMO -- a lot of times, the curve of the icon path wasn't clear enough to know which way to spin the wheel. I'm a fan of the unused version, too.




Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 14 (2007) 11:05AM  

I you have to take your word on that, and you seem like the type who's word I can trust Yes the unused version would be my favourite looking.

I'd nearly buy one of these off ebay just to give it a go




kadajawi

Comments: 51
Jul 14 (2007) 11:24AM  

Hm... 500 ms gap isn't bad? My 5 year old iRiver has maybe 100 ms gap, it makes a "tick" sound though.

Anyway, nice changes, there's no chance to get one of these players in Europe, is there?




Richard

Comments: 3
Jul 14 (2007) 01:14PM  

CREATIVE : TAKE NOTE

People like firmware updates!




Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2802
Jul 14 (2007) 01:22PM  

Dominic, what don't you like about the bluetooth version? It's nearly identical to the original.
[ edited Jul 14 (2007) 01:25PM ]




epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 150
Jul 14 (2007) 01:31PM  

Huh? Yeah, there's a difference...the "Before" menu (pre-v1.200) put the icons in a sideways "U" shape, curving from the top right to the bottom right of the screen. The "After" menu (v1.200) puts the icons in an ellipse centered in the middle of the screen. The middle 2 pictures I posted are both what the "After" version looks like, even though they're of the Bluetooth version.

EDIT: I see you've rewritten your post, ssjmichael...Now mine seems randomly descriptive. Thanks.
[ edited Jul 14 (2007) 01:34PM ]




Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2802
Jul 14 (2007) 01:45PM  

hah, sorry about that. Your description was still needed though. For some reason the only thing I had noticed was the text under each icon being removed, rather than the shape of the icon menu being different. I personally like seeing all the icons like on the bluetooth version since the original cuts off some of the icons on the side. It just looks more professional to me, but I can see why others wouldn't like it. I thought Dominic was just disliking it because the text was removed.

[ edited Jul 14 (2007) 01:47PM ]




epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 150
Jul 14 (2007) 01:49PM  

You know, it's funny...I didn't even notice the missing text until you just mentioned it. So it looks like we're both helping each other out.




Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 14 (2007) 07:17PM  

nearly identical but not michael, its the little details that make all the difference. The text for one is something I prefer, as well as the arc the navigation takes rather than the oval. But do remember I am basing my preference on visuals only as I have no hands on experience with either UI, and how could I, they don't sell here

In order of preference:
1. the unused version
2. the original version
3. the new version (aka the bluetooth version)




Saijin_Naib
Location: Warren, NJ
Comments: 927
Jul 15 (2007) 05:07AM  

Its not available in europe, but if you are serious, and can wait a little, I can buy one for you and send it on over. I have done similar for Dominic, so if you need a character reference you can ask him. If not, Id suggest you just buy one off ebay Cheap too.




Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 15 (2007) 05:10AM  

yep saij is the man! great guy!

thanks buddy




danny_pav
Location: New Jersey
Comments: 14
Jul 15 (2007) 08:13PM  

if there is a gap, it's not gapless...






undesign

Comments: 805
Jul 15 (2007) 08:17PM  

this is exactly what i like to see when thinking about putting my money into a companys mp3 player.




enCORe_XTG

Comments: 317
Jul 16 (2007) 12:13AM  

maybe its not hype, but as danny pav mention, if theres is a gap, theres was no gapless, could be it sort of 'near' gapless or lessgap ,




Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 16 (2007) 03:27AM  

if there's a gap then its as gapless as the ZVM




Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2802
Jul 16 (2007) 03:37AM  

All that means is that there's something to work out. The fact that they actually tried to make a gapless player via firmware is commendable and I definitely appreciate Insignia's continued efforts in listening to consumers and fulfilling requests. I believe they're the first company to truly be involved in our forum, and provide so much feedback. .

I also plan on making a thread (base on Saijin_Naib's idea) but on behalf of DAPreview I would like to thank the Insignia team for all their hard work.

Thanks,

Michael





Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2408
Jul 16 (2007) 04:22AM  

Oh most certainly, all their hard work is appreciated regardless and their continuing presence at dapreview is admirable.

In case anyone did not get it, I was making a light hearted joke out of the lack of gapless playback in all daps, and I know insignia are working hard on perfecting what they, and I, feel is a well needed update or necessity to DAPland. I am glad insignia are focused on proper music playback.

I've already congratulated the insignia team but I have not thanked them, so I too would like to extend my many many thanks to the Insignia team for all their blood, sweat and tears in bringing this firmware to the public and for stopping and listening to the members of dapreview.

Thank you so much Insignia, you are doing marvelously great work!




enCORe_XTG

Comments: 317
Jul 17 (2007) 12:43AM  

sounds pleasing,
hope korean player seriously support firmware updates or face losses of fans espc the buyers,







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