Rio Audio Portable CD Player SP350 User Guide

Welcome  
1
RioVolt SP350 User’s Guide  
Welcome  
Thanks for your purchase of the RioVolt SP350, a portable CD player that plays WMA, MP3, and regular Red  
Book audio CDs. The SP350 includes headphones, a multifunction remote control, and rechargeable  
batteries to supply over 15 hours of continuous music playtime. The SP350 features a large backlit graphic  
LCD display, an FM tuner, and provides up to 320 seconds of Electronic Shock Protection (ESP) for Red Book  
audio CDs and 1920 seconds (32 minutes) for MP3/WMA CDs to eliminate skipping during playback.  
Use the music management software included on the software CDs to organize digital audio tracks on your  
computer, record (encode) your audio CDs, search for tracks on your computer or on the Internet, and  
create custom CDs—if you have CD burning hardware and your computer supports it.  
Contents  
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Welcome  
3
Legal Notices  
© 2002 SONICblue Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.  
SONICblue Incorporated shall not be liable for any errors contained herein or for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the  
information contained herein, even if SONICblue has been advised of the possibility of such damages. This document is intended for  
informational and instructional purposes only. SONICblue reserves the right to make changes in the specifications and other information  
contained in this document without prior notification. SONICblue disclaims any obligation to update the information contained herein.  
®
Rio is a registered trademark of SONICblue Incorporated. SONICblue and RioVolt are trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated.  
This product is iTunes ready. iTunes is provided by Apple Computer, Inc. Copyright © 2002 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights  
reserved. iTunes is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  
registered in the United States and other countries.  
RealOne is a trademark of RealNetworks, Inc.  
Microsoft, Windows Media and the Windows Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in  
the United States and/or other countries.  
All other product names may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.  
First edition, August 2002  
SP350 P/N 90260437-001  
Important Safety Information  
WARNING  
TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SHOCK OR INJURY, DO NOT USE OR OPERATE THIS DEVICE IN OR NEAR  
WATER OR WET LOCATIONS.  
CAUTION  
RISK OF EXPLOSION, DAMAGE OR BATTERY LEAKAGE IS POSSIBLE IF BATTERY IS REPLACED  
INCORRECTLY OR BY AN INCORRECT TYPE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO CHARGE A NON-RECHARGEABLE ALKALINE  
BATTERY. DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS OR LOCAL LAWS.  
Use of headphones while operating a vehicle is not recommended and is unlawful in some states and areas.  
Be careful and attentive while driving. Stop operation of the player if you find it disruptive or distracting  
while operating any type of equipment.  
Listening to music at full power over extended periods of time can be damaging to the hearing of the user.  
Class 1 Laser  
Invisible laser radiation when open and interlocks defeated, avoid exposure to beam.  
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Tour of the RioVolt  
4
Tour of the RioVolt  
TRACKS/MENU  
Press to enter Tracks  
Navigation Mode;  
Press and hold to  
enter Menu Mode  
Display (LCD)  
PLAY/PAUSE Press to play or pause playback;  
Press to turn on player  
REVERSE and FORWARD Press to skip to the  
previous or next track; Press and hold to scan  
forward or back through the current track; If a  
track is playing, press REVERSE to skip to the  
beginning of the current track  
STOP Press to stop playback; Press and hold to  
turn off player  
Lock/Unlock  
Switch  
OPEN  
Press and  
slide to open  
the player  
Locks buttons  
to prevent  
accidental  
operation  
DC IN  
Connects to AC Power Adapter  
MODE/CD-FM  
Shuffle mode; Press and hold to toggle  
between CD and FM Tuner modes  
Press to set Repeat/  
LINE OUT  
Connects to powered speakers or  
car kit  
+10/-10 Press to skip forward or back  
10 tracks; Press and hold to skip  
forward to the next or back to the  
previous directory  
MULTIFUNCTION PORT  
Connects to headphones or  
remote control accessory  
VOLUME +/ - Press to adjust volume  
level  
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LCD  
5
LCD  
Playback Mode  
Lock Indicator  
External Power Indicator  
Repeat/Shuffle  
Indicators  
Battery Indicator Shows remaining battery  
power. All three segments illuminated = a fully  
charged battery. Segments not illuminated = a  
run down battery. The battery indicator blinks  
when less than 20% battery life remains.  
Track Number  
Artist Name/CD  
Title/Directory  
Name  
Track Time/Volume Level/EQ  
Track Title  
Tracks Navigation Mode  
Note: The highlighted cursor  
indicates the Directory is the  
currently selected option. Pressing  
the FORWARD button would allow  
you to navigate that Directory.  
Playlist  
Directory  
Track  
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LCD  
6
LCD (cont.)  
Menu Mode  
Menu Option  
Selected Option Value  
Option Values  
FM Tuner Mode  
FM Indicator  
/Volume Level  
Stereo Indicator  
Preset Number  
FM Frequency  
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Accessories  
7
Accessories  
Remote Control  
4
1
2
5
6
7
3
To use the remote control, plug the remote control  
cable into the MULTIFUNCTION PORT on the side of  
the RioVolt player, then plug the headphones into  
the remote.  
4 FORWARD Press to skip to the next track;  
Press and hold to scan forward through the  
current track.  
REVERSE Press to skip to the previous track;  
Press and hold to scan back through the current  
track.  
1 VOLUME +/- Press to increase/decrease  
volume.  
5 STOP Press to stop playback; Press and hold to  
turn off the player.  
6 PLAY/PAUSE Press to play or pause playback.  
2 EQ/Function button (User Configurable)  
Press to toggle through the EQ presets or to use  
the feature you set in the RioVolt player’s  
Remote Btn. Menu option. To configure this  
7 LOCK/UNLOCK Slide into the LOCK position to  
stop the buttons on the remote from functioning.  
3 MODE/CD-FM Press to set Repeat/Shuffle  
modes; Press and hold to toggle between CD and  
FM Tuner modes.  
Note: To purchase optional accessories for  
the RioVolt SP350, visit our e-store.  
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Getting Started  
8
Getting Started  
6 Connect the supplied AC adapter to the DC In  
Jack on the side of the player, and into an  
electrical outlet. Let the batteries charge for  
approximately five hours before using the player.  
Unpack  
Make sure your player includes the following  
accessories:  
NOTE: To charge the batteries, the player  
must be turned off. The RioVolt will play  
CDs when plugged into the AC Adapter, but  
it can not charge the batteries while  
playing CDs. After the rechargeable  
batteries have been charged the first time,  
subsequent charges should only take  
approximately three to four hours to reach  
100% capacity.  
• Headphones  
Two 1450mAH NiMH rechargeable batteries  
• AC Adapter  
• Remote Control  
• PC/Mac Software CDs  
• Carry Case  
• Car Kit (power and cassette adapters)  
• Quick Start Poster  
Connect Headphones  
Connect the supplied headphones to the  
Insert Batteries  
1 Press the OPEN button to release the latch and  
open the RioVolt player.  
2 Remove the cardboard insert.  
3 Open the battery compartment cover on the  
inside of the RioVolt.  
4 Insert the two supplied batteries. Ensure that the  
batteries are inserted properly by matching the  
+ and - symbols on the battery with the symbols  
on the RioVolt.  
MULTIFUNCTION PORT on the side of the player.  
If you are using the remote control, plug the  
headphones into the remote control, then plug the  
remote control into the MULTIFUNCTION PORT.  
Tip: You can also use the LINE OUT jack to  
connect the player to an external audio  
system (cable not included) or the included  
Car Kit.  
5 Close the battery compartment cover and close  
the RioVolt player.  
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Playing Music  
9
Playing Music  
Insert Disc  
Play Disc  
1 Slide the OPEN button to release the latch, and  
open the player.  
2 Remove the cardboard insert.  
3 Insert an audio CD or MP3/WMA CD into the  
player, label side up.  
4 Close the CD cover.  
1 Press the PLAY/PAUSE button to turn on the  
player and begin playback.  
Note: There will be a short delay while the  
player loads your music tracks and track  
information.  
2 Press the STOP button to stop playback.  
Press and hold STOP to turn off the player.  
Note: The RioVolt can play CDs with the  
following logos:  
Note: If the RioVolt does not power on  
when you press PLAY/PAUSE , check the  
LOCK/UNLOCK switch on the RioVolt and  
on the remote control to make sure they  
are both in the UNLOCK position.  
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Listening to the Radio  
10  
Listening to the Radio  
4 Press STOP to return to FM Tuner Mode.  
Switch to FM Tuner Mode  
Note: Press and hold the PLAY/PAUSE  
button while in Preset Program mode to  
cause the RioVolt to scan through the entire  
FM frequency range and assign all 10  
presets to the strongest FM stations.  
1 Press and hold the MODE/CD-FM button  
approximately 1.5 seconds to enter FM Tuner  
Mode.  
FM Indicator  
/Volume  
Level  
Using Presets  
1 Press the TRACKS/MENU button to enter FM  
Preset  
Number  
Preset Navigation Mode.  
FM Frequency  
Stereo Indicator  
The display switches to FM Tuner Mode,  
indicating the currently tuned frequency.  
2 Press and hold the FORWARD button to scan  
forward or the REVERSE button to scan back  
through the FM frequencies.  
The preset FM frequencies and preset numbers  
are shown. Preset numbers are enclosed in  
brackets. When moving up and down through the  
preset list, each successive item is preceded by a  
cursor .  
Setting Presets  
1 Press the MODE/CD-FM  
Program Mode.  
button to enter Preset  
2 Press STOP to move down the preset list.  
Press PLAY/PAUSE to move up the list.  
3 Press FORWARD to select a preset.  
The RioVolt tunes to the selected frequency.  
4 Press the TRACKS/MENU button exit FM Preset  
Navigation Mode.  
The preset text blinks in reverse video.  
2 Press FORWARD and REVERSE to cycle  
through the Preset Numbers [P 01-10].  
3 Press PLAY/PAUSE  
to assign the current FM  
frequency to the displayed Preset Number.  
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Advanced Functions  
11  
Advanced Functions  
Available advanced functions include:  
Track Navigation  
Tracks Navigation Mode  
Regular audio CD (Red Book)  
Track Navigation  
Repeat/Shuffle  
Playlist  
Directory  
Track  
Press the MODE/CD-FM button to set the player  
to one of the following Repeat/Shuffle modes:  
SFL ALL — Plays all tracks in random order  
once, then stops.  
SFL DIR — Plays all tracks in the current  
directory/playlist in random order once, then  
stops.  
In Tracks Navigation mode the display shows the  
directories, playlists and tracks on the CD. Directory  
names and playlist names are enclosed in brackets  
( [ ] ). If the directory, playlist or track information  
contains more characters than the display, the text  
scrolls from side to side.  
DIR — Plays all tracks in the current  
directory/playlist in the order they are on the CD  
or playlist, then repeats.  
When moving up and down through a list, each  
SFL  
DIR — Plays all tracks in the current  
successive item is preceded by a cursor . In the  
Display example shown above, the Directory has  
the highlighted cursor to indicate that it is the  
directory/playlist in random order, then repeats.  
1 — Plays the selected track, then repeats.  
SFL  
ALL — Plays all tracks on the CD in  
currently selected option. Pressing the FORWARD  
button would allow you to navigate that directory.  
random order, then repeats.  
ALL — Plays all tracks on the CD in the  
order they are on the CD, then repeats.  
1 Press the TRACKS/MENU button to enter Tracks  
Navigation mode. The LCD shows directories,  
playlists, and track file names.  
DIR — Plays all tracks in the current directory/  
playlist in the order they are on the CD or  
playlist, then stops.  
2 Press STOP  
to move down the list of  
directories or playlists.  
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Advanced Functions  
12  
Press PLAY/PAUSE to move up the list of  
directories or playlists.  
3 Press FORWARD to select a directory or playlist  
to navigate. The contents of the directory or  
playlist display.  
Menu Options  
1 To set Menu options, press and hold the TRACKS/  
MENU button for approximately 1.5 seconds to  
enter Menu Mode.  
Menu Mode  
4 Press STOP to move down the list of track  
titles.  
Menu  
Press PLAY/PAUSE to move up the list.  
Option  
5 Press FORWARD  
to select a track to play. The  
track begins playing.  
Selected  
Option  
Option  
Values  
6 Press the TRACKS/MENU button to exit Tracks  
Navigation mode. If no button is pressed for 10  
seconds, the RioVolt exits Tracks Navigation  
mode.  
Value  
2 Press PLAY/PAUSE or STOP to navigate up  
and down through the list of available Menu  
options.  
Track Navigation Mode  
MP3/WMA music CD  
3 Press FORWARD  
to select a Menu option.  
4 Press PLAY/PAUSE or STOP to navigate  
between settings for the Menu option The  
selected Menu option setting is indicated by an  
Playlists  
asterisk *.  
5 Press FORWARD to select a Menu option  
When an MP3 or WMA CD is loaded in the RioVolt,  
playlist names appear enclosed in brackets, as do  
directories. Use the navigation controls  
to navigate within directories or playlists and to  
select tracks to play.  
setting. Press REVERSE to return to the main  
Menu options list without changing the setting.  
6 From the main Menu options list, press  
REVERSE to exit Menu mode.  
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Advanced Functions  
13  
Equalizer (EQ)  
Backlight  
Choose from the following EQ presets:  
Backlight controls how long the backlight stays on  
after a button is pressed. Backlight options include:  
EQ  
Preset  
Bass  
Treble  
• OFF  
Settings Settings  
• 1 second (default)  
• 5 seconds  
• 10 seconds  
Normal  
(Default)  
0
0
Classic  
Pop  
+2  
+3  
+2  
+4  
+5  
+2  
+3  
+3  
+3  
0
Scan Speed  
Scan Speed adjusts the speed at which the RioVolt  
scans forward or backward through a track as you  
hold down the REVERSE or FORWARD buttons.  
Scan Speed options include:  
Jazz  
Rock  
• 2x (default)  
• 4x  
• 8x  
Bass/Rap  
User  
Set by Bass and  
Treble menu options  
Scroll Speed  
Resume  
Scroll Speed adjusts the speed at which the ID3 tag  
and file information scroll from side to side on the  
display. Scroll Speed options include:  
If Resume is ON, when the RioVolt is powered on it  
resumes playing the track it was playing when the  
RioVolt was powered off. If Resume is OFF, when the  
RioVolt is powered on it begins playing the first  
track on the CD. Resume options include:  
• 1x (default)  
• 2x  
• 4x  
• ON — Enables the resume function (default).  
• OFF — Disables the resume function.  
Beep  
Beep controls whether or not an audible beep is  
heard when buttons are pressed. Beep options  
include:  
• ON — Enables the beep capability (default).  
• OFF — Disables the beep capability.  
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Advanced Functions  
14  
ID3 (Tag Display)  
Bass  
ID3 controls whether or not the RioVolt displays ID3  
tag information while a track is playing. ID3 options  
include:  
The Bass setting allows you to control the low  
frequency range of the sound spectrum from -7 (no  
bass) to +7 (maximum bass). The default value is  
• ON — Shows ID3 tag information on the display  
while a track is playing (default).  
0. Press PLAY/PAUSE or STOP to adjust the bass  
setting.  
• OFF — Displays only the file name.  
Remote Button  
This feature allows you to determine the function of  
the EQ/Function button located on the remote  
control. The options are:  
CD ESP  
The CD ESP (Electronic Shock Protection) feature  
controls how much music is buffered (stored in  
memory to prevent skipping) during CD playback.  
• EQ — (Default) Operates as an EQ button,  
toggling the EQ Presets.  
• +10/+Dir — Operates as the +10 button when  
pressed, skipping 10 tracks forward; When  
pressed and held, skips to the next directory on  
the CD.  
• -10/-Dir — Operates as the -10 button when  
pressed, skipping 10 tracks back; When pressed  
and held, skips to the previous directory on the  
CD.  
CD Audio  
MP3/WMA  
320 seconds  
1920 seconds  
Treble  
The Treble setting allows you to control the high  
frequency range of the sound spectrum from -7 (no  
treble) to +7 (maximum treble). The default value  
is 0. Press PLAY/PAUSE or STOP to adjust the  
treble setting.  
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Advanced Functions  
15  
Defaults  
The Defaults feature automatically resets all Menu  
options to their default settings. Default options  
include:  
• Reset — Displays a confirmation screen (see  
below).  
• Cancel — Leaves settings unchanged.  
If Reset is selected, the Menu option displays  
“Confirm?” and a second set of confirmation  
options:  
• Yes — Resets all Menu options to their default  
values.  
• No — Leaves settings unchanged.  
Setting  
Default Value  
EQ  
Normal  
Resume  
ON  
Backlight  
Scan Speed  
Scroll Speed  
Beep  
1 second  
2x  
1x  
ON  
ID3 Tag Info  
CD ESP  
ON  
640 seconds  
Treble  
0
0
Bass  
Remote Btn.  
Defaults  
EQ  
Cancel  
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Using the Music Management Software  
16  
Using the Music Management Software  
This section is an introduction to the music management software included on the CDs.  
Installing the Software  
PC  
1 Place the software CD label side up into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. After a few seconds, the install  
screen will display.  
2 Click the “Install” link of the music management software that you would like to install, then follow the  
on-screen instructions.  
You can also choose to view the User’s Guide, get support or register your RioVolt online.  
3 Reboot your computer when the software installation is complete or you are prompted to do so.  
Note: If the install screen does not display automatically, follow these steps to begin the  
installation manually:  
1 Click the START button in the bottom-left corner of your computer screen and choose RUN...  
2 Type d:\install.exe in the field labeled OPEN. If your computer’s CD-ROM drive uses a letter other than  
“d, substitute that letter for “d.  
3 Click the OK button and follow the on-screen instructions.  
Mac  
1 Place the software CD label side up into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.  
2 The CD contents should display automatically. To manually display the CD contents, double-click the Rio  
icon on your computer’s desktop.  
3 Double-click the Install icon.  
4 After a few seconds, the Rio splash screen will display.  
5 Click the “Install iTunes” link, then follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. You can also  
choose to view the User’s Guide, get support or register your RioVolt online.  
6 Reboot your computer when the installation is complete.  
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Using the Music Management Software  
17  
Using RealOne (PC)  
RealOne music management software is included on the PC software CD. Use RealOne to:  
• Save (encode) your audio CDs into compressed digital audio formats like MP3.  
• Organize digital audio tracks on your computer.  
• Search for tracks on your computer or on the Internet.  
• Create a custom CD—if you have CD burning  
hardware and your computer supports it.  
To Learn More About Using RealOne  
Please see the RealOne Help menu for detailed  
information on using RealOne.  
1 Click the software Help menu.  
2 Select Help Contents, Getting Started Guide, or  
Tutorial.  
Setting Preferences  
You can set Preferences to control, for example, the  
sample rate for encoded tracks, or if you want RealOne  
to automatically save (encode) audio CDs while they  
play. Please see the RealOne Help for more information  
about Preferences. To open the Preferences window you  
can either:  
• Click the Tools menu and select Preferences.  
• Click Preferences at the bottom of the Real One  
window.  
RealOne Preferences Window  
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Using the Music Management Software  
18  
Saving an Audio CD  
1 Start the RealOne software.  
Click the Help Menu to Learn More  
2 Put an audio CD in your computer’s CD-ROM drive.  
If the Prompt To Save CD preference is enabled  
(under Preferences > CD), RealOne displays a dialog  
box asking if you wish to save the CD. If you select  
Yes, RealOne starts saving (encoding) all tracks on  
the CD. If this preference is not enabled, continue  
with Step 3.  
3 After a few seconds, CD and track information display.  
4 Click Save Tracks at the bottom of the window. A  
dialog box displays, where you can select individual  
tracks, or select all tracks by clicking the Check All  
button. Click OK when you are done.  
5 RealOne starts saving the selected tracks into  
compressed digital audio format.  
RealOne CD Window  
Click to Set Preferences  
Click to Save Tracks  
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Using the Music Management Software  
19  
Burning a Digital CD  
RealOne Devices Window  
If you have a CD-R or CD-RW drive and your  
computer supports CD-ROM writing, you can  
use the RealOne software with its Easy CD  
Creator plugin software from Roxio to create  
your own digital audio CDs.  
1 Start the RealOne software.  
2 Click on the Devices tab at the bottom of  
the screen.  
3 Click the box next to Data at the bottom of  
the screen.  
Note: If Audio is selected instead of  
Data, the digital audio files will be  
burned on the CD as WAV files, which  
are much larger and take more  
memory, and more space on the CD.  
Selecting Data maintains the MP3 or  
WMA compression and allows you to  
store up to 999 songs on a single CD.  
Devices Tab  
4 Click Add Clips at the bottom-left corner of  
the screen.  
Audio/Data: Click to choose CD format  
The Real One Add File screen pops up and  
lists all of the digital audio files you have on  
your computer.  
Add Clips: Click to add music files  
Burn CD: Click to start CD writing  
5 Highlight the digital audio files you want to  
include on your CD.  
6 Click Burn CD.  
Note: For additional information on  
using RealOne to burn CDs, refer to  
the RealOne Online Help.  
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Using the Music Management Software  
20  
Using iTunes (Mac)  
iTunes music software takes the confusion out of managing your personal music collection. iTunes turns  
your Mac into a powerful digital jukebox, complete with easy-to-use tools for recording music from audio  
CDs (simply insert a CD to import music to MP3s), searching and browsing your entire collection, managing  
playlists, and listening to Internet radio stations.  
To Learn More About Using iTunes  
• From within the software, click the Help menu and choose iTunes Help or  
• Visit the iTunes Web site.  
iTunes Software Screen  
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Glossary of Digital Audio Terms  
21  
Glossary of Digital Audio Terms  
Bass  
Bass is the particular low-range area of the sound  
spectrum where low musical notes and sounds are  
located. Increasing the bass value will make the low  
vocals and drums more prominent in your music.  
Adjusting this level too high can cause distortion at  
high volumes in some music files.  
Bitrate  
Bitrate denotes the number of bits per second used  
to represent a digital music file. The size and quality  
of a compressed digital audio file is determined by  
the bitrate used when encoding the file. The higher  
the bitrate used, the higher the sound quality, and  
the larger the file size. For example, with MP3, a  
bitrate of 128kbps (128,000 bits per second) is  
generally thought of as “CD quality, and takes up  
about 1 megabyte (MB) per minute of music. At a  
64kbps bitrate, the sound quality is similar to that  
of an FM radio signal, but you can get  
Codec  
Depending on the context and kind of technology  
involved, codec can be defined as a compressed  
digital audio file format (like MP3, WMA, and so on),  
a “coding/decoding” chip used to translate between  
digital and analog transmissions (used in modems),  
or a compression/decompression algorithm. Codecs  
compress audio data into a file, often for efficient  
transmission over a network, and then decode it for  
playback. While all the codecs perform similar  
compression of digital audio, there are differences  
in the technology.  
approximately two minutes of music in that same  
1MB of storage space. CD audio has a bitrate of  
1.4Mbits per second (1,400,000 bits/second).  
The RioVolt supports the following digital audio  
codecs:  
• MP3  
• WMA  
• CD Audio (Red Book)  
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Glossary of Digital Audio Terms  
22  
Schaltungen and Thomson Multimedia. MP3  
Encoding, or “ripping” and encoding  
Encoding, sometimes referred to as “ripping” and  
encoding, refers to extracting audio from a music  
CD (ripping), and converting it (encoding) into a  
compressed digital audio format like MP3 or WMA.  
compression removes the redundant and irrelevant  
parts of a sound signal that the human ear doesn't  
hear. The MP3 encoding process is well suited for  
the transfer of high quality audio files with small file  
size over the Internet.  
Firmware  
Red Book  
Firmware is software—programs or data—that has  
been written onto read-only memory (ROM).  
Firmware is a combination of software and  
hardware that is comparable to an operating system  
on a computer. The RioVolt firmware controls  
everything from the liquid crystal display and codec  
support to the RioVolt’s other functions.  
The specification for audio (CD-DA) compact discs.  
Treble  
Treble is the high notes of the sound spectrum.  
Increasing the treble value will raise the levels of  
the high sounds in your music files.  
VBR  
Variable Bitrate (VBR) encoding converts tracks at a  
variable rate, using higher bitrate encoding for  
complex portions and lower bitrate encoding for  
pauses in songs.  
ID3 Tag  
The ID3 tag is the part of the encoded MP3 file that  
contains information about the digital music file  
such as song title, artist, album title, encoding  
bitrate, track time duration, and so on.  
WMA  
Windows Media Audio (WMA) is the compressed  
audio format created by Microsoft as an alternative  
to MP3. WMA offers greater file compression than  
MP3, enabling you to store more music on your PC  
or writable CDs.  
MP3  
MP3 is short for Moving Pictures Experts Group  
Audio Layer 3. MP3 is the most well known  
compressed digital audio file format. This format  
allows for near “CD quality” sound, but at a fraction  
of the size of normal audio files. MP3 conversion of  
an audio track from CD-ROM reduces the file size by  
approximately a 12:1 ratio with virtually no  
perceptible loss in quality. This digital sound  
encoding and compression process was developed  
by the Fraunhofer Institut fur Integrierte  
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  
23  
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  
What type of CDs can I play with the RioVolt?  
You can play CDs that have MP3 and/or WMA music files or you can play regular CD audio music discs.  
Can I mix CD Audio with MP3 and/or WMA files?  
No. You can play either CD Audio discs or CDs with MP3/WMA music content. They cannot be mixed  
together.  
Can I put both MP3 and WMA files on the same CD?  
Yes. You can play a CD with both MP3 and WMA files and can choose tracks however you like.  
What are the differences between MP3 and WMA?  
If you use the WMA format instead of the MP3 format, your files are at about one half the size. Since WMA  
offers a smaller file size than MP3, it enables you to store more music on your PC or on your writable CDs.  
WMA files are exclusive to the PC.  
What is the maximum number of songs I can put on a single CD?  
You can store up to 999 music tracks per CD depending on the size of the music tracks and the available  
space on your CD-R/RW.  
Will the RioVolt play Variable Bitrate (VBR) files?  
There is no standard for VBR files, so we cannot guarantee that every encoding software package will  
properly function with the RioVolt. However, most VBR MP3 music files will play properly on your RioVolt.  
Where is the battery indicator on my RioVolt?  
The battery indicator on the RioVolt is located in the top-right corner of the display. The segments in the  
battery icon show the remaining battery power. All four segments illuminated = a fully charged battery.  
Segments not illuminated = a run down battery. The battery indicator blinks when less than 20% battery  
life remains.  
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  
24  
What kind of skip protection is there on the RioVolt?  
The RioVolt uses Electronic Shock Protection (ESP) to help prevent skipping during playback. When playing  
MP3/WMA files, you get up to 1920 seconds (32 minutes) of skip protection. When playing Red Book Audio  
CDs, you have the option of up to 320 seconds of skip protection.  
How does skip protection work?  
When the player first starts, a buffer is filled with the track data. The CD stops spinning, and the tracks  
continue to play out of memory, which helps conserve battery life. When about 30 seconds of time remains  
in the buffer, the CD will again spin up and refill the buffer. Note that during this time, if the RioVolt is jarred  
so that the buffer cannot be filled — for example, when jogging or riding a bicycle — then the player may  
begin to skip. You will need to let the buffer fill in order to have skip-free performance.  
What kind of batteries can I use with my RioVolt?  
The RioVolt SP350 only uses rectangular 1400mAH NiMH batteries. Do not use alkaline batteries.  
How much playtime can I get from 2 NiMH batteries?  
Playtime varies with battery type and music content. However, as a guideline the following applies: MP3/  
WMA CDs have up to 15 hours of music playtime. Audio CDs will have up to 6 hours of playtime.  
The CD seems to stop spinning during playback. Is this normal?  
Yes, it is normal for the CD to stop spinning during playback. This is part of the skip protection and battery  
life protection. When the CD is stopped, the Riovolt plays songs from memory. This serves as absolute  
shock protection during this time, as the disc is not even spinning.  
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  
25  
How do I upgrade the RioVolt firmware?  
Downloading the firmware upgrade from the Web site  
1 Go to the SONICblue Web site at www.sonicblue.com.  
2 Click the Support link.  
3 Navigate to the Rio Technical Support Updates page.  
4 Select and download the latest RioVolt xxx.exe (PC), RioVolt Update xxx.hqx (Mac) or RioVolt  
xxx.zip (for other operating systems) firmware upgrade file to your computer.  
Note: Please see the text file included with the firmware update for instructions and  
additional assistance.  
Upgrading the RioVolt firmware  
1 Burn the unzipped file onto a Data CD with your CD-ROM Writer.  
NOTE: The RioVolt will not play music contained on a CD that also has the firmware upgrade.  
2 Place the CD in the RioVolt, and press the PLAY/PAUSE button to start the RioVolt. The RioVolt player  
will find the firmware, upgrade itself, and then turn off. During the upgrade, the RioVolt display shows  
the startup screen and replaces the flashing text “READING TRACKS” with the flashing text  
“UPGRADING” and the text “VERSON 1.0" with the text “SP350 WILL POWER OFF WHEN COMPLETE.  
3 Remove the CD from the RioVolt. The upgrade is complete. You may now resume using your RioVolt  
player.  
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Troubleshooting  
26  
Troubleshooting  
Problem  
Solution  
I am only able to fit If you are only able to fit 10-15 songs on a CD-R or CD-RW for use in your  
10-15 songs on a RioVolt, then it is likely you are creating the CD in audio or .wav format instead of  
CD-R or CD-RW for data format. You should be able to fit hundreds of tracks onto one CD. Consult  
my RioVolt.  
the documentation that came with your burning software for further assistance  
with this.  
I am unable to  
power up the  
RioVolt. This  
happens when  
using new batteries  
or the AC power  
adapter.  
Be sure that the LOCK/UNLOCK switch on the RioVolt is set to UNLOCK. If the  
LOCK/UNLOCK switch is in the LOCK position, you will be unable to power up the  
unit. Place the LOCK/UNLOCK Switch to the UNLOCK position and press the PLAY/  
PAUSE button to power up the RioVolt.  
The RioVolt is  
working with  
Be sure that the AC Adapter is plugged into the proper connection. You may be  
plugging the AC Adapter into the Line-out connector on the RioVolt. If you are still  
batteries, but when experiencing problems, be sure the LOCK/UNLOCK switch on RioVolt is set to  
I plug in the AC  
adapter it does not  
work.  
UNLOCK.  
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Troubleshooting  
27  
Problem  
Solution  
My RioVolt gives a  
“No Disk” error  
message when  
spinning up.  
To resolve the “No Disk” error message, try the following:  
• Make sure the CD is seated properly in the tray.  
• See if a standard audio CD functions properly.  
Try a CD created with standard MP3/WMA files encoded at 128kbps, NOT  
variable bitrate (VBR) files.  
Try burning to a different media or brand of media.  
Try burning a CD from another CD burner.  
• See if burning at a slower rate (say 2x or slower) makes the files load properly.  
Try closing the CD volume when you create the disc.  
Try cleaning the lens with a cotton swab.  
• If you are using a Macintosh to burn your CDs, make sure the .mp3 extension  
is at the end of each file. Some versions of Mac software do not include this  
extension, and these files cannot be read by the RioVolt.  
• If you are getting this message when attempting to update the firmware,  
make sure the firmware file on the root of the CD is named correctly. The  
firmware update readme.txt file contains specific file name and firmware  
upgrade instructions.  
I can’t play my  
WMA files.  
The RioVolt does not read Secure WMA files. Secure WMA files are created to  
prevent theft and illegal copying of the files.  
• In Windows Media Player, go to Tools > Options.  
• On the CD Audio tab, un-check the “Enable Personal Rights Management” box.  
• Re-create the WMA files and burn them to CD. They should play fine on the  
RioVolt.  
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Troubleshooting  
28  
Problem  
Solution  
The following factors may interfere with the CD encoding process:  
• Over-utilization of the CPU during the encoding process. Close all other  
software before encoding.  
I get an error  
message when I  
start encoding a  
CD.  
• Insufficient RAM to cache the track properly. Generally, 64 MB is fine if no  
other memory-intensive application is running. Close all other software before  
encoding.  
• CD-ROM firmware. Even if a CD-ROM drive is new, it may require a firmware  
update from the manufacturer to correct audio extraction errors.  
• Overclocking. Overclocking the system—running it faster than it is rated to  
run—can have adverse effects on peripheral components. If your system is  
overclocked, bring it back to its normal operating speed.  
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Limited Warranty  
29  
Limited Warranty  
Our warranty to you  
SONICblue Incorporated warrants that your product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one  
year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is extended to the original end user purchaser only and is not  
assignable or transferable to any other party.  
Product failures not covered by this warranty  
This warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse, misuse, unauthorized attempts to open, modify, or repair the product,  
moisture, extreme heat or cold, corrosive environments, shipping, or high voltage surges from external sources such as power  
line, telephone line, or connected equipment. This warranty does not cover wear and tear on covers, housing or wiring. This  
warranty also does not apply to any product with an altered or defaced serial number.  
Remedies  
If you discover a defect covered by this warranty, SONICblue Incorporated will repair or replace the product at our sole discretion  
using new or remanufactured product or components. SONICblue Incorporated's liability is limited solely to the repair or  
replacement of the defective product. SONICblue Incorporated warrants any replaced or repaired product for a period of ninety  
(90) days from shipment, or through the end of the original warranty period, whichever is longer.  
How to obtain warranty service  
To obtain service under this warranty, you must contact a SONICblue Incorporated Customer Care Center within the applicable  
warranty period to receive a warranty service authorization. You will be required to provide a dated original proof of purchase.  
Products shipped to SONICblue Incorporated must be shipped postage-paid and packaged appropriately for safe shipment.  
SONICblue Incorporated is not responsible for products received without a warranty service authorization and may be rejected.  
Repaired or replacement products will be shipped to you at SONICblue Incorporated's expense. All products or parts that are  
replaced become the property of SONICblue Incorporated.  
Limits of liability  
SONICblue Incorporated's liability is limited to the repair or replacement of this product. In no event will SONICblue Incorporated  
be liable for any amount greater than the currently suggested retail price of this product. We will not be liable to you or anyone  
else for any damages that result from the failure of this product or from the breach of any express or implied warranties. These  
include damage to other equipment, lost data, lost profits, or any consequential, incidental, or punitive damages. This written  
warranty represents the entire warranty agreement between SONICblue Incorporated and you. This warranty is given in lieu of  
all other warranties, express or implied, including without limitation implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a  
particular purpose. This warranty is limited to the term specified above. No warranties, either express or implied, will apply after  
this period. This warranty may not be altered in any way other than in writing by an officer of SONICblue Incorporated. This  
warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state. Some states limit  
what warranties may be excluded as well as how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.  
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Regulatory Information  
30  
Regulatory Information  
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)  
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:  
1 This device may not cause harmful interference, and  
2 This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired  
operation.  
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,  
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against  
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio  
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful  
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a  
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,  
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the  
interference by one or more of the following measures:  
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.  
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.  
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.  
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.  
Industry Canada  
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.  
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the council EMC directive 89/336/EEC.  
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Customer Care  
31  
Customer Care  
Web Site  
E-mail  
Customer Support Telephone  
Call for general information and answers to technical questions about your product.  
Telephone: +44 (0)870 870 5727  
Fax Support: +31 53 484 9536  
Hours  
Monday to Friday 08:00 until 19:00hrs  
Saturday 08:00 until 15:00hrs  
Please check the support Web site for the current hours of operation.  
Rio Product Support  
With every Rio product you receive the following support services:  
• Unlimited access to the Rio web-based technical information resources, available 24 hours a day every  
day at http://www.sonicblue.com/support. Here you will find FAQ files, product updates, and other  
useful information.  
• Unlimited e-mail support for the duration of your Rio product hardware warranty period.  
• Access to the latest software updates and enhancements for Rio products via our Web site.  
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Customer Care  
32  
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Index  
33  
E
Index  
Symbols  
M
A
P
presets  
F
B
bass  
battery  
Federal Communications Commis-  
firmware  
FM tuner  
R
G
C
CDs  
H
codec  
I
S
L
D
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