Photography (img heavy!)

Photos

Photographs of the H320 were taken at 3072x2304 resolution and resized. Apologies to those on dial-up!

Seems simple enough, doesn't it?

At 62mm x 103mm x 22mm, it is about the same size as the iPod Photo, but it's got quite a bit more heft to it.  At 183g the H320 feels like a solid brick. I also appreciate the new look for the machine, being the first product designed at iRiver's new INNO design facility. It's got the faux-fiber look, which is applied to the backside of the clear plastic top.  Fingerprints and scratches are barely noticeable, which is great.

Analog is handled up top.  From left to right: line-out, line-in, a screw, remote connector, and finally headphones. It can drive two pairs of headphones. I didn't muck with a remote, but reports are that you can use your H120's remote on it. The H320 has settings for that LCD in the firmware.

Here's a better view of the mini-plugs.

But then there's the bad news, deleted are the optical inputs and outputs in favor of regular line-in/out. There's also the lack of WAV recording or playback. You also can't playback sound while you browse pictures.  Bummer.

Reset and 'internal' microphone.  Looks pretty external to me.

On the left side there are the reset button, which I thankfully have not used, and the internal microphone for voice recording. I can tell you that the recording capability of the H320 is very good, reaching all the way to 320kbps MP3 on the line-in input. For serious digital recording it's not WAV, but it does the job. I use the H320's record function constantly to torture my students, in which it works diabolically well.

It's the hold button!

The H120 had a joystick that stuck out and necessitated the use of the hold button. I haven't needed to use it with the H320. However when iPod users check out the H320, they always fiddle with it.

Power, media, data.

The H320 has two USB ports on it for the digital.  The first is the data port, using USB 2.0, it does indeed transfer files rather quickly.  Then there is the 'media' port, which is used to transfer songs with DRM that you've downloaded.

Here's another better shot of the USB ports and charger input.

iRiver has a cradle that is sold, among many others, as an extra accessory for the H320. The good news is that you can charge the H320 directly from the USB. Nice! It does take a bloody long time however.

There's NO access to the battery from here.

Like most devices these days, it uses a Lithium polymer battery. While it provides long lasting power, its lifetime is somewhat short at about 2 years. Sad to say, but in two years it'll be time for another upgrade, so replacing the battery isn't such a big concern. By then 20GB will be pitifully small, as will the screen. Well, I'm going to not worry about it and just enjoy.

Here's the case.  Fugly comes to mind.  But so does impractical.

The case has a woven texture to it, to match the faux-fiber look of the H320.  The downside is that you can't actually use the thing while it's in its case.  The case is rather tough and butch looking, but other than that, chuck it for something better.

To its credit it does have a belt clip, and fancy soft leather.  At least I think it's leather.

This H320 took a dump one evening in the rain, because I didn't fasten the strap correctly. No harm done, except some scratches. The H320 can take a drop onto solid concrete.

Yeah, it's about that tall.