Rockbox Utility for Windows

Name: Rockbox Utility
Rating: 4.5 (8 reviews)
Author: The Rockbox Crew

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Used Rockbox Utility for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffNovember 7, 2008

If you can't stand the native operating system on your portable MP3 player, you can make it rock out with Rockbox. Rockbox Utility is an installer program that simplifies the complicated installation process of the open-source MP3 player firmware. While the firmware itself can be seen as a first step toward returning control of the portable device to audiophiles, the Rockbox Utility is as large a leap as going from a typewriter to a computer.

Compatible with more than two dozen MP3 players, including most iPods, iRivers, and Archoses, Rockbox comes with a detailed and lengthy installation and usage guide. The old autoinstaller was rarely successful and more often a waste of time. The Utility turns the installation process into something that almost anybody can do. Although users can resort to the old manual install if they like, there's no reason to not use the Utility. Fire it up and you're greeted by an intentional error: you must choose the device that you're going to load Rockbox on to. From there, the interface guides you through a series of options, including a full install, a stripped-down version, and various customizations organized by tabs. There's even an autouninstaller, if you decide that Rockbox isn't for you.

Rockbox itself is impressive. Besides being skinnable, it comes with dozens of games and productivity plug-ins like a chess clock, a drawing program, and a feature called Voice for users who have vision difficulties. The sound settings are completely customizable, from bass, treble, and balance to dithering and more complicated equalizing. You can also create CFG files for different setups, so you can have one for your car and one for your headphones. MPEG videos are supported on players with native video capability, and fonts can be sized to your liking.

Rockbox still takes some getting used to, but we think it makes an excellent options for audiophiles who feel constrained by immutable defaults.

What’s new in version 1.0.7

Version 1.0.7 introduces the Rockbox Utility, a GUI that helps users install and configure the Rockbox firmware.

Rockbox Utility for Windows

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Used Rockbox Utility for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 26, 2008

Latest update: November 7, 2008

Version: 1.0.7

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows 2000
Windows XP

Additional Requirements: See list of supported devices on Web site

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 38,568

Downloads Last Week: 5

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User Reviews

4.5/5

8 User Votes

Wow and thank you, Rockbox literally fixed my Clip +
drewnashtyMarch 5, 2014
Pros
Rockbox woke up the volume output on my Sansa Clip + after I thought I got a refurbished dud that was barely audible. It also plays studio quality flac files that I couldn't listen to with the stock firmware such as 24 bit 192 khz files. My Clip + is most likely downsampling the songs but at least it still plays them where the stock firmware wouldn't. Using the automatic installer was a breeze after thinking it was going to be a pain or that I may brick the device. Loads way faster everywhere from bootup to searching through your library to loading a song. Tons of adjustments to go through that I will eventually delve into learning how to finely tune.
Cons
None whatsoever.
Summary
So after searching for a reasonably priced portable media player that supported a removable Micro SD card up to 32 gb, I decided to go with the Sansa Clip + and found one refurbished for $20. After waiting 3 weeks I got it and the volume was just horrible. I literally thought I was delivered a lemon. But when I was researching on a portable media player I remembered reading about Rockbox, firmware that gave users a more intuitive interface, control, and much more in my case. I gave it a go and wow not only am I very satisfied with my Clip + but even more so that Rockbox saved me from returning it or buying a different one. Now it plays louder than necessary with headphones. I am partially deaf from a lifetime of being stupid and damaging my ears so when I say it's louder than necessary, take my word for it, unless of course you are stoned deaf and can't hear anything standing at the front of the stage of a live concert.
Amazing for Sansa Clip+
ddferrariDecember 18, 2011
Pros
Tons of audio tweaks, major increase in volume over factory max, lots of games and apps. Easy to install. Does NOT delete original firmware, so you can run with either.
Cons
The clip+ has a tiny screen, and some of the themes show a lot of info on the screen, making fonts even smaller. You may be able to increase font size as stated above, but then everything won't fit on the screen, so I wouldn't
Summary
Rockbox turned my Clip+ from a fairly loud, not very bass-y player into a MONSTER. It goes louder (distortion free) than I can take, and I'm coaxing deep bass out of my headphones that I didn't know was possible- even at very low volumes. Thanks to all of the audiophile adjustments, like a 5-band parametric EQ (with adjustable freq.), compression, balance, preamp adjustments, dithering (which I had to look up), my Clip+ exceeds my wildest expectations. Combining Rockbox with Ogg Vorbis (as opposed to mp3) @ 160kbs sounds absolutely wicked. I can't speak for other players, but for the Sansa Clip+ this is a MUST HAVE.
Perfect for the Gigabeat F-40
buck76182August 18, 2010
Pros
Extremely rich, user-controllable functionality.
Cons
Compared to Gigabeat Room, none. However, ensure that your player is out of warranty before installing, as Rockbox use will probably void it.
Summary
I have used Rockbox on my Toshiba Gigabeat F-40 for over 3 years, and haven't regretted it one bit. Toshiba' native firmware, Gigabeat Room, is abysmally lacking in virtually all user functions, and Rockbox is a welcome replacement for it. For example, Rockbox provides search acceleration, an extremely rich equalizer, drag-and-drop, on-device playlist creation, and the elimination of the horrible Toshiba-forced .sat DRM. After using the F-40 for 5 years, I am now planning to upgrade to a new player (leaning now toward the Cowon J3). Having used Rockbox, I only hope that I am not disappointed with my new device's firmware.
Does everything I expected and hoped for.
rj.amdphreakDecember 9, 2008
Pros
It is very simple to use. It does the device preparation very well. Make sure you read the disclaimer.
Cons
Make sure you read the disclaimer.
Summary
Make sure you read the disclaimer. (get the idea?) the reason is that some devices may not work with it. I have an iPod video (5G or 5.5G, in other words). it worked with that. IT DOES NOT WORK WITH THE MICROSOFT ZUNE. But then, it never was supposed to.
It's okay. Fonts need to be bigger.
dre8791October 6, 2008
Pros
Something different.
Cons
Need to be a little more responsive. Should have adjustable fronts.
Summary
Not bad considering it is one of a handful of programs for the iPod.
If you want to set your music free, this is for you.
noodlz15September 15, 2008
Pros
- Handles many more audio formats than standard firmware, especially in the case of iPods. - Customization is nearly unlimited. - Excellent community support for a free, open-source product. - The functionality of a tank at no cost to you.
Cons
- A sharp learning curve, and a few occasional issues/bugs. These are not really a major problem for music lovers. - Otherwise I can find no obvious faults with this firmware.
Summary
dminternetMay 11, 2008
Pros
Adds functionality to my old iRiver H140 - fast scrolling, themes, playlists on-the fly Easy to install if you use the manual process
Cons
Slow to find / load tracks and clunky interface
Summary
collaborate well with my friends and my family
josemiaSeptember 4, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary

Developer’s Description

By The Rockbox Crew

Run open-source MP3 firmware for a variety of different portable music players.

Rockbox is open-source replacement firmware for MP3 players. It runs on a number of different models: Archos Jukebox 5000, 6000, Studio, Recorder, FM Recorder, Recorder V2 and Ondio; iriver H100, H300 and H10 series; Apple iPod 3rd gen, iPod 4th gen (grayscale and color), iPod 5th/5.5th gen video, iPod 1st gen Nano and iPod Mini 1st/2nd gen (Nano 2nd gen is not supported); Cowon iAudio X5 (including X5V and X5L) and M5 (including M5L); Toshiba Gigabeat X and F series (the S model is not supported); SanDisk Sansa e200 and e200R series; and other models are in development. Rockbox is a complete rewrite and uses no fragments of any original firmwares.

Version 1.0.7 introduces the Rockbox Utility, a GUI that helps users install and configure the Rockbox firmware.

Rockbox Utility for Windows

Editors’ Review

What’s new in version 1.0.7

Rockbox Utility for Windows

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User Reviews

Wow and thank you, Rockbox literally fixed my Clip +

Amazing for Sansa Clip+

Perfect for the Gigabeat F-40

Does everything I expected and hoped for.

It's okay. Fonts need to be bigger.

If you want to set your music free, this is for you.

collaborate well with my friends and my family

Developer’s Description