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Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, black)

Manufacturer: Haier America Trading, L.L.C. Part number: H1A030BK

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$229.99 - $282.99 at 4 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 13 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The Haier America Ibiza Rhapsody is a cutting-edge media player that puts its wireless capabilities to good use while still retaining an easy-to-use design and interface. If you're willing to shell out the dough for a massive feature list, give it consideration.
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CNET editors' review

Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, black)

price range: $229.99 - $282.99

Reviewed by: Jasmine France
Reviewed on: 11/29/2007
Updated on:09/18/2008

The good: The Ibiza Rhapsody offers about every feature in the book, including Wi-Fi and stereo Bluetooth capabilities; podcast support with wireless updating; photo, video, and subscription music support; on-the-go access to Rhapsody; updatable themes and wallpaper; even a basic Web browser. It also comes in a variety of colors and is one of the few high-capacity, hard-drive players available. It's easy to use, the interface is well-implemented, and the processor is powerful.

The bad: The Ibiza Rhapsody is expensive compared with competitors, and it has copycat looks. It also lacks EQ enhancement options and has a poor battery life. Works with XP and Vista only.

The bottom line: The Haier America Ibiza Rhapsody is a cutting-edge media player that puts its wireless capabilities to good use while still retaining an easy-to-use design and interface. If you're willing to shell out the dough for a massive feature list, give it consideration.

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Editors' note: This review has been updated to reflect battery life test results, and the rating of the product has been lowered to reflect the subpar performance.

Photo gallery:
Ibiza Rhapsody

Home appliance and electronics manufacturer Haier America is certainly not the first company to come to mind when thinking about MP3 players and portable media, but there's nothing wrong with a little fresh blood in the market. In fact, a newcomer can bring a certain freshness for consumers--Haier does so with the 30GB Ibiza Rhapsody. It's a jack-of-all-trades media player that encompasses emerging wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi music downloading and stereo audio streaming via A2DP Bluetooth. The device, which sells for a slightly pricey $299.99 and is available in a variety of colors (black, blue, pink, silver, or white), handles its multitude of features surprisingly well, but not everyone will be happy with its standard looks, lack of audio-enhancement options, and subpar rated battery life.

Considering the lack of choice in this category at the moment, we're stoked that Haier is offering the Ibiza Rhapsody in a hard-drive model (flash versions with either 4GB or 8GB are also available). At 4.1 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.5 inch, the device isn't overly bulky--an especially impressive trait given the built-in wireless antennae (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). Plus, it has a nice, substantial feel to it, with plenty of tactile controls to complement the square touchpad on the front. The touchpad--which is surrounded by Play/Pause, Track Shuttle, and Back buttons--is responsive and can be clicked in the center to make selections. A dedicated Volume toggle and a Power key are embedded into the right spine; the latter can be a bit difficult to press as it rests flush with the edge. The top side of the player contains the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a Hold switch, and the Connect button, which allows you to activate the Wi-Fi with one press. Oddly, the bottom edge of the Ibiza houses both a standard mini USB port and a proprietary dock connector. The former handles syncing and charging, so we assume the latter is meant to accommodate future docking accessories.

The Wi-Fi antenna juts about 1/16 of an inch out of the back of the player, so it's pretty low profile.

The Ibiza's QVGA screen isn't the largest we've seen, but at 2.5 inches, it competes squarely with the iPod Classic. The interface in general is reminiscent of the iPod's, because of its blue-white tinge and simple, hierarchical organization. The main menu includes direct connections to Rhapsody Channels and the Rhapsody catalog, which is handy for subscribers. Also handy is the search field that shows up along the top of the screen once you delve down into artist, albums, and songs. And we're keen on the way the Ibiza handles album art: there's a full-screen, faded-out image behind the thumbnail on the main playback screen. It's a cool effect.

If you're listening to Rhapsody Channels, you can click the center of the control pad to save the currently playing track to the player.

Now, the overall design of the Ibiza Rhapsody is fine, though nothing shockingly new or stylish. However, the array and implementation of features is truly arresting. There's support for MP3, WMA (DRM 10 included), WAV, AAC audio and MPEG-4, WMV, M4V, AVI, H.264, and MPG video. (PNG and JPEG are the supported photo formats). You get an FM radio with RDS and integrated podcast support--with a separate menu selection and the ability to update podcasts on the go from any Wi-Fi hot spot. Much like the Sansa Connect does with Yahoo, the Ibiza can access the Rhapsody catalog and Channels from anywhere with wireless access (if you have a subscription: a 30-day trial is provided).

Our Ibiza came with the player, a basic silicone skin, some V-Moda-esque earbuds, a USB cable, and a power adapter.

As yet another added bonus, the Ibiza lets you access video on the go through AOL Video--for free. (Some videos offer better results than others.) The Ibiza has the useful ability to set and save wireless keys as well as get past terms and conditions pages for public hot spots. You can even pull in content through Wi-Fi while simultaneously streaming it out to a Bluetooth speaker, though I noticed hiccups in the connection during testing--unsurprisingly, the two antennae appear to compete with each other at intervals. Additional features include an airplane mode that shuts off all wireless, and the ability to download new themes (called Airskins) for the player on the fly--and they are sweet (see video). There's even a basic Web browser, though entering in new addresses is time-consuming. In short, there appears to be little this player can't do--except allow you to tweak your music. Unfortunately, the Ibiza doesn't include any EQ settings, which may be a deal breaker for some.

The Ibiza Rhapsody is an impressive performer in some respects, but not in others. The processor is definitely up to the task; we were able to download Airskins while listening to our music uninterrupted. And we got the same result while browsing Web pages and the AOL Video library. At no point did we experience any crashing. However, the player's rated battery life of just 10 hours for audio is pretty appalling. CNET Labs beat that time by about an hour, but that's still dismal. Video was no better at 1.8 hours during testing.

Using a pair of Shure SE310s, we found that audio quality was neither stellar nor subpar. The low-end response is nice and tight in bass-heavy tracks, but is tough to detect where it is more subtle. High-end clarity is definitely acceptable and the mids are well-represented, but music is not as quite as rich or encompassing as we like. We'd give audio quality a solid "good" rating, nothing more or less. Video quality is solid, as well. The screen offers good viewing angles from side to side and nice color saturation.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 13 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 10 out of 13

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7 stars

Lots of features, but a few bugs

by jakep_82 on December 7, 2007

Pros: Bluetooth, Wifi, Rhapsody integration, Podcast integration

Cons: Only 30GB, battery life, a few bugs, price

Summary: First I want to say don't review a product you don't own. I've only had this for a couple days but I do actually own one.

First

...

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Summary: First I want to say don't review a product you don't own. I've only had this for a couple days but I do actually own one.

First this device is heavy on features. Bluetooth and wifi with Rhapsody integration is really nice. You get access to the full Rhapsody library right on the device, no computer necessary. You can also subscribe to audio podcasts and download them right on the device. And bluetooth playback is awesome! I also love the interface. It's quite attractive and completely themeable with airskins.

On the negative side the device still has a few bugs in the software. When downloading the device slows down noticeably. It also seems that the DRM on Rhapsody tracks affects performance. The gap between Rhapsody tracks can be as long as 5 seconds. Playing my own DRM free MP3's, the gap between tracks is only a few tenths of a second.

There's also a few missing features like bookmarking (absolutely necessary when listening to long podcasts)and video podcasts. Fortunately the developers are actively seeking input from users and have indicated that those features should be added in a future firmware. Some people have also complained about the lack of an EQ. I think it sounds quite nice without, but that may be a necessity for others.

Overall I think this is a good device with the potential to be better with a few firmware updates. If they fix a couple of the bugs and add a few more features, I wouldn't hesitate to give it a 9. As it is right now I think it's a solid 7.
Updated
I've now had the ibiza for 4 months and I'm happy to say it's better now than when I bought it. Several firmware updates have been released that have improved the player signficantly.
First for those that require it, they've added equalizer presets. It's not a full blown parametric EQ, but it does offer 8 presets in addition to off.
Second they've improved performance dramatically. The gap between tracks has been shortened to well under 1 second. It's still not gapless, but it's dramatically better than it was. They've also shortened the boot time of the device from 45 seconds down to about 20.
Third they've added Audible support. It's currently only available in the beta firmware, but it will be publicly available by mid April. The one drawback right now is that Audible books don't sound good when listened to with Bluetooth headphones. They do however sound great with regular headphones.
And finally they might be adding Flickr integration. It's currently in the beta release but it might not be included in the final release. I hope it is because it works quite well. Currently you can view all of the photos in your account, search all public photos and download any picture to the device for offline viewing.
I would now say with all the bug fixes and additional feature the ibiza is a solid 9. The only drawback now is lackluster video support. Fortunately they've said that's the next big feature improvement in the queue. I can't wait to see what they come up with!!

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6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

Very nice product - limitless features

by MCSNWV on May 17, 2008

Pros: Many features (internet radio, bluetooth)- continuous development - online community

Cons: battery life, but outlasts many bluetooth headsets

Summary: I got an Ibiza about a month ago and have had plenty of time to try it out. For the money this a great gadget that easily outperforms the competition ...

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Summary: I got an Ibiza about a month ago and have had plenty of time to try it out. For the money this a great gadget that easily outperforms the competition in features and space. (Considering that many flash players are entering this price range.)
There is now updated firmware that fixes nearly all problems that are expressed in the editors reviews: New EQ settings, Better Bluetooth compatibility, and several internet features that make the product even better.
The online community provides fast feedback and continuous support for concerns and future software updates. They allow limited distribution of the products software for developers who wish to tinker. This allows for faster firmware improvements and upgrades.
Also, using airskin creator allows for very customizable displays in minutes. I have been very satisfied so far and can imagine that with future firmware updates the product will only improve. I use the device with a pair of Logitech Free-pulse Headphones and it looks very slick ? people express a lot of interest.

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2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

Very cool MP3 Player

by andyrq1 on June 26, 2008

Pros: Rhapsody interface is fantastic, WiFi access to entire rhapsody catalog, Really well thought out; intuitive controls

Cons: Weak WiFi signal, Battery life

Summary: If you're a "rhapsody to go" user, you'll really enjoy this player; Certainly one of the very best players for rhapsody.
It would still be a solid player
...

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Summary: If you're a "rhapsody to go" user, you'll really enjoy this player; Certainly one of the very best players for rhapsody.
It would still be a solid player for those not using rhapsody, but there are many more options out there to choose from that are equally as good.
User interface is very well designed.
The firmware upgrades (that are continually being updated) have greatly improved this player and CNET should consider updating their review.
WiFi signal is weak; my PDA in the same room pics up far more signals. And the battery life needs to improve also. Neither issue is a problem for myself, but I could see how it would be for a lot of users.
Bottom line: This is the player to get if you want a large volume rhapsody player. The WiFi connection gives you access to the million plus songs in the rhapsody catalog, that's pretty amazing if you ask me. If you don't plan on subscribing to rhapsody I would say it's just above the middle of the pack.
Interaction with the programming staff on the Ibiza website is pretty cool. They really are responsive to customer feedback and firmware upgrades seem to take user opinions to heart.

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 stars

Good product, but has some issues

by marcoritas on December 20, 2008

Pros: I Like the WiFi and bluetooth connectivity, and being able to access Rhapsody without a computer

Cons: Battery life could be improved, also the systems check feature sometimes causes device to malfunction.

Summary: overall I'm happy with the player. If they can get it to work perfectly all the time it woud be awesome.

Summary: overall I'm happy with the player. If they can get it to work perfectly all the time it woud be awesome.
9 stars

A year later still love it, I sold my IPod!

by trevtnyc on December 7, 2008

Pros: I received the Ibiza as a Christmas gift last year and a year later I haven't used my IPod in almost a year! The WiFi feature not only allows me to search, listen and download directly from Rhapsody but the firmware improvements can be downloaded!

Cons: I can honestly say I only use my Ibiza for music, not for the video or podcast features so I haven't had any major problems or glitches. Any I have had have been solved by the great forum for users I am a part of.

Summary: This is hands down the best Mp3 player I have ever owned. If they marketed this product better and more people knew about it and used it it would give ...

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Summary: This is hands down the best Mp3 player I have ever owned. If they marketed this product better and more people knew about it and used it it would give IPod a run for it's money! I also love the bluetooth feature, Haier has come out with great accessories including a great bluetooth headset which can be paired with your phone, audio dock and FM transmitter! All in all a gret product getting better and improving all the time. I love it and it works great for what I use it for, and having Rhapsody at your fingertips without a PC makes it even better!

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7 stars

I like it very

by AlexanderKhimich on August 29, 2008

Pros: Nice gift to your children

Cons: I didn't find

Summary: Really cool player, the music quality is good. My sun was happy.

Updated on Aug 29, 2008
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Updated on Aug 29, 2008
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Updated on Aug 29, 2008
Really ...

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Summary: Really cool player, the music quality is good. My sun was happy.

Updated on Aug 29, 2008
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Updated on Aug 29, 2008
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Updated on Aug 29, 2008
Really cool player, the music quality is good. My sun was happy. The quality is perfect.

Updated on Aug 29, 2008
Really cool player, the music quality is good. My sun was happy. It still works fine, i just changed the speakers.

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7 stars

Needs added features

by NYCgoalie on August 21, 2008

Pros: Love the current feature set.

Cons: Expensive.

Summary: Make this into a 100+Gig device, and put in an HD radio receiver (I mean, hey, you have the antenna, just put in the software), I'd be ALL ...

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Summary: Make this into a 100+Gig device, and put in an HD radio receiver (I mean, hey, you have the antenna, just put in the software), I'd be ALL OVER this thing.

I still don't know why MP3 makers aren't making the switch to HD radio. The first player to do that would certainly give the iPod a run for it's money.

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7 stars

I like it very

by ksenia.kolomiets on September 8, 2008

Pros: Nice gift to your children

Cons: I didn't find

Summary: Really cool player, the music quality is good. My sun was happy. It still works fine, i just changed the speakers.

Summary: Really cool player, the music quality is good. My sun was happy. It still works fine, i just changed the speakers.

0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

What happened to really reviewing a product?

by dirty55409 on December 5, 2007

Pros: Cutting Edge Capabilities

Cons: Low Battery Life

Summary: It's absurd to think idiots like the gentleman who "reviewed" this product giving it a 1 actually know what they're talking about. I'm afraid I can't ...

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Summary: It's absurd to think idiots like the gentleman who "reviewed" this product giving it a 1 actually know what they're talking about. I'm afraid I can't review this product either, but I felt the need to counter balance that morons lame non-educated review. The player shows promise, wi-fi, and bluetooth are the future of mp3 players! I'm happy with my 60gb Zen Vision which I'm not replacing any time soon, but in a few years, when wi-fi and bluetooth are the norm in mp3 players will the ibiza still be as much of a cutting edge contender as it is at the moment? I'll be keeping a close eye on this little player. 10hours for music isn't bad considering wi-fi sucks up battery life.

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1 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

moron above

by darkhelm on November 30, 2007

Pros: many many features

Cons: battery life and design

Summary: how about you actually use the product before you post a review... another moronic post from an apple fanboy..

Summary: how about you actually use the product before you post a review... another moronic post from an apple fanboy..

2 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.

Showing opinion 1 to 10 out of 13

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Haier America Trading, L.L.C.
Part number: H1A030BK
Description: The 30GB ibiza Rhapsody will allow you to download your favorite music, videos, pictures, and more, with no PC connection!

General
Width 2.4 in
Depth 0.5 in
Product type Portable network audio player / digital player / radio
Height 4.1 in
Weight 4.9 oz
Color Volcanic black
Digital storage Built-in 30 GB Hard disk drive
Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.4 in x 0.5 in x 4.1 in
Packaged quantity 1
Digital storage media capacity 30 GB
Digital storage media type Hard disk drive
Digital storage media form factor Built-in
Radio
Tuner frequency range FM: 87.5 - 107.9 MHz
Tuner type Digital Radio tuner
Tuner bands FM
Antenna form factor Headphone cord FM
Digital Player / Recorder
Digital player supported digital audio standards WMA, WAV, Protected WMA (DRM), MP3, AAC
Digital player response bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
Digital player additional features Variable bit-rate compatible
Carrying Case
Case type Soft case
Material Rubber
Battery
Rechargeable Battery Rechargeable
Battery Enclosure Type Internal
Technology Lithium polymer
Recharge Time 2.5 hour(s)
Battery Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
Battery Life Details Digital playback Lithium polymer 10 hour(s)
Audio System
Sound output mode Stereo
Additional features USB 2.0 compatibility, Wi-Fi compatible, Built-in Bluetooth transmitter
Cable(s) / Peripheral(s)
Cable(s) included USB cable -

System Requirements
Min Operating system Microsoft Windows Vista / XP
Connections
Connector type 1 x Docking station, 1 x Headphones Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x USB Mini-USB Type B
Built-in Display
Audio system built-in display LCD
Diagonal size 2.5 in
Resolution 320 x 240
Power
Power Supply / Device Power adapter External
Headphones
Headphones type Binaural Ear-bud
Sound output mode Stereo
Connectivity technology Wired
Battery / Power
Power device type Power adapter