Most MP3 players available today are firmware upgradable, meaning as it becomes available, new software that runs your player can be loaded onto it to improve its feature set or performance.
In most cases, a firmware update will fix bugs or any playback or navigation issues, though it can sometimes also mean improved battery management, compatibility with new audio formats, and the addition of useful features such as album art support. In a few cases, a firmware update can completely change a player's looks and abilities.
Upgrading firmware is analogous to updating your computer's operating system with patches and fixes, and it often happens semi-automatically. Though not necessary for the majority of players, a firmware upgrade for your MP3 player will nonetheless make your unit the best it can be.
Most manufacturers will offer a periodical firmware upgrade, though you'll often have to find these updates yourself on the manufacturer's Web site. Since each manufacturer has a different method for upgrading a player's firmware, we've offered a few easy upgrade steps for the most popular brands: the Apple iPod and the Creative Zen, as well as iRiver and Cowon players.
Required attention span: About 10 minutes
Before you start, you'll need to gather these
elements:
- Windows or Mac computer
- Your MP3 player and transfer cable (typically, USB 2.0)
- An Internet connection to download the firmware or updater application; in some cases, you can get a firmware updater on a CD
Apple iPod
Updating the firmware on your iPod is for the most part an
automatic process. Updates for the iPod usually unlock a cool
new feature, such as compatibility with accessories such as the
Camera Connector.
Step 1: Automatically update
Part of the reason the iPod is so popular is because of its
simplicity and its seamless relationship with iTunes.
In most cases, iTunes will automatically notify you if you'd
like to update your iPod with the latest iPod software. In this
case, you simply select Yes.
Step 2: Manually update
If you'd like to update your software manually, you can do so
by downloading iPod Updater software if it's not on your
system already. At the time of this writing, the latest version
is 2005-11-17, and it includes the latest firmware for every
iPod ever made. You'll find it by default in Applications >
Utilities > iPod Software Updater. Once you plug in your
iPod, you'll get a choice of updating to the latest firmware or
restoring (or erasing) your iPod to factory settings.
Step 3: Don't unplug the device
Just remember to never unplug your iPod or any other device while the firmware is updating. In the playback info area of iTunes, you'll see the update's progress.
Creative Zen and
MuVo
The company has a long list of players, including the Zen and
MuVo
series, but updating firmware is no hassle at all. And you
should update, as Creative adds features and improvements to
its players often.
Step 1: Visit Creative's support
page.
Select Downloads, then Region, Country, and Language (here's a
quicker way for Australian users). Then select MP3
Players and your make of Creative player. We chose Zen, then
Zen
Micro Photo for this example.
Step 2: Designate your language, operating
system, and type of file.
Select Firmware. You'll get a page with at least one version of
the firmware with the version number, the date, and a brief
description of what the new firmware does. Click Details if you
want a more detailed look at the enhancements
(recommended).
In the case of Zen Micro Photo firmware 1.20.01 dated November 5, 2005, it improves playback performance of protected WMA tracks, which is a considerable upgrade. It also improves support for Japanese and Brazillian-Portugese languages -- not so big a deal.
Step 3: Download the update, and save it to your desktop.
Alternatively, you can save it in whatever folder you normally use for temporary apps. Simply connect the Zen Micro Photo to your PC via USB, then open the update application (click Run, then Update). Whatever you do, don't unplug the Zen Micro Photo while it's updating. The process is automated, and it took us less than a minute for our update.
Step 4: Make sure the firmware is installed.
When the update is finished, double-check your firmware version on the device. In the main menu, go to System > Information.
iRiver
It used to be somewhat of a pain to update iRiver firmware, but
it's become much easier. Occasionally, you'll run into firmware
for an international version of the device that can open up new
features (such as video on the H300
series), but iRiver does not recommend this.
Step 1: Visit iRiver's support
page.
Australian users can go here.
Step 2: Select player type.
If you have a flash player such as the iRiver T10,
click the bar for Ultra Portable Players. On the resulting
page, select your player.
Step 3: Find the firmware.
Scroll down and you'll see the firmware section, which has a
link for the latest firmware. Click the firmware file for
graphical instructions on how to update your firmware; in our
case, it's version 1.53 for the T10 series. If you have an
older non-MTP player (not the T10,
T30,
H10, and
U10), the process is slightly different. Also if you have an
H10, there are special instructions that include a bizarre step
where you need to reset the device. For info on how to update
an older iFP
player such as the 700 or 800 series, click here. This process is a little more
complicated and requires a formatting of your player.
Step 4: Download the iRiver Firmware Updater.
Make sure you download it somewhere accessible, such as the desktop. Unzip the file, then open it.
Step 5: Follow the wizard.
The wizard will guide you through the process. You'll be prompted to connect your player, which will be autodetected. Conveniently, the updater application will display your player's current firmware version and the new one, and it will give you the opportunity to format your player (erase all data) or simply update the firmware.
Step 6: Unplug the T10 and power on.
The updating process took 10 seconds on our iRiver T10, and the new firmware allows the user to delete a song from a playlist, create a playlist on the fly without a computer, and improves VBR playback, along with fixing other some bugs. See the complete list here.
Cowon iAudio
Cowon may not be a famous brand, but MP3 insiders definitely
know that the iAudio
series includes some of the most technologically advanced and
best-sounding MP3 players available. Updating Cowon's firmware
takes a couple of extra steps, but it's pretty easy overall.
Cowon is particularly proactive about updating its firmware, so
check for updates regularly.
Step 1: Visit Cowon's download
page.
In the left-hand column, under the heading JetShell/Firmware,
select your player from the drop-down box. In our case, we're
updating the iAudio X5.
Step 2: Find the latest firmware.
The page is arranged into types of downloads. Find the listing
that has Firmware in the Type column and the most recent date
in the Date column. Down below, you'll see what the firmware
adds and fixes. In our case, version 2.10 beta 7 doesn't do
much (a couple of fixes), so we might decide not to update.
Below the description is a step-by-step tutorial offered by
Cowon.
Step 3: Download the firmware.
Click the Download button next to the most recent firmware. Unzip the firmware update file to your desktop. Make sure your X5's clock is set to the current time.
Step 4: Connect the X5 to your computer via USB.
Copy the X5_fw.bin file to the Firmware folder of the X5 (go to My Computer and double-click the iAudio X5 drive icon to gain access to the Firmware folder).
Step 5: Wait for the update to take effect.
Disconnect the USB and power cables from the X5, then connect the power cable. The firmware upgrade will automatically happen on the player; it takes about 30 seconds.
Bay11
22/01/2006 05:52 AM
I have a Kobian Mercury Ixa 325i and cannot find a site to upgrade my firmware so it can play Ogg files, please help.
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me
29/01/2006 09:39 PM
hey ive got a HICON HMP128W mp3 player.... well i was givin it and i wanted to get rid of the songs so i formated it..now i cant use it and i cant fid any firmware at all for it....or even the company site... can somone help?
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luke
04/02/2007 10:29 PM
hi, i bought an mp3 / mp4 player for my brother in tenerife. it looks identicle to an ipod nano but says GROWN (GB) on the front. I was putting music on it for him and it kept saying disk error, so i re formatted it. now it only comes up with the loading symbol? if there was anyway you could help id really apreciate it. Many thanks.
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Atul
23/02/2007 10:35 PM
I have mp4/mp3 player with 2 gb memory but i can able to play only 29 songs. on pc i can see all songs
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just4itin
29/03/2007 07:43 PM
All errors in china made mp4 players are due to less memory available than what it clais to possess. Simple answer: Click on the disk tools in AMV utility 3.6 or 4.0 . compare disk capacity from format and partition and encrypt buttons. Memory size displayed on partition and encryption button is actual memory size. Load as many files as accomodated within size displayed by partition and encrypt button. You will not have any errors but once file size exceeds the disk capacity (shown by pressing partition and encrypt button) all problems will crop up.
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yameen
11/04/2007 07:24 PM
I have an Mp4 player and the model is IKO and i need an explan and a firmware to know how to upgrade it
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Sina
16/05/2007 10:51 PM
good
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manasnayak
17/06/2007 09:19 PM
purchased a 1GB MP3 player which says on it "Digital Audio Player" and "MP3,WMA", I formatted it using a disk manger tool. Now it is showing only 230MB of space. How to get back my full 1GB? Please someone help me.
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Arun BHat
21/06/2007 08:26 PM
I purchased a 1GB MP3 player which says on it "MP3/MP4 DIGITAL PLAYER" , I was gettint format error whenever i put more than 32 songs in it. as pe recommendation of the manual ,I formatted it using a disk manger tool in AMV utility 3.6. Now it is showing only 244MB of space. How to get back my full 1GB? Please someone help me.
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Muzamil
10/07/2007 08:05 PM
purchased a 1GB MP3 player which says on it "Digital Audio Player" and "MP3,WMA", I formatted it using a disk manger tool. Now it is showing only 230MB of space. How to get back my full 1GB? Please someone help me.
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farooookh
18/07/2007 06:06 AM
hey man your mp3 player 1 gig has new hardware virus it need updated anti virus to chek it out and need formated by some device my flash get this virus too
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zarghamk
02/09/2007 09:32 PM
my mp3 is slow in copy paste paste please if some one know the cure ,do inform me,zargham_ullah_khan@yahoo.com
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hiten
05/09/2007 01:54 AM
i hav sony china made mp4 which supports only amv video format. can i upgrade it and how. can i play mp4 videos. how can i get it upgraded. will it cause any problem.
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umesha
14/09/2007 05:11 PM
i brought the mp3 pendrive player and the version firmware version is 3.0.43.0001 my pendrive space is 1gb but it shows only 244 mb how to upgrade the pendrive plese help me
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nolimits
17/09/2007 06:35 AM
yea my mp3 player looks just like an ipod with the screen, but i bought it from someone and it worked i put songs on it and i could listen to it, but now everytime i go to click on my music it says disk error. all it says on it is mp4 digital player. I can still listen to the radio but not my music
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mmj
02/10/2007 01:46 AM
i have mp3/mp4 player brand sensei smp2048n how method to upgrade my player
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bbann
08/10/2007 05:47 AM
i have mp4 skyblue sk-adam how to upgrade my plyer..?
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jake carloman PH
16/10/2007 06:49 PM
how can i fix my creative mp3 player 256 Mb. i cant open and format it.. an error " I/O devie error" promps me
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vishal
27/10/2007 04:26 PM
i have supercomp mp3 palyer (semp3-s100) and i want its firmware upgrade
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rajesh
28/10/2007 05:18 PM
hii i have a JXD661 PMP nothing is displayed properly except lines blured light patches. can any one help me please....... post me at rajesh.the.rebel@gmail.com
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Sabs
14/11/2007 08:45 PM
Hi. Please help. i got a 4gig Digital Audio player (a.k.a. so called iPod) a friend bought for me in China. I formated it now it says 109MB and it uses Firmware that refuses to upgrade. help. sab_artist@yahoo.com
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terminator
15/11/2007 12:18 AM
Hi. Please help. i got a 256MB WHARFEDALE MP3 a friend bought for me in England. I dont know its reference, and the problem is i cant play any mp3, cause when i try it says system error, so i formated it, but it still doing that. please help.
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younas
15/11/2007 05:54 AM
my mp3 player not getting new mp3 files for autorunnining have space 1GB i need it's driver
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needs help
16/11/2007 03:42 PM
i need somebodies help my aunty has given me her digital mp3 player to put music on tho the disc shes given me doesnt work im not sur e what brand it is it just say digital mp3 player it also says voice recorder, mp3 player dvr , usb 512 does nebody no what brand this is so i can retrieve the software
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jorge
18/11/2007 07:05 AM
I need firmware mp3 player top-world 1g board MP-482C-LCM-V13, ATJ2085 firmware version 3.5.35.0001
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Tariqayub
28/11/2007 02:47 AM
i am lucky to see u all ... i have in good shape and i was going to update the frimware ...... hahahah i m lucky..
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Shala B
05/12/2007 09:36 AM
Salaams, Hey Guyz~! need help, please! i recently got given an mp3/4 (ipod look a like) as a gift from Hong Kong, but canot access it, i try to format it and it cant format, it wont let me choose the options, and especialy for the memory capacity option only displays "1MB" my mp3/4 player is 2GB, but cant format it, please help!! other details are: MP3/4 DIGITAL PLAYER [MUSIC NO LIMIT] crazililcutipi@gmail.com
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DjPista90
14/12/2007 06:03 AM
i have a microdia 5 in 1 512MB mp3 player but i not found a firmware upgrade file for that can you help me finding that?
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lun7200
21/12/2007 07:44 PM
Salaams, Hey Guyz~! need help, please! i recently got given an mp3/4 (ipod look a like) as a gift from Hong Kong, but canot access it, i try to format it and it cant format, it wont let me choose the options, and especialy for the memory capacity option only displays "1MB" my mp3/4 player is 2GB, but cant format it, please help!! other details are: MP3/4 DIGITAL PLAYER [MUSIC NO LIMIT] lun7200@yahoo.com
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chandu
22/12/2007 10:34 PM
my saft ware cd is los up plese sed me jxd661 mp4 plair
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lokesh
17/01/2008 10:46 PM
hai this is nice
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pakshib
19/01/2008 05:59 AM
THANX
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mmtech27
11/02/2008 05:38 AM
Hey Guys I bought a Sony MP4 DIGITAL PLAYER MUSIC NO LIMIT 1GB When ever i load video songs it cannot display on Tv screen after using Tv out put and LCD Out Put/AV cables that were packed with it.
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mmtech27
11/02/2008 06:03 AM
I Bought a SONY MP4 DIGITALPLAYER MUSIC NO LIMIT 1 G. Whenever i save pictures on the memory card (E) that is not built in, I cannot access them at all. How can I over come this Problem Thanks.
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ksdaredevil
27/02/2008 10:20 PM
i have 512MB supercomp mp3 player model(semp3 s100) plz help me in upgrading my mp3 player
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Planton
16/03/2008 05:35 PM
Hi...I bought an Iriver T10 mp3 player and I made the mistake to stop the player when it update firmware...now when I try to start it...nothing...can somebody help me please???
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mgngea
26/03/2008 02:44 AM
please help me sir i need tch b822 firmware
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Aladinco
27/03/2008 02:03 AM
i'm not even sure that my mp3 player is masde by sony and i want to upgade it online
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vic
04/04/2008 01:19 PM
hi, we need to repair the system files on the mp3/4. accident it eliminates the sistem files. is there a site we can go to? thanks, vicky
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snowball
06/04/2008 05:00 AM
hi i bought an mp4 1G it was working very well. i tried to use the voice recorder but it saved a corropted file iam trying to formated but its usless, and its not working now if u can give me an advice thanks.
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tarubat
06/04/2008 08:56 PM
ang saya ne2
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aftab
26/04/2008 06:19 AM
I purchased a 1GB MP3 player which says on it "Digital Audio Player" and "MP3,WMA", I formatted it using a disk manger tool. Now it is showing only 233MB of ...
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Siddharth Lahiri,Kolkata
12/05/2008 06:16 PM
I purchased a 2GB MP$4 player which is able to pay MP3,WMA,AMV,AVR,REC formats.But after I formatted and partitioned using the provided disk manager ,the memory size has reduced to 233MB. How can increase it to 2GB again?..........
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ridwan
05/06/2008 07:44 PM
i have an mp3 player, how to add radio tuner to mp3 ??? please help me send your reply to ridwan.xl@gmail.com
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