As I'm looking for a large capacity mp3 player, I popped into the local apple store to mess around with an ipod classic. Partly because of the dreaded itunes, I didn't really want an ipod to be honest - I'd prefer an Archos - but in these tough times, I'd prefer to buy from a high-street, or internet retailer with a reputation that doesn't look like it might go down the swanee and which has a reasonably easy returns policy. Unfortunately the larger capacity Archos players don't fit the bill. They are carried by the likes of Amazon, but only through the Marketplace.
However when I actually heard the Ipod classic in the shop, I found the volume level very disappointing, even with the limiting off on full blast. (I've had a hearing problem from birth, which means I need these things louder than most people).
On further research, it appears that EU ipod volumes are limited by their firmware.
So my questions are;
- are there any proven firmware hacks that get around this problem and how loud to these things go once the limits are removed? Are they comparable with other portable devices, such as CD players etc.
- presumably such hacks void the warranty, so is there any way that the original firmware could be reinstalled in the event of some future fault - assuming said fault allowed this to be done?
- does the volume limit apply to all EU produced players - i.e. do Archos players have the same problem?
Are there any other ways around this? There really is no point in me buying one of these things if there isn't.
Incidentally, does anyone know which bright spark in the EU to contact to complain about this piece of legislation? As I've indicated, it's had the unintended effect of denying access to this technology to those with my sort of disability - surely this is something the EU have simply overlooked?
However when I actually heard the Ipod classic in the shop, I found the volume level very disappointing, even with the limiting off on full blast. (I've had a hearing problem from birth, which means I need these things louder than most people).
On further research, it appears that EU ipod volumes are limited by their firmware.
So my questions are;
- are there any proven firmware hacks that get around this problem and how loud to these things go once the limits are removed? Are they comparable with other portable devices, such as CD players etc.
- presumably such hacks void the warranty, so is there any way that the original firmware could be reinstalled in the event of some future fault - assuming said fault allowed this to be done?
- does the volume limit apply to all EU produced players - i.e. do Archos players have the same problem?
Are there any other ways around this? There really is no point in me buying one of these things if there isn't.
Incidentally, does anyone know which bright spark in the EU to contact to complain about this piece of legislation? As I've indicated, it's had the unintended effect of denying access to this technology to those with my sort of disability - surely this is something the EU have simply overlooked?