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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 06/30/2006
- Released on: 06/27/2006
While the RCA H116 isn't ugly, it lacks glossy high-tech appeal, and the absence of prominent branding gives this 2.7-ounce player a generic feel. It feels natural in the hand, and at its thinnest point, the device measures 3.5 by 2 by 0.5 inches. It's neither as skinny as a Nano, nor as small as a Creative Zen V Plus, but that doesn't detract from the overall user experience. As RCA reps have stated, the H100 series is "so small that [it] can hide behind a business card." While this is true, the device cannot hide under a business card. RCA reps have also confirmed that there is no difference between the H106 and H116 models; in fact, all three H series models are identical from the outside.
The face of the dark gray device has a thick, glossy finish that attract mad prints and is outlined by a thin Rio Carbon-like chrome border. Underneath the square 1.5-inch display is the main controller and volume mechanism, a tactile wheel with minuscule raised bumps for traction. The wheel works well, and you select menu items by pressing the center play/pause button. The forward and back buttons line the right and left sides of the wheel, while the menu button sits nearby to the right. We assumed the buttons would be backlit, but again, as part of RCA's intention to keep costs down, they aren't.
The only item on either spine is a power button, while the headphone and standard mini USB jacks, as well as the hold switch, are located on top. There's also an opening for a lanyard, but we don't recommend such use, as this is a microdrive player that's susceptible to malfunctioning if knocked around. Along with the player, the package includes generic earbuds; a 2-foot USB cable; a basic FM transmitter (not included with the 4GB H100); a driver CD with Yahoo Music Engine; and promotional offers from Audible, eMusic, and Yahoo. The FM transmitter has a retractable cable and can be used with any audio device. On one of San Francisco's clearest frequencies (88.1kHz), we experienced a little static, but worse, the audio quality is muffled.
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