Just what we needed, another entry in RCA’s line of microdrive players. Joining such hallowed devices as the RD2762, the RD2763, and the RD2765, are the new H106 and H116.
The H116 has shown up on several webshops online, but the specific details are few at this point.
* 6 GB
* 1.5″ Negative LCD screen
* Compatible with most download sites including subscription services
* 18 hours on rechargeable battery
* USB power charge (no AC/DC charger required)
* Weighs .7 lbs
While the H116 seems to be out of stock everywhere, I actually saw the H106 at my local Target store this weekend. Imagine that. As far as I can tell the only difference between the two models is that the 116 includes a cheapo FM transmitter, while the 106 does not.
Review by PC Magazine
RCA’s new 5GB hard drive-based RCA Lyra RD2765, complete with a mechanical scroll wheel, almost seems like it’s gunning for the recently discontinued iPod mini’s top position in its market niche. Although there are quite a few things to like about the player, the company cut a few too many manufacturing corners in trying to keep the price down, and it lacks extras like an FM tuner and recording capabilities that would give it an edge. Still, this is a solid audio player despite its shortcomings.
The RD2765 measures a compact 2.0 by 3.3 by 0.6 inches and weighs just 3 ounces. The plastic casing’s chrome finish collects fingerprints galore, and the 1.4-inch square-shaped LCD is a bit smaller than we’d like. The bumpy gray rubberized scroll wheel has a four-way joystick in the center that doubles as a select button when pushed straight in. The other button on the front takes you to the menu system and file browser, and the power button is on the side. A hold switch plus headphone and USB jacks round out the external features. The left side of the otherwise rectangular player is bowed out very subtly; it seems like a manufacturing glitch, but RCA says it’s an intentional ergonomic enhancement.
Review by PC World
You know a portable audio player’s interface needs work when three of four experienced users can’t get it to play a song within a minute of picking it up. Beyond that dubious distinction, the most notable things about RCA’s new 6GB hard-drive based Lyra H106 are its throwback monochrome screen, its bundled FM transmitter, and its somewhat low–but not low enough–price of $170 (as of 7/21/06).
When you pick up the H106, it’s immediately clear the unit is no iPod killer. The silver-and-black unit feels solid, but looks chintzy. At 2 inches wide by 3.6 inches tall by half a??an inch thick, it’s small but not tiny. On top there’s a USB port, a headphone jack, and a sliding lock button. The power button resides on the right side of the unit.
Review by CNET
On June 27, 2006, RCA introduced three new MP3 player models: the 4GB RCA H100 ($139) and the 6GB RCA H106 and H116 ($169). Available now, the players are a throwback to the basic color-free microdrive player of a couple of years ago, and they lack features such as an FM tuner, recording capabilities, and photo and video support. Still, the RCA H100 series is compatible with WMA subscriptions and Audible files, and though it’s much bigger than an iPod Nano and lacks the pizzazz of a Creative Zen V Plus, those looking for an affordable medium-capacity player with no extra features whatsoever should check it out. This is our review of the 6GB RCA H116.
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.
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