Rockbox - Extended Battery Life Builds

Results

These builds incorporate unreleased patches designed to extend Rockbox battery life from 16% to 45%

These builds were compiled by Thomas Paul Diffenbach, based on the Rockbox CVS source of 10 August 2003.
This web page is copyright (©) 2003 Thomas Paul Diffenbach. Duplication of this web page is prohibited without express permission.

The FM, Recorder, and Player builds have been tested; the 8 MB memory builds have not.

Please send questions, bug reports, or comments to the rockbox mailing list, or to ebl_test.rockbox AT diffenbach dot org

No warranty, express or implied, is made as to the usability or safety of this software. If you chose to use this software, you do so at your own risk. By downloading this software, you expressly hold harmless the software's creator and any other entities for any loss or damage, direct or incidental, caused by your use of this software.

The source code for this software is released under the GNU General Public License. Copies of the source code is available upon request to rockbox at diffenbach dot org.

Important Notes

The software can be downloaded via the links at the bottom of the page.

PLEASE READ THE TEST PLAN BEFORE DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE.

Please DON'T download the software if your are unable to run the tests.

Please note that this software should only be used for testing; it will drain your battery faster than non-test software, as it saves power monitoring information to your disk.

The information saved is not personally identifying in any way; only elapsed time, power level and MP3 bitrate information is saved.

The software will change your Rockbox settings. Save your settings before using the software.

The Test Plan

That would be five runs minimum: One dummy to prep the batteries, three actual tests, and one final test (re-run of the first actual test) to confirm the batts haven't changed radically.

1. Preparation:
   • SAVE YOUR SETTINGS TO A CFG FILE (Menu | General Settings | Save Settings) before running any of the Rockbox builds. The builds WILL OVERWRITE YOUR SETTINGS!
   • Copy the entire contents on the zip file to the root directory of your Archos. In particular, the power.test.cfg MUST be placed in the root directory.
   • Email me at ebl_test.rockbox @ diffenbach.org with your Archos model, and any hardware modifications it has. In order to ensure a comprehesive test,I'll assign you a bitrate to use for testing, and email this to you (so ensure that your email to me can ve replied to.-- no munged addresses please)
   • Rip a CD at the indicated bitrate, making sure the total CD length is at least 30 (thirty) minutes, and that the CD has at least 10 (ten) tracks. (If you need ripping software for Microsoft Windows, I recommend CDex (http://www.cdex.n3.net/) using the lame encoder (CDex's default).)
   • Copy the ripped tracks to a directory on your Archos.
2. Test phase 1:
   • Don't charge.
   • ROLO testbaseline.ajz (testbaseline.mod)
   • Play the directory you ripped (that is, play the first song in the directory, allowing Repeat All mode to do its work)
   • To ensure normal power use, please keep your headphones plugged in for the full duration of the test!
   • Wait until the Archos turns itself off for lack of power.
3. Test phase 2:
   • ROLO testbaseline.ajz (testbaseline.mod) (YOU MUST ROLO AGAIN, you had a power off!)
   • Charge your Archos to the maximum battery level you can get it.
   • Play the same directory you played in test phase 1.
   • To ensure normal power use, please keep your headphones plugged in for the full duration of the test!
   • Wait until the Archos turns itself off for lack of power.
4. Test phase 3:
   • ROLO testA.ajz (testA.mod)
   • Charge your Archos to the maximum battery level you can get it.
   • Play the same directory you played in test phase 1.
   • To ensure normal power use, please keep your headphones plugged in for the full duration of the test!
   • Wait until the Archos turns itself off for lack of power.
5. Test phase 4:
   • ROLO testB.ajz (testB.mod)
   • Charge your Archos to the maximum battery level you can get it.
   • Play the same directory you played in test phase 1.
   • To ensure normal power use, please keep your headphones plugged in for the full duration of the test!
   • Wait until the Archos turns itself off for lack of power.
6. Test phase 5:
   • ROLO testbaseline.ajz (testbaseline.mod)
   • Charge your Archos to the maximum battery level you can get it.
   • Play the same directory you played in test phase 1.
   • To ensure normal power use, please keep your headphones plugged in for the full duration of the test!
   • Wait until the Archos turns itself off for lack of power.
7. Report your findings:
   • Copy ALL the files in the form power.*.log in your root directory to your pc, and email them to ebl_test.rockbox AT diffenbach.org
   • In your email, indicate your Archos model, and any hardware modifications to it.

The Software