Turn your Nontendo DS in to a multi media player (R4 Cartridge Revolution for DS)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	R4 Cartridge Revolution for DS
Date:	24/10/08 (2999 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: PlayMP3, video and home brew through your NDS. All in one solution

Disadvantages: Poor suport from suppliers

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What is the R4 Evolution?
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The R4 Evolution is a smart gadget that allows you to turn your NDS in to a multi media player that can be used to watch films/cartoons, listen to MP3's and read text.

Whilst the quality of the video or the music is not as good as other multi media players, such as the Ipod Video or the Archos, it should be remembered that the primary reason for buying the NDS is to play computer games therefore it is unfair to compare the audio and visual quality to multi media players.

The R4 just adds another dimension to the NDS.

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In the box
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The R4 pack should include the R4 card (which is the same size and dimensions as an NDS cartridge which is inserted in to slot 1 - right where a normal game cartridge goes), a USB drive with the micro SD card slot (to enable easy transfer of files) and a plastic case for the R4 card, a CD containing the relevant software to use the R4 in the NDS.

Unfortunately for me, I ended up buying mine from a trader who did not supply the CD, however, after a call to a very helpful after sales service team (I thank you very much for this) I was advised that the software can be downloaded for free directly from the R4 official website - http://r4ds.cn/ So it was not such a big deal to have an incomplete package.

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Setting up the R4

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There are a lot of tutorials on Youtube giving an 'idiots' step by step guide how to set up the R4. Most of the tutorials are by American kids, and if it wasn't for these there is no way I would have got my R4 set up quickly without them since, although very simple when shown, the instructions on the back of the R4 box are not very clear or concise.

The steps to set up the R4 are as follows:

1) Insert a micro SD card in to the USB micro SD card reader.
2) Put the reader in to a USB port
3) Open up the internet and go to http://r4ds.cn/
4) Go to downloads
5) In the kernel downloads select the most current version (these are updated quite frequently). The current version is R4 V1.18 Kernel (English/French/Korean)
6) Download the file to the desk top
7) This will come in a zip file but do not extract the file here. Instead, click on the English folder, highlight all the contents and then drag and drop in to the USB drive.
The software has now been installed and is ready to use with your NDS.

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Installing Music and videos
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With the R4 the NDS will play music saved in MP3 format. I have tried loading WMV files in to it but it does not seem to want to play them. This is not a big deal since when converting CD's and downloading music MP3 is the most common format.

The MP3's are not loaded directly on to the NDS. The files are stored on to a micro SD card, which is then inserted in to the R4 card, which is then inserted in to the NDS.

Putting MP3 files on to the micro SD card could not be easier. Simply put the micro SD card in to the supplied card reader, drag and drop the music files on to the USB drive and, hence, the micro SD card, put the micro SD card in to the R4 and then put the R4 in to the NDS.

With the R4 the NDS will play videos in the avi format. I do not know whether it supports other video files since I have not tried as all my downloaded videos are in the avi format. In any case there are lots of converters available that can change almost any video format in to avi.
Putting avi files on to the micro SD card is the same as putting MP3 files on to the card.

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The user interface on the NDS

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When the R4 is inserted in to the NDS the software provides a very user friendly interface.
3 files are shown titled music, video and applications. As files are loaded on to the micro SD card the software automatically allocates them to the correct folder so it is easy to find the items that you wish to play.

To play a specific file go to the relevant folder, scroll down the list of files (using the directional pad) click OK and hey presto.

The applications file allows the use of homebrew applications. I have not had the chance to test this out since I do not know where to get homebrew applications from.

The R4 (once the software has been correctly set up) really is idiot proof and is an absolute doddle to use.

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Quality
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The sound quality is that of a standard NDS. Therefore, it is not very loud, it gets distorted as the volume is increased and it does not contain bass, mid range and high pitches.

The picture quality is that of the standard NDS which, although not on par with the Apple video Ipod or the Archos, is more than adequate. There is no lag with the speed of the video and it is possible to adjust the sharpness and brightness of the picture, although this is limited.

It needs to be appreciated that the quality will not be as good as other multi media players so it is not fair to compare the sound and video outputs of the R4 in the NDS to them.

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Where to buy the R4
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I have not seen any high street stores around where I live that stock the R4. It is, however, readily available on the internet and can be purchased from a variety of places.

If you are thinking of buying one then it is definitely worth shopping around since the prices can vary greatly. I have seen them for as little as £14.99 (excluding the micro SD card) right up to £39.99 (excluding the micro SD card).

Many places offer packages with optional micro SD cards in 512mb, 1gb, 2gb, 4gb and even 8 gb sizes. I bought the micro SD card separately since the price most of these places charge is extortionate and you can get the same ones (and genuine ones) from other sources such as Ebay for a lot less. I managed to get a genuine Kingston 2gb micro SD card (as verified on the Kingston.com website) for £2.49 plus £1.99 P&P. The shop I purchased the R4 from wanted £15.99 for the same card!!!!

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What to watch out for/limitations
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The R4 card does not support micro SDHC cards of any size. This limits the size of micro SD card that can be used to 4gb at the absolute maximum.

I could not get a 4gb micro SD card to work and after looking on the NDS forums I discovered that, although the box states a 4gb card will work, other forum users had the same problem and could only use a 2gb. Although a pain I do not see this as a real issue since I have multiple micro SD cards (especially at the cheap price of £2.49) pre loaded with the R4 software (each card needs this since it is not loaded directly on to the NDS) containing different genres of music and videos.

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Advice
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The shop I purchased my original (and faulty) R4 from could offer no after sales help, advice or assistance whatsoever - The owner sent me an email (he doesn't appear to like speaking on the phone since there is no telephone number on the sales invoice and BT directory enquiries have no number at the shop's trading address!) referring me to Youtube - so I think that Clickshop.com should be named and shamed. The online shop who supplied my second (and working R4) had a very helpful after sales service team who were knowledgeable and willing to assist.

The instructions on the box are also quite poor, however, there are loads of forums that can be consulted and I have found everyone on there to be very helpful and friendly (despite being asked the same questions over and over again!). In addition to this there are many tutorials on youtube, some of which are very detailed indeed.

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Conclusion
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The R4 is a great add on to the NDS. It eliminates the need to take an MP3 player and or a multi media player to watch videos, albeit at a loss of both audio and visual quality.
I have yet to try a homebrew application so cannot comment on this aspect although I am actively looking for one and will update this review as necessary.

Apparently it is possible to run downloaded games on the R4 but I do not know where to get these from at present. I am also unsure about the legality of this and will not look in to further until I find out.

If you are looking at buying one (I would highly recommend it!) then shop around as the price differentials can be huge.

Buy a micro SD card in isolation from the R4, again the savings are significant. Remember that the R4 does not accept a micro SDHC card of any size, and whilst the box may state up to 4gb I would recommend 2gb at the largest (I have not found a 4gb card that works).

Summary: An excellent bolt on to the Nintendo DS