Rio Riot hacking?

Okay, I just won an eBay auction for a Riot. Hopefully, this time next week, I'll be geeking-out with the new toy!

First, does anyone else here have one?

Second, has anyone started trying to hack it? I'm especially interested in improving the client-side stuff (it currently requires a customized RealJukebox, and I really don't like Real software). At the very least, I'd love to be able to simply transfer files directly from disk to disk. I'm also curious about simply getting in -- like if I hook up a USB keyboard, can I get a shell? (can't you do that on the Rio Central?)

The RioCentral is very similar to the empeg - so they both run Lynix and allow you to access a shell prompt easily.

What connections does the Riot have? That is horrible that you need Real software for it. I simply hate Real software. I'd hope is would work with MusicMatch or something.

I'm learning that the Riot wasn't developed by the same team that did empeg / Rio Central / Rio Receiver, so I wouldn't be too surprised if it didn't run Linux. Also, I've since learned that it uses a wacko-proprietary USB connector, so getting a keyboard hooked in might be difficult (or at least require some kind of extension cable )

I read somewhere that it might be SDMI compatible, so there might not be any way to transfer files outside of Real Jukebox.

Linux would probably not be the first choice of OS for a power critical application. You wouldn't believe the stuff the Riot does to maximise battery life.

The player uses the same USB connector as all Rio portables since the 600. It comes with a USB cable. As with the empeg, this is a slave port so there's no chance of plugging a keyboard into it!

"SDMI Compatible" - have you seen an approved standard that I've missed? It is WMA DRM compatible, though, which only affects WMA DRM content.

Real Jukebox ships with the product, that doesn't mean it won't work with other applications (present and future).

Rob

> The player uses the same USB connector as all Rio portables since the 600

Ah, that answers that question!

> "SDMI Compatible" - have you seen an approved standard that I've missed?

No, I was just relating what I read in a review somewhere.

Thanks for the response....

What kind of cool things does it do?

Do you think that emplode could end up being used with it

I have a 600 and the supplied pc software is okay but emplode is better but it would not be suited to it as it only has 64meg of memory.

YOu don't know about the europe plans for the riot do you

Real Jukebox ships with the product, that doesn't mean it won't work with other applications (present and future).

What other program does it presently work with (besides itunes)

I asked this before and don't think i got a reply. I f'n HATE jukebox, and would kill to have emplode work with the Riot... even though it's my girlfriends... =]

The Riot has some quite empeg-like features including soup views and dynamic playlists (specific instances of weighted shuffles, the sort of thing you get on the Rio Central). The UI is pretty good, and sound quality is pretty good too. I think it's a better product than the iPod apart from the physical size (although it's smaller than it looks in the photos) and the slow (relative to firewire) USB.

It even has some empeg code in it - european font support

I can't comment on PC software, other than to say there are plans afoot.

Europe are certainly expecting to sell this product, in fact I think they have already received some. I'm not sure if they are shipping yet. They will eventually turn up in the same sorts of places you can find other Rio's (i.e. just about anywhere in the UK).

Rob

well I hope when whatever it is comes out I will be able to edit the track info after it's on the player.

i hope you gave the software folk for it an empeg and said this is how to do it.

I would love to see a pipe between different rio products via a computer so i could take songs straight from the empeg to a 600 or a riot if i buy one.

Any chance of a demo at amersfort

We'll bring all the toys we can to Amersfoort.

Rob

In reply to:

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We'll bring all the toys we can to Amersfoort.

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It's a long time since I've seen anyone mentioning Amersfoort.
Can you or schofiel comment on the plans for the third European Owners Meet?

It is expected to be a three day affair, Friday 14th - Sunday 16th June. The "meet proper" will be on the Saturday, with various events on the other days to make it worthwhile for those travelling a long distance.

Several of us are coming from empeg, and we'll do our best to help make it a cool meet with give aways, the obligatory quiz, product demonstrations and so forth.

I haven't yet heard from Rob S, who I understand is very busy working away from home at the moment. If it turns out he doesn't have time to organise the meet this year then it will still happen, but possibly not over three days.

Rob

Will you be bringing a tame soldering type person with you.

If yes how about an led mounting demo, i am willing to provide player and kit if i can get it in time.

Well I'm not driving all the way to Holland to spend my time soldering - do you have any idea how good the food and beer is there??

Maybe you could talk David into coming!



Rob

If you to much food and beer i won't want you to do the soldering anyway.

Another note is there any chance of you discovering hotel prices and seeing you there is anyway of getting a discount.

What a shame, I'm moving into my new house over that weekend. Could someone take shed loads of pictures and post them on riocar.org? It's a pity I'll miss my first empeg meet, oh well, i'll just have to wait for 2003....

Is the date for the meet in Amersfoort confirmed? I can't find any posts on the matter anywhere.

Yes the date is confirmed. I can't come up with full details until I speak with Rob S - he emailed me yesterday to say he's very busy but will be in touch.

I would think it 99% likely that the location will be the same as previous years - if I don't hear from Rob soon I'm going to go ahead and book our rooms anyway.

Rob

Please keep us posted. I'd like to book our room at the Campanile as well, if that's indeed where it'll be.
Thanks,
Jason

It will be there, and if you want to join us for all of the activities you'll need a room for both Friday and Saturday nights.

I hope to get full details out today.

Rob