Just because you have trouble ripping a CD doesn't mean it was copy protected.

If your computer can rip it OK, then it's probably not copy protected and it's just an iffy print of the disc. I've seen this happen before. The HSX is usually pretty good about being able to rip iffy CD's, but occasionally you'll get one that stumps it.

Your complaint about emplode getting an error on every track doesn't make sense. Are you sure the files you ripped from the CD on the PC are good valid MP3 files? Can you play them in WinAmp?