It seems as if it will be the perfect complement to the empeg... small dimensions, large capacity, and nice front end to queue up what you want to hear... simply beautiful!

--Steve
=)

It's a bit big isn't it?

I'd like something smaller to slip in my pocket.

In reply to:

---

I'd like something smaller to slip in my pocket.

---

Like an iPod?

Erm, no, it's not very big at all. Most people seem to think that it's much bigger than it really is.

The iPod is smaller, but it doesn't benefit from the capacity of a 2.5" drive.

Rob

I've got a PJB100 right now, and I have to say that even though it's slightly larger than an iPod, the 40 gigs of MP3 storage more than make up for it. It's like the difference between having the empeg in my car and having a 64mb flash player.

I've been following the Riot, and I definitely think I'd get one if my PJB were to stop working. The PJB has a lot of the things I like about the empeg, meaning database driven organization instead of file based, and a nice, clean, well thought out UI. The Riot just seems to take this to the next level with a lot of the cool playlist features that the HSX-109 has.

Rob, from other posts you seem to have seen a lot of the Riot, and may have some insight into it that we'll never have. Here's a question for you: Given all three of these products (Riot, HSX-109, empeg), which one's the best from a music management/organization perspective? How about the perspective of sheer usability? What does the Riot do that you wish the HSX-109/Rio Receiver/empeg would do?

5Gb is pleanty enough to keep me going for a weekend on the skifield though...

I mean, my empeg only has 4Gb

And when your talking portable devices, the extra smallness and lightness of the ipod are a big deal.

Wasn't the slogan going to be: "Rio Riot. It's bigger than the IPod."

(See, it's not really that much bigger physically, but it has a lot more storage capacity.)

The products don't really compare - they are each designed for a different environment and usage pattern. The HSX109 (which is now called Rio Central) has the most comprehensive music management tools on-board because it's designed to work without a PC.

Rob

"Rio Riot. It's bigger than the IPod."

<VBG>

3.625 by 5.375 by 1.375 and10 oz = RIOT

2.430 by 4.020 by 0.780 inches and 6.5 ounces = IPOD

The RIOT is 50% wider, 25% taller, 100% thicker, and 60% heavier. But has 300% more storage.

So i wouldn't say the RIOT is a little bigger, i'd say it's signigicantly bigger and heavier. When i first saw the ipod i thought it was just another overpriced piece of apple candyware, until i realised just how compact and portable it was compared to the competition. The ipod is actually smaller than those tiny tape walkmans that people get in japan.

The riot is a huge improvement on the other large capacity "portables" like the nomad and the volt. But in terms of portability the ipod is still the leading high capcity portable

The other benefit of the iPod is firewire. Sure it only holds 5gbs, but it's not going to take that long to swap out the entire contents of the player with something else.

With the hard drives the iPod uses now up to 10 and 20 gb, it's only a matter of time until Apple releases a revision.

3.625 by 5.375 by 1.375 and10 oz = RIOT
2.430 by 4.020 by 0.780 inches and 6.5 ounces = IPOD

The RIOT is 50% wider, 25% taller, 100% thicker, and 60% heavier.

I think that once you reach a small enough dimension that the unit will fit comfortably in a shirt pocket (and the Riot certainly qualifies), there is no significant advantage to making it smaller.

Suppose you could shrink it down to the size of a matchbook? Would there be some advantage to being able to carry a dozen of them at one time in your pocket?

tanstaafl.

I think that once you reach a small enough dimension that the unit will fit comfortably in a shirt pocket (and the Riot certainly qualifies), there is no significant advantage to making it smaller.

I agree, except for the part about the Riot qualifing. Once they have them down to about the size of a watch i don't think they'd be much advantage making them smaller.

All depends on your application i guess.

For me something that is 1.3 inches thick would not fit in my pocket comfortably.

And i hate extra weight in my short pockets that bangs around when i run and tries to pull my shorts down. So saving 110grams is an advantage. I got all my keys recut using those new ultralight italian keys. You could hardly notice the keys were in your pocket (until i fitted a car alarm and now have to carry the remote around)

Suppose you could shrink it down to the size of a matchbook? Would there be some advantage to being able to carry a dozen of them at one time in your pocket?

Watches used to be big heavy things (not as big as an ipod though). Then with the wonders of technology they managed to make them small enough to wear on your wrist. No one thought, neat i can carry ten watches in my pocket now. But they did think carrying a single watch was now much more practical.