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#242029 - 20/11/2004 05:43 Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia
sidorg
new poster

Registered: 18/02/2002
Posts: 12
Has anyone heard of the Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia? It looks very much like an Empeg Unit.
http://www.z-media.us/index.asp

If you check the specs, it looks suspiciously like a somewhat updated Empeg unit, with a nicer display, built-in AM/FM tuner, and CD player. It can rip from the CD player, it can record AM/FM radio (that's a killer app), and the internal HDD is removeable, so you can update it using USB 2.0. Built-in amplifier and CDDB database.

This looks like the logical successor of the Empeg. I may have to pick one up. And keep my Empeg at home for a network MP3 player server.

George

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#242030 - 20/11/2004 07:41 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
Taym
carpal tunnel

Registered: 18/06/2001
Posts: 2504
Loc: Roma, Italy
Still too many questions unanswered, for me, to say that it even just matches the empeg.
What software features are there? I doub't it comes with anything closer to the empeg-player.
What other compression formats are supported?
How is music stored and organized in the hdd?
Can the hdd be upgraded?


The only real advanteges I see here are: better display (supposedly). Nicer metal look. Integrated radio.
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MK2a #040103216 * 100Gb *All/Colors* Radio * 3.0a11 * Hijack = taympeg

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#242031 - 20/11/2004 12:30 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14472
Loc: Canada
Hey, wow! That unit looks great!

I'm outa here now, man!

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#242032 - 20/11/2004 15:02 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Looks like the max storage possible is 20GB.
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Bitt Faulk

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#242033 - 20/11/2004 15:18 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
That's pretty much the spec the Mk.3 might have been a few years ago. Sadly the DIN format is starting to become so niche that I doubt there is any mainstream opportunity for a high end aftermarket head unit. The opportunity has to be in OEM, or interfacing with OEM.

Even that opportunity is slipping away and we all realise by now that hacking an iPod into the system is how it's going to be for most people. Those hacks could get a lot more elegant though.

Rob

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#242034 - 20/11/2004 16:19 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: rob]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
We've been hearing about this for a long time. DIN is still the only way to go in retail for a car audio HU. And despite all the fancy new proprietary OEM installations, you can put a DIN unit into practically all cars - with some work.

Now, that said, I think these guys have missed a the boat. The unit looks too retro. With only 20GB of storage, you might as well integrate an iPod into an existing system. Personally I don't like the built-in CD nor radio, but those would definitely be selling points for someone who isn't convinced about file-based digital audio.

That said, I'd favor the Dension unit over this any day.

Bruno
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#242035 - 20/11/2004 16:24 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
A nice try, no doubt, but just like Alpine's previous offerings of this nature, I'm not going to sit in my car to rip my CD collection to the device. Ok, move it in 4 GB chunks with the proprietary hard drives. But none of that comes close to empeg's connectivity: take the unit inside, connect to standard network, transfer as much as you want.

Quote:
hacking an iPod into the system is how it's going to be for most people.

Amen. "Connectivity box under the seat" to bridge handhelds to factory units, sold as an OEM option when you buy your car. We'll see it soon enough.
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#242036 - 20/11/2004 21:11 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
More info here. Flash site.

-Zeke
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#242037 - 21/11/2004 00:07 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: Ezekiel]
cushman
veteran

Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
Quote:
More info here. Flash site.

Gawd-awful Flash site. I stopped looking around after 30 seconds because it was so annoying.
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Mark Cushman

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#242038 - 21/11/2004 15:32 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: FireFox31]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
To be fair, it looks like the whole 20GB drive pulls out and can be connected to your PC. So you can load all 20GB at one time.

Bruno
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#242039 - 21/11/2004 16:56 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
If it recorded XM and had Tivo like features, that'd rock. It wouldn't be a "jukebox" player like the empeg, but rather a tricked out normal radio.

Is the "DIN is dead" argument real? Seems like the navigation and after market stereo business is doing good. No shortage of new models in my Crutchfield.
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Brad B.

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#242040 - 21/11/2004 17:05 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: rob]
CrackersMcCheese
pooh-bah

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2489
I disagree. DIN is all I see in the aftermarket car stereo world. OEM is never the choice for professionals or enthusiasts. Unless.... you know something that we don't But you probably do

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#242041 - 21/11/2004 18:58 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: Taym]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
Quote:
The only real advanteges


Currently being sold and supported

While I am sure the software is not as good as an empeg, it is a good looking runner up unit. If (diety forbid) my 2 empegs ever fail completely, this unit is what I would currently replace it with. The hard drive seems to be a 2.5 inch disk in a USB enclosure, so this unit could likely have 100 gigs of music, more then enough for my collection.

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#242042 - 21/11/2004 20:52 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: drakino]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
The price looks like a steal too.
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Brad B.

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#242043 - 22/11/2004 07:13 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
Shonky
pooh-bah

Registered: 12/01/2002
Posts: 2009
Loc: Brisbane, Australia
Without the seemingly real pictures (and with the flash based webpage) I'd normally say vaporware.

Certainly does look it could be decent though and at a reasonable price too.
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#40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)

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#242044 - 22/11/2004 15:25 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
az_max2
new poster

Registered: 11/06/2003
Posts: 5
HI, I saw this last year at CES. It was in the tent outside the maln hall, installed in a S2000. I had a long talk with the guys at the booth, they had never heard of the Empeg. They seemed almost indignant when I told them I had been doing the same thing for three years.
From what I remember, it may be good for a common user, but is missing the advanced features of the empeg. The USB harddrive is indeed upgradable, as nothing but music is stored on it. They didn't have XM support planned, and I'm not sure about ripping from CD to HD.
max_

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#242045 - 22/11/2004 17:33 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: az_max2]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Quote:
HI, I saw this last year at CES. It was in the tent outside the maln hall, installed in a S2000.

Damn, they even stole our choice of CES demo car

Rob

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#242046 - 25/11/2004 01:12 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: rob]
az_max2
new poster

Registered: 11/06/2003
Posts: 5
Oh, I got a pen that changes color from them too Has the company name on the side. I'll try to take a pic once I find my camera.

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#242047 - 25/11/2004 01:21 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: az_max2]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Quote:
Oh, I got a pen that changes color from them too Has the company name on the side.

That beats gapless playback..

Rob

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#242048 - 25/11/2004 03:34 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: rob]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Quote:
Quote:
Oh, I got a pen that changes color from them too Has the company name on the side.

That beats gapless playback..

Rio didn't even have a presence on the expo floor at the past 2 CES shows. CES isn't everything, but gapless playback does no good if the only people hearing about it are a chosen few.
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80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#242049 - 25/11/2004 08:38 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: robricc]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Quote:
Rio didn't even have a presence on the expo floor at the past 2 CES shows. CES isn't everything, but gapless playback does no good if the only people hearing about it are a chosen few.

Umm, the chosen few in this case being the press and retail buyers, at Rio's suite in the Hilton. Rio only really have a handful of customers (the retailers) and they get to see all the nice toys in a private suite that could not be shown in a more public context (just in case, say, the nice toy later gets totally cancelled).

Anyway it's a bit academic since the car player was discontinued some years ago!

Rob

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#242050 - 26/11/2004 00:50 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: rob]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
I have no business being admitted to CES, yet I go almost every year. I don't think I'm the only one.

I bought a first-gen NEO35 on the show floor at PCExpo back in 1998 or 99 from SSI America's booth. It's unlikely that would happen at Rio's booth, but Estone having product visible to all attendees probably gave them a lot of sales after the show. And, if the product is good, they spread the word. Convincing Best Buy to carry the Karma and lock it in an unlit glass case at knee-level isn't everything.
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-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#242051 - 26/11/2004 03:15 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: rob]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
CES provides a tremendous opportunity beyond the closed-door deals. Meeting press one-on-one is always good, but there's a bunch more free press to be had by having something demoing to the public. Not to mention innovations awards, etc.

Bruno
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#242052 - 26/11/2004 16:13 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: hybrid8]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Well I'm not going to spend any time defending Rio :-)

Rob

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#242053 - 26/11/2004 17:05 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
So has anyone found a review or some more info about this unit. From their annoying website it looks to be lacking in features.
_________________________

Matt

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#242054 - 29/11/2004 14:51 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: robricc]
az_max2
new poster

Registered: 11/06/2003
Posts: 5
Quote:
I have no business being admitted to CES, yet I go almost every year. I don't think I'm the only one.


Gee I thought I was the only one with a fake press pass

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#242055 - 29/11/2004 17:40 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: az_max2]
belezeebub
addict

Registered: 11/01/2001
Posts: 579
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#242056 - 29/11/2004 22:33 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: belezeebub]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
So it records from the radio that would be a neat feature. I wonder if the HDD can be upgraded 20 GB isn't close to enough.
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Matt

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#242057 - 03/12/2004 04:33 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: FireFox31]
sidorg
new poster

Registered: 18/02/2002
Posts: 12
Sure, you'll probably eventually see an OEM option for a MP3 or WMA HD under the seat. How much you want to bet that option will cost you at least $1000? And probably won't be a very well designed option?

What I like about the Estone MP3 player is that it has a built in CD player and tuner. That it can rip songs from the CD player is a nice feature, since I admit it, I would use it on occasion rip a CD from a friend in the car. That it can record FM radio is neat since on occasion you may hear a song you want to save. I doubt you'd want to archive it, since FM reception can be spotty.

I test drove a Toyota Solara the other day. It comes with a 6-CD in dash CD player. I asked the salesdroid if it played MP3. I could tell he never heard that question before. Like I'm supposed to be impressed with a 6-CD player, when I have hundreds of CD on my Empeg? The first thing when I buy a new car is to either rip out the factory unit, or add the Empeg to the system.

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#242058 - 03/12/2004 13:26 Re: Estone Car MP3 Player Ripper-510 from zMedia [Re: sidorg]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Quote:
That it can rip songs from the CD player is a nice feature, since I admit it, I would use it on occasion rip a CD from a friend in the car.

Or just listen to CDs you just bought. I find that, lately, there ends up being about a week between the time I purchase a CD and I actually listen to it because of the effort required to get it onto the empeg. That effort is not really that much, but I'm lazy.
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