Empeg Car and Rio Car

The Empeg Car is the first in-dash MP3 player developed. In 1999 a British company called Empeg was formed to build the unit, which shipped later in that year.

The Empeg Car was a linux-based unit that transferred MP3 tracks from the user's computer to the player via USB, Ethernet, or a serial port connection. Prices started at $1,100 US for the 4GB version and went all the way up to a $2,400 28GB unit that utilized two laptop drives (to accommodate what was then considered huge capacity). The Empeg Car garnered quite a following and became beloved among the small group of users who ponied up good money to own one.

SONICBlue – the former S3 company that had already acquired both the Rio line of MP3 portables by purchasing Diamond and the Rave-MP line by purchasing Sensory Science – took notice of the unit and decided the Empeg Car would fit into its plans. On November 1st 2000 Empeg ltd. was acquired by SONICblue Incorporated and the unit was renamed the Rio Car. The original British development team was rolled into the company and eventually took responsibility for all audio software development at SONICblue.

Unfortunately, SONICblue did not have a clear game plan with how to promote the Rio Car. Rio did little to market it and soon left it to languish. Despite their owner's strong devotion to the product sales of new units were modest and on September 24 2001 SONICblue discontinued the line. Less than 6000 players were ever produced.

External Links

• Diamond Rio Buys Car MP3 Player Company – October 2000 MP3 Newswire article