Posted 09-18-2004

(pics 1)

Introduction

Rio's newest toy is the Carbon, a 5gb mini-player like the iPod Mini. It doesn't have the advanced features that Rio developed for Karma (1), capacity is limited, and at $250 you can get a full-featured player - like Karma. Instead, Carbon is focused on being portable. It's half the size of most players, and considering its size, the list of features is respectable. There's even some new functionality that you won't find in Karma (2). With Carbon, Rio has a player that can rival Apple's Mini, and it has key advantages (3) that clinched the deal for me. Unfortunately, a problem with the design causes noise when paired with some headphones, but the fix is easy enough (a little tape over the headphone jack).

(1) : FLAC & OGG support, Gapless playback, parametric EQ, on-the-fly playlisting, Rio DJ, delete content, etc
(2) : MSC functionality, self-databasing, charge-over-USB, voice-recording
(3) : 3x the battery life - 20 hours, charge-over-USB, Custom EQ


Main Specs & Features

• 5gb hard drive (4.7gb available)
  
• 3.3 x 2.5 x 0.6 inches (84 x 64 x 15mm)
  
• 3.2 ounce (91g)
  
• 20 hours playtime per charge
  
• USB 2.0
  
• Mass Storage Class interface
  
• Charge over USB
  
• Main controls: Scroll-wheel and thump-pad (backlit)
  
• Screen: 1.25-inch mono LCD with white backlight, 6 lines text
  
• Output: 3.5mm headphone jack (estimated 15mw/ch)
  
• Support MP3, Audible, WMA playback (incuding DRM)
  
• Browse by iD3 tag catagory (Artist, Album, Track, etc)
  
• Self-databasing function (No PC software required)
  
• Voice Recording
  
• 5-band custom EQ
  
• Scrolling text, looping lists
  

Note: Carbon does not have file/folder browsing, FM radio, line-in recording, line-output capability, a removable battery, or support for an in-line remote.

(pics 2)

---

article index
page 1 - current : Introduction, Specs
page 2 : Size, Design, Style, Build Quality
page 3 : Hardware
page 4 : Polished Steel, Lock Swith, Hard Drive
page 5 : Music Organization, Loading Music & Data, Self-Databasing
page 6 : Data Transport, Codecs, Voice Recording, EQ, Boomarking
page 7 : Stability, GUI, Now Playing, Settings, Main Menu
page 8 : Sound Quality, Gaps, Output, Battery Life
page 9 : Accessories, Price
page 10 : Static Problem & Fix
page 11 : Possible Improvements, Conclusion
page 12 : Rio Carbon vs. Rio Nitrus
page 13 : Rio Carbon vs. Apple iPod Mini