Unidirectional file transfer doesn't fit my definition of copy protection. According to what I read about the Lyra, they didn't want any files related to the player to be transferrable in any way. You couln't put anything but Lyra-encrypted files onto the thing. The Empeg, on the other hand doesn't limit what kind of files you can put into it.

Besides, it only applies to those who can't use a terminal program and don't know how to use the Linux command shell. If you can log into the box as a shell user, you can do whatever you want. (I actually haven't tried this because I don't need to do it. But as I understand it, simple RZ and SZ commands will do the trick, both ways.)

Anyway, aren't almost all of the other dedicated MP3 players the same way- unidirectional?