Open source foundation Xiph.org, founders of the Ogg Vorbis codec, released the first beta of Neurosetta, the firmware upgrade that makes the Neuros the first portable hard drive player to support Ogg Vorbis playback.

At this time the firmware plays back Ogg Vorbis only and will disable MP3 playback support. The full integrated version will allow playback of both file types. Like all betas, there are known issues, including possible skipping on high-bitrate files (over 200kps).

Just last month Xiph released Positron 1.0, completing the first version of a synch application that will allow the Neuros to interface with the Linux operating system.

In February, 2003, Neuros Audio and Xiph.org entered into an agreement to develop Vorbis playback and Linux support for the Neuros line of Digital Audio Computers.

The joint project, dubbed "NeuRosetta," will make the Neuros HD the first hard drive-based portable to support the open source Ogg Vorbis format, preferred by Linux users and the open source community at large for its superior sound quality at lower bit rates. The agreement also called for the development of Positron, which was just released to beta.

Ogg Vorbis playback will be available as a simple upgrade to the Neuros firmware (the software that runs the device) for current Neuros owners and the final version of Positron, like the beta, will be available online. There will be no charge for either.