Abstract: A vendor provides virtual storefront from which customers purchase digital media devices via an interactive network connection. The customer authenticates their media by means of a client application supplied by the vendor. The customer runs the application, which prompts the customer to insert the customer's media (compact disks) into the client computer. Using challenge/response authentication, the client validates that the media is authentic. The authenticated media is added to a repository of customer-owned media. After purchase, the customer, selects which of the customer's previously-authenticated media are to be installed on the device. A device is withdrawn from inventory and customized by installing the selected media. The pre-loaded device is shipped to the customer, sparing the customer the necessity of spending many hours installing the customer's media collection on the digital media player.