We provide an alternative description of the group of Riordan arrays, by using two power series of the form $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} g_n x^n$, where $g_0 \ne 0$ to build a typical element of the constructed group. We relate these elements to Riordan arrays in the usual description, showing that each newly constructed element is the vertical half of a "usual" element. The product rules and the construction of the inverse are given in this new description, which we call a "central" description, because of links to the central coefficients of Riordan arrays. This is done for the case of ordinary generating functions. Finally, we briefly look at the exponential case.