Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 12:22:03 +, BenRubinstein wrote: > OTOH, if you buy 'protected' music from the iTunes music store, the Roku > should be able to play these directly, whereas SlimServer currently has to > go through contortions. (Again - all this is my understanding - I've never > used Roku, and I won't buy music from iTMS.) According to the Roku website, their iTunes integration doesn't support 'protected' AAC files from iTMS, either. It does, however, support DRMed WMA files like you can 'buy' (license) from retailers like Napster, MusicMagic, and WalMart. You have to use Windows Media Connect as your server to do that. -Steve ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
Sorry for the misunderstanding Stuart and many thanks for your reply. It looks like the SqueezeBox is going to be the one for me! >From: BenRubinstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: Slim Devices Discussion >To: "Slim Devices Discussion " >Subject: Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) >Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 12:22:03 + > >Richard, > >I'm afraid you're under a multiple misunderstanding. I'm not selling >anything at £129 (or any other price - I'm a customer, not a retailer); >Stuart is selling something for £129, but it's not a squeezebox, it's a DAB >USB radio. > >As for your question - someone else might be able to answer it better. I've >recently become the happy owner of two Squeezeboxes, but I've never seen a >Roku in the flesh, still less used or heard one. > >As I understand it, the basic Roku is very similar architecturally to the >original Squeezebox (whereas the new Squeezebox2 has some enhancements). >There's also a version with a much bigger display, for a lot more cash. On >software, the SlimDevices boxes will I guess always benefit first from >enhancements to SlimServer - but because Slim release the software under a >GPL OpenSource agreement, Roku are able to use it for their customers also. >OTOH, if you buy 'protected' music from the iTunes music store, the Roku >should be able to play these directly, whereas SlimServer currently has to >go through contortions. (Again - all this is my understanding - I've never >used Roku, and I won't buy music from iTMS.) > >I can say that in my direct experience, supported by many comments I've seen >from others, SlimDevices offer exceptional customer service. > >Hope this helps, > >Ben > > > From: "Richard Ray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Reply-To: Slim Devices Discussion > > Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 10:49:58 + > > To: discuss@lists.slimdevices.com > > Subject: Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) > > > > Ben, > > > > Hopefully you can help me! I want to know whether to splash the cash and get > > the Roku M1000 or go for the SqueezeBox. I am running Win Xp SP2 and at > > present do not have a wireless setup and would probably just go for the > > ethernet connection at the moment. > > > > Seeing as though you're retailing the Squeezebox at £129 this week, would you > > recommend this over the £50 more expensive Roku? > > > > Thanks in advance, > > > > Richard > > > >> From: BenRubinstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Reply-To: Slim Devices Discussion > >> To: "Slim Devices Discussion " > >> > >> Subject: Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) > >> Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 10:22:14 + > >> > >> on 21/3/05 6:02 pm, Stuart Cooper wrote > >> > >>> DAB is now a possibility again using the Trinloc DAB USB radio in the UK - > >>> at least on Windows. When used with DABBAR (1.3b1 or above) all stations can > >>> be streamed via HTTP and integrated with Squeezebox2, Squeezebox or SliMP3. > >>> > >>> I am using one with Windows XP SP2 and Squeezebox & SliMP3 and its working > >>> very well - even in my poor signal area (the highest I get is about 30% > >>> signal). It even works with my VIA USB chipset, which the Wavefinder would > >>> have nothing to do with! More details here: > >>> > >>> http://www.multitask-computing.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30 > >>> 6 > >>> > >>> - for anyone interested, I'm retailing it at £129.99 as of this week :-) > >> > >> Stuart, > >> > >> I'd be interested if there was software to support it on a system other than > >> Windows. (Doesn't have to be a UI or anything, just enough to run it > >> through SlimServer.) > >> > >> Realistically, though, while I would then become interested, that might not > >> result in a sale at that price. (I'm not saying it's not a fair price - > >> just that, for me, it would go over a threshold for what it is.) > >> > >> Ben Rubinstein | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> Cognitive Applications Ltd | Phone: +44 (0)1273-821600 > >> http://www.cogapp.com| Fax : +44 (0)1273-728866 > >___ >Discuss mailing list >Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com >http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
Richard, I'm afraid you're under a multiple misunderstanding. I'm not selling anything at £129 (or any other price - I'm a customer, not a retailer); Stuart is selling something for £129, but it's not a squeezebox, it's a DAB USB radio. As for your question - someone else might be able to answer it better. I've recently become the happy owner of two Squeezeboxes, but I've never seen a Roku in the flesh, still less used or heard one. As I understand it, the basic Roku is very similar architecturally to the original Squeezebox (whereas the new Squeezebox2 has some enhancements). There's also a version with a much bigger display, for a lot more cash. On software, the SlimDevices boxes will I guess always benefit first from enhancements to SlimServer - but because Slim release the software under a GPL OpenSource agreement, Roku are able to use it for their customers also. OTOH, if you buy 'protected' music from the iTunes music store, the Roku should be able to play these directly, whereas SlimServer currently has to go through contortions. (Again - all this is my understanding - I've never used Roku, and I won't buy music from iTMS.) I can say that in my direct experience, supported by many comments I've seen from others, SlimDevices offer exceptional customer service. Hope this helps, Ben > From: "Richard Ray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: Slim Devices Discussion > Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 10:49:58 + > To: discuss@lists.slimdevices.com > Subject: Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) > > Ben, > > Hopefully you can help me! I want to know whether to splash the cash and get > the Roku M1000 or go for the SqueezeBox. I am running Win Xp SP2 and at > present do not have a wireless setup and would probably just go for the > ethernet connection at the moment. > > Seeing as though you're retailing the Squeezebox at £129 this week, would you > recommend this over the £50 more expensive Roku? > > Thanks in advance, > > Richard > >> From: BenRubinstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Reply-To: Slim Devices Discussion >> To: "Slim Devices Discussion " >> >> Subject: Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) >> Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 10:22:14 + >> >> on 21/3/05 6:02 pm, Stuart Cooper wrote >> >>> DAB is now a possibility again using the Trinloc DAB USB radio in the UK - >>> at least on Windows. When used with DABBAR (1.3b1 or above) all stations can >>> be streamed via HTTP and integrated with Squeezebox2, Squeezebox or SliMP3. >>> >>> I am using one with Windows XP SP2 and Squeezebox & SliMP3 and its working >>> very well - even in my poor signal area (the highest I get is about 30% >>> signal). It even works with my VIA USB chipset, which the Wavefinder would >>> have nothing to do with! More details here: >>> >>> http://www.multitask-computing.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30 >>> 6 >>> >>> - for anyone interested, I'm retailing it at £129.99 as of this week :-) >> >> Stuart, >> >> I'd be interested if there was software to support it on a system other than >> Windows. (Doesn't have to be a UI or anything, just enough to run it >> through SlimServer.) >> >> Realistically, though, while I would then become interested, that might not >> result in a sale at that price. (I'm not saying it's not a fair price - >> just that, for me, it would go over a threshold for what it is.) >> >> Ben Rubinstein | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Cognitive Applications Ltd | Phone: +44 (0)1273-821600 >> http://www.cogapp.com| Fax : +44 (0)1273-728866 ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
Ben, Hopefully you can help me! I want to know whether to splash the cash and get the Roku M1000 or go for the SqueezeBox. I am running Win Xp SP2 and at present do not have a wireless setup and would probably just go for the ethernet connection at the moment. Seeing as though you're retailing the Squeezebox at £129 this week, would you recommend this over the £50 more expensive Roku? Thanks in advance, Richard >From: BenRubinstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: Slim Devices Discussion >To: "Slim Devices Discussion " >Subject: Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) >Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 10:22:14 + > >on 21/3/05 6:02 pm, Stuart Cooper wrote > > > DAB is now a possibility again using the Trinloc DAB USB radio in the UK - > > at least on Windows. When used with DABBAR (1.3b1 or above) all stations can > > be streamed via HTTP and integrated with Squeezebox2, Squeezebox or SliMP3. > > > > I am using one with Windows XP SP2 and Squeezebox & SliMP3 and its working > > very well - even in my poor signal area (the highest I get is about 30% > > signal). It even works with my VIA USB chipset, which the Wavefinder would > > have nothing to do with! More details here: > > > > http://www.multitask-computing.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30 > > 6 > > > > - for anyone interested, I'm retailing it at £129.99 as of this week :-) > >Stuart, > >I'd be interested if there was software to support it on a system other than >Windows. (Doesn't have to be a UI or anything, just enough to run it >through SlimServer.) > >Realistically, though, while I would then become interested, that might not >result in a sale at that price. (I'm not saying it's not a fair price - >just that, for me, it would go over a threshold for what it is.) > > Ben Rubinstein | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cognitive Applications Ltd | Phone: +44 (0)1273-821600 > http://www.cogapp.com| Fax : +44 (0)1273-728866 > > >___ >Discuss mailing list >Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com >http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
on 21/3/05 6:02 pm, Stuart Cooper wrote > DAB is now a possibility again using the Trinloc DAB USB radio in the UK - > at least on Windows. When used with DABBAR (1.3b1 or above) all stations can > be streamed via HTTP and integrated with Squeezebox2, Squeezebox or SliMP3. > > I am using one with Windows XP SP2 and Squeezebox & SliMP3 and its working > very well - even in my poor signal area (the highest I get is about 30% > signal). It even works with my VIA USB chipset, which the Wavefinder would > have nothing to do with! More details here: > > http://www.multitask-computing.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30 > 6 > > - for anyone interested, I'm retailing it at £129.99 as of this week :-) Stuart, I'd be interested if there was software to support it on a system other than Windows. (Doesn't have to be a UI or anything, just enough to run it through SlimServer.) Realistically, though, while I would then become interested, that might not result in a sale at that price. (I'm not saying it's not a fair price - just that, for me, it would go over a threshold for what it is.) Ben Rubinstein | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cognitive Applications Ltd | Phone: +44 (0)1273-821600 http://www.cogapp.com| Fax : +44 (0)1273-728866 ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
RE: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
DAB is now a possibility again using the Trinloc DAB USB radio in the UK - at least on Windows. When used with DABBAR (1.3b1 or above) all stations can be streamed via HTTP and integrated with Squeezebox2, Squeezebox or SliMP3. I am using one with Windows XP SP2 and Squeezebox & SliMP3 and its working very well - even in my poor signal area (the highest I get is about 30% signal). It even works with my VIA USB chipset, which the Wavefinder would have nothing to do with! More details here: http://www.multitask-computing.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30 6 - for anyone interested, I'm retailing it at £129.99 as of this week :-) Stuart www.multitask-computing.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Abbott, ACA Systems Sent: 13 March 2005 14:28 To: 'Slim Devices Discussion' Subject: RE: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB) Further option: get a free-to-air TV box that has Audio out. In the UK Comet do them (Sagem?). Simon Still wrote: > On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 22:58:39 +, BenRubinstein > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: how should I expect the sound quality >> of Radio 4 through broadband->slimserver->squeezebox to compare with >> it over DABS? And would you expect reliability to be an issue? > > That's what concerns me at the moment. DAB is not great quality but > then the streaming bitrates from the BBC are far from hi-fi and can > drop really low (sub 50k) when demand is high. Is another option not > to install a cheap FM tuner on the PC and work out some way of > streaming that to the SB? > ___ > Discuss mailing list > Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com > http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss Brian Abbott ACA Systems ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
RE: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
Further option: get a free-to-air TV box that has Audio out. In the UK Comet do them (Sagem?). Simon Still wrote: > On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 22:58:39 +, BenRubinstein > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: how should I expect the sound quality >> of Radio 4 through broadband->slimserver->squeezebox to compare with >> it over DABS? And would you expect reliability to be an issue? > > That's what concerns me at the moment. DAB is not great quality but > then the streaming bitrates from the BBC are far from hi-fi and can > drop really low (sub 50k) when demand is high. Is another option not > to install a cheap FM tuner on the PC and work out some way of > streaming that to the SB? > ___ > Discuss mailing list > Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com > http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss Brian Abbott ACA Systems ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 22:58:39 +, BenRubinstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: how should I expect the sound quality > of Radio 4 through broadband->slimserver->squeezebox to compare with it over > DABS? And would you expect reliability to be an issue? That's what concerns me at the moment. DAB is not great quality but then the streaming bitrates from the BBC are far from hi-fi and can drop really low (sub 50k) when demand is high. Is another option not to install a cheap FM tuner on the PC and work out some way of streaming that to the SB? ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
On 8/3/05 at 10:58 pm +, BenRubinstein wrote If I attempt installation of AlienBBC, is it likely that I can destabilise the whole thing; No. or is the worse case that I fail to get AlienBBC working? Yes. - I haven't seen any recent posts on the lists about installing Alien BBC on OS X - is that because all the pioneers have already tried, and the rest have given up; or because it's now straightforward, and everyone who's tried it recently just got it working without further ado? I've been waiting till newer versions of SlimServer come out before trying the newer AlienBBC. Hence no recent comments from me. My original installation ultimately worked ok. But the last time I tried to use it I had trouble, due at least in part to the complete overhaul by the BBC of their setup. -- Daniel Cohen ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
BenRubinstein wrote: Thanks all for their suggestions of powered speakers. Jack Coates wrote: One thing to think about if you're married, I've been phasing out the tuner thing and got into hot water with the missus for disabling radio in the front room. I now have a "get real FM radio into the Slimserver" project to figure out. Ah, yes. This gets to the heart of the matter. Just after Xmas, feeling flush, I ordered a Pure Legato DAB system for the room without radio: http://www.puredigital.com/Products/Product.asp?Product=VL-60692 (UKP 280 from Dabs). I also informed my spouse that she would soon be able to rewind the Archers etc (it clashes with daughter's bath time, and she tends to be noisy) - since I know full well that it will be permanently tuned to Radio 4, so we can assume there will always be a full buffer of it. This met with considerable spousal approval. Then, I came across the SqueezeBox and, still feeling flush (perhaps because I hadn't had to pay for the Legato yet) I ordered first one, and then when Slim dropped the price just before I made a quick trip to the US, a second one - which is now waiting for something to plug it into. Meanwhile the Legato tide has ebbed and flowed, but never quite managed to cast my unit up on the beach. The last date Dabs gave me is quite soon - but I've had no update, and no reason to think it will be met - and I'm starting to wonder if I couldn't save £150 or so and just get some speakers instead. I clearly have no call for the CD player in the Legato now; but the crucial question is how realistic it will be to listen to Radio 4 on it. So far the Squeezebox has received a cautious marital welcome; but I've had a couple of flaky moments, and I don't want it get a bad reputation! I was sort of hoping to wait until AlienBBC had settled down and got a simple installation. So (at last) my questions: - Taking the long view, assuming that AlienBBC and installation of it (on OS X, for my purposes) can be conquered: how should I expect the sound quality of Radio 4 through broadband->slimserver->squeezebox to compare with it over DABS? And would you expect reliability to be an issue? - In general (if I only care about BBC stations, rather than FM in general) is it reasonable to think of Squeezebox as a replacement for an FM radio? Assuming you've got cable/dsl, yeah -- I get pretty decent BBC performance in California, and fabulous AlienBBC performance from California and South America radio stations. - As mentioned, I'd rather my wife didn't get the impression that the Squeezebox was one of those unreliable, enraging, computer things, best tossed out of the window; so I'm anxious that it be stable until she's lulled into believing that it's an appliance. If I attempt installation of AlienBBC, is it likely that I can destabilise the whole thing; or is the worse case that I fail to get AlienBBC working? - I haven't seen any recent posts on the lists about installing Alien BBC on OS X - is that because all the pioneers have already tried, and the rest have given up; or because it's now straightforward, and everyone who's tried it recently just got it working without further ado? I think it's straightforward on OS X, others will be sure to correct me if that's not true :) - is there any likelihood that a forthcoming release of SlimServer will have AlienBBC ready-rolled in it, as the existing Internet Radio plug-in is? It's not that I'm lazy, so much as cowardly. AlienBBC is not too tough, IMHO, though I've certainly been known to forestall this sort of thing until my wife's evening out... damn straight I'm scared of her, what's it to ya? :) As far as integration, I don't know. It doesn't look impossible, but there'll always be some extra work to do because Slimserver will never ship with the proprietary codecs for Real and WMA. -- Jack at Monkeynoodle dot Org: It's a Scientific Venture... Riding the Emergency Third Rail Power Trip since 1996! ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
AlienBBC vs DAB (was Re: [slim] (UK) Powered speakers for SB)
Thanks all for their suggestions of powered speakers. Jack Coates wrote: > One thing to think about if you're married, I've been phasing out the > tuner thing and got into hot water with the missus for disabling radio > in the front room. I now have a "get real FM radio into the Slimserver" > project to figure out. Ah, yes. This gets to the heart of the matter. Just after Xmas, feeling flush, I ordered a Pure Legato DAB system for the room without radio: http://www.puredigital.com/Products/Product.asp?Product=VL-60692 (UKP 280 from Dabs). I also informed my spouse that she would soon be able to rewind the Archers etc (it clashes with daughter's bath time, and she tends to be noisy) - since I know full well that it will be permanently tuned to Radio 4, so we can assume there will always be a full buffer of it. This met with considerable spousal approval. Then, I came across the SqueezeBox and, still feeling flush (perhaps because I hadn't had to pay for the Legato yet) I ordered first one, and then when Slim dropped the price just before I made a quick trip to the US, a second one - which is now waiting for something to plug it into. Meanwhile the Legato tide has ebbed and flowed, but never quite managed to cast my unit up on the beach. The last date Dabs gave me is quite soon - but I've had no update, and no reason to think it will be met - and I'm starting to wonder if I couldn't save £150 or so and just get some speakers instead. I clearly have no call for the CD player in the Legato now; but the crucial question is how realistic it will be to listen to Radio 4 on it. So far the Squeezebox has received a cautious marital welcome; but I've had a couple of flaky moments, and I don't want it get a bad reputation! I was sort of hoping to wait until AlienBBC had settled down and got a simple installation. So (at last) my questions: - Taking the long view, assuming that AlienBBC and installation of it (on OS X, for my purposes) can be conquered: how should I expect the sound quality of Radio 4 through broadband->slimserver->squeezebox to compare with it over DABS? And would you expect reliability to be an issue? - In general (if I only care about BBC stations, rather than FM in general) is it reasonable to think of Squeezebox as a replacement for an FM radio? - As mentioned, I'd rather my wife didn't get the impression that the Squeezebox was one of those unreliable, enraging, computer things, best tossed out of the window; so I'm anxious that it be stable until she's lulled into believing that it's an appliance. If I attempt installation of AlienBBC, is it likely that I can destabilise the whole thing; or is the worse case that I fail to get AlienBBC working? - I haven't seen any recent posts on the lists about installing Alien BBC on OS X - is that because all the pioneers have already tried, and the rest have given up; or because it's now straightforward, and everyone who's tried it recently just got it working without further ado? - is there any likelihood that a forthcoming release of SlimServer will have AlienBBC ready-rolled in it, as the existing Internet Radio plug-in is? It's not that I'm lazy, so much as cowardly. TIA for any advice, Ben Rubinstein | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cognitive Applications Ltd | Phone: +44 (0)1273-821600 http://www.cogapp.com| Fax : +44 (0)1273-728866 ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
