Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
In the past, I've wired stereos together with Belkin computer-grade cable and cat-5. In the late 80's, My four home stereos were "sync'ed" this way. X10 power control made it universal. The ability to play one thing everywhere (or anything anywhere) worked well due to Sony line-level tape-recorder selector switches. The "wireless" pre-amp from Slim extends this. My CD collection downstairs in the pool-room was vastly under-utilized. I had to know what to fetch. The result was listening to only the "new" CD's upstairs. Add a PC and 2TB of Buffalo NAS (which I can also add works well providing DVD/HD content.) Rather than the "pick what you want on your iPod," it's "listen to anything from anywhere." I can play anything at any time wherever I have a broadband connection and with no monthly fees. (I've already bought it!) What's not to like? Pski -- pski real stereo (can almost weld) pski's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15574 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
tedfroop;471800 Wrote: > Last of all, does it tie me to proprietary audio equipment I may not > like the quality of and that may not what I want in the future? > > Yes again. You sure you didn't mean "no" for that last one? ;o) -- aubuti aubuti's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2074 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
The biggest part of the decision for me was - does it work with what I have? The answer was Yes. Next biggest was will it work with whatever audio equipment I purchase in the future? Again yes. Last of all, does it tie me to proprietary audio equipment I may not like the quality of and that may not what I want in the future? Yes again. >From the very first day I hooked it up and heard it I knew it was a good decision. BTW - Maximum PC reviewed the Linksys/Cisco device. Their conclusion was that they should stick to making routers and switches and stay away from audio. -- tedfroop "Good judgement is the result of experience ... Experience is the result of bad judgement." -- Fred Brooks tedfroop's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3011 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
bobm;470884 Wrote: > Why/how is the Squeezebox different? A big part of my decision was the open-source server software. I don't see any other competitor with a similar "back end" on their product, or as diverse or devoted a community assisting in its maintenance and support. -- thing-fish ' Most Recent Tracks' (http://www.last.fm/user/thing-fish/?chartstyle=basicrt10) thing-fish's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5288 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
bobm;470884 Wrote: > Hello all: > > I am confused about the popularity of the Squeezebox. I see so many > intelligent media center NASs being advertized which claim to stream > video and audio to your home stereo. Why/how is the Squeezebox > different? For example, Linksys has two products, the media hub and > wireless audio device (see links below). > > Will the Squeezebox offer video support in the future? What am I > missing? Thanks Bob > > http://www.shoplinksys.com/Media-Hub-Storage_stcVVcatId543892VVviewcat.htm > > http://www.shoplinksys.com/Home-Audio-Devices_stcVVcatId544640VVviewcat.htm the appeal to anyone is based on the individual. in my case, the HQ hardware that excelled at sound reproduction, via a stereo. a second and almost as important consideration for me was the ability to listen without a computer on. another difference between SB and the products you mention is the focus on audio handling and services. how your music is presented and manipulated, and/or using 3rd party servics like pandora. chances are future SBS development will include DLNA/upnp [soon] and video [later] but the orig idea of the SB was to focus on perfect audio to multiple clients via one server. -- MrSinatra www.lion-radio.org using: sb2 & sbc (my home) / sbr (parent's home) - w/sc 7.3.4b - win xp pro sp3 ie8 - 3.2ghz / 2gig ram - 1tb wd usb2 raid1 - d-link dir-655 MrSinatra's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2336 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
Thank you all for the replies. Bob -- bobm bobm's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19401 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
I think one of the greatest advantages of SqueeezeBox is the user interface. I have used a lot of other media players and none of them come close to the ease of use and features of SqueezeBox. -- agillis rip, tag, get cover art All you do is insert the CD! http://vortexbox.org agillis Lead Developer VortexBox agillis's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=21140 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
gbruzzo;471292 Wrote: > iPhone, where are you placing the accent? > > Am I to read it as > > "so for NOW the answer to video support is no" or > > "so for now the answer to video support is NO" > > ? > > Cheers, > > Giacomo {=; Was I "required" to have an accent? ;=} I was just repeating what Slim Devices and Logitech have always told me, they don't comment on future products. So no accents really needed. But for my personal opinion, Logitech is a large company and if they see another area to make money they could move into that market. The issue I see is that there are already two boxes that work Very well and I can't see how they can sell them at the price point they are using and make money. IOW, getting into Video in MHO would be like trying to start another Dell in the current computer market where one is lucky if one gets to sale at a 2% margin. So maybe I should have done what you did and typed it twice accenting it one way the first time and the other the second because to me its maybe both. One now and the other later! -- iPhone *iPhone* Media Room: Transporter, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, Ayre MX-R Mono's, VeraStarr 6.4SE 6-channel Amp, Vandersteen Speakers: Quatro Mains, VCC-5 Reference Center, four VSM-1 Signatures, Video: Runco RS 900 CineWide AutoScope 2.35:1 Living Room: Duet, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1 Kitchen: Squeezebox BOOM Bedroom: Second Boom Bathroom: Squeezebox Radio Ford Thunderbird: Duet, Mac Mini Ford Expedition: SB Touch, USB drive iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
iPhone;470890 Wrote: > Hello and welcome to the Forum. Logitech doesn't talk about future > products so for now the answer to video support is no. > iPhone, where are you placing the accent? Am I to read it as "so for NOW the answer to video support is no" or "so for now the answer to video support is NO" ? Cheers, Giacomo -- gbruzzo SqbxSvr Running on Tranquil SQA-5H (WHS) - 1 Transporter - 1 Boom - 1 Controller http://www.last.fm/user/JackieBr/ http://www.last.fm/label/rarenoiserecords http://www.rarenoiserecords.com gbruzzo's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3633 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
> Just an FYI... we have the Linksys audio system in-house for testing > and I've had a chance to play with it. It's ... well about as much fun > as configuring a Linksys router. At least you didn't say "configuring a Cicso router" to the OP, as others have said, the SqueezeBox philosophy was self-defined with they were called "slim devices" in that the boxes did one thing, and did it well. None of the Squeezeboxen are NAS, they don't store stuff. They assume you have a computer that stores stuff anyway. For all of the folks who have been using SqueezeBoxen for years, this is true. And nearly all of us have found that SqueezeBoxen are herd animals, you can't just have one, one per room is not unusual. Its about music. Making music easy to listen to. No one from Logitech will ever talk about future products, but I expect that at some time, they will be forced into doing video products. I am happy with their current focus on music. -- Pat Farrell http://www.pfarrell.com/ ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
bobm;470884 Wrote: > Hello all: > > I am confused about the popularity of the Squeezebox. I see so many > intelligent media center NASs being advertized which claim to stream > video and audio to your home stereo. Why/how is the Squeezebox > different? For example, Linksys has two products, the media hub and > wireless audio device (see links below). > > Will the Squeezebox offer video support in the future? What am I > missing? Thanks Bob > > http://www.shoplinksys.com/Media-Hub-Storage_stcVVcatId543892VVviewcat.htm > > http://www.shoplinksys.com/Home-Audio-Devices_stcVVcatId544640VVviewcat.htm Just an FYI... we have the Linksys audio system in-house for testing and I've had a chance to play with it. It's ... well about as much fun as configuring a Linksys router. -- Matt Wise Matt Wise's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13773 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
The more competion the better for all! :) That said, the "swiss army knife" approach to media streaming (video, pics, music, etc..) is certainly a popular alternative. Heck, for very simplistic "all in one" streaming you could just use a PS3 or similar device for casual use. But such "all in one" approaches are usually lacking in features & functions compared to dedicated devices like the SB players are to music or a NMT (Network Media Tank) device is to video. Think of it this way: We all have those "multi-tool" devices in our tool box (screw driver, saw, knife, scissors, tweezers, etc... all in one) and they are handy for casual use. But would you use this for a serious job? Do professional contractors have these in there tool belts? Not likely. Serious jobs require serious and task specific tools. I'm casual about my video streaming so I just use a PS3. If/when I get serious about video streaming I'll look into a dedicated device to do so. I'm not so casual about my music streaming (my library, Music Services, Internet Radio) so I have chosen a serious, dedicated device to do so. Hello SqueezeBox. :) As suggested, you really must compare features, benefits, flexibility, codec support, etc... to your needs. -- toby10 toby10's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12553 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
iPhone's advice is sound. I didn't think for the future but I'm really glad I happened on Squeezebox. My requirements have changed and Squeezebox keeps meeting them start: replace iPod plugged into stereo, with remote control and visibility of now playing then: multi-room synchronous playing then: CD quality streaming then: scrolling and selecting by albumart next: different music in different rooms Alongside this, other systems do the same things but do they acheive the same quality? areas to consider are:- file range: range of codecs supported audio path: choice of DSP/DAC and amplifier/speakers (if fitted) longevity: strength of brand and commitment and abilitt to add in x years time. flexibility, adaptability: frequency of software upgrades community: alternate support and influence source: bespoke server, web based or pc music: your own and/or internet radio Interestingly your links show a NAS and a streaming system - there is no suggestion that the NAS could run the streaming software. Logitech through the acquisition fo SlimDevices have years of experience in this field supported by a large, active and vocal community. There are many new entrants into this space, only time will tell how many the market can support and how many will endure. Research and then go for it - streaming has massively improved my access to enjoyment of my collection. -- DigitalMitch DigitalMitch's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15999 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Why sqeezebox
bobm;470884 Wrote: > Hello all: > > I am confused about the popularity of the Squeezebox. I see so many > intelligent media center NASs being advertized which claim to stream > video and audio to your home stereo. Why/how is the Squeezebox > different? For example, Linksys has two products, the media hub and > wireless audio device (see links below). > > Will the Squeezebox offer video support in the future? What am I > missing? Thanks Bob > > http://www.shoplinksys.com/Media-Hub-Storage_stcVVcatId543892VVviewcat.htm > > http://www.shoplinksys.com/Home-Audio-Devices_stcVVcatId544640VVviewcat.htm Hello and welcome to the Forum. Logitech doesn't talk about future products so for now the answer to video support is no. Sure there are other products that stream audio, stream video, and that stream both. For me it comes down to how much does one want to spend and what one wants it to do for the money. I think Squeezebox excels in price for performance. It only does audio and does it well. Especially if one needs more then one room and more then one type of player. If one is just getting into streaming, I highly recommend taking a step back to see what one actually wants to end up with, then look at all the available quality possibilities. In my opinion, an off the shelf NAS is to be avoided at all costs. They are way over priced and are lacking in performance for what one can buy at half the price in a proper PC selection (whether Desktop, Nano, or Eco). Going with WHS if one just has to have an all in one box is better then going with any NAS IMO (especially if ones music collection is large). Been there done that. My collection out grew both a ReadyNAS NV+ and a Thecus N5200Pro. -- iPhone *iPhone* Media Room: Transporter, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, Ayre MX-R Mono's, VeraStarr 6.4SE 6-channel Amp, Vandersteen Speakers: Quatro Mains, VCC-5 Reference Center, four VSM-1 Signatures, Video: Runco RS 900 CineWide AutoScope 2.35:1 Living Room: Duet, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1 Kitchen: Squeezebox BOOM Bedroom: Second Boom Bathroom: Squeezebox Radio Ford Thunderbird: Duet, Mac Mini Ford Expedition: SB Touch, USB drive iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69635 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss