Wirelss Media Player

[wondering]

Hi,

I *might* be looking at getting a wireless meda player, but I'm having some hassle finding one that has everything I need.

Ideally it needs to "fit in" with other components so needs to be the same 17" width. I've seen a few that meet this criteria (DLink DSM-520, Soundbridge M2000 - discontinued but I found one...expensive though).

The DLink player (and also a Buffalo one that isn't component-size) also have a USB input to play from a storage device which is more than handy.

It also needs to have no impact on PC performance - several players Ive seen seem to just let the PC handle playback and simply stream the output. The Roku is the only player Ive seen claim to have its own processor and not affect PC performance...The logitech wireless dj is quite cool, but must use the PC to do the processing? The other side of this is that i want to be able to play tracks on my pc (in WMP) independently of what is playing on the streaming device.

Also, none of the players seems to mention whether they can be controlled from the PC itself. For instance, the Roku has a neat display anyway, but should it not be in line of sight, or too far away, it would be nice to just pick up my laptop and tell it to skip to the next song, or see what its playing. The DLink, and many other similar ones, has no display and relies on using the TV, but would be much better controlled from the PC...

Can anyone help with anything that comes close to what I'm after? Or can anyone recommend anything that will fit?

Thanks in advance
Matt

[Autopilot]

Hi

Originally Posted by wondering

Ideally it needs to "fit in" with other components so needs to be the same 17" width. I've seen a few that meet this criteria (DLink DSM-520, Soundbridge M2000 - discontinued but I found one...expensive though).

The D-Links are rubbish compared to the rest available, so forget that for now. They only one i can think off that is standard hifi component width worth buying is the Transporter. Its the best wireless audio streamer on the market, but costs well over £1000.

Take a look at what other people around here have in this thread - Audio streaming devices

The good thing about the Squeezebox 3 and other similar devices is that they can sit away from your AMP's etc and looks great on their own.

Have a look at this - http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19817

Originally Posted by wondering

It also needs to have no impact on PC performance - several players Ive seen seem to just let the PC handle playback and simply stream the output. The Roku is the only player Ive seen claim to have its own processor and not affect PC performance...The logitech wireless dj is quite cool, but must use the PC to do the processing? The other side of this is that i want to be able to play tracks on my pc (in WMP) independently of what is playing on the streaming device.

A) Most streamers have a processor of some sort.
B) "not affect PC performance" if a big fat lie if that what they claim. Thats impossible. The server software running on the pc HAS to use some of your pc's power, it impossible not too.

Further more, If the audio format you are using is not supported "natively", is has to be first decoded and then sent to the remote player in a format (i.e. WAV) that the player can play. This decoding is going to use you PC's resources.

I use a Squeezebox. It's plays all the formats i use "natively" (OGG, FLAC, MP3). This means the files are sent 'just as they are' to the squeezebox. The squezebox understands these files and then decodes and plays the files (using it pretty good processor). This uses less of my PC's resources than if the server software also had to decode the files as well as just sending the requested files to the player.

Most reasonably spec'd PC's wont even break a sweat running Slimserver in the background. I have seen no noticeable effects. I play music with my SB3 and play demanding games at the same time with no problem, and my PC is not that powerful really.

Originally Posted by wondering

Also, none of the players seems to mention whether they can be controlled from the PC itself. For instance, the Roku has a neat display anyway, but should it not be in line of sight, or too far away, it would be nice to just pick up my laptop and tell it to skip to the next song, or see what its playing. The DLink, and many other similar ones, has no display and relies on using the TV, but would be much better controlled from the PC...

Cant speak too much for the other devices, but the Squeezebox's server software has a web interface. This mean ii's completely controllable and configurable from you PC.

But it gets better... you can use any WiFi enabled device that has a web browser. Many people use the Nokia 770 web tablet. Personally i use my PDA phone and my Sony PSP to completely control any SB3's in my house. Even brose by artwork

This is the 770 skin (which i use on my PDA and PSP, but there are other skins);



Here is a PSP specific skin that is being developed;

[wondering]

Originally Posted by Autopilot

Hi


The D-Links are rubbish compared to the rest available, so forget that for now. They only one i can think off that is standard hifi component width worth buying is the Transporter. Is the wireless audio streamer on the market, but costs well over £1000.

Take a look at what other people around here have in this thread - Audio streaming devices

The good thing about the Squeezebox 3 and other similar devices is that they can sit away from your AMP's etc and looks great on their own.

Well not too far away surely unless you use very long cables :-)
I don't want cables, so I want it to sit above my amp and to be honest, imo, this thing just looks a little odd just stuck on top of other equipment...same as anything else thats more a 'portable' size.

A) Most streamers have a processor of some sort.
B) "not affect PC performance" if a big fat lie if that what they claim. Thats impossible. The server software running on the pc HAS to use some of your pc's power, it impossible not too.

Further more, If the audio format you are using is not supported "natively", is has to be first decoded and then sent to the remote player in a format (i.e. WAV) that the player can play. This decoding is going to use you PC's resources.

Point taken. The Roku review I read states its the only device of its kind that does all the work itself...I appreciate the reviewer could be wrong though :-)

The server software is fine, I'd just rather it wasn't running software, decoding AND sending across the network. Its not much load, but if the PC is doing it all anyway, I have to ask what's the point :-)

Cant speak too much for the other devices, but the Squeezebox's server software has a web interface. This mean ii's completely controllable and configurable from you PC.

But it gets better... you can use any WiFi enabled device that has a web browser. Many people use the Nokia 770 web tablet. Personally i use my PDA phone and my Sony PSP to completely control any SB3's in my house. Even brose by artwork

Seems definitely worth considering. I'll spec some prices to compare to the Roku. The SB doesn't have a USB interface does it?

[Autopilot]

Originally Posted by wondering

Point taken. The Roku review I read states its the only device of its kind that does all the work itself...I appreciate the reviewer could be wrong though :-)

He is wrong. Very wrong. Please can you provide a link to this review?

Originally Posted by wondering

The server software is fine, I'd just rather it wasn't running software, decoding AND sending across the network. Its not much load, but if the PC is doing it all anyway, I have to ask what's the point :-)

I am complete confused by that statement sorry! What the point in what? Having server software? Having a streamer?

Originally Posted by wondering

The SB doesn't have a USB interface does it?

For what use?

[Ceejayav]

Wondering:

Stop wondering and buy a Squeezebox3 ! It meets all of your requirements except the width. If thats really really important then you could buy a Transporter but beware, they cost nearer £1300.

The load on the server is trivial in normal use - for most file types (MP3, FLAC, WAV) all its doing is picking the file off the disc and throwing it onto the network: the player does the decoding. More to the point, the player also includes the DAC and its a good one, you'll get higher quality sound than from almost any PC sound card, even an expensive one.

If you're really worried about the appearance, hunt out the "photos of my setup" thread in the Audiophiles section of Slim's forum, you'll see many visually attractive setups.

HTH.

[Autopilot]

And if form factor is such an issue, look at the the mods people have done to rehouse the unit.

[wondering]

Originally Posted by Autopilot

He is wrong. Very wrong. Please can you provide a link to this review?

Honestly can't find it now, sorry, but reviewers do get things wrong so it doesn't surprise me :-)

I am complete confused by that statement sorry! What the point in what? Having server software? Having a streamer?

Well, if the PC is doing ALLe work, I may as well just play the songs on my PC! I *could* connect the sound output to my amp. Sure its not wireless, but it could be...but I want something independent

For what use?

As I said, to plug in my MP3 player, or any other storage device for that matter

[wondering]

Originally Posted by Ceejayav

Wondering:

Stop wondering and buy a Squeezebox3 ! It meets all of your requirements except the width. If thats really really important then you could buy a Transporter but beware, they cost nearer £1300.

The load on the server is trivial in normal use - for most file types (MP3, FLAC, WAV) all its doing is picking the file off the disc and throwing it onto the network: the player does the decoding. More to the point, the player also includes the DAC and its a good one, you'll get higher quality sound than from almost any PC sound card, even an expensive one.

If you're really worried about the appearance, hunt out the "photos of my setup" thread in the Audiophiles section of Slim's forum, you'll see many visually attractive setups.

HTH.

There seems to be a bias towards the Squeezebox here :-) Does no-one own anything else?

Its probably going to be between the Squeezebox and the Roku/Pinnacle. There's a £50 price difference, so it depends if the aesthetics are worth that extra!

[wondering]

What do people think about the HLIOS X3000 and X5000???

[lazymatt]

Originally Posted by wondering

There seems to be a bias towards the Squeezebox here :-) Does no-one own anything else?

Its probably going to be between the Squeezebox and the Roku/Pinnacle. There's a £50 price difference, so it depends if the aesthetics are worth that extra!

Nothing to do with the aesthetics....the sound quality of the SB is better than the Pinnacle. Simple as that - it has better DACs. You gets what you pay for.

I'm a fan of both, and both meet different demands for different people. The Pinnacle is fine for plugging in to a micro system or cheaper AV amp/all-in-one HC system (although the SB will still out perform it - it's just not as noticeable a difference). As soon as you start talking about reasonable AV amps or stereo amps (even budget ones) the SB really shines.

If you run them off a NAS drive, and run the Slimserver software from the drive, you won't notice the PC doing any work at all.

[wondering]

It is to do with aesthetics - the SB simply doesn't fit into a hifi setup and I don't like the look of it just stuck on top of something...Have to be honest, I think it looks much cheaper than the £200 it costs, but of course that's just a personal opinion.

I might even try and pick up a Helios or a music server cheap somewhere, maybe ebay...

[lazymatt]

Originally Posted by wondering

It is to do with aesthetics - the SB simply doesn't fit into a hifi setup and I don't like the look of it just stuck on top of something...Have to be honest, I think it looks much cheaper than the £200 it costs, but of course that's just a personal opinion.

I might even try and pick up a Helios or a music server cheap somewhere, maybe ebay...

Have you seen either in the flesh, so to speak? I personally think in terms of build quality the SB is miles ahead of the Pinnacle, which is a little plasticy!

However, if you simply don't like the look of the SB3, you're always gonna find it bit of a blot, I guess.

The Helios is a good bit of kit as I understand it, but the software is still a bit buggy, and can be frustrating to use.

[wondering]

Ummm, just had a thought.....the SB can't be wall mounted can it? Haven't seen this mention anywhere so I guess not, but its worth asking...

[Ceejayav]

There isn't a standard wall mounting kit or anything like that, but a few enterprising folk have improvised in various ways. See the DIY section of the slim forum.

[Autopilot]

Originally Posted by wondering

Ummm, just had a thought.....the SB can't be wall mounted can it? Haven't seen this mention anywhere so I guess not, but its worth asking...

As i said before, you can customise the SB3 in build a new casing for it that will fit in with your HiFi setup if you are that way inclined. Plenty of people have, but it will invalidate your warranty if you open it up. But Slim Devices will actually give you off the record advise on this.

Wall mounting is possible, you just need to remove the rear stand and find a suitable bracket. Simple. I have also seen some people build it into a wall so it is flush with the wall just the screen showing, i saw the best example of this in a bathroom.

Originally Posted by wondering

There seems to be a bias towards the Squeezebox here :-) Does no-one own anything else?

They is a good reason for that, well quite a few really. The Squeezebox and Sono's are the market leaders due to having brilliant build quality, features and sound quality, although you will probably hate the Sono's form factor even more. Like Matt says, if you have decent AV there are the best (only IMO) options, unless you have Transporter money burning a hole in your pocket.

Audio streaming devices

Originally Posted by wondering

Well, if the PC is doing ALLe work, I may as well just play the songs on my PC! I *could* connect the sound output to my amp. Sure its not wireless, but it could be...but I want something independent

Sure, if you dont mind having a noisy PC in the room and using the monitor, keyboard and mouse to browse and play you tunes. You can also have multiple SB3's around the house. Your PC wont have a sound card with a DAC are good quality as the SB3/Sono's either, the only ones that have are M-Audio ones, well pricey though. The SB3 is a much more elegant and flexible solution.

Originally Posted by wondering

As I said, to plug in my MP3 player, or any other storage device for that matter

All the audio streamers need a server, this could be running a PC or a NAS harddrive. They are "thin clients" (hence the company name Slim Devices); this keeps the cost right down and adding new features is a simple process of updating the server software. Lots of other good reasons too.