Squeezebox setup - persuade me not to buy this....please!!!11

[Big A]

OK, so i need you knolwedgeable folk to advise me that i'm doing the right thing....


I'm intending to get a Logitech Squeezebox for the bedroom so that i can stream from the HTPC in the living room downstairs but i have a few questions first:

1) Does my PC need to be on 24/7, i have my music stored on my Seagate Freeagent external HDD (not Pro), can the squeezebox access these .mp3 files without the PC being on?
2)I'm looking to get some small speakers to sit on the bedside tables, inparticular i'm looking at the Micropods http://www.urbanjunkie.co.uk/product...ve_podspeakers can these connect straight to the Squeezebox or will i need an amp?
3)How dies the internet radio work? could i, for example, listen to BBC radio 'listen again' through the squeezebox without the PC being on?


thanks in advance...I can see this being an expensive month


Andrew

[badbob]

The SB needs the host PC to be on, so either leave it on 24/7, or just switch it on when you're in. You can store your music anywhere on your LAN. You also need it for net streaming. Or you could buy a NAS with slimserver.

You can connect any active speakers to the SB output, either from analogue (RCA) or digital (coax/optical)

Use two SB's myself, brilliant

[amcluesent]

>Does my PC need to be on 24/7<

Not necessarily, the SB3 will send a Wake On LAN packet over the network to 'wake up' a modern PC that can go into stand-by when not being used for a bit.

>listen to BBC radio 'listen again' through the squeezebox without the PC being on?<

Nope. You can get the live stream via the SqueezeNetwork without the PC, but to replay saved broadcasts the PC need to be running the "AlienBBC" plugin to slimserver.

[Big A]

Thanks,

So it seems i'd have to buy a Buffalo Linkstation of something similar is i wanted to leave the PC off (prob just leave the PC on TBH)

One other question - does the SB3 display the time? only reason i ask is that it would be useful if it could double up as a bedside clock. Does it have an auto on/off function?

cheers

[badbob]

does the SB3 display the time

Yes it does. It also have alarm feature but not sure how this'll work, probably have to have speakers on

[Big A]

nice, that looks good.

Am i right in thinking the PC doesn't need to be on for the SB3 to access the internet radio? EDIT - missed amcluesent's reply above, thanks

Going to order one tomorrow. Amazon seems to be the cheapest at £195

[Empgamer]

Data Kits have them at £186 inc P&P, Ripcaster for £189.

[suniil]

Or use a bufallo linkstation / Kurobox [NAS] where you can install slimserver. Also it consumes on 17w electricity.

Originally Posted by amcluesent

Not necessarily, the SB3 will send a Wake On LAN packet over the network to 'wake up' a modern PC that can go into stand-by when not being used for a bit.

[Big A]

Originally Posted by Empgamer

Data Kits have them at £186 inc P&P, Ripcaster for £189.

Thanks, are Data Kits reputable? not heard of them before

[Big A]

Couple more questions.......

Can i use a different remote with this? I must say for such a nicey designed piece of kit the remote looks cack!!

If i was to get a NAS (like this http://www.datakits.co.uk/store/160g...ve-p-1643.html) could i then use BBC Listen again by having the 'AlienBBC' plugin and slimserver installed to the NAS?

[badbob]

Yeah, if it has pre-programmed codes, or learning type. I use URC MX-200 and MX-700.

[Empgamer]

I believe so. I ordered an SB3 from them online on Sunday. Had a mail 0800 Monday saying it had been dispatched.

Addendum: Of the two, I would strongly suggest using Ripcaster. Enough said.......for now.

[Big A]

Well, i went a bought one yesterday and i have to say they are pretty bloody good!!!!

Set AlienBBC up and although the stream does keep dropping occasionally i think this probably has more to do with the speed of my line (512mpbs)

Thanks everyone for the great advice.....now onto the speakers :D