Squeezebox Version 3 Wireless

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/Slim_Devices_Squeezebox_version_3_Wireless_white/4505-6739_7-31884365.html?subj=fdba%E2%88%82=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/Slim_Devices_Squeezebox_version_3_Wireless_white/4505-6739_7-31884365.html?subj=fdba%E2%88%82=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The third iteration of the Slim Devices Squeezebox wirelessly streams audio from networked PCs and the Internet, supports the Pandora service, includes a Wake to Internet Radio alarm function, has analog and digital audio outputs, and sports a sleek, attractive design. It's easy to set up and use; has numerous free plug-ins available, thanks to an active open-source development community; and works with Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs. The Squeezebox also boasts superior wireless networking functions, including WPA encryption and wireless bridging capability."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/31884365-2-300-overview-1.gif" /> <br /><br />While this is an awesome player from a purely technical viewpoint, all those cool features do come at a bit of a high price ($300). I think the price combined with the fact that it can't play any DRM'd files will leave this as a pretty niche product in an already niche market.

[jeffd]

Someone needs to make a program for pocket PCs that do the same. This is a situation where we have the hardware (a pocket pc with wifi is more then enough for a compact remote music playing modual. And you get a large full color screen to boot) but the software isnt really all-in-one end user friendly (playing shoutcast stations once saved in a play list is easy, but to go out and manualy find them and save them, especialy on the pocket pc, is abit troublesome. Also GSplayer wich imo handels internet radio best, looks like crap).

[tal]

While this is an awesome player from a purely technical viewpoint, all those cool features do come at a bit of a high price ($300). I think the price combined with the fact that it can't play any DRM'd files will leave this as a pretty niche product in an already niche market.
That's why I went with the Roku SoundBridge (http://www.rokulabs.com). It's not that expensive while still offering high-quality sound. And more important to me: it is not tied to its own server software but supports a broad range of servers (UPnP, Windows Media Connect, daapd/iTunes). With WMC and a SoundBridge you can even listen to WMA-DRM music (although I wouldn't buy any DRM'd music).

Someone needs to make a program for pocket PCs that do the same. This is a situation where we have the hardware
As far as I know there are no PocketPCs with good audio-out qualities. Although I'm no audiophile I really don't think I would enjoy listening to music on my stereo that comes from a headphone jack of a PocketPC.

Personally I use the PocketPC to control the SoundBridge. This is a cool solution giving you full control from anywhere in your home with a better UI than on the device itself (maybe I'm a little biased since i wrote the VisualMR control application (http://www.tl-it.de/media/pages/visualmr.php) myself :) )

Thorsten

[jeffd]

tal, while my axim5 is nothing to wrote home about, supposedly many of the later axim models contain an audio chip that rival the ipod. Probably those PDAs with nice vide chipsets in them also have a matching audio chip.