Finally: You Can Stream DRM Protected Audio Files

[Brendan Goetz]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3657.html' target='_blank'>http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3657.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"It’s no surprise that people want to stream media from their PC to their home theater system. There are literally hundreds of devices out there that help to make this happen; from audio bridge devices like the Sondigo Sirocco, to full on Media PCs that cost thousands of dollars. Well, we know that streaming video from a PC to your home theater costs a considerable investment, where streaming audio can cost only a couple hundred dollars." </i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/20060627_1007301.gif" /> <br /><br />This looks like a very elegantly designed (except in appearance) solution to the problem of trying to stream DRM protected music to a stereo or home theater. The software interface looks very clean and intuitive and there are plenty of options for getting the setup that works for your equipment. I personally use an older PC of mine for streaming off of my media drive, but if I didn’t, I would definitely give this product a look. Finally a way to use the music we LEGALLY bought the way we want to, without the DRM screwing us up.

[Doug Johnson]

This is interesting.... My Turtle Beach AudioTron was able to stream DRM protected music (WMA) years ago.

[Felix Torres]

Looks okay, for what it is, but what it is is an audio streamer, not a Media streamer. All it does is move the speaker audio through the network.
This is just a PC version of Apple's expressport(?) remote speaker solution.
No remote interface or anything. You can't remotely choose or control playback.
And the price isn't all that good either; a low-end Roku does more at a comparable price.

As for playing DRM'ed content, not sure what planet those boys are living on; except for Fairplay'ed stuff, most DRM'ed music plays fine on current-gen streamers. Some, like the XBOX360, will even play subscription-DRM content.

This is just a high-tech replacement for 50 feet of RCA audio wire.