Re: Alternatives to Sonos?

["Paul Bendall" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'll second Julie's recommendation of Squeezebox devices as I have
both a Classic (actually a Squeezebox 3) and a Squeezebox Boom. The
server software is called Squeezecentre and is responsible for
scanning your music collection, presenting it via a web interface and
streaming it to native Squeeze devices or as an MP3 stream.

Additional Squeeze devices exist called the transporter (audiophile
quality & price device) and Squeeze Duet (combination of a black box
Commander and Intelligent Remote).

The plugins expand the core software to add things as XAP, XPL
support, weather forecasts, sporting events, server power control,
iPhone interface (last option is very good and is called iPeng).

As for having 15 devices around the home I would suggeste these are
hard-wired as I can imagine dropouts with so many wireless devices.

Paul

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, Jewelie <jewelie@...> wrote:
>
> How about a Squeezebox ?
>
> You do need to install some software on the server, you get to
control all
> of the attached devices via a webpage as well as from each device,
or
> multiple devices from the controller you can buy.
>
> Supports a wide range of audio formats, can work over wireless or
wired
> connections and there are loads of extras you can add on. Can also
download
> free player software to run on a Pc if you want to.
>
> The server software is free, its all open source,  there are loads
of user
> supplied skins, and other addons, and I think it supports various
internet
> radio out of the box and might be an addon to do BBC listen again.
No idea
> how well the protocol to the box is documented, best place to check
would be
> the official forums, but with the number of user supplied extras,
I'm
> guessing there is quite a bit available.
>
> We currently have a Classic and a Boombox, the sound from the
Boombox is
> excellent and can go rather loud, especially for such a small
device.
> Julie
> On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 04:16, Rob Iles <rob.iles@...> wrote:
>
> > Hello Everyone,
> >
> > I've read the recent Sonos thread - great info in there. Sounds
like a very
> > good product.
> >
> > However, IMHO, it's rather expensive. (I'm sure it's worth the
money - and
> > in an ideal world, I'd go for it).
> >
> > Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative?
> >
> > Doesn't need to be Plug and Play - happy to build from scratch if
need be.
> >
> > Requirements:
> >
> > #1 All media (mp3/AAC/WMP) located on Vista Media Centre PC.
> > #2 Ability to play music in ~ 15 "zones".
> > #3 Ability to play different music in different zones
(simultaneously)
> > #4 Be controlled by IP or through a serial port. Spec needs to be
> > documented
> > so that I can write software to interface it with the HA software
(Harmony
> > 2007)
> > #5 AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE!
> >
> > In UKHA tradition, the cheaper the better. I realise that
audiophiles will
> > be aghast...but, the primary zone - living room, already has a
reasonably
> > good 5.1 surround sound system (Sony STRDB940 - yes, it's old,
but it still
> > works well enough for me) (Incidentally, anyone know how to
control this by
> > means other than IR / have a list of IR codes for it?).  Bedroom
zones will
> > generally be used for alarm clock duties, but some "easy
listening" will
> > take place too. Bath-Zone will be ...how to put this
> > delicately....."sufficient" for one to continue
listening to
TV/Radio when
> > answering a call of nature/taking a shower. Stereo will be
adequate in all
> > but the living room - but that's already taken care of bith the
surround
> > sound tuner).
> >
> > Any ideas, ladies and gentlemen?
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>




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