Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler MP3 on the Home Stereo - what's the best way?

Squeezebox is probably the right way to go, especially for AAC DRM files.

However, for those with different priorities the Roku Soundbridge may be the right tool. Platform independent (can use any music server, including the SlimServer used by Squeezebox), and can play streaming WMA MP3 etc direct from Internet radio sites with just a wireless connection to an 802.11 access point - no PC (or iPod) required. Simple to use, even for the non-techies in the house. Infinite music: jazz, classical, rock, latin.

I used to connect a notebook or a PDA all the time to play Internet radio (using Screamer, nice lightweight client) but have found the Soundbridge to have the edge in convenience - it even looks good on the rack, and you can read the display across the room.

Personally I prefer HTPC, it can do more than any other single device. But they do cost the most (Caddy vs Pinto) and can eat up time tweaking them out the way you want them to be.

My 2nd choice would be the Xbox 360. Hands down the best multimedia console around. Since you don't have an HDTV you could even get the $299 version. It will connect over the network to your PC and play all the media you have on it. It's even getting IPTV capabilities later this year which is really cool.

2 cents

I'm about to buy a Squeezebox. The Sonos keeps drawing me in their direction because I love the remote with the LCD built right in to pick your tunes but the price is way to high to justify the difference.

Answered my own question. Well, that is to say Google answered it.

List of Canadian Squeezebox Retailers.

I've been playing w/ Apple TV for the past day. (Nice to get demo equipment from work...)

I'm surprised to say that it is actually quite useful. I have it hooked up to our kitchen LCD. From there, I am sharing my iTunes from 2 Macs in our house. I can stream playlists and videos. The vids are from iTunes and DVDs/Tivo shows ripped to MPEG4, no xvid or divx tried yet. I haven't tried photos yet. You can also stream trailers from Apple in real time. It is a very nice option to be able to use the same playlists that are synced to my iPod.

PQ quality is fine. At work, we streamed to a 50" 1080p and the Cars trailer looked better than it does on an iPod. At home on my 4:3 LCD, it's fine. Apple TV isn't optimized for 4:3, only 16:9, so video content is a little squished. But I'm using it more for music/podcasts/books so for that, it's great. You will need to keep your PCs/Macs on to share the iTunes libraries.

As long as you're OK w/ giving in to itunes' DRM, you may be pleasantly surprised w/ Apple TV.

[quote}As long as you're OK w/ giving in to itunes' DRM, you may be pleasantly surprised w/ Apple TV.

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Repeat this mantra:

Only media purchased from the iTunes Store has Apple DRM applied.
I can import non-DRM media into iTunes.
I use DRM-free media as much as possible.

I think I'll sell a sleep-hypnosis tape of the mantra until I never hear the "but all iTunes media has DRM" nugget again.

But seriously folks, I would rather that DRM be a meaningless, nonsensical acronym than a threat to user rights. On the other hand, I don't want to be limited in what I can access easily. I manage to stay away from DRM'd media 90% of the time but I do have some media like the complete series of "The Office" that I bought via the ITMS. And I couldn't help it. I'm a shameless addict as far as that series goes.

Probably worded my statement wrong.

As long as you're OK w/ using content that can be controlled by iTunes (from iTunes or your own), then you should enjoy this product fine.

The DRM war (on consumers) certainly gets teh blood pumping. There are times when everyone may have to give in, I know I have. Just try to support DRM free services too (emusic, etc). Dollar signs is all the MPAA and RIAA understand.