NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Product Description

Finally, you can enjoy your digital music files and unlimited, worldwide Internet radio, together with your friends and family, in any room of your home. NETGEAR's Wireless Digital Music Player connects your existing home stereo to your home computer network so you can listen to your MP3 and Windows Media format digital music files ? with the great sound quality of your stereo speakers ? wherever you like to relax and entertain. You can also listen to thousands of streaming Internet radio stations for music, sports and news from around the world. The Wireless Digital Music Player is compatible with your 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network, and it's very simple to set up and use. Easy-to-install software automatically finds all your music files by title, artist, album, genre or play list on any networked PC. It then collects them into one complete database so you don't have to do the work. Sit back and put your feet up ? remote control and a crystal clear, four-line display let you select music without even getting out of your chair.

Customer Reviews:

Falls short on many fronts.......2007-07-14

About the only thing this media player was good for was connecting to Internet radio. It failed at streaming more than one song in a row from my PC. It also doesn't have WPA security for the 802.11b so you're best to hard wire it.

Since I don't think you can buy it anymore, I'm not sure what good this review is, but if you're thinking of getting a used one from somebody, I'd recommend you steer clear of the MP101. There are other alternatives that I'm told work much better.

Oh yeah, I spent about 3 hours on the phone with Netgear tech support (sure sounded to me like everyone I spoke with was in India) and they were unable to solve the problem.

Decent nont wireless though.......2007-02-08

So I ordered this and surprisingly found this 250 dollar product for 30 dollars , i got standard shipping came in about 5 days, installed the cd to my desktop in my living room, which is where i have my roadrunner Cable modem, and my netgear Super g 108mbps wireless router, sothat all goes good, than i connect the player and i put the red and white audio cables in my reciever and i turn on the netgear, and it says found wireless network, it found it but when i tried to log on , nothing just this network not available, after finding it and putting the name of my network right there, so than i connect the short ole ethernet cable to the 2nd port on my router , and i connected the green audio cable that was going from my speakers to my computer , to the player. i turn it on, it says wired network found, bam it has my netowkrs name, and sure enough all the songs i uploaded onto the program they gave me, were there. i was so releived thihnking i had wasted 37 dollars. so i go online find the firmware 3.7 ithink and i do all taht jazz than when i turn it on it finds my laptop and all my music i have there. i was like whoa amazing, i forgot to include taht i had installed the program in my laptop as well. so i had songs there on my laptop, and my moms songs on the desktop. now i just need to buy a 50 foot ethernet cable to run along the wall to my receiver than i can put the player on top of my audio reciever and plug in the redwhite to redwhite and bam 5.1 surround. lcd screen is bright and easy to see, control is very handy, no buttons on player, so my suggestikon do not lose the remote.all in all worth 37 dollars.

Works perfectly with other server software.......2007-02-01

Many of the problems that are being mentioned have to do with the server that netgear provides with the package. Don't bother to use the CD. Don't even bother to download the new version from the netgear website because it has issues.

The MP101 is a client that supports the UPNP protocol for streaming music. You can use any other software that can be installed as a server as long as it supports the UPNP. Two good examples are TwonkyMedia and Windows Media Player 11.

Specifically, windows media player 11 (that comes with Vista) has a built-in UPNP server. So when you have both the MP101 and the Windows Media Player (WMP) 11 on, the WMP will recognize the client and start streaming music to it. Then you go to the MP101 and acccept the WMP11 as a server. The interface is much better that the default server that netgear provides, since you can instantly see now whatever you have imported in the WMP library, including the fact that you can browse the music directories directly!

Users with Windows XP can also download WMP11 to enjoy these features.

Given this setup, I connected the MP101 wired to my router and using WMP11 I never had any problems browsing and playing my music. It also worked perfectly with my Rhapsody account.

Very nice.......2007-01-21

Was very easy to set up. I am very happy with it, except for one thing. I have spent a lot of time making sure that all the folders from one artist are all in one folder. The Netgear software was able to seperate them. So now when I look up the by the artist there might be four diffrent folders with the same musician.

Gret performance and value..........2007-01-21

This product works exceptionally well wireless in the configuration that I have. I have two PCs connected to a linksys B/G telephone router and am operating the unit via wireless connection on another floor of my house using both PCs as media servers. I did immediately upgrade the firmware on the unit, and had to enable mixed B/G mode on the router to allow it to connect, but once I figured that out, the device works flawlessly and at a fraction of the price of other units on the market...a great value, after testing it out, I ordered a second one for my other stereo!

Average customer rating:

This is the future of music. Insanely cool.
Siimply the best purchase for my home audio system I've ever made
Amazing! Even I can do it!
No problems here
I also have nothing but silence

Squeezebox Network Music Player - White

Manufacturer: SLIM DEVICES
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Multiroom Digital Music Systems | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Accessories & Supplies | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Accessories:

Product Features:

Stream your digital music or WMA & MP3 Internet radio stations
Connect to any digital/analog stereo over 802.11g wireless network
Supports MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless formats
Place anywhere; modern design, built-in display, dual internal antennas
Easy to setup and use with any computer; PC/Mac/Linux/Solaris

ASIN: B000BUX3I0

Product Description

Squeezebox v3 streams digital music or MP3 Internet radio stations to any digital and analog stereo over a home 802.11g wireless network. It is a study in downtempo, modern design appropriate for any setting and a joy for the eyes as well as the ears. The contrast of highly polished material against a crisp brushed metal fascia is a fitting reflection of the sophisticated technology within. Squeezebox the easiest way for music lovers to enjoy high-quality playback of their whole digital music collection (compressed and uncompressed audio files) anywhere in their home. Squeezebox lets you rediscover the hidden gems of your music collection. Start with one and then add players in different rooms to create an affordable whole-house audio experience without the hassle of re-wiring your home. Squeezebox uses SlimServer, the powerful software developed by Slim Devices. Because the software is developed under an open source license, Slim Devices is able to tap into the creative energies of a worldwide team of independent programmers. Squeezebox, as a result, continues to add features with the release of new software and the product never becomes obsolete! Squeezebox includes many features not found in similar products; built-in alarm clock, SHOUTcast directory, music selection by Album Art, BBC news ticker and more. Audio outputs; digital coax & optical, analog RCA, mini-jack connector.

Amazon.com Review

Deciding how to offer a review of the third-generation Squeezebox by Slim Devices without gushing forth a stream of typical market-speak accolades ("Incredible!" "Outstanding!" "A must-have for any music lover!") is not easy. And even more difficult, given all that Squeezebox has going for it, is deciding where to start describing the wealth of features this little box boasts.

Squeezebox gives you full control over your entire digital music library. And it couldn't be easier. (Black model and remote shown).

Stereo level meters are a nice touch. View larger.

All the connections you need are on the back. See detail.

From Digital Files to High Performance
Although the tools to convert CDs to digital files have become standard fare on nearly every computer, by comparison the tools needed to play those files on a high-performance sound system can be clunky, inconvenient, and downright frustrating to use. Until recently, our options have been either to drag expensive computers to the living room and wire them directly to our stereos, or to buy an expensive digital music player that we then need to continually plug and unplug.

Enter Squeezebox to save us from this hassle. After plugging this streamlined device into your stereo via a standard RCA cable, and taking all of five minutes to download software to your computer and configure Squeezebox to your wireless network (okay, maybe seven minutes if you're chewing gum at the same time), you can immediately start "pulling" music off your Mac or PC for full-sounding playback through your entertainment system. Imagine being able to keep your computer on your desk, and your digital player in your pocket, and still crank your digital music with abandon! It's really that simple: within a few minutes of unpacking the Squeezebox, your digital files are yours for the asking from the comfort of your couch. (Squeezebox is also offered in a "wired-only" model that connects directly to the Internet via an Ethernet cable.)

Once Squeezebox is set up, it immediately presents your music on its easy-to-read display by genre, artist, song, album and even year. With the help of a handy remote, you can scroll through just about every music file on your computer and play songs in whatever sequence you desire. As long as your digital files are in a single location (in your iTunes folder, for instance), Squeezebox will get them to you. Although your computer must be on in order to play your digital files, you don't necessarily have to start it up just to play your music. Squeezebox also gives you the option of using the remote to wake your PC or Mac from a "sleep" state remotely, adding to the system's ultimate ease of use.

Squeezebox offers lots of setup options.

A handy remote is included (black remote shown, white model ships with white remote). View larger.

Squeezebox supports most popular formats, such as AAC (on Mac or Windows), and AIFF, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV or WMA (Windows only). The sound quality is limited only by how well you burned your CDs in the first place, and by the performance of your entertainment system.

Surely there must be a catch, you're probably thinking. In fact, there are a couple of glitches that beg for improvement in the next-generation model.

First, while you can create play lists for Squeezebox on your computer via the software's browser interface -- a somewhat clunky procedure --, or with the remote itself -- an easier, though still time-consuming process --, Squeezebox could not access the play lists we had already created in our iTunes player. According to the manufacturer, only iTunes users suffer from this problem; Squeezebox recognizes lists created in Windows Media and other popular players. The second issue has to do with encrypted files. Simply put, it can't play any files you purchase or download from an online store, such as the iTunes Music Store, that are protected. For those files, you'll have to continue to resort to the primitive plug-and-play method.

Internet Radio without a Computer
In addition to playing digital files, you can use Squeezebox to stream Internet radio straight into your living room without a computer. Squeezebox feeds directly from your wireless network to do this. With the Web interface, or via the remote, you can create a list of your favorite Internet radio stations for streaming. Squeezebox also comes loaded with several stations covering the full array of musical genres, from jazz and world music, to 70's pop and 90's electronica. For news junkies, Squeezebox can also stream your favorite RSS feeds across its aqua blue display.

About the size of a bedside digital alarm clock, Squeezebox can sit inconspicuously on any horizontal surface. The ports, all located on the back of the unit, include a mini headphone jack, RCA connections, a digital optical output and coax output, and an Ethernet connection. An extremely intuitive interface on Squeezebox lets you easily configure the display's text size, illumination, screen saver, and track information.

Until the day comes when affordable entertainment systems exist that offer seamless convergence of wireless Internet and digital technology with high-performance playback, Squeezebox will let you share your digital music loudly and clearly with just a few clicks of the remote.

Pros:

A seamless way to stream digital music through entertainment systems
Offers easy and remote access to all unencrypted digital music files on our computer
Streams Internet radio through your receiver without a computer

Cons:

Does not play encrypted music files from online digital services
Creating playlists can be time consuming

What's in the Box
Squeezebox Network Music Player, AC power adaptor (appropriate plug by region), user's manual, SlimServer software (requires download), custom infrared remote (2 AAA batteries included), and 6-foot gold plated RCA patch cord.

Customer Reviews:

This is the future of music. Insanely cool........2007-11-26

I am a gadget freak and this is without a doubt the COOLEST toy I own. After ripping my entire CD collection to WMA lossless and later converting to FLAC to get the advantage of replaygain volume leveling, I can now instantly play any song or playlist from over 400 CDs, quickly searching via artist name, album, genre, or a custom playlist. The networking setup is not quite as easy or simple as it should be, especially if you are using wireless or multiple PCs running multiple servers. But it's not that hard, either, and I was able to figure it out and once I did, it works consistently and very, very well. The sound quality is absolutely as good as from the original CDs. The remote is not bad, but it could be even better, but it's just as easy to run the interface from a laptop using wi-fi, even if your music library is on another network computer or hard drive. The support on the slim devices forums and knowledgebase are very good, and if you really need some hand-holding you can call them and talk to a live person for help. Seriously, you set this up and you will start feeling like a pro DJ- all you need is a VIP guest list...

Siimply the best purchase for my home audio system I've ever made.......2007-11-17

I'm not going to do an in-depth review of because so many other folks have, but I'll give my two cents. I've owned a Squeezebox for over 2 years now and it has worked flawlessly the entire time. Setup was easy from what I remember (it's been a while), sound quality is fantastic (especially when using FLAC files), and it looks so good sitting on my shelf with my Onkyo TX-NR901. In fact frustration with Onkyo's built in music server is what prompted me to buy the Squeezebox. This is one gadget I have never had one iota of buyers remorse for... ever.

Amazing! Even I can do it!.......2007-08-21

I have recently decided to enter the 20th century and made my computer/printer wireless. Then, what the heck, how about the stereo too. This is new and daunting stuff for me (I'm much older than 14). Once I got the coumputer wireless to satellite (LinkSys), then came the print server (NetGear)--no problem with either. The stereo connection was simplest of all. In less than 20' (including reading the instructions) I was streaming my CD collection to my stereo. Only one glitch. After about 1/2 hour, the computer-squeezebox interface (Web) failed to find the Squeezebox. What fixed it was going through the Squeezebox setup again. (It had everyting I had previously entered so I just stepped through.) I has worked for the last 2 hrs. w/o problems. If you don't hear from me again on this, assume that it is still working well. Frankly, I'm amazed that this suite of mixed-maker products work together. I know, they should, but realistically, how often do electronics interface as they advertise?
ADDITION: After a month or so, I still greatly enjoy this product, but there are glitches. When my network goes down, sometimes the Squeezebox does not come back up with the rest. I found that unplugging it then going through the setup menu (accepting everyting as it is presented) brings it back up. Simple unplugging and powering up does not work.
Also, I have Panasonic home theater with wireless back speakers. I had to move the WiFi to channel 11 to prevent interference and buy new wireless phones too (Panasonic DIRECT 6.0). It's a learning experience! Not hopelessl, though!

No problems here.......2007-08-09

Ok...no problems here...has worked perfectly from second one...sound quality is truly outstanding...ability to play back not only mp3's but multiple higher-quality formats (.wav and flac)...the internet tuning capability works fantastically well (tune by city, genre, popularity, etc.)...but what really makes the unit is the interface, it is speedy and intuitive...highly recommended.

I also have nothing but silence.......2007-07-26

I too can relate to all of the reviewers who can not get sound. Slim Devices drops my wireless signal about every three minutes. It is very rare that it will play a whole song. I have tried a linksys G router, a US Robotics router, and now a D Link router. I am not using other wireless resource while it is playing besides my latop. All of my other wireless devices show "excellent" signal strength while this thing can not seem to locate a network. Customer support said it was my router's power settings. I am on my third router from three different manufactures and I think it is the sqeezebox. I would recommend passing on this product as I am sitting here playing MP3s on my laptop speakers looking at my Squeexebox screen stating its usual "Problem, can't find a wireless network" message.

Average customer rating:

Best in the Marketplace
Not Bad.. Use Twonkymedia
No problem - worked out of the box
Awwwwful ---DON'T BUY IT!!
An Appalling Waste of Good Money

Netgear EVA700 Digital Entertainer

Manufacturer: Netgear
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Accessories:

Product Features:

Connect your home theater to your computer network for streaming playback of digital media
Supports most audio and video formats including MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Xvid, and AVI
Built-in USB port to connect a USB drive and music player
Supports wireless networks with 802.11g built-in
Device measures 17 x 2 x 10 inches (WxHxD)

ASIN: B000GHWQ86
Release Date: 2006-08-21

Amazon.com Product Description

The NETGEAR EVA700 Digital Entertainer offers:

A simple way to connect your home theater with your home network.
Streaming playback of video and music stored on your computer.
A built-in USB port for connecting to iPods, digital cameras, and other devices.
Support for 802.11g wireless networks.

The NETGEAR EVA700 Digital Entertainer connects your TV and home entertainment system to your computer network, letting you enjoy the movies, videos, radio, and photos that reside on your your PC on a larger screen and better speakers.

The Digital Entertainer's built-in wifi streams media from your home network. View larger. View rear.

Easy Setup and Strong Security
The EVA700 plugs into your home theater system with a variety of outputs including RCA, S-Video, Digital Coaxial/SPDIF audio, and HD component video. The Digital Entertainer has both 802.11g wireless for up to 54 Mbps speeds, and a wired 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 jack in order to connect the device to your home network. Support for Intel Hub Connect Technology makes the connection easy to set up.

In addition to the hard drive of your PC, the EVA700 also works seamlessly with the NETGEAR SC101 storage device. There is also a USB port on the front of the device, letting you play files saved on an iPod, USB thumb drive, USB disk, or digital camera.

The Digital Entertainer boasts hardware-based WEP 40/64-bit and 128-bit encryption, as well as WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK encryption for enhanced security.

Support for Many File Formats
The Digital Entertainer can handle a large variety of file formats. Compatible audio formats include MP3 (up to 320 Kbps or VBR), WAV, WMA (up to 192 Kbps or VBR), M3U, and AAC. Compatible video formats include: MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, AVI, WMV (up to 1080p down-converted), and Xvid. Compatible photo formats include: JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, and GIF.

An included remote control lets you control all the media files on your home network--as well as from popular internet sites--from the comfort of your couch. The NETGEAR EVA700 Digital Entertainer is backed by a 1-year warranty.

What's in the Box
EVA700 Digital Entertainer, infrared remote control (2 AA batteries included), power cable, Ethernet cable, RCA stereo-audio/composite-video cable, installation guide, resource CD, and warranty/support information card.

Product Description

Now with the Netgear EVA700 Digital Entertainer, you can enjoy your digital videos, photos and music with the upgraded video and audio quality of your home entertainment system or TV. The Netgear EVA700 Digital Entertainer makes it easy to seamlessly access thousands of digital media files from your computer for viewing and listening in the comfort of your family room. Connect your TV or home entertainment system to your home computer network and stream digital movies, videos, music, radio and photos from your PC by connecting to your home network and router. You can even play files saved on a USB storage device such as an iPod, USB thumb drive, USB disk and some digital cameras with a USB interface by connecting to the front USB port of the Digital Entertainer. The Netgear EVA700 Digital Entertainer is Intel Viiv verified, so you can take advantage of Intel's new platform for digital entertainment. The Digital Entertainer EVA700 supports seamless access to content, applications and services available on Intel Viiv technology-enabled PCs. Use the Wired Ethernet Port to connect the EVA700 directly to your wired home network for high quality video and maximum streaming speeds across multiple rooms. Dimensions - Height 2 x Width 17 x Depth 10 (50.8x431.8x254mm) Weight - 4.4 pounds (2.0 kg)

Customer Reviews:

Best in the Marketplace.......2007-12-31

I bought two of these EVA 700's six months ago, and I have been pleased with the product -- up to a point. The video, music, and photo options work well if paired with a quality media server. The best I have found is made by Helios. Tversity also works, but not as well. The server software that comes with the product is Junk as is the server software that comes with Windows Media center. I was not able to get the Viiv feature to work. Nevertheless, .VOB and .divx video playback works well as does music coded to MP3 if the source is resident on a quality PnP server product. I agree with many of the other comments here that this product is not for the non-technical user. I spent months finding the right software for the server and setting up the files so that the menus work well. Nevertheless, it can be done. The only disappointment I have is that the video playback is somewhat unstable. The video/sound sync sometimes gets off, but can be corrected by pausing the playback and starting again. Also, the video playback software sometimes slips and skips a half second of playback. Playing the same files on my computer results in neither of these problems. On the other hand, I tried several other media players before I got this one, and I am convinced that it is the best on the market (with the possible exception of the EVA 8000). None of these products are currently ready for prime time use by non-technical users.

Not Bad.. Use Twonkymedia.......2007-12-20

This system is not bad for the price. It plays the IPOD MP4s, most DIVX and XVID. However, I only use it for MP4s and MP3s. These files play the best. I use it wireless and it streams with no problem. I will tell you that using Twonkymedia or Tversity is a must. VIV technology or using Windows Media is very clunky and limited. I have bought two and I am satisfied.

Only two annoying bugs that I would like Netgear to research. One, while streaming, every once in a while it will pause the playback for a second or two. The second is that it beeps while playing a movie. Again it is very intermittent. Otherwise, it is a really good product.

However, very clear playback of video.

No problem - worked out of the box.......2007-11-09

NO problems here folks. Worked straight away. Hooked it up to my wireless network and i was done. the only thing i wished it had was bookmarking so i could go back to where i was exactly. I will probably buy one for my bedroom as well.

Awwwwful ---DON'T BUY IT!!.......2007-10-13

I purchased this wanting to use it to watch pictures stored on my computer and stream music from the PC. I'm a computer/network technician so I know how to setup hardware/software. This was very frustrating and I fought with it for about a week trying to get it to work right.

1. I set it up wireless with a WEP key. I've had to re-enter the WEP key numerous times because when I'd hit Save it wouldn't actually save it, it would just clear it. I had to go into a profile and save it in there and even then half the time it wouldn't stick. After going thru the exact same steps about 6 times, then it would sometimes work. If you have to unplug the unit for any reason, forget it!!! ....have to start from scratch again. Sometimes it wouldn't see my wireless network at all.

2. I tried to do a firmware upgrade and it would connect to Netgear to download the updates but then it failed to do the update.

3. Interface is very clunky and not easy to get around.

4. Remote is very weak...have to point it exactly the right way and within 5 feet of the unit for it to work.

5. I am running Windows XP SP2 and I had Windows Media Player 11. It worked with it but the pictures were so small on my 57" Sony HD that you could barely see them. I tried to install Windows Media connect from the CD that came with the unit but it failed. From reading thru the forums I had to uninstall Windows Media Player 11 (downgrade to version 9) and install Windows Media Connect. Then I could see the pictures full screen.

Once I got it working, it would work fine for viewing pictures and listening to music. If I left it alone for a while and got back to it, it lost the WEP key and I had to reboot the unit and re-enter the WEP key about 6 times again to get it to work.

Documentation on Netgear's site is terrible. I didn't even attempt to call Tech support because they would have no idea what I'm talking about, that's if I could understand what they were saying. That's the problem with these home products (Netgear, Linksys, Dlink)--the support sucks.

An Appalling Waste of Good Money.......2007-08-07

I made the huge mistake of not checking for reviews before squandering money on this utter rubbish. When you see the number that complain about the lack of a hardware reset switch, well, that pretty much tells you all you need to know. I tried to team it with a Maxtor Storage Solution II, don't waste your time. Occasionally the pair would agree to work together, but most of the time they sulked. I've bought Netgear routers before and been very pleased, but this strikes me as underdeveloped and simply not ready for public release. My advice is don't pay to be a Beta tester for Netgear !

Squeezebox Wireless Network Music Player, Black

Average customer rating:

Well Done!
A good addition to my A/V system
stunning display & very flexible codecs
I wanted it to work, but gave up in the end - unending dropouts
Everything I want in an MP3 server/player

Squeezebox Wireless Network Music Player, Black

Manufacturer: SLIM DEVICES
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Multiroom Digital Music Systems | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Accessories & Supplies | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Accessories:

Product Features:

Stream your digital music or WMA & MP3 Internet radio stations
Connect to any digital/analog stereo over 802.11g wireless network
Supports MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless formats
Place anywhere; modern design, built-in display, dual internal antennas
Easy to setup and use with any computer; PC/Mac/Linux/Solaris

ASIN: B000BYCU9O

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Squeezebox gives you full control over your entire digital music library. And it couldn't be easier.

Stereo level meters are a nice touch. View larger.

All the connections you need are on the back. See detail.

From Digital Files to High Performance
Although the tools to convert CDs to digital files have become standard fare on nearly every computer, by comparison the tools needed to play those files on a high-performance sound system can be clunky, inconvenient, and downright frustrating to use. Until recently, our options have been either to drag expensive computers to the living room and wire them directly to our stereos, or to buy an expensive digital music player that we then need to continually plug and unplug.

Squeezebox offers lots of setup options.

A handy remote is included. View larger.

Squeezebox supports most popular formats, such as AAC (on Mac or Windows), and AIFF, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV or WMA (Windows only). The sound quality is limited only by how well you burned your CDs in the first place, and by the performance of your entertainment system.

Surely there must be a catch, you're probably thinking. In fact, there are a couple of glitches that beg for improvement in the next-generation model.

Pros:

A seamless way to stream digital music through entertainment systems
Offers easy and remote access to all unencrypted digital music files on our computer
Streams Internet radio through your receiver without a computer

Cons:

Does not play encrypted music files from online digital services
Does not recognize iTunes playlists
Creating playlists can be time consuming

Customer Reviews:

Well Done!.......2007-06-30

I've owned this unit for about a year. Not cheap, but in this case you get what you pay for and then some. Not only does it sound great, but it interfaces to my wireless LAN without flaw. It easily connects to my server PC's, and stays connected (can't say that about your typical wireless laptop). It's a great looking unit, guests at my home are always intrigued how such a small stereo rig can sound so good and play so many songs ("where is the CD player?"). Highly recommended.

A good addition to my A/V system.......2007-06-12

I was looking for a dual-purpose device for my living room: 1) access my MP3 collection on my computer and 2) access Internet radio. I needed 802.11g since running wires just didn't appeal to me. I would have liked it to have a built-in hard drive to store my music files in order to be able to leave my computers off, but that wasn't necessary. I did not want to have to have my high-def TV on just to listen to audio, so it needed a display of its own.

The SqueezeBox came as close as I could find within the price I thought the budget committee would approve (I got it recently direct from SlimDevices at $249). I considered AppleTV and Roku and a couple of others. AppleTV doesn't do Internet radio as of yet; it does have a hard drive; no display. Roku is 802.11b only, which would drag down my D-Link router, and many people have been less complimentary about its sound quality. One nice feature of the SqueezeBox is the inclusion of digital audio out.

1) I installed SlimServer on both a PC and a Mac iBook with little difficulty. ITunes is not needed, but if iTunes is your thing, it integrates well. I have my files organized by boys/girls/bys&girls/classical and so forth directories, and then by artist within those, and the SqueezeBox lets me browse within those directories quite easily. You can choose a directory and push Play, and all files within are played, shuffled if you so desire. (Note, the "Favorites" playlist here is best ignored.)

2) The Internet radio feature (SqueezeNetwork) has been very good. I listen to Pandora a fair amount, and this device is good for that, though it will cost $3.95/month. I also listen to a station my wife and I did a weekly show at (KXCI, Tucson, AZ) many years ago--you can add most any streaming site to your own "Favorites" within SqueezeNetwork. In addition to Pandora, RadioIO, RadioTime, Rhapsody, and Live365 all integrate into the interface without any cost (unless you want the premium services). Altogether, the SqueezeBox gives me access to a lot of services in my living room and without having to sit at a computer.

So why not five stars? Well, because I can't choose 4 1/2 stars. You see, the form factor doesn't quite fit in with other A/V gear. Given the large front panel it would be nice to have used more of that acreage for three lines of display. The set-up was initially frustrating, but I got over that, and so I do suggest this for someone with technical familiarity.

Others have mentioned some reliability problems, but maybe those were early production runs. I will certainly keep in mind those experiences in a year when the warranty is nearing its end.

stunning display & very flexible codecs.......2007-06-10

I bought the wired version. I love the product because you can play just about any format. The display is stunning. Squeeze did an outstanding job on the hardware. However, a year ago I boxed up my family room stereo along with this device. The Apple Nano has spoiled me for life. I may eventually hook my Squeeze & stereo back up, but I'm not holding my breath.

PS: Many hours went into developing the software for this product. The developers put a lot of sweat equity into it and made the playable formats very flexible (mp3, ape, flac, wma, wav, etc...). But it is browser based and a bit quirky. I would have preferred an exe, just a preference.

I wanted it to work, but gave up in the end - unending dropouts.......2007-05-27

I have used a the squeezebox and the rokulabs M500 & M1001. The squeezebox promised a lot, but failed to deliver. Setup over the wireless network was not a problem, but slimserver (open source) was a pain. It consistently failed to locate all my songs, but the real reason for abandoning the aqueezebox was the consistent dropout. The unit was 12 ft across a room from the wireless router and the Rokulabs M500 I replaced it with has performed flawlessly, so I suppose that the flaw was with the slimserver software. In the end, whilst I appreciated the flexibility of the software, I prefer the reliability of iTunes and Rokulabs.

Everything I want in an MP3 server/player.......2007-05-01

Like most, I have a good sized collection of MP3's on my computer. In fact, nowadays, I buy CDs and immediately encode them to MP3's and shelve the CD away. The Squeeze box is an amazing device. First and foremost was to play songs without the skips and glitching that plagued first generation MP3 network players like the Creative Wireless Music player that I had. This thing almost never cuts out. It is fast and easy to scroll through my holdings. The device can output through RCA AND optical (my preference). Best of all, I am now enjoying internet radio easily--I set my favorite stations to favorites! FANTASTIC PRODUCT!

Squeezebox v3 Wired-only Black By Slim Devices (US Power Supply)

Average customer rating:

Great product!

Squeezebox v3 Wired-only Black By Slim Devices (US Power Supply)

Manufacturer: SLIM DEVICES
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Stream your digital music or WMA & MP3 Internet radio stations
Connect to any digital/analog stereo over Ethernet network
Supports MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless formats
Place anywhere; modern design, built-in display
Easy to setup and use with any computer; PC/Mac/Linux/Solaris

ASIN: B000BYASLG

Product Description

Squeezebox v3 streams digital music or MP3 Internet radio stations to any digital and analog stereo over a home Ethernet network. It is a study in downtempo, modern design appropriate for any setting and a joy for the eyes as well as the ears. The contrast of highly polished material against a crisp brushed metal fascia is a fitting reflection of the sophisticated technology within. Squeezebox the easiest way for music lovers to enjoy high-quality playback of their whole digital music collection (compressed and uncompressed audio files) anywhere in their home. Squeezebox lets you rediscover the hidden gems of your music collection. Start with one and then add players in different rooms to create an affordable whole-house audio experience without the hassle of re-wiring your home. Squeezebox uses SlimServer, the powerful software developed by Slim Devices. Because the software is developed under an open source license, Slim Devices is able to tap into the creative energies of a worldwide team of independent programmers. Squeezebox, as a result, continues to add features with the release of new software and the product never becomes obsolete! Squeezebox includes many features not found in similar products; built-in alarm clock, SHOUTcast directory, music selection by Album Art, BBC news ticker and more. Audio outputs; digital coax & optical, analog RCA, mini-jack connector.

Amazon.com Review

Enter Squeezebox to save us from this hassle. After plugging this streamlined device into your stereo via a standard RCA cable, and into your Internet router or hub via an Ethernet cable, and taking all of five minutes to download software to your computer and configure Squeezebox to Internet connection (okay, maybe seven minutes if you're chewing gum at the same time), you can immediately start "pulling" music off your Mac or PC for full-sounding playback through your entertainment system. Imagine being able to keep your computer on your desk, and your digital player in your pocket, and still crank your digital music with abandon! It really is that simple: within a few minutes of unpacking the Squeezebox, your digital files are yours for the asking from the comfort of your couch. (Squeezebox is also offered in two wireless models -- black and white -- that connect directly to the Internet via your wireless network.)

Once Squeezebox is set up, it immediately offers up your music on its easy-to-read display by genre, artist, song, album and even year. With the help of a handy remote, you can scroll through just about every music file on your computer and play songs in whatever sequence you desire. As long as your digital files are in a single location (in your iTunes folder, for instance), Squeezebox will get them to you. Although your computer must be on in order to play your digital files, you don't necessarily have to start it up just to play your music. Squeezebox also gives you the option of using the remote to wake your PC or Mac from a "sleep" state remotely, adding to the system's ultimate ease of use.

Squeezebox offers lots of setup options (wireless connectivity is only available with the black or white wireless models).

A handy remote is included. View larger.

Squeezebox supports most popular formats, such as AAC (on Mac or Windows), and AIFF, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV or WMA (Windows only). The sound quality is limited only by how well you burned your CDs in the first place, and by the performance of your entertainment system.

Surely there must be a catch, you're probably thinking. In fact, there are a couple of glitches that beg for improvement in the next-generation model.

Pros:

A seamless way to stream digital music through entertainment systems
Offers easy and remote access to all unencrypted digital music files on our computer
Streams Internet radio through your receiver without a computer

Cons:

Does not play encrypted music files from online digital services
Does not recognize iTunes playlists
Creating playlists can be time consuming

Customer Reviews:

Great product!.......2006-06-03

I purchased the wired-only version of the Squeezebox after having a very hard time with wireless music (airport express). Once I had my wired network in place I found that the airport express worked great but I had to keep running back to my computer (down a long hall) to change music.

I did some research into other devices including the Roku Soundbridge. I just got a better feel after looking through user forums and seeing the effort slimdevices is placing on making the Squeezbox a great product.

And the Squeezebox works great! Setup is quick (don't forget to check firewall instructions in the manual if you have trouble), it looks great, and the Pandora feature is fantastic. Check out the slimdevices.com website to find out about Pandora.

Netgear MP101 802.11g Wireless MP3 Digital Music Player

Average customer rating:

Netgear MP101 802.11g Wireless MP3 Digital Music Player

Manufacturer: Netgear
ProductGroup: CE

Netgear Wireless Digital Music Player General Features:
Streams and plays MP3s and Windows Media format digital files from all of your networked PCs directl
Listen through your stereo, boom box, headphones, or powered speakers
Remote control and vivid LCD interface for easy browsing of music collection
Compatible with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networks

ASIN: B000BKO4W4

Product Description

Liberate your digital music and listen anywhere at home. Finally, you can enjoy your digital music files and, unlimited, worldwide internet radio, together with your friends and family, in any room of your home. This Netgear MP101 digital music player connects your existing home stereo to your home computer network so you can listen to your MP3 and Windows Media format digital music files. Its perfect to listen to digital music wherever you like to relax and entertain.

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