Posts by Paul Webster

Group Test: Wireless music streamers

Good pragmatic review

I'm sure you will get a few comments from people with one of more of each of the devices ... so here is one to start it off from a Logitech Squeezebox user - focussing on the internet radio part.

The comments about BBC listening might be off-putting to a UK audience. In fact, the Squeezebox can play BBC stations. Out of the box it is able to access the BBC WMA stream (look under Internet Radio/Staff Picks) - or go via SqueezeNetwork.

But one of the big benefits of the open approach taken by them (well - SlimDevices really) is that the community has built a lot of free add-ins.

One of them, AlienBBC, adds menu items for all of the BBC local radio stations PLUS the BBC Listen Again content.

There are numerous other facilities built-in - one in particular that might interest music fans is the extensive support for last.fm - you can "scrobble" what you play and also tune in to last.fm stations. If that means nothing to readers - then take a look around http://last.fm

Also you might like to take a look at the newly released Squeezebox Boombox. Same underlying capabilities - but with built-in amp and speakers (and smple remote). Similar in concept to the Roku Soundbridge Radio. Maybe you could compare them with some of the all-in-1 products from companies such as Roberts, AE, Revo, Pure (new), Intempo (new model on the way).

See also my blog for some extra thoughts

http://dabdig.blogspot.com

Logitech revamps Squeezebox as Duet

The remote is more powerful than you might thnk

In theory, the Controller can generate IR signals for other devices. The mechanism has been documented - but not yet implemented.

However, it has very few buttons so is unlikley to be used as a genuine universal remote.

But that is not the intention.

Given that it can also control the older models - then it is quite possible that existing customers will buy one even without a new Receiver. It is quie expensive by itself though.

Interestingly - it has built-in DAC and a headphone-out socket. Currently not used - but in the beta programme for the device there was some success in making it play streamed audio over its WiFi connection.

Attaching a cable to link the headphone socket to some powered speakers would detract from the usefulness of a remote control - but I can imagine that some people will do it.

Given that the remote is a mini Linux box - with documented access to the internals then I think that there will be quite a few odd things done with it.