Thanks...I will have to do some more research. I guess different needs call for different solutions.
I will post a review on whatever I decide on getting.
I think one thing we have in common though is the vision to see that this is the next big thing. Digital Music in your entire house is the next big arena for companies to tackle. It is evident by what some of the companies are starting to come out with, that they are testing the waters (like Apple Airport Express). Seems like Sonos decided not to test the waters, but just jump right in.
I am sure it is the next logical step for Squeezebox to expand their technology to do what Sonos is doing.
ok...so I understand that the important thing is the software in being able to control the different devices. Once again though, you keep mentioning emulators and installing on a couple of computers. That does not seem to be an out-of-the-box solution. My mom, who has problems with VCRs sometimes, would not be able to use this. And you mention the squeezebox can be read across the room. I have a 30 foot living room. Even with 20/15 vision, I cannot see the displays on my other components.
I decided to call Sonos support to see if they had any information, and talked to a guy named Dave who cleared a lot of this up. They too have software out of the box that can run on a PC, that sort of looks like a typical itunes/musicmatch/media player interface that can also control every zone player in the house and play music individually or synced in any or all zones.
The really cool thing Dave told me is that you don't need to install the software at all (I don't like installing software if I don't have to). All you have to do is share your music folder on your computer or other network storage device, and then the controller will automatically find the music and allow you to control any of the zoneplayers right from the controller.
He said, I could setup the entire thing in 20 minutes or less. He said, all I have to do is plug one zoneplayer directly into my network, then put the other zone players anywhere in the house. All they need to do is have power and speakers. Then just share your music folder or install the software. Then there is a short 1 minute setup to associate the controller with the zone players. He said I could then just sit on my couch with the controller, and play different music in any of the rooms, or sync any or all to each other.
By the way, I also asked about his mention of just needing a zone player and speaker in other rooms, and what I didn't realize is that I don't need an amp in every room that has these. Although it has line outs for any room with an amp, it also has its own built in amp that can power my speakers if I want. very cool!
Sounds like the setup you have does something very similar to this, except that this is out-of-the-box and I don't need to look across the room to see what is playing or is available for me to play. It sounds like you know your stuff though when it comes to this. I would love for you to call their support number (800-680-2345) or look at their site and tell me if I am indeed missing something.
Ok..so the scenario I want to address is the one where, like you, I have all my music on my computer.
I have speakers and some sort of box (squeezbox or sonos or TBD) in a bunch of rooms. I am sitting on my couch, and want to play some music. What I want to be able to do is, from my couch, pick up some sort of remote and browse through all my music (basically an ipod in the hand). From that remote, I want to be able to play music throughout my house, and if I decide to, also play different music in different rooms, setup playlists, ect.
Is Squeezebox able to do all of this out of the box? It sounds like you setup your own wireless network with a PocketPC to basically control the music that is on your hard drive. Does it work well, or is it truely a custom job that requires a lot of setup and personal configuration?
I want something advanced enough that I can do what I want, but also simple enough out of the box, that all my friends and family can use it.
Problem is everyone has different tastes in music... What really needs to happen is this:
"While on hold, you may select music to listen to, press 1 for top hits, press 2 for Classical, press 3 for Jazz" etc etc etc....
Seems simple to me!
Ok...I love my IPOD....in the car and at the gym! What I don't love is my IPOD at home. I too have all my music on my PC and can play it just fine when I am on my pc. But I want it everywhere in my house. Having it stream off my computer is ok with me, having to GO TO MY PC to change the music is not ok.
The airport express seems like a steping stone to something greater. I always do a ton of research before I buy any technology. I waited a year for the IPOD, and it has proven to be the best! Those other products mentioned just seem to fall short. I want something where I can control my music easily anywhere in the house.
The only thing I have found so far is something called a zone player and controller from Sonos www.sonos.com. However, is it real, or is it just a fancy website with great photoshoped images? Why hasn't apple done something like this, or is that what they are planning? I have a hard time even considering a product from a company I haven't heard of. Does anyone else know anything about Sonos? Are they legit? Are there any other companies doing something like what they claim to have?
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Thanks...I will have to do some more research. I guess different needs call for different solutions.
I will post a review on whatever I decide on getting.
I think one thing we have in common though is the vision to see that this is the next big thing. Digital Music in your entire house is the next big arena for companies to tackle. It is evident by what some of the companies are starting to come out with, that they are testing the waters (like Apple Airport Express). Seems like Sonos decided not to test the waters, but just jump right in.
I am sure it is the next logical step for Squeezebox to expand their technology to do what Sonos is doing.
ok...so I understand that the important thing is the software in being able to control the different devices. Once again though, you keep mentioning emulators and installing on a couple of computers. That does not seem to be an out-of-the-box solution. My mom, who has problems with VCRs sometimes, would not be able to use this. And you mention the squeezebox can be read across the room. I have a 30 foot living room. Even with 20/15 vision, I cannot see the displays on my other components.
I decided to call Sonos support to see if they had any information, and talked to a guy named Dave who cleared a lot of this up. They too have software out of the box that can run on a PC, that sort of looks like a typical itunes/musicmatch/media player interface that can also control every zone player in the house and play music individually or synced in any or all zones.
The really cool thing Dave told me is that you don't need to install the software at all (I don't like installing software if I don't have to). All you have to do is share your music folder on your computer or other network storage device, and then the controller will automatically find the music and allow you to control any of the zoneplayers right from the controller.
He said, I could setup the entire thing in 20 minutes or less. He said, all I have to do is plug one zoneplayer directly into my network, then put the other zone players anywhere in the house. All they need to do is have power and speakers. Then just share your music folder or install the software. Then there is a short 1 minute setup to associate the controller with the zone players. He said I could then just sit on my couch with the controller, and play different music in any of the rooms, or sync any or all to each other. By the way, I also asked about his mention of just needing a zone player and speaker in other rooms, and what I didn't realize is that I don't need an amp in every room that has these. Although it has line outs for any room with an amp, it also has its own built in amp that can power my speakers if I want. very cool!
Sounds like the setup you have does something very similar to this, except that this is out-of-the-box and I don't need to look across the room to see what is playing or is available for me to play. It sounds like you know your stuff though when it comes to this. I would love for you to call their support number (800-680-2345) or look at their site and tell me if I am indeed missing something.
Ok..so the scenario I want to address is the one where, like you, I have all my music on my computer.
I have speakers and some sort of box (squeezbox or sonos or TBD) in a bunch of rooms. I am sitting on my couch, and want to play some music. What I want to be able to do is, from my couch, pick up some sort of remote and browse through all my music (basically an ipod in the hand). From that remote, I want to be able to play music throughout my house, and if I decide to, also play different music in different rooms, setup playlists, ect.
Is Squeezebox able to do all of this out of the box? It sounds like you setup your own wireless network with a PocketPC to basically control the music that is on your hard drive. Does it work well, or is it truely a custom job that requires a lot of setup and personal configuration? I want something advanced enough that I can do what I want, but also simple enough out of the box, that all my friends and family can use it.
Problem is everyone has different tastes in music... What really needs to happen is this: "While on hold, you may select music to listen to, press 1 for top hits, press 2 for Classical, press 3 for Jazz" etc etc etc.... Seems simple to me!
Ok...I love my IPOD....in the car and at the gym! What I don't love is my IPOD at home. I too have all my music on my PC and can play it just fine when I am on my pc. But I want it everywhere in my house. Having it stream off my computer is ok with me, having to GO TO MY PC to change the music is not ok.
The airport express seems like a steping stone to something greater. I always do a ton of research before I buy any technology. I waited a year for the IPOD, and it has proven to be the best! Those other products mentioned just seem to fall short. I want something where I can control my music easily anywhere in the house.
The only thing I have found so far is something called a zone player and controller from Sonos www.sonos.com. However, is it real, or is it just a fancy website with great photoshoped images? Why hasn't apple done something like this, or is that what they are planning? I have a hard time even considering a product from a company I haven't heard of. Does anyone else know anything about Sonos? Are they legit? Are there any other companies doing something like what they claim to have?