First of all, let me apologize if this is posted in the wrong section of the forum. I have searched the Forums, but I can’t find much negative information, so I want to check for it directly.
In a nutshell;
Should I by a SLIMP3 player?
Here is why I ask:
So far, I burn the songs I want to a disc, and then play them in the DVD player, that is hooked up to the receiver. Now this DVD player supposedly supports mp3, but that never works, so I have to burn the files as regular CDs, limiting me to 20 or so songs per disk - to heck with all that. Be it 20 songs on a disc in wav format or 200 in some compressed format like MP3 ( if I could get it working), not thing beats instant access to all 10,000 on my PC hard drive. This Slimp3 seems really cool and convenient. I have read praises of it here and on other sites, but not much negative. So,
1. What the heck are the cons about this device?
2. Anyone hate it?
3. Is there any reason not to buy it?
4. Is there a cheaper better alternative?
Please, skip the rest of the post if you know what it is, but I have included it for folks who are curious. I hope it does not make it too long a post or violate forum rules etc...
Pax,
Glen Sutherland
From the SLIMP3 website regarding their latest product, the “Squeezbox.”
specs
Specifications
What's included?
Squeezebox Network Music Player
AC Power adaptor (appropriate plug by region)
Custom infrared remote, 2 AAA batteries included
6-foot gold plated RCA patch cord
External wireless antenna
User's manual
SlimServer software (requires download)
Warranty:
Includes a one-year warranty
30-day Satisfaction Guarantee
System requirements:
All systems: 128MB RAM, Ethernet or wireless network, and 10MB hard disk space
Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later
Windows: 233Mhz Pentium running Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Linux/BSD/Solaris/Other: Perl 5.6.0 or later
Approximately 32MB additional memory for 15,000 songs
General:
Dimensions: 8.5"W x 1.9"H x 4.5"D (216mm x 48mm x 117mm)
Finish: Soft-touch surface, black
Architecture:
120MHz network processor
Integrated audio DSP with high-quality DAC
2Mb high-speed buffer
Low-power design, all solid-state, fanless
Display:
Large vacuum fluorescent display
Brightness control
Forty characters wide, two lines
Animation, underlining, diacritics, and custom graphics
Firmware:
Flash upgradeable firmware
Network settings are stored in non-volatile memory
Auto-configuration for most networks
Easy setup for wireless networks
Audio formats:
PCM (AIFF, WAV)
Supports raw pass-through of uncompressed audio
Sample rates: 32, 44.1 (CD), and 48Khz (DAT)
Configurable sample rate, byte order, channels
MP3, MP2:
Built-in decoding for all MP3/MP2 formats
Supports all MP3 data rates, including VBR
Supports all MP3 sample rates
AAC, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis:
Supported through server-side decoding
May be streamed in PCM (raw) or MP3 (transcoded) format
Infrared remote:
Standard 38Khz IR
Hand-held remote, 29 buttons
Durable soft-touch black finish
Custom codes do not conflict with other devices
Data format fully compatible with most programmable remotes
Templates available for Pronto and other remotes
Supports discrete on/off and other "shortcut" codes
Audio outputs (general):
Digital and analog outputs
All RCA connectors are gold-plated
Volume control is provided for all outputs
Multiple outputs may be used at the same time
Digital S/PDIF outputs:
Optical and coax digital connections
Standard IEC-958 (S/PDIF) encoding
Optical connector: TOSLINK 660nm
Coax connector: RCA, 500mVpp into 75 ohms
Sample rates: 32KHz, 44.1Khz, 48Khz
Audio format: linear PCM, 16 or 20 bits per sample
Analog RCA outputs:
Standard line-level signals
Max output level: 3Vpp
Signal-to-noise ratio: 94dB(A)
Mute level: -113dbV
Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.01%, typ: 0.003%
Headphone output:
Standard 1/8" jack
Minimum headphone impedance: 16ohms
Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.05%, typ: 0.03%
Left/right crosstalk attenuation: 80dB
Wireless Interface
Integrated 2.4GHz 802.11b module
Supports all 802.11b and 802.11g access points, including Apple Airport
Detachable, external, onmidirectional antenna
Antenna connector: SMA reverse polarity, male
Automatically detects available networks for quick setup
Supports 64 and 128-bit WEP encryption
Ethernet Interface:
10Mbps ethernet interface, RJ-45 twisted pair
Connects to any 10Mbps, 10/100, or 10/100/1000 network
10/100 switched ethernet is recommended for PCM streaming
Auto-detection of full and half-duplex modes
Automatic receive polarity correction
Maximum cable length: 100 meters (328 feet)
Power input:
5.0V DC, regulated
Center positive, sleeve ground
Connector: 2.5mm ID, 5.5mm OD, 11mm long
Min supply rating: 1000mA
Power supply:
Switching power supply included
Input voltage range and plug style specific to shipping destination
Power supplies are small, efficient, and do not get hot
One of four styles is included depending on country
Regulatory compliance:
CE Class B
FCC Class B
Canada ICES-0003 Class B