Tue
Jan
01
2008

Network music players

Digital music

I’m at the stage when I’m ready to go the next step in making better use of my growing collection of music in iTunes.

I’ve been using my iPod a lot more this last year (2007) at the office, and Rob has been playing lots more music at home during the day as she is on her own for much of it.

Last year I also installed a simple NAS box on the network at home. As the DNS-323 has a built in iTunes server, it seems logical to make the music available in other parts of the house.

So I’m looking around at network music players that will use the iTunes server on the DNS-323 and other sources of audio files, and simply plug into our (very conventional) sound system.
It needs to be wireless, and it needs to be very easy to use, and preferably be able to use playlists.
I don’t have a firm budget as yet, but don’t want to spend a fortune (who does?).
Oh, and putting an old PC in the lounge to serve in this way is NOT an option according to she-who-must-be-listened-to. ;-) Small and unobtrusive is the order of the day.

So far I’ve checked out:

What else should I add to the list?

Posted by Neil, 1 January 08
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Comment

  1. Given that the two you’re looking at are $329 and $500, you should add the to the list the Apple TV, starts at $449 (although wait till after Macworld in January, an update is expected). The Apple TV does more than just audio, but is less “open”, less formats are supported. However, it does support iTunes protected music, which the other 2 wouldn’t.

    — Simon · Jan 1, 10:05 AM · #

  2. Thanks Simon… The things that puts me off about Apple TV are (as you mention) the lack of openess to other standards, but more significantly, because of it’s ‘TV’ focus, the system requires you have the connected TV on to use/navigate around the system. Not really a sensible option for my intended use.
    I’m not too worried about the protected music issue as I only have a few tracks like that.
    Everything else I buy from iTunes (a rare thing) is ‘Apple Plus’ and therefore DRM free.

    — Neil · Jan 2, 02:04 AM · #

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