Kenwood

Server and client:

Kenwood Entré

Kenwood Axcess

Discuss.

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Tony Fabris

Ooo, that client isn't half ugly...

Slightly strange system though; I can see the idea of controlling a DVD autochanger is ok for DVDs (if you're really that lazy; listening to a 3 minute song without having to load a CD is justification for a CD changer, but watching a 90 minute movie without getting up to load the machine smacks of over-automation to me!)... but why the 400 disc changer for CDs? I mean, you can auto-rip them at 1x, but it's not exactly a cheap option for a one-shot operation!

20GB seems a bit miserly to me too; the Compaq music center has most of the same features (modem, PNA 2.0, 20GB, etc) for $800 - no CD writer though.

Oh for a perfect server box....

Hugo

Oh for a perfect server box...

Indeed!



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Tony Fabris

Slightly strange system though; I can see the idea of controlling a DVD autochanger is ok for DVDs (if you're really that lazy; listening to a 3 minute song without having to load a CD is justification for a CD changer, but watching a 90 minute movie without getting up to load the machine smacks of over-automation to me!)... but why the 400 disc changer for CDs? I mean, you can auto-rip them at 1x, but it's not exactly a cheap option for a one-shot operation!

The whole DVD thing is probably just due to it being very easy to implement, and personally I don't see the point in having say both a CD player and DVD player. For those people who want all their CD based music in one machine, it works out perfectly. The ones I have seen have easy access for inserting the one DVD to be watched. I'm just wondering what ones can deal with "flipper" movies. (Lucially I haven't seen any recent ones, but a few of my first DVDs were annoyning enough to do this.)

The things that a DVD autochanger lead to down the road are quite cool though. One box in the basement, and movies anywhere in the house for example. One day I hope a company like SonicBlue will see this. The new Replay unit is nice, but costly for every room, and does just broadcast TV, and not music or DVDs. I just want a central server and a $100 box for every room.

$1800 for their hub though, thats a bit much for me to even consider with the current setup in my home.

$1800 for their hub though, thats a bit much for me to even consider with the current setup in my home.

Just out of curiosity. How much would you be willing to pay for a central music hub like that?

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Tony Fabris

I think $500-$600 would be the top end range for a unit that serves only music. The $1400ish I spent on the empeg was justifiable to me due to it's ability to work in so many different locations. I don't listen to music all that much at home, so a centraliazed hub is not worth that much to me.

Linux based systems from a company based in Cambridge ( Bar Hill Industrial Estate - just off A14 )
http://www.imerge.co.uk

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Rod, UK Mk2 64gig Red S/N.341 Empeg 2xDigital Audio Receiver - one Wireless

The iMerge stuff is a bit pricy though - the S1000 (budget model) is about the same price as the Kenwood unit and it can't write CDs. The big unit is something like $3500 (maybe that was £3500, I can't remember offhand)

I wonder what ever happened to the Rio jukebox thing which was mentioned in the Sonicblue investor reports? Hmmm.

Hugo

So perhaps a Rio product if ever produced would have a lower price point ?

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Rod, UK Mk2 64gig Red S/N.341 Empeg 2xDigital Audio Receiver - one Wireless

It wouldn't be hard to have a price point lower than $3500!

Rob

So what would people be prepared to pay for a consumer unit, say that had 80 gig HD, Ethernet ( with wireless option ) and could distribute music around the house ? Personally more than £750 and I would have to think hard.

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Rod, UK Mk2 64gig Red S/N.341 Empeg 2xDigital Audio Receiver - one Wireless