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I've got the wireless (802.11b, I believe) Squeezebox, and it pretty much works as advertised. The only issue I've had is that the Squeezebox doesn't recover well if I put my computer to sleep and wake it back up again. I usually have to power-cycle the Squeezebox. Likewise, I'd like to see wake-on-LAN support, so I could use the Squeezebox to remotely kick my computer. Otherwise, I'm very happy.

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The slimserver is a huge blob of perl...

Check it out:
• Support for Rio, ExStreamer, SliMP3, MVP and WinAmp.
  
• xPLRioNet uses the Riot 0.1.6 client of tRio (written by Paul Noffke).
  
• Multi Unit MVP support.
  
• Built-in customisable web interface.
  
• Support for MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC and OGG.
  
• Support for synchronising multiple Rios
  
• Shoutcast support (including support for DabBar/Wavefinder MP2 streams)
  
• RioCast server(s) for local Shoutcasting
  
• Text-to-speech announcements (via xPL messages)
  
• On-screen messages (via xPL messages) e.g. for caller ID etc.
  
• Generates Pronto/Pronto Pro csf files (for quick album/artist/playlist selection)
  
• Generates Voice Recognition files (for use with xPLRioNetTTS and xPL_Voice)
  
• Uses any ODBC-compliant database (ships with a Microsoft Access database)
  
• Can be fully controlled and monitored using xPL messages
  
• Installs as a Windows service using Microsoft .NET technologies

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My god, you must listen to a heck of a lot of music to justify spending 300 quid on that.

If I get one imported it should only cost me £150ish, not bad compared to a seperates CD Player. And I need one for the kitchen, one for the living room and then the bedroom (but I use the software emulator on the Mac mini for the time being).

I don't think they are expensive, I can control them from my PDA, which goes just about everywhere with me while I am in the house. It does music (SlimServer), CCTV (Geovision), DVD (DVDLobby) and maybe in the future a bit of home automation and X10/remote control when I can be bothered to set it up.

The Slim devices offer a very neat solution to my music problems, I don't like having PC's cluttering up the living areas, they are all hidden in "ground zero" under the stairs. 2 of them will finish off the masterplan and also look very nice too.

When it is all finished I will invite you and the misses around to have a play with all the gadgets

Cheers

Cris.

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When it is all finished I will invite ... the misses around to have a play with all the gadgets

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I don't like having PC's cluttering up the living areas

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I haven't messed with the server too much, but is there a way to get multiple clients to play the same music synchronized, so that as you move from room to room, the sound is continuous?

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But then there's that wireless appeal (not having to run anything back to the main system location)...

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Yes, If you've got to factor an amp and speakers into each position your costs will quickly rise. One of the good things about the Rio Receiver was the built in amp. What would you use? Decent self powered speakers aren't cheap, and if you're looking at buying a micro-system to plug it into then you might as just use that. A multi-zone system sounds far more cost effective.

Bedroom - Mac mini running through an old Kenwood Amp, with the B postsrunning speakers (soon to be) built into the walls in the ensuite. This is a compromise as I can't control audio from the ensuite, or at least I haven't found a cheap solution yet (PDA isn't water proof )

Living Room - Will run via spare digital input on my surround amp, cable already run from TV location back to amp to take the audio.

Kitchen - Use a until now disused set of PC speakers, with a sub. Sounds better than any kitchen radio I have ever heard!

Tenants Rooms - Up to them, there is a Cat5 running to their room for internet, and they can stream my music collection if they wish. As well as a spare for voice if they want to pay for their own line putting in there is no need to run cables.

See, I have it all planned out, Slim's devices are just what I need as I don't need to buy anything else apart from the units themselves

Andy is right, I do have wireless, but I fitted 24 Cat5e sockets around the house (most can't be seen!) all wired back to my own mini comms room, although this may seem a little overkill, I don't trust wireless lans. I am not sure of the average US house size, but mine is 90m2 (ish) I think that will be small compared to the US, so 24 covers most areas of the house.

I don't see the point in multi room dist systems, they are expensive, and are no where near as flexible as having them run off an open source server, I mean isn't that what all empeggers would see as an ideal platform?

I notice they are not shipping until the eand of March, so I guess I will have to wait a while.

Cheers

Cris.

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You're replying to the man who's flood wired his house with Cat5, I doubt the wireless capabilities will be high on his list of requirements.

I two spares in the loft, just in case, no idea waht I would use them for, maybe future mesh networking ???

Cheers

Cris.

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I haven't messed with the server too much, but is there a way to get multiple clients to play the same music synchronized, so that as you move from room to room, the sound is continuous?

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90m2

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I'm pretty sure you can use the same server if you're using xPLRioNet as your server AND if you're running Windows as the server.

Ahh. Duhh. Windows on a workstation, yes, if I have to, but on a server? Nuuuu waaaay.

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I two spares in the loft, just in case, no idea waht I would use them for, maybe future mesh networking ???

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Cat5's on special offer in Maplins

I know of a place where it is on an extra specail offer, my work van I found several full reels lying around in "skips" at work amazing what some people throw away!

Cheers

Cris.