Recommend....Digital Media Server

Glad you came to a conclusion. Many folks love the device.

But don't hold your breath tooo long for the right deal. Apple rarely/never? discounts its stuff until it's about to discontinue or upgrade an item. Tho... Maybe wait till after Xmas (when any conceivable deal would exist). It's also POSSIBLE someone might bundle the device.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll enjoy.

---

PS Re Toslink, under what you need (from Apple's website)"
Cables

HDMI to HDMI cable
or
HDMI to DVI cable and analog stereo or optical digital audio
or
Component video cable and analog stereo or optical digital audio

adam2434 wrote: »

I agree that it would be nice if there were more devices like this (for audio) with their own display for those who don’t have a display in the room or don’t want to fire up a big TV or projector just to select music.

I have a Squeezebox, but like the idea of a unit that doesn’t require a computer and network for operation.

Check this out. A fellow CP member turned me on to this device. My only concern is that it does not support Apple Lossless format so I cannot just drag those files over to it.

http://www.olive.us/home.html

BlueFox, that Olive stuff is pretty pricey, but looks cool.

Gaara, do you know if USB connection has the full functionality of the server connection? In other words, from a GUI and music browsing standpoint, would there be no difference?

So, I guess the server software doesn't have to be running with the Touch to work with USB.

Can't see ditching my Classic for the Touch right now, but do wish the Touch existed when I purchased.

adam2434 wrote: »

BlueFox, that Olive stuff is pretty pricey, but looks cool.

Gaara, do you know if USB connection has the full functionality of the server connection? In other words, from a GUI and music browsing standpoint, would there be no difference?

So, I guess the server software doesn't have to be running with the Touch to work with USB.

Can't see ditching my Classic for the Touch right now, but do wish the Touch existed when I purchased.

The Sqb Touch runs (will run, when you can find one) internal server software. As Gaara said, you can connect your ext usb HDD, and away you go! VERY COOL. Word is the SPDIF interface has been improved/simplified for better digital audio, as well as improved analog audio.

Hit the squeezebox forum (type that in yahoo)---some of them guys seriously know their ****.

I'm running the Olive vs Sqb Touch debate in my brain as we speak.

Gaara
From what I've read, upon plugging in your HD or memstick, the libraries will be read and populate in the players database. Once you unplug, they'll disappear.

They go into how this works in great detail on the squeezebox forum, under "SQb Touch" or "audiophiles" sub-forums. There are a couple of guys that are beta-testing the Touch for Logitech on the forums. One guy is even working on a firmware upgrade that would allow digital "output" from the USB port for those with USB DAC's.

After a ton of research last night, I'm gonna go with the touch. Now, only about 325 more CD's to rip :eek::D

steveinaz wrote: »

The Sqb Touch runs (will run, when you can find one) internal server software. As Gaara said, you can connect your ext usb HDD, and away you go! VERY COOL. Word is the SPDIF interface has been improved/simplified for better digital audio, as well as improved analog audio.

Steve,

I'm planning on getting the new Touch. Are you sure that you can use an external HDD straight into the Touch? Doesn't it require some software interface ie a PC?

Hey... I live in Phx, too. Howdy neighbor.

vmaxer wrote: »

I just ordered the Western Digital WD TV Live Network-ready HD Media Player WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN from Amazon for $119.00.

This version also connects to your home network and the internet, so you can play music, movies, and view photos from any device on your home network.

We'll see how good it works soon!!

Looks very interesting! Let us know what you think....

Music Direct has some great deals on combo Wadia Transports and DACS.
http://www.musicdirect.com/products/brand.php?b=WADIA%20DIGITAL

BqB Touch is exactly what I was looking for.

You bet, I'm still green as hell when it comes to wi-fi music--but I'm learning.

I went down this path a few months ago looking for a media server for my Russound whole house audio system. The WH system will mimic IR commands from any room back to the equipment closet, so the server needed to be IR remote controllable. I used a P4 PC with MS Media Player 11 and Streamzap's remote (about $25) to control it. I have over 400GB of music files so far, and teh PC option works great, and plays nicely with my Windows Home Server as well.

I use the 1/8 mini plugs and a converter to get to dual RC plugs, but there are PCI cards that can allow output in SPDIF (Toslink) or digital coax that I could add if I was using an AVR.

Part of my logic was that MS will certainly be around to support my install, while other more specialized audio companies might not be. Also, I can rip in lossless format, which gives me the same quality I had from my three Sony 400 disc changers.

I have been very pleased with the setup, and can't ever see going back to disc-based music. My out-of-pocket was basically $25 for the Streamzap SW and remote. However, if I did not have the idle PC already, and had to buy one, my choice would have been different, basically due to cost.

I like the Olive No. 4 alot, $1500 isn't incredibly bad for 1TB of storage, an on-board CD ripper/player, and no need to be running the computer unless you want internet content (which I don't)....

On a SIDE NOTE: I asked Patrick if we could have a "Networked Audio" sub-forum, but no reply yet. I figured with all the interest now (and more to come) about music streaming, servers, NAS, players, etc; it could be very useful.

concealer404 wrote: »

Man.... i was so turned on to this thing, i was about to order it right then and there.

And then i saw the price. :eek:


Bummer.

I need something that i can just jack a 3.5" hard drive into, anyways...



Which, speaking of, and i apologize for potentially threadjacking...

Is there something that i can drop a 3.5" HDD in that will just read all my files and give a menu up on the TV? I have an old hard drive from one of my past computers that just has a TON of music on it accumulated through the ages, and i don't feel like setting up a full HTPC or dealing with a network player to accomplish this.

I just want to drop in the drive, and have something with a toslink, rca, and hopefully HDMI outputs.

Most of the inexpensive ($120) media servers like WDTV Live and Seagate Theater+ allow you to plug in USB drives and will do what you describe. If you don't need the networking piece, the original WDTV will do if you can find one. If your 3.5 is a standard IDE / SATA internal computer drive you would need a cheap USB enclosure for it. Nothing I'm aware of that will let you drop in a standard 3.5.

Steve, keeping the discussion going, here are some things that would sway me away from an all-in-one unit like the Olive 4 versus using a computer for some tasks. Maybe the Olive can do some of these things, but it's not obvious from their website. These are personal considerations based on how I use my music files, so they won't apply to everyone.


1) ReplayGain

It's not apparent that the Olive can create or recognize ReplayGain tags. ReplayGain is a way to level the volume of tracks from various albums without changing the music file itself (it can be turned off and on for playback). This is a very nice thing to have when you are listening to a playlist from various CDs when casually listening or entertaining.

Folks often use a program like Foobar to add the ReplayGain tags to the files. ReplayGain can be enabled or disabled for playback in Foobar software and Squeezebox systems.


2) Playlist creation

Playlists can be created with the Olive. However, I would think that it is much easier to create playlists on a computer due to quicker library navigation and the larger viewing screen. I will typically create playlists in Foobar, which I then use with my Squeezebox.


3) File conversion

My library is all FLAC for home playback, but I use Foobar to convert most of the FLAC files to high bitrate MP3s (lame VBR 0) for my portable player (Zune) which is used in the car, for travel, with headphones, etc. So I end up with a folder containing FLAC files for the Squeezebox and a folder of MP3 files that get copied to my Zune for portable use.


4) Editing tags and tagging obscure CDs that are not in the on-line databases.

I would imagine that the Olive has a way to edit tag info, but it's probably less efficient than a computer keyboard.