Squeezebox Players

[squeezeit]

The Touch is both a player and a Controller (control other players).  But if you want music to your amp/receiver then there must be a player connected to that amp/receiver.

Options:

Touch with long audio cables?

Touch controlling another SB hardware player connected to amp/receiver?

Touch controlling a software player (SqueezePlay) running on a computer then output to amp/receiver?

You know you can control any SB player from a remote computer.  Example: 

-  laptop or netbook running SBS server over your network to your player

-  Or, host server computer running SBS server over network to your player, this SBS server computer is then controlled remotely from your laptop or netbook

One catch is that you generally want to "host" computer running SBS server to be wired to your network for best performance and fewest issues.  The laptop/netbook remotely controlling the host and the player can be WiFi.

[garymc]

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genebritton wrote:

I do have an old Linksys G wireless music bridge, that I never could get to work properly and it will not work with Windows 7 anyway.  So I suspect I will need a new router.  What I want to do is be able to hold the Touch in my hands about 10' away and use to control my music.  Will the Touch work like that or does it have to be wired directly to my receiver?  I may need to look at the Duet if that is the case.  What router, reasonably priced, would be recommended?  I probably don't know enough to even be asking, but any help is appreciated. 

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You realize that the TOUCH has to be plugged in (not battery operated) and it needs to be wired (either analog RCAs or digital (S/PDIF or Optical) to you receiver. So the way you want to use it doesn't make sense. (picture sitting on the couch with lots of long wires running from the TOUCH back to the stereo.

Think of the TOUCH as a CD player you connect to your stereo (not as a remote control).  You can control it (the TOUCH or any SB player) with ipeng app on an iphone/itouch, ipeng on an IPAD, the CONTROLLER logitech sells, SqueezePad on an Ipad, and there is an ANDROID  app as well.  edit: and as noted from a computer on your network running SqueezePlay, or just accessing the Web interface for squeezeboxServer.

I"ve used several routers. Just about any linksys, netgear, or etc. will work. Just a basic G wireless router is fine, but the N versions are backwards compatible and now just as cheap.....

[squeezeit]

Darn you Gary!  I always forget the smart phone iPeng type solution.  

[garymc]

and I always forget the running squeezeplay or web GUI on laptop or netbook (even thought 99% of my controlling of my players is done via SqueezePlay on my laptop from the kitchen table!)

[genebritton]

I am more confused than ever.  I guess I have not made myself very clear.  I use to have a little "Logitech Music Anywhere" that served me well.  I picked it up for $25 and it was fairly reliable for a couple of years until it broke.  I could wirelessly play my music and my Napster, and Internet radio from by laptop to my receiver system.  So, I may just need to search for something more like that instead of investing in some of these higher end products.  They sound like they are the future but I am just not sure if they are what I would be the most pleased with.  Again, thanks for your good answers.  I have understood most of what you are saying even though I may not reply as such.  

I do love my music.  I love to play it, organize it, make playlist, and just have fun with it; that is why I have been so attracted to these Sqeezebox items.  

[garymc]

Now I'm confused in terms of what you are looking for. Do you want a networked music player that you can connect to your stereo at home and play music through your stereo?  If so, the TOUCH would be perfect. And you can sit on your couch and control the TOUCH with lots of different things, including the provided Infrared remote.  I'm almost hearing you say that you want a portable device that you can listen to (like a transistor radio) but the device is playing music or internet radio, etc. If this is what you want, then I recommend an iTOUCH. The itouch can have your own music, plus apps that allow you to listen to internet radio, pandora, etc.  And thi entire thing is battery operated and portable.

Bottom line is I can't tell exactly what functionality you are going for....Based on your last sentence below, I think you'd absolutely LOVE a TOUCH or other SB Player.

[genebritton]

Sorry, no I do want to play through my stereo but I do want easy controllability and the ability to make playlist on the fly, etc.  What I am now trying to figure is how the "Touch" is that much of an advantage over just using my laptop and a wireless music bridge to my system considering the cost difference in the two.  Right now I am just running an HDMI cable back and forth and it is a little trouble to unhook and hide from my wife when it is not in use.  The quality and ability to do what I want with my music collection is good. 

[garymc]

If you're like me, you've got a lot more invested in your music collection than $300 you'll pay for the TOUCH .  I don't know what $300 bucks means to your budget, but I can assure you that having the TOUCH hooked up to your Stereo (permanently), and sitting on your couch with your WIFI connected laptop controlling everything (volume, song selection, playlist creation, etc) will be well worth it. For me, having to plug and unplug a hdmi cable to do all this with the cable strung across the room would be worth far more than $300.  My only warning is that I started with a single BOOM as a bedside radio. I now have a transporter, 3 touches, 2 booms, 2 radios, two controllers, and a SB3 and Duet Receiver in the closet (replaced with touches). This stuff is addictive.

p.s. depends on your computer and soundcard of course, but the handling of digital music files is bit perfect with the TOUCH and rarely is with many soundcards and computers (as they upsample to 48k, etc.). Another advantage for the TOUCH.

[squeezeit]

What you want to do (laptop > over WiFi network > to player) is exactly what you can do with any SqueezeBox player.

The advantage of a Touch over some little *dongle* connected to your stereo is:

-  much better audio outs to your amp/receiver

-  ability to control music (Napster, local music) when your laptop is not present in the room (party? divorce? )

-  album/station art on player

-  Touch screen with included IR remote

-  Synced audio to other players (very expandable system)

-  USB and SD card on player

Whether you need or desire such added features over a $25 dongle only you can decide.  

[genebritton]

You two have convinced me.  Is there any reason not to order direct from Logitech?  Also I will be contacting you again when I can't get it hooked up.

Thanks!