Slim Devices Wireless Squeezebox V3

Reviews: Multimedia

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Slim Devices
Jun. 26, 2006

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Conclusion

I can honestly say I've never used a device quite like the Squeezebox. While there are several MP3 receiver/audio bridge-like devices on the market, none are as starkly stylish and offer such a vast array of extras as the Squeezebox. As if a simple yet effective interface and wireless connectivity weren't enough, they managed to include nearly every streaming internet radio service (and a beta version of Slim Server currently supports Rhapsody.com as well).

I did experience a slightly laggy remote control and some random Squeeze Network hiccupping, but the positives far outweigh the negatives in my opinion. In fact, I hesitated in even mentioning the remote control lag, but I at last decided it was a perceivable problem!but just barely. If it sounds like I am scraping to find bad things to say about the Squeezebox, I am. The Slim Server software is well conceived, compatible with Windows, Mac AND Linux and is actually updated with regularity...and it's open source!

If you are looking for a MP3 receiver with more features than the Roku Soundbridge and aren't willing to shell out the big bucks for a SONOS unit, the Squeezebox is definitely for you. I'm sad I have to send it back. But Slim Devices may have to wait for me to get up off the couch.

Pros

More features than I can count
Stylish and effective MP3 playback
Streaming radio options aplenty
Useful and open source software
Multi-platform compatibility

Cons

Random, infrequent network issues
Very slight remote control lag

Slim Devices Wireless Squeezebox V3

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Page 4 of 4

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Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Setup
Page 3: Testing
Page 4: Conclusion

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4 User Comments

1 - Posted by zicada on July 4, 2006 - 7:08 pm

I think you'll find the lag is more to do with your network than the squeezebox.

When you use the remote you are actually controlling the slimserver software on your computer, not the squeezbox itself.

I have a v1 squeezebox and when i upgraded my PC (switched to debian) and used wired ethernet to the squeezebox the lag dissappeared.

2 - Posted by Das Capitolin on July 5, 2006 - 12:23 am

If I win a Squeezebox (and I really hope that I do) I will need to keep this in mind. I had planned on using WiFi connectivity, but I can utilize Ethernet as well.

3 - Posted by Rich on July 5, 2006 - 12:23 pm

Something I would like to also point out is that the slimserver plugin can be added to the Infrant ReadyNAS which we reviewed previously (http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/239/Infrant+R...)
The plugin can be downloaded directly from Infrants website (http://www.infrant.com).

4 - Posted by handrail on July 7, 2006 - 8:39 am

that is quite possible. i did notice that it only lagged on certain operations, so maybe specific instructions require just a touch more network traffic than others. although, theorhetically, the amount of data that the device is sending can't be all that huge and with wireless G, the transmission speed as compared with a wired connection shouldn't be perceivable when sending small packets of data. i suppose there could have been some interference of some kind as well. either way, the lag was not anything to worry about.

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