Slim Devices Squeezebox v3

DickieAdams | December 29, 2005 1:21 AM

Jump
to: PAGE 1 | PAGE 2

INTRODUCTION

Do you ever find yourself wishing that
you had an easy way to get your monstrous audio library to play in any
room? Or perhaps you would like an easier way to transport your music
than hauling your iPod (or other DAP) from one listening area in your
home or office to the next (which I have a tendency to do). Slim
Devices, with the Squeezebox v3, is offering you the opportunity
to do just that: To ‘free’ your music. But is this unit any more than
just a tiny PC in a nice looking casing? How much functionality can
really be provided? Can it stand up to my wife’s scrutiny of all things
gadgetry? Is it easy to use? Read on for the full review!

WHAT’S HOT

Personally, the fact that Slim Devices
decided to make their SlimServer software Open Source is quite fantastic.
It allows for innovation, yet still providing the means to make the
Squeezebox work efficiently.

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

First, let’s take a look at some of the
features of the Squeezebox (the full list can be found here):

Audio Formats
- Lossless Formats (Apple Lossless, FLAC, WMA
  Lossless)
- Uncompressed formats (AIFF, WAV, PCM)
- Compressed formats (MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis,
  MP2, MusePack, WMA)
Internet Radio
- Always-on" Internet Radio, powered by
  SqueezeNetwork, lets you tune in to Internet Radio streams even
  when the home PC is switched off.
- Quick selection from hundreds of Internet
  Radio streams offered by Slim Devices’ partners.
- Internet Radio favorites can be saved in
  a playlist for easy access.
- Displays song title information during playback
- Support for MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and WMA formatted
  Internet Radio streams
Audio Outputs
- Audio outputs (general)
  - Digital and analog outputs
  - All RCA connectors are gold-plated
  - Volume control is provided for all outputs
  - Multiple outputs may be used at the
    same time
- Analog RCA outputs
  - High fidelity Burr-Brown™ 24-bit
    DAC
  - Two dedicated linear power regulators
    for DAC and line-out stages
  - Full 6.0Vpp line-level signals
  - Signal-to-noise ratio: over 100dB
  - Total harmonic distortion: less than
    -93.5dB (0.002%)
- Digital S/PDIF outputs
  - Optical and coax digital connections
  - Dedicated high-precision crystal oscillators
    (no PLL, no resampling)
  - Standard IEC-958 (S/PDIF) encoding
  - Optical connector: TOSLINK 660nm
  - Coax connector: RCA, 500mVpp into 75
    ohms
  - Sample rates: 44.1Khz, 48Khz
  - Audio format: linear PCM, 16 or 24 bits
    per sample
  - Intrinsic jitter: less than 50ps (standard
    deviation)
- Headphone output
  - Standard 1/8" jack also functions
    as an IR blaster
  - Minimum headphone impedance: 16 ohms
  - Total harmonic distortion: less than
    0.03%
  - Left/right crosstalk attenuation: 92db
Wireless Interface
- True 802.11g wireless networking
- Bridging capability allows Ethernet devices
  to connect to the network through Squeezebox Wireless
- Throughput up to 54Mbps, high speed PCI
  interface to radio module
- Dual antennas for improved range and throughput
- Supports all 802.11b and 802.11g access
  points
- Internal antennas: planar inverted-F antenna
- Automatically detects available networks
  for quick setup
- Supports both WPA Personal, WPA2-AES and
  64/128-bit WEP encryption
Ethernet Interface
- Available on both Wireless and Wired models
- True 100Mbps throughput
- Shielded CAT5 RJ-45 connector
- Connects to any 100Mbps or 10Mbps network
- Auto-detects full duplex and half duplex
  modes
- Automatic receive polarity correction
- Maximum cable length: 100 meters (328 feet)
Dimensions: 7.6"W x 3.7"H x 3.1"D
(192mm x 93mm x 80mm) including stand
Finish: choice of high gloss white or black
Display
- Large, high-resolution vacuum fluorescent
  display
- 320×32 greyscale pixels
- Beautiful high-speed, full-screen visualizers
- Bitmapped graphics, multiple fonts, animation,
  and images
- Brightness control
Architecture
- 250 MHz 8-way multithreaded RISC processor
- "Pure software" SlimDSP™
  architecture
- Field-upgradeable Xilinx CPLD
- 64Mb high-speed RAM
- 16Mb program flash
- Low-power design, all solid-state, fanless
Warranty: One year parts and labor – 30-day Satisfaction
Guarantee

(all images link to higher resolution)

The back
of the Squeezebox has ports galore. From left to right, we have a 1/8"
headphone jack, L/R RCA, Digital Optical Output, Digital Coax Output,
Ethernet, and power. What’s the use of having an Ethernet port if you
are going to use wireless? Well, the Slim Devices are thinking ahead
of the curve here, and give you the ability to use the Squeezebox as
a wireless bridge. So, if you are setting this up in your living room,
and want to connect, say, your Tivo to your network – simply plug it
into the back of your already connected Squeezebox.

The bottom of the Squeezebox
has two rubber feet, and a rubber wrapped support bar. You can also
find the MAC address hiding here.

The remote
is light and the buttons are easy to use. If you order the black Squeezebox,
you also get the black remote. Lose remotes easily? You can program
other generic remotes to perform the same tasks. My only complaint is
the lack of any sort of ‘night’ feature (glow, backlight, etc). Just
about every aspect of the Squeezebox is controlled from the remote.
Also included is the power cord, a set of RCA cables, the Owner’s Guide,
and a small screen cleaning cloth.

Ready
to start using the Squeezebox? In my case, it took only 5 minutes and
I was up and running – wireless configuration and all. This simplicity
alone marks the Squeezebox as more than just a passing fad. Since I’ve
got DirecTV in the main living area, and a nice audio system in my office,
the best location for my Squeezebox is the Master bedroom. I have an
older speaker set hiding beneath the bed frame, and they plug directly
into the headphone jack on the back of the unit. And it actually looks
great on my bedside table too (the wife gives it a thumbs up).

Thankfully,
Slim Devices included the ability to adjust the brightness levels of
the Squeezebox. At full bright (left), and the lights out, you can detect
it’s blue glow from the next room (okay – so maybe it’s not that bright
– but it will seem like it at 2am). It’s just too bad the included remote
doesn’t glow too.

Ah, the most important
menu option: Now Playing. So important, that it also has a remote button
dedicated to it’s use. Use it to tell you what’s currently tickling
your ears.

Have the Squeezebox mounted
too far away? Increase the text size!

The information link
displays such things as Wireless Signal Strength, MAC address, etc.

A small
list of free plugins are included with the Squeezebox – but many more
are available (for free) from Slim Devices’ website.
Everything from a playable PacMan clone, to alarm enhancements, and
even a ‘VolumeGuard’, which reads as follows: ‘Do you ever find you’re
in the middle of listening to your favorite track when your other half
suddenly announces that the volume is far too loud and turns it down
for you? If so, this may be the plugin for you! VolumeGuard detects
"unauthorised" changes in volume and stealthily restores the
volume to its original level. Changes are made in small increments over
a period of time, so with any luck they won’t notice!’ You can even
write your own plugins.

You
can even read RSS news feeds (or email with the proper plugin) on the
Squeezebox. Set your screensaver to RSS, and you can even read the news
as the music plays. Or, alternatively, have the RSS feed screensaver
only come up when you stop the music.

Other screensavers include
a spectrum analyzer and an analog VU meter.

There is even an alarm
clock (no snooze unless you download a free plugin for the SlimServer)
that can set a daily alarm or even separate Weekday Alarms. A tip:
if you want to wake up to a streaming station, save it as a favorite
first – then you’ll be able to select it within the Alarm configuration.

Find a favorite
streaming station or playlist? Save (press and hold Favorites) and
return to the them later!

Want to experience new and interesting music? Select Slim Devices
Picks from the Internet Radio menu, find a station that interests
you and press Play. Even the artist/song names are displayed.
You aren’t limited to just these picks though – you can also stream
Shoutcast, radioio, Live365, amongst others.

The

SqueezeNetwork

Example ‘Natural Sounds’ would
be ‘Rain & Thunder’ or even odd items such as ‘Horse Whinny’
or ‘Heartbeat’.

Back to the local realm: How does the search functionality perform?
Wonderfully. Select Search (or Browse if you like) from the
Squeezebox Home, then the type of search you want to perform
(Artist, Album, Song), and then tap in part or all of a name
using the number pad on the remote (like you would on a cellphone
to send a text message). Press to the right, and results come
up almost instantly.

Once you’ve
found the item you were searching for, you can either press
Play and queue that album/artist/track up, or press to the right
again, and continue your hunt. You aren’t just limited to searching
either. You can queue a random mix, browse your library or even
playlists you’ve created.

The most powerful aspect of the Squeezebox? The SlimServer
– an Open Source backend (Win/Linux/and Mac compatible)
that manages the unit from the PC of your choice. Want to
add new functionality? Download a free plugin. Or even write
your own. How about streaming to iTunes or WinAmp (even
remotely) – point your player to the streaming link (http://localhost:9000/stream.mp3).
The possibilities and functionality go on and on.

Even the player itself
can be controlled via this web interface.

Even a handheld interface
is included. Properly configured, even your cellphone
can control the Squeezebox.

Want to adjust the language? Modify your music folder or
file formats? The SlimServer is the place to go. The iTunes
functionality does work, but only with unprotected .m4p
files. And since Apple seems to be less than generous with
providing access, you have to use your normal methods to
convert the files if you want the Squeezebox to be able
to read them.

Need to add an RSS feed (such
as ours)? Add the address to the list, and it’s available
instantly.

In addition to Server Settings,
you can also adjust the Player Settings. In fact, you may
find it easier to set most options this way. Every option
within the main player interface, plus a few extra (such
as gain levels and menu layout) can be accessed here.

Alarm clock functionality
is also configurable from the SlimServer. If only they would
include a default Snooze feature (something that you can
get via a downloadable plugin).

When your library has been configured and scanned, then
you can browse directly from the SlimServer and queue up
audio directly from the web interface. From personal experience,
I can tell you this functionality can be used both for practical
jokes (sorry my dear wife), or for subtle romanticism (ie
waking said wife up with Elvis’ "Can’t Help Falling
In Love"). While I seldomly use this feature, it does
come in handy – if for nothing else than being able to turn
the unit off before I leave the house.

Also available within the
SlimServer is a in-depth help section, complete with reference
materials, FAQs, and even troubleshooting tools (debugging
and health for example).

Occasionally, Slim Devices
will release a new version of the SlimServer, and with that,
a firmware upgrade (if appropriate). The process is extremely
simple (just about the entire process is done for you).

Once the firmware is copied
over, all you do is hold the Brightness button down on
the remote, the firmware is flashed, and the unit reboots.
In the upgrade that I ran, all of my settings were maintained,
and the whole process took less than five minutes.

Continue
On: Bugs and Wishes / Pros and Cons / Conclusion . . .

type="text/javascript"

src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

Back
to pocketnow.com |

Discuss
this Review

The bottom of the Squeezebox
has two rubber feet, and a rubber wrapped support bar. You can also
find the MAC address hiding here.

Ah, the most important
menu option: Now Playing. So important, that it also has a remote button
dedicated to it’s use. Use it to tell you what’s currently tickling
your ears.

Have the Squeezebox mounted
too far away? Increase the text size!

The information link
displays such things as Wireless Signal Strength, MAC address, etc.

Other screensavers include
a spectrum analyzer and an analog VU meter.

Find a favorite
streaming station or playlist? Save (press and hold Favorites) and
return to the them later!

The

SqueezeNetwork

Example ‘Natural Sounds’ would
be ‘Rain & Thunder’ or even odd items such as ‘Horse Whinny’
or ‘Heartbeat’.

Even the player itself
can be controlled via this web interface.

Even a handheld interface
is included. Properly configured, even your cellphone
can control the Squeezebox.

Need to add an RSS feed (such
as ours)? Add the address to the list, and it’s available
instantly.

Alarm clock functionality
is also configurable from the SlimServer. If only they would
include a default Snooze feature (something that you can
get via a downloadable plugin).

Also available within the
SlimServer is a in-depth help section, complete with reference
materials, FAQs, and even troubleshooting tools (debugging
and health for example).

Continue
On: Bugs and Wishes / Pros and Cons / Conclusion . . .

type="text/javascript"

src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

Back
to pocketnow.com |

Discuss
this Review

SqueezeNetwork

is another way to further expand the abilities of the Squeezebox.
A free service from Slim Devices, the SqueezeNetwork provides
a way for you to listen to streaming audio without the use of
a PC. Streaming audio such as music, news, or even ‘Natural Sounds’.

Back to the local realm: How does the search functionality perform?
Wonderfully. Select Search (or Browse if you like) from the
Squeezebox Home, then the type of search you want to perform
(Artist, Album, Song), and then tap in part or all of a name
using the number pad on the remote (like you would on a cellphone
to send a text message). Press to the right, and results come
up almost instantly.
Once you’ve
found the item you were searching for, you can either press
Play and queue that album/artist/track up, or press to the right
again, and continue your hunt. You aren’t just limited to searching
either. You can queue a random mix, browse your library or even
playlists you’ve created.

This post has been tagged with: