Ok, I've been looking at the squeezebox duet setup for about a month now, was getting ready to purchase, when a new player enters the arena from a side door. Apple (full disclosure: I am NOT an apple guy, have 4 pcs at home, last apple product was a mac plus from 1985 that is in a box somewhere) has released remote control software for the iphone/touch that allows you to remotely control itunes on a computer and music on an appletv device. This would appear to have the same general functionality as a combination of a duet controller, sb receiver, soft squeeze and squeeze center. Now, I'm sure there are a number of drawbacks on the apple side of the comparison (lack of audio sync'ing and lesser remote software immediately come to mind - I'm sure repliers who are more knowledgeable could discuss in more detail) but there are also drawbacks on the sb side.

I am a big fan of open source, have spent a fair amount of time on sourceforge over the years, and I use VLC and Media Player Classic for all my video needs right now. I use itunes (after time with early musicmatch, and with foobar2000 and songbird also installed on my system) because it just handles a large (30,000 song) collection better and works more smoothly (though i swear foobar sounds better) My big hesitation on the squeezebox has been that the combo of squeezecenter and squeezesoft has just been clunky - it's not really easy to manage the music in squeezecenter and the insistence on using the sb model for squeezesoft, as opposed to taking advantage of the fact that it's running on a pc with a large screen is unfortunate. I had reconciled to continuing to use itunes to manage the music and taking advantage of squeezecenter's nice itunes integration. Squeezesoft in particular though is concerning -the SqS main page still refers to SqS 2 (we're on 3) and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of dev. activity.

So with the release of the apple remote software it occurs to me that a $299 ipod touch and $229 apple tv are just $129 more than a squeezbox duet (certainly more in that range than the sonos) with the added advantages of video support by the receiver (though I don't believe the remote software controls video yet) and a "remote" that doubles as a web device and mp3 player (essentially another receiver.) There also appears to be more community software support for the apple devices - a big advantage going forward.

I'd be interested in folks thoughts on this whole situation. The obvious consideration for me is the deployment level of the apple products and constant updates - it would make sense for them to increase this functionality over time (as they we're in audio wireless streaming early with the air-ports) and add video (and hopefully hd video). I was really this close to ordering a duet and was waiting on the new popcorn hours that were supposed to be released any day. Both of those seem to have immediate functionality advantages over an apple solutions, but what do we think over time?

You know, I'm exactly the same boat. I never thought i'd go with apple for something like this and was eyeing the duet very seriously. Now i'm rethinking my decision. ipod touch would be nice and would leave the house with me. apple tv is the only drawback for its lack of codec support (outside the apple endorsed stuff) and i would probably think about an HTPC or nearly HTPC (eee box) as an alternative to the apple tv.

I too would like to hear what others think about where remote itunes control over ipod touch/iphone will develop.

isn't competition good?

So with the release of the apple remote software it occurs to me that a $299 ipod touch and $229 apple tv are just $129 more than a squeezbox duet (certainly more in that range than the sonos) with the added advantages of video support by the receiver (though I don't believe the remote software controls video yet) and a "remote" that doubles as a web device and mp3 player (essentially another receiver.) There also appears to be more community software support for the apple devices - a big advantage going forward.You can also use Airport Express (one or several) if you only want audio ($88 at Best Buy).

Before I purchased a Sonos system I used two Airport Expresses and they worked great. I used a PDA for remote control and the only drawback was that you couldn't address different zones via Apple's interface to iTunes. I'm presuming this has been resolved with their new support (here's hoping).

After I sold my Sonos system I purchased an Apple TV (mainly for music) and it worked great once the firmware allowed you to control the Apple TV via iTunes. I rented a few HD movies, viewed YouTube and watched a few Podcasts but in the end all I really used it for was music. So I ended up selling the Apple TV and getting the newer Airport Express (supports N-wireless).

If you are buying into iTunes I think it's a great solution. Sonos offers a model with a built-in amp which gives it many advantages (among others) and the Duet (along with Sonos) offers music streaming services (at least easier and or better options).

As a bonus you can use the Airport Express as a wireless access point with its one LAN port (you can with Sonos too). I connect my TiVo HD to my network via its LAN port.

You can also use Airport Express (one or several) if you only want audio ($88 at Best Buy).

Before I purchased a Sonos system I used two Airport Expresses and they worked great. I used a PDA for remote control and the only drawback was that you couldn't address different zones via Apple's interface to iTunes. I'm presuming this has been resolved with their new support (here's hoping).

After I sold my Sonos system I purchased an Apple TV (mainly for music) and it worked great once the firmware allowed you to control the Apple TV via iTunes. I rented a few HD movies, viewed YouTube and watched a few Podcasts but in the end all I really used it for was music. So I ended up selling the Apple TV and getting the newer Airport Express (supports N-wireless).

If you are buying into iTunes I think it's a great solution. Sonos offers a model with a built-in amp which gives it many advantages (among others) and the Duet (along with Sonos) offers music streaming services (at least easier and or better options).

As a bonus you can use the Airport Express as a wireless access point with its one LAN port (you can with Sonos too). I connect my TiVo HD to my network via its LAN port.

owning 3 air port expresses I will comment on a few things...

1. their range is not great. although about the same as the SB3 tested in indentical setup. (compared to a buffalo wireless ethernet bridge for example)
2. unlike the SB3 I can't figure out how to stream audio to them using ethernet versus wifi which is easy with the SB3. ( I am a professional computer engineer with a networking background)
3. The airport locks you into to itunes and the formats it supports where as the SB3, sonos, etc give you more choices....

There are work arounds to 3 with a plugin for media monkey (but no cool itouch remote etc) and some other solutions which degrade the SQ but again no cool itouch remote...

Sean

1. their range is not great. although about the same as the SB3 tested in indentical setup. (compared to a buffalo wireless ethernet bridge for example)
2. unlike the SB3 I can't figure out how to stream audio to them using ethernet versus wifi which is easy with the SB3. ( I am a professional computer engineer with a networking background)
3. The airport locks you into to itunes and the formats it supports where as the SB3, sonos, etc give you more choices....1. Have you tried the new wireless N version?
2. Why would I want wired when they work perfect with my Time Capsule?
3. Very true. However at one time or another I used the other two and still used Apple's lossless and iTunes.

1. Have you tried the new wireless N version?
2. Why would I want wired when they work perfect with my Time Capsule?
3. Very true. However at one time or another I used the other two and still used Apple's lossless and iTunes.

1. nope
2. because the range on the G is not very good and I have Gig-E everywhere in my house and this would rectify my biggest complaint with airport expresses....

The thing you have to be careful of with apple is you have to use it the way they want to use it as with #2 when there is no reason the HW and SW could offer more choices as other products do. The airport overall is not a bad product for people who use itunes if you get over the range issue. (read range as competing products like buffalo have much better range).

Sean

I own an apple tv and think this "touch" option of control could be nothing short of revolutionaryto be perfectly honest. By far the weakest link in the appletv chain is the oversimplified remote (yeah the codec thing sucks for sum 2!) which is terribly cumbersome to conduct searches, and really to navigate altogether.

this could be something really big.

Just a FYI I just got a Apple TV at Sams for $179.99 last week

They are really two different animals. If your only ever going to do a single location then you might be fine either way, but here are some big differences.

1) You have no options other than itunes

2) You only get 1 stream throughout the house, so you can't have one song playing in the bedroom and another in the living room.

3) The computer serving itunes can only play what is playing in the stream.

These were the deal breakers for me. I want a whole house audio solution, not just a digital "radio station" that each room can tune into if they want.

They are really two different animals. If your only ever going to do a single location then you might be fine either way, but here are some big differences.

1) You have no options other than itunes

2) You only get 1 stream throughout the house, so you can't have one song playing in the bedroom and another in the living room.

3) The computer serving itunes can only play what is playing in the stream.

These were the deal breakers for me. I want a whole house audio solution, not just a digital "radio station" that each room can tune into if they want.

True. I for one just want it (iphone) to manipulate my appletv which I play throughout my house...or just ONE area. I do not have the need to play different music in different parts of my house...although that could be a very viable option for some. Besides, I can still accomplish this if need be through my 3 zone onkyo 805, sat radio, cd player, and d-tv.

For instance...I like to listen to my a-tv on my deck while my fiance watches tv in the living room. The idea that I could manipulate my appletv with this device 100ft away gets me as giddy as a school girl- searching for artist, song and album info with a keypad is impossible to overrate..

Everything I own (media-wise!) is in itunes because I feel it's still the most user-friendly, comprehensive music player around, so it matters not to me that other apps are not available.

Again, like the a-tv itself, this device will be ungodly for those comfortable operating within the apple world and completely disinteresting to those who can't bear the thought.

Personally, I am jacked for this.

James

2) You only get 1 stream throughout the house, so you can't have one song playing in the bedroom and another in the living room.For others reading you can however create a group of zones and stream the same content to each zone (Apple TV or Airport Express) via the Multiple Speakers feature.

just so anyone who cares is aware, I have designs on picking up an iphone asap, and I will report back as to its "usability" with the appletv immediately. I've heard wait times for the phones r currently pushing a month though, so don't expect anything real soon :(.

james

For others reading you can however create a group of zones and stream the same content to each zone (Apple TV or Airport Express) via the Multiple Speakers feature.

Can you explain how....

If I have 4 airports.

How do I play 1 song to airports 1 and 2 and another song to 3 and 4 from itunes? I know how multiple speakers works but dont know how to make this work.....

Sean

How do I play 1 song to airports 1 and 2 and another song to 3 and 4 from itunes? I know how multiple speakers works but dont know how to make this work.....You can't. :) What I meant was you can group different Airport Extremes together so they all play the same song. One stream per iTunes. If you really wanted two streams you would have to have two iTunes servers running... certainly not ideal.

However Apple TV can play its own music stored locally or on the network (using the Apple TV's interface not iTunes)... so if you had two of them they would be completely independent.

You can't. :) What I meant was you can group different Airport Extremes together so they all play the same song. One stream per iTunes. If you really wanted two streams you would have to have two iTunes servers running... certainly not ideal.

However Apple TV can play its own music stored locally or on the network (using the Apple TV's interface not iTunes)... so if you had two of them they would be completely independent.


Sure thats like xboxes.... but not multizone. Actually running two itunes servers on 2 different machines doesn't work with multiple speakers either. I already tried that.... So there is 1 zone with selectable speakers using the airports which is not bad but its not a sonos or duet either...

Can't wait to try the iphone remote...

Sean

For others reading you can however create a group of zones and stream the same content to each zone (Apple TV or Airport Express) via the Multiple Speakers feature.


Try This....

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/

Try This....

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/

This really doesn't change the default behavior any except it allows other programs to stream to the airport expresses. Because of the way it interacts with directsound it may/will modify the bitstream. It never sounded quite right to me. There is another application that works with media monkey that works better for what I want to do but neither of these solve my biggest gripes with the airports....

Sean

I finally picked up an iphone...I will be reporting back as to it's performance in conjuction with a-tv as soon as att gets off their collective asses and gets my i-net in order...by Thursday now- they promise!!! (although they have given me about $160 in credit due to 2 weeks of i-net loss).

Perhaps it's own thread depending on popularity? While I don't think it will be the 6 zone solution that some are looking for anytime soon, there are qualities about it that can't be ignored for around $500.

James

In all seriousness...is there really a considerable market for this 3, 4, and 5 zone business? I mean, right now, the way I'm set-up, someone could watch tv, a movie or listen to a cd, the radio, or itunes in one area and do one of the latter in another- that seems to work out great in my parts.

But of course I'm kid-less!

The idea of having itunes playing 3-4 DIFFERENT files while retaining individual manipulation seems like a lot to ask to me.

I dunno.

James

I am using the airport in the house and it works really well. as a remote, the interface blows away any other interface. for me, the itunes integration was a plus not a minus as I already have the ipod in the house. it is very stable and a slick setup. if you use it for multiple rooms, its more cost effective as well.

Like to chime in and say apple did a very good job on the itunes interface with the iPhone 3g. Its simple and it works well. I hope the XBMC developers get the kinks worked out in there version for iPhone. The XBMC one works but it has quite a few issues...

My biggest gripe with the iPhone/iTunes interface is the total lack of support for creating playlists on the fly.... Its unfortunate since thats a pretty big issue but what they did do they did a great job of....

For me that limitation along with many other limitations of iTunes and the Airport expresses make XBMC far and away still my primary music delivery vehicle but the an itunes/iphone/airport combo does work well in my garages, work shops and back patios where there are no displays to use with XBMC....

Sean

Like to chime in and say apple did a very good job on the itunes interface with the iPhone 3g. Its simple and it works well. I hope the XBMC developers get the kinks worked out in there version for iPhone. The XBMC one works but it has quite a few issues...

My biggest gripe with the iPhone/iTunes interface is the total lack of support for creating playlists on the fly.... Its unfortunate since thats a pretty big issue but what they did do they did a great job of....

For me that limitation along with many other limitations of iTunes and the Airport expresses make XBMC far and away still my primary music delivery vehicle but the an itunes/iphone/airport combo does work well in my garages, work shops and back patios where there are no displays to use with XBMC....

Sean
forgive me sean, but you're referring to the 360's media center, correct?

Just what does it do that itunes does not?....does it allow to source out different media to multiple zones for instance?

just curious,
James

forgive me sean, but you're referring to the 360's media center, correct?

Just what does it do that itunes does not?....does it allow to source out different media to multiple zones for instance?

just curious,
James

No I am referring to the original Xbox running XBMC not an xbox 360 running microsofts software. XBMC is the most capable media center software yet produced. It has tons of features and a great interface... I have 11 of these running between my two houses and absolutely love them. Been using this software for over 4 years now.

http://www.xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs

if you want to see what it looks like look here....

http://picasaweb.google.com/rufrothy/XBMCSnaps/photo#5091652241089054530

and here....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=635294

Sean

2. unlike the SB3 I can't figure out how to stream audio to them using ethernet versus wifi which is easy with the SB3. ( I am a professional computer engineer with a networking background


Sean:

Did you get the Ethernet port working on your Airport express. Looks like the previous post on this discussion were lost.

I have my new 3g running my apple tv and the results have been impressive. Though cover art doesn't seem to be appearing when I control the atv directly, it does when I control the cpu's itunes directly and just have it (itunes) output to "apple tv". Weird.
Also, no vol control when directly linked to a-tv...again, it IS there (volume control) when going straight to the cpu though (for those who are not familiar, you can choose to control the apple tv OR your computers itunes account through your wi-fi network- if you choose your cpu, you can then have it (the cpu's itunes) output to your apple tv).


Other than those 2 shortcomings through apple tv, the control is fantastic. I've yet to think of something it's missing that I need/want.

No, you cant make on the go playlists, but that's somehting I likely wouldnt do through my phone anyway....much easier to go through the laptop for that.

I just want play/pause function, volume, and library access...all are provided and virtually instantaneous.

I'd givethe set-up an 9/10 for what I need. Again if applying different media to more than 2 zones is a must for you, this probably isn't the device for you.

But, for what it DOES do, its difficult to imagine a more effective tool.


My $.02

James

The AppleTV + iPod Touch combo is one I'm seriously considering instead of going the Squeezebox or Sonos route. I do have one question though which has kind of been touched upon previously here, but which I can't find a concrete answer. Mastermaybe, I'm hoping that you might able to shed some light on this, since it seems like you're in the same boat I'm going to be.

Let's say I have my home server and two AppleTVs. Both the tvs are pulling music from the server (as opposed to playing content stored on the tv). Can I listen to two different streams simultaneously - one from each tv - or are they tied together?

I'm not a Mac guy, so I'm not all that familiar with the way iTunes works, but I know that with the Airport Express you're only pulling the audio stream and not the actual file, so you can only listen to the one stream. I'm hoping that since the AppleTV is a separate processor, that it'll allow you to pull the files independently of the audio stream and therefore permit two different streams / zones.

Oh, and of course I'd have an iPod touch to control these two things independently. :-D

Ideas? Suggestions? Input?

I am pretty sure the Ipod touch app only controls a stream from Itunes, in which case you would have to listen to the same stream at each Apple TV. I don't know though if the ATV remote will allow you to browse the music collection on the tv and pick other songs though.

Two airport express boxes can pull two different streams as long as you are pulling form different itunes libraries.

here is how to setup an airport express wired ethernet only http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108064

Can someone shed some light on my pending situation:

I will be installing a Synology NAS soon that has an iTunes server and will have all of my songs stored on it.
I have an iPhone.
What would I need to buy/install that will allow me to play tunes on my stereo system and be controlled with my iPhone? Caveat: My stereo system is not connected to a TV. Will Airport Express do this, or could I run an AppleTV headless or something? How are playlists handled?

I'm trying to set up my house so that I don't need to be running a PC full time. I'm pulling torrents (Synology should do this), serving iTunes (Synology?), storing and serving media files (Synology), playing music from NAS (my question), and playing media on my Home Theater (currently XBMC).

Also, I'm pretty sure (haven't tried it yet) that the new version of the iPhone Remote Control will allow you to make playlists via the Genius function (which is AWESOME, by the way!)

What would I need to buy/install that will allow me to play tunes on my stereo system and be controlled with my iPhone?

Hook an airport express up to your stereo system. Something that i did not know at frist is that the min-jack, for audio on the Airport express, is a both a analog and TosLink connection.

Hook an airport express up to your stereo system. Something that i did not know at frist is that the min-jack, for audio on the Airport express, is a both a analog and TosLink connection.

TosLink is an optical connection, right? How does the Airport Express serve up an analog and an optical connection from one jack?

This sounds like a good solution for me, but these connections are an issue for what happens downstream in my system.

TosLink is an optical connection, right? How does the Airport Express serve up an analog and an optical connection from one jack?

This sounds like a good solution for me, but these connections are an issue for what happens downstream in my system.

quite simply the analog is on the side for the metal connector. There is an adapter that is basically a mini stereo connector like you have an ipod except its hollow for the light to shine through....

$1.30 from here... I used these on most of my airport expresses....

http://store.pchcables.com/tojato3pl.html

Sean

Another option. PocketBar 1.1

http://handheld.softpedia.com/images/software/screens/PocketBar-0.png

PocketBar is a Pocket PC-based remote controller for foobar2000.

Here are some key features of "PocketBar":


Control foobar2000 from your PocketPC
Access all playlists and tracks in your collection
Display album art for currently playing track
Change volume and playback order
Skinnable user interface
Supports QVGA (240x320), Square QVGA (240x240), VGA (480x640) and Square VGA (480x480) resolutions


http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Audio/PocketBar-62615.shtml

TosLink is an optical connection, right? How does the Airport Express serve up an analog and an optical connection from one jack?

This sounds like a good solution for me, but these connections are an issue for what happens downstream in my system.

As sean_w_smith has explained it is a dual output jack. That is why I did not know it was TosLink when i first look at the Airport express. The jack looks like a mini jack. When you buy the device from apple ,your offer you a $35 cable. I said no, as i have lost of Mini to RCA cables. Then after months of using the analog connection I discovered one of these:

http://images.monoprice.com/productmediumimages/26711.jpg

At first I just passed it over, then I realized what it was and re-looked at the Airport express specs. and there it was Analog/Digital output.

And yes it really does work as I have used both the min to RCA cable and the TosLink cable with the mini adapter.

I am in the same boat here. We have (1 x receiver controlling 8 x B&W in-wall speakers system throughout house) + (3 x 5.1 AVR rooms). We have 3 x users that will only use iTunes on both PC's and Macs. We are struggling to find a way to stream, share and control all the different systems, mainly audio wise. We are going to invest in a higher end IR remote to control all three receivers, but would like to stream music to all three receivers and video to one in addition.

There is no real good direct comparison, as the AppleTV can stream HD video. I think the closest comparsion(s) here would be the SB Duet ($400) vs. iPod/AppleTV ($350-400). You could go cheaper on both spectrums and get just the SB Classic ($300) or the iPod/AirportExtreme ($275).

If you break it down, as long as you do not care about being restricted to the formats that iTunes supports, the Apple products win hands down. The capabilities that the new iPod Touches have is incredible in comparsion to lets say the Duet....it does sooooooo much more, especially with all the new apps being released.

This is why we are going with the AppleTV+AirportExtremes+iPod on a 'N' network. The one room we want to stream movies the AppleTV is going into, and the other three AVR's will have Airport Extremes streaming them music. An iPod Touch is going to be able to control them all!

my one question is since we will have three different computers running iTunes, can each one stream music independently to a specific streaming device?

I am in the same boat here. We have (1 x receiver controlling 8 x B&W in-wall speakers system throughout house) + (3 x 5.1 AVR rooms). We have 3 x users that will only use iTunes on both PC's and Macs. We are struggling to find a way to stream, share and control all the different systems, mainly audio wise. We are going to invest in a higher end IR remote to control all three receivers, but would like to stream music to all three receivers and video to one in addition.

There is no real good direct comparison, as the AppleTV can stream HD video. I think the closest comparsion(s) here would be the SB Duet ($400) vs. iPod/AppleTV ($350-400). You could go cheaper on both spectrums and get just the SB Classic ($300) or the iPod/AirportExtreme ($275).

If you break it down, as long as you do not care about being restricted to the formats that iTunes supports, the Apple products win hands down. The capabilities that the new iPhone Touches have is incredible in comparsion to lets say the Duet....it does sooooooo much more, especially with all the new apps being released.

This is why we are going with the AppleTV+AirportExtremes+iPhone on a 'N' network. The one room we want to stream movies the AppleTV is going into, and the other three AVR's will have Airport Extremes streaming them music. An iPhone Touch is going to be able to control them all!

my one question is since we will have three different computers running iTunes, can each one stream music independently to a specific streaming device?

That sounds like a very cool setup. I wish I could answer your question, but I can't.

my one question is since we will have three different computers running iTunes, can each one stream music independently to a specific streaming device?

Yep we do the now. You can send one stream from a laptop to an airport express in the master bedroom and another stream from a desktop to an airport express out by the pool.

I am pretty sure the Ipod touch app only controls a stream from Itunes, in which case you would have to listen to the same stream at each Apple TV. I don't know though if the ATV remote will allow you to browse the music collection on the tv and pick other songs though.

The remote app will allow you to control individual ATVs, allowing for one stream per atv.

The remote app will allow you to control individual ATVs, allowing for one stream per atv.

From the same computer/library?

I did some more research on it and I still can't find where one instance of Itunes can feed multiple songs or that you can easily have 5 instances of Itunes running on a single pc each feeding a separate room, but I don't have the hardware here at home to test it myself.

I know that you can have 5 different computers each feeding an airport express, but that kind of defeats the purpose.

that you can easily have 5 instances of Itunes running on a single pc each feeding a separate room,

How do you get multiple instances of iTunes on the same PC. Are they running virtual machines?

How do you get multiple instances of iTunes on the same PC. Are they running virtual machines?

I wasn't sure if you could, it was a question on can you, sorry if that wasn't clear.

One way might be virtual machines.

I have not quite purchased the AppleTV & iPod touch yet (mostly because I am waiting for them to axe the AppleTV and it to go way down in price).

Considering I still have some time to change my mind, and considering I am OK with the formats that iTunes can play, I challenge someone to provide a valid reason(s) why the Squeezebox Classic is better than an AppleTV or the Duet is better than an AppleTV+iPod touch.

I am pretty sure the Ipod touch app only controls a stream from Itunes, in which case you would have to listen to the same stream at each Apple TV. I don't know though if the ATV remote will allow you to browse the music collection on the tv and pick other songs though.

From the same computer/library?

I did some more research on it and I still can't find where one instance of Itunes can feed multiple songs or that you can easily have 5 instances of Itunes running on a single pc each feeding a separate room, but I don't have the hardware here at home to test it myself.

I know that you can have 5 different computers each feeding an airport express, but that kind of defeats the purpose.

The remote app will show separate apple tv's and you can choose between them; the apple tv's will act in the same manner as if they were both being watched at the same time.

I have not quite purchased the AppleTV & iPod touch yet (mostly because I am waiting for them to axe the AppleTV and it to go way down in price).

Considering I still have some time to change my mind, and considering I am OK with the formats that iTunes can play, I challenge someone to provide a valid reason(s) why the Squeezebox Classic is better than an AppleTV or the Duet is better than an AppleTV+iPod touch.

I think it boils down to use. For what I do in my house an AppleTV + touch combo just won't cut it.

I have 3 separate receivers going to 4 zones (soon to be 4 receivers for 5 zones) feeding off of a single computer/music library. I have the ability to put any local song/Pandora stream/internet radio station/Rhapsody tune/etc... on any of those 3 receivers independent of what the others are doing. Then, when we have a party, I can have all three of them sync up and play music throughout the house.

I also tend not to even use my server very often as most of my music listening lately is internet radio, Pandora, or Rhapsody which I can still stream directly off the internet with a separate song per zone or all in sync.

I think it boils down to use. For what I do in my house an AppleTV + touch combo just won't cut it.

I have 3 separate receivers going to 4 zones (soon to be 4 receivers for 5 zones) feeding off of a single computer/music library. I have the ability to put any local song/Pandora stream/internet radio station/Rhapsody tune/etc... on any of those 3 receivers independent of what the others are doing. Then, when we have a party, I can have all three of them sync up and play music throughout the house.

I also tend not to even use my server very often as most of my music listening lately is internet radio, Pandora, or Rhapsody which I can still stream directly off the internet with a separate song per zone or all in sync.

I am in a similar situation Jonnio. I believe you could utilize the AppleTV's local HD as a source to play from, but that would not technically be streaming from the computer. I believe you can also use applications such as AirFoil to stream Pandora, but from what your insinuating, one session of iTunes itself cannot direct different songs to various different AppleTV/Airports whereas Squeezecenter can do this?....nor can the AppleTV or iTunes play Pandora/Rhapsody by itself (like a NAS). I believe there is a user fee though for the Pandora direct to the Squeezebox (is it a per box charge or for unlimited boxes?).

One question that I have is if your using the iPod Touch as your remote, can you stream the music or video that is stored locally on the iPod Touch to the AppleTV or Airport?

Many questions, so little time :D

I am in a similar situation Jonnio. I believe you could utilize the AppleTV's local HD as a source to play from, but that would not technically be streaming from the computer. I believe you can also use applications such as AirFoil to stream Pandora, but from what your insinuating, one session of iTunes itself cannot direct different songs to various different AppleTV/Airports whereas Squeezecenter can do this?....nor can the AppleTV or iTunes play Pandora/Rhapsody by itself (like a NAS). I believe there is a user fee though for the Pandora direct to the Squeezebox (is it a per box charge or for unlimited boxes?).

One question that I have is if your using the iPod Touch as your remote, can you stream the music or video that is stored locally on the iPod Touch to the AppleTV or Airport?

Many questions, so little time :D

Squeezecenter can send different streams to each location or any combination of sync'd players (2 players sync'd together and 3 others separate, 2 sync'd on one stream with 2 on another etc...)
My understanding of the Itunes/airtunes is that it takes multiple sessions possibly on virtual computers or on actual computers, to send independent streams. Again, I don't have that hardware, but this is what my research found and why I ruled it out for me...That could be wrong or changing though.

Pandora actually doesn't charge a fee for squeeze users anymore - it used to be like $35 per account with all your boxes tied to one account.

I am not sure the answer to your last question - someone with the hardware will have to answer it for you.

Squeezecenter can send different streams to each location or any combination of sync'd players (2 players sync'd together and 3 others separate, 2 sync'd on one stream with 2 on another etc...)
My understanding of the Itunes/airtunes is that it takes multiple sessions possibly on virtual computers or on actual computers, to send independent streams. Again, I don't have that hardware, but this is what my research found and why I ruled it out for me...That could be wrong or changing though…..

It’s correct.
____
Axel

...

One question that I have is if your using the iPod Touch as your remote, can you stream the music or video that is stored locally on the iPod Touch to the AppleTV or Airport?

Many questions, so little time

Streaming back from your iPod touch (or alike) is not possible. The remote application only allows you to control the media stream from your server, i.e. PC.
____
Axel

I didn't see this posted, but you can get iPhone/iTouch integration (browsing, playback controls) with SqueezeCenter/SlimServer with a free addon called iPeng

http://penguinlovesmusic.de/?page_id=27

Hey everyone,
newbie here. First, all of the setups you guys have are incredible! I have a question as to sound quality. When not just used as background music, is there a discernable difference in the quality of the sound from the various setups or systems that you have? Can you tell a difference between the actual cd being played by a cd player/transport into the preamp and the music servers?
I have read about "clocks" and stuff, understand the idea but don't know about it much. Do the streamers perform the clock function or does the preamp?
Thanks
Joshua

After reading through some of this thread, has anybody done the following?

Two apple TV's in two different locations connected to two different sound systems. One central location running iTunes for the files. Stream a different song to each location?

Can this work?

Hey everyone,
newbie here. First, all of the setups you guys have are incredible! I have a question as to sound quality. When not just used as background music, is there a discernable difference in the quality of the sound from the various setups or systems that you have? Can you tell a difference between the actual cd being played by a cd player/transport into the preamp and the music servers?
I have read about "clocks" and stuff, understand the idea but don't know about it much. Do the streamers perform the clock function or does the preamp?
Thanks
Joshua

Joshua, the quality of the music with any of the modern digital transports (Sonos and Squeezebox for sure and I would assume AppleTV/Airport) is as good as the cd if you rip to a lossless format such as FLAC or AAC. Some people put a ton of money into DACs etc, but if you have the kind of equipment requiring that you likely already have one that can be fed from these devices.

After reading through some of this thread, has anybody done the following?

Two apple TV's in two different locations connected to two different sound systems. One central location running iTunes for the files. Stream a different song to each location?

Can this work?

For a standard home computer running windows the short answer is no - the longer answer is that you might be able to set up a computer to run multiple virtual computers and have two instances of Itunes running. Each instance of Itunes can only create one stream, so if you only have one Itunes then you can either have a player sync to it or not, but there is no option for unsync'd players to play different music.

anyone have any experience with Megaseg DJ? It appears to be able to stream mulitple audio outputs and has Apple Remote functionality.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/audio/megasegdj.html


One would think that eventually Apple would enable streaming multiple audio tracks from iTunes, or there would be a 3rd party plug-in?

hmmmm :confused:

After reading through some of this thread, has anybody done the following?

Two apple TV's in two different locations connected to two different sound systems. One central location running iTunes for the files. Stream a different song to each location?

Can this work?

While you won't be able to stream two different songs from iTunes on your computer, you are able to choose one song on ATV 1 and another, separate song on ATV 2 (both of which are accessing shared music from your computer).

While you won't be able to stream two different songs from iTunes on your computer, you are able to choose one song on ATV 1 and another, separate song on ATV 2 (both of which are accessing shared music from your computer).

EDIT - nevermind, I found one case where someone has multiple movie streams going to his appleTV, so I would assume you can do it with music too.

EDIT - nevermind, I found one case where someone has multiple movie streams going to his appleTV, so I would assume you can do it with music too.

The key is that you must have multiple instances of itunes running on multiple hosts. I have verified this does work. Its not an ideal solution but it does work.

SEan

I'm looking at the same setup - two Apple TVs for two separate systems. My plan was to use a NAS with Ethernet or wireless connection with the ATVs feeding the two systems. I was also planning on using my 3G iPhone with the "remote" software to run the two ATVs.

So will I be able to stream different music on each of the ATVs?

Will I be able to stream off of the NAS without having my sole computer on?

Will the iPhone be able to select the two different ATVs for controlling them?

Has anyone tested the quality of the output of the ATVs either from their Toslink digital output vs. the analog output? I'm not confident that the ATV DACs are better than higher end DAC components.

Thanks