I am been snooping around for awhile, and still have not seen a music server that's NAS based.

This is what I am looking for -

* $200 US or less
* NAS Based
* Windows and MAC friendly (Meaning AAC, but I understand it would not be able to do protected AAC)
* Wireless

By NAS based, I mean that it can find a NAS device on the network, and stream music off of it

I understand there are options if you want to dedicate a clunky PC as a music server either directly connected, or used via something like a Squeezebox receiver. But what if you just want to copy all your files to a NAS and have a simple, affordable, compact receiver to stream them?

Almost all of the media streamers available today will be able to connect to a NAS using SMB sharing. I think this is why they do not mention it as a separate feature. The other option is to find a NAS and player that supports UPnP. This is a protocol that allows the NAS to simply appear as a source on a media player without having to do anything.

All you need to do is look for SMB or Windows File Sharing as an option on the streamer that you are interested in and then find a NAS that you like.

I store all my media on a Promise NAS and use a Popcorn Hour, Xbox360, and various PC's to play music. They are connected via SMB or UPnP.

Laters,
Jeff

Thanks. I will consider that. Too bad the 360 can't play AAC (, I assume,) or this would be a nice solution.

Take a look at the Netgear Duo. It has excellent support for uPnP, Itunes, and Squeezecenter. The operating system is on V4.1 and is well supported in their forum.

Alan

I am been snooping around for awhile, and still have not seen a music server that's NAS based.

This is what I am looking for -

* $200 US or less
* NAS Based
* Windows and MAC friendly (Meaning AAC, but I understand it would not be able to do protected AAC)
* Wireless

By NAS based, I mean that it can find a NAS device on the network, and stream music off of it

I understand there are options if you want to dedicate a clunky PC as a music server either directly connected, or used via something like a Squeezebox receiver. But what if you just want to copy all your files to a NAS and have a simple, affordable, compact receiver to stream them?

40G Apple TV used from Apple is $200 and will do what you want.... and it will do protected AAC.

XBMC running on xbox is probably the cheapest solution out there....

PC/Mac running itunes with airport expresses and iphone/ipod touch as a controller.... This works pretty well.....

iphone/itouch now can be used to control a sonos, XBMC, and Itunes....

I wonder is slim devices will get on the bandwagon with the iphone app remote.

A squeezebox will also do you want you want but to me its an inferior solution to cheapo xbox as a music streamer. Others will disagree but the UI (without duet) and proprietary slow slim server, and price are all negatives.