[RandyL712]

Saw the ad in Best Buy for this new device, looks like it'll hold all of your CD's in MP3 format on it's 40 GB drive and built in CD recorder. Cost is $1000, model is DE100C.


Says it uses your broadband connection, for what I don't know.

 

[genearch]

* Here's what I wrote over in the TiVo forum on this same subject.


HP hasn't let out too many details. I've read what I could about is (PDF's mostly) Three things keep coming into my mind..


1. No PC Connectivity, thus no playlist management and biggest of all, no loading from PC of MP3's or pre-ripped CD's.

2. Max bitrate of 256k, which would give you a max of around 400 CD's

3. No Expandability


The plus side is that the CDR is built in.. very nice.


I'm sticking with my ARQ1 (w/hacked 80GB drive) and waiting for the long overdue "pro" upgrade, which will finally deliver direct CD lookups.


The broadband connection is used for streaming radio and CDDB lookups. Also, they will be downloading movie trailers. I woner what happens when Compaq & HP merge. I'd be willing to bet that this kills the iPAQ Musiccenter. (it's a dud anyhow)

 

[RandyL712]

Hmm... Since we all have CD-ROMs in our PC's, we can all burn the MP3 very easily as it is. All I want:


On-screen display of titles, with good organization and playlist capability. Able to access from a few places in the house.


I can do this with a few cheap laptops and a wireless network, using my PC as a file server for my 20 GB of MP3s. Currently I haven't set it up, and all I've played with with RealJukebox (puke) and Winamp.


Any suggestions? this device seems to be a waste of money considering a 200 MHz PC can do the same and better.

 

[derek]

I saw the ad also and it sorta got me thinking...couldn't my ReplayTV box be made into a MP3 player/organizer? At the expense of some storage space, why couldn't ReplayTV develop a software build that could grab Mp3s you've uploaded/copied to a server and download them for storage and playback on your ReplayTV? You have your GUI interface. Remote interaction (play/deletion/etc.) The only downside is current models only have analog audio outputs but that's what most people would use anyway.

 

[dkan24]

If you look unded B to B on the 4000 website, it does mention being a music server. I don't know if this means for the 4000, or if it is for another SonicBlue device.


When I talked to SB about the 4000, I asked about it being able to play mp3's. He said that the vision of SB was to have stackable components all with networking capabilities. They already do have a home mp3 player, but i doubt it has any interaction with a 4000

 

[valkyrie]

Wow...that's a whole lotta very little for a whole lot of dough. I personally think the Turtle Beach Audiotron is the best solution out there right now for MP3's (especially if you have broadband). Catalog everything from your PC, web interface, net-radio, and digital output, all for $200-300, depending on where you get it. The firmware has gotten better every step of the way (you can join a list-serv and test beta firmware once you get your unit). The unit has actually become MUCH better since they released it (and it started awesome). Check out TB's website if you want more info on it. BB also cleared these things out cheap a while ago, so you might score a good deal on one.