TESTED: Logitech Squeezebox Duet
Playing Internet Music on Your Stereo(s)
June 22nd, 2009 -- by Tom MartinSource: Playback
This is nice stuff, but I need to briefly rant about the Duet’s 15-step set-up process. I do not EVER want to read instructions like “The number on the controller’s LCD screen is the last six numbers of the MAC address. You may confirm this number by looking at the label on the bottom of the receiver where the MAC address is printed.” Nope, that’s not acceptable. I don’t want to program instructions in machine language, or write a driver for my PC, or have to write down SSIDs (how many music lovers even know what SSIDs are?). I want products that contain the entire computing power of the University of Michigan in 1967 (IBM System 360/67 serial #2) with way better software to do this stuff for me.
But, trust me on this: you can get through the set-up process with a little patience. And once you do, you can route the PC-accessible music sources you love to any sound system in your house, and without the limitations of PC sound.
For more information, visit: www.logitech.com and click on “Network Music Players”
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1999 - 2011 NextScreen. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Comments
Tom -- I understand your point about the lengthy instructions but the language you quoted seems to be pretty clear.
...and don't get me started on entering a network password via the dial!
To me, this stuff is interesting and possibly the wave of the future, but I'm definitely not ready to rip all my CD's, digitize all my LP's and use this as my single music source. For various reasons, not nearly reliable or consistent enough. For example, even though signal strength is not an issue with my wireless access point--or shouldn't be--once in a while it will search eternally, first for the receiver (I have both the receiver and an original Squeezebox) then for the server. "Squeeze Network Integration" is supposed to enable me to tune in Internet radio without switching from my music server (a Netgear ReadyNas) to the Squeeze Network, but doesn't. For some reason, when doing this switch, it usually finds it necessary to update the firmware, another eternal wait. And where they bury things you want to do in the menu structure is often anything but obvious.
Also, I don't find the quasi-iPod dial to be all that ergonomic. It's somewhat jerky, and although I like the clicking sound for feedback, you can't have that without all the other idiotic sound effects.