Squeezebox (network music player)

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Squeezebox

Squeezebox 3
Type: Network Music Player
Developer: Slim Devices
Released: 2001
Processor(s): SliMP3 (2001);
Squeezebox v1 (2003);
Squeezebox v2 (2005);
Squeezebox v3 (2005);
Transporter (2006);
Duet (2008);
Base Price: US$299 (as of 2008)
Website: Slim Devices Official Website

The Squeezebox is a hardware device from Slim Devices. It is designed to play internet radio or digital audio streamed to it across a home network, either WiFi or Ethernet.

There are two different running modes:

  • Standalone mode connecting to an internet server, without a PC.
  • Squeezebox can be used with a SlimServer running on a home PC or also on NAS devices like the Linksys NSLU2, so a SlimServer can also run without a PC.


Contents

[edit] Squeezebox versions

[edit] SliMP3 (2001)

The first-generation hardware requires SlimServer to run, which is free open source software. It is wired-Ethernet only and natively supports one audio format, MP3. SlimServer can transcode other audio formats to MP3 on the fly, using the LAME MP3 encoder.

[edit] Squeezebox (November 2003)

Second generation hardware, which originally used the same display. Main feature additions included optional 802.11b WiFi, support for uncompressed PCM/WAV/AIFF audio streams, and headphone, coaxial and optical SPDIF outputs. It also requires SlimServer to operate. Slim Devices offered a bitmap display upgrade for this hardware, but that is no longer available. Some units have a 40x2 Noritake character display, others have a 280x16 pixel Noritake bitmap display.

[edit] Squeezebox2 (April 2005)

Third generation hardware. Features included optional 802.11g WiFi, native support for more audio formats (FLAC, WMA, Ogg), upgraded 320x32 pixel greyscale bitmap VFD display, visualizers, bitmapped fonts.

This model has infrared remote control, analog outputs, volume control, headphone jack, coaxial and optical digital outputs.

The Squeezebox2 supports numerous audio formats including MP3, Windows Media Audio, Musepack, Monkey's Audio, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Shorten, WAV, AIFF, Ogg Vorbis, and unencrypted AAC. Of these, MP3, Windows Media, FLAC, WAV, AIFF and Ogg Vorbis are natively supported by the player firmware; the remainder are automatically transcoded by the SlimServer host software into one of the player-supported formats. DRM-protected AAC from the Apple iTunes Music Store is not supported.

[edit] Squeezebox v3 (November 2005)

Fourth generation hardware. Features and most technical specifications are identical to that of the Squeezebox2. A new board and chassis design are used, as well as a new remote. With the introduction of the "Duet" this was renamed the "Squeezebox Classic".

Dimensions: 7.6"W x 3.7"H x 3.1"D (192mm x 93mm x 80mm) including stand.

[edit] Transporter (September 2006)

Fifth generation hardware. Features are similar to Squeezebox v3. Geared towards audiophiles. Additional features over Squeezebox v3 include dual 320x32 pixel displays, front panel buttons and tactile feedback knob, redesigned backlit remote control, balanced (XLR) and unbalanced audio outputs, balanced and unbalanced digital inputs and outputs (AES/EBU and SPDIF) (inputs for operation as a standalone DAC), RS-232 serial connection for external control, Infrared input and output.

[edit] Squeezebox Duet (January 2008)

Squeezbox Duet
Squeezbox Duet

This new product architecture has a more sophisticated remote, called the Squeezebox Controller with a display (like the Sonos) and has a simplified hardware interface, called the Squeezebox Receiver (SBR) for the stereo. The SBR can work without the remote control and is sold separately. As a pair, the Duet retails for $399.00.

Some differences between the Squeebox v3 and the SBR include:

  • The SBR doesn't have a headphone jack.
  • The DAC from SB3 is a Burr-Brown™ 24-bit DAC, and the one on the SBR is a Wolfson® 24-bit DAC.
  • The Total harmonic distortion on the SB3 is less than -93.5dB (0.002%) and on the SBR is less than -88dB (0.002%).
  • The SB3 costs $299 and the SBR costs $149.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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