Product ReviewsNetworks/Servers
The Squeezebox Duet differs from most media streamers in that it doesn't display track information. Instead, it comes with a separate handheld device on which you browse your PC's music collection. Your choices are then transmitted via your wireless network to the receiver, which is attached to your hi-fi. This may sound a bit Heath Robinson, but it's an excellent solution: there's no need to squint at a small screen on the receiver to see what's playing, and you can control your music from any room. The transmitter looks like a cross between a remote control and a swanky DECT phone, with shiny black casing and a bright 2.4 inch full colour screen. It has a scroll wheel similar to that of the first generation iPod, which unfortunately makes for unresponsive, clunky music browsing; it also froze occasionally during testing. It's rechargeable, and sits in a nicely
The small and comparatively anonymous receiver unit has both analogue and digital outputs to suit any hi-fi. By adding multiple receivers, you can stream the same music across several rooms or listen to different tracks in each. These cost £99 each, though, so streaming music to two rooms is an expensive affair at nearly £400 in total. Setup was straightforward. Once the receiver is hooked up to your hi-fi, you register your device with the Duet web portal and enter the code you're given on the handheld transmitter. A number of online music services are offered through this portal, including a huge selection of free Internet radio stations, which can be accessed even when your PC is switched off. There's also a selection of paid-for services; MusicLocker, for example, lets you upload your music to the web and then stream it through your Squeezebox to anywhere in the world where there's a wireless connection. This costs around £20 per year for 50GB of space. All the main audio file formats are supported, although DRM-protected files can't be played, so if you have copy protected tracks from services like iTunes you'll have to go through the hassle of converting them to MP3 (for example by burning them to CD and ripping back) to use them with your Duet. The Duet is a fun idea, and we couldn't fault its sound quality, but at this price we'd like fewer flaws. By Andy Zarkesh SPECIFICATIONS:
Network 802.11b/gWiFi · 10/100 Ethernet 2.4in backlit colour TFT Requires Broadband Internet connection
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