I'm quite excited about the new controller, which is odd considering how many times I've argued the benefit of the SB3/IR-Remote combo over the Sonos graphical remote/dumb player configuration. I suppose most of my argument was based on the fact that for the price of the Sonos remote alone, I could buy two SB3s (which I did!).
I used to say that there was no logic to having two players in separate areas that could be listened to by two people independently, if you only had one remote (costing a fortune) that you then had to 'share' (e.g. you set up your playlist then I'll take the remote in the other room and set up mine). So therefore the cheaper Squeezebox solution, with each player having its own remote and display was not only cheaper, but better too. However since moving from running SS6.x on my ReadyNAS (which served the SlimSever web interface like a dog, but was fine for the two SB3s using their remotes) to sticking a cheap PC in the cupboard running SC7 on Ubuntu Server (still using the NAS to store the tracks) I have to say that more and more I like to lay on the sofa with my laptop doing web 'stuff' and pulling up the fantastic SC7 web interface to change what's playing on the SB3. I can browse all my album art and any commands (add, play, pause, skip, etc.) appear instant on the Squeezebox. Also the fact that I can also instantly control the music in the other room, or outside on the patio (SoftSqueeze headless running on the Server too) gives me a feeling of mystical power, whereas pointing an IR remote at a bit of kit in the same room just feels normal and old hat. So my point is I'm now starting to appreciate the cool factor of the Sonos remote, whereby you are 'magically' controlling the music in your home from a colour screen and friendly interface in front of your face, not squinting at a 320x32 pixel VFD across the room and pointing a 20th century technology IR remote at it. And what good timing, that as I reach this revelation SD release the new controller, which is not only sleeker than the Sonos controller, but at less than half the price, and it's my birthday at the end of the month! :-D -- rickwookie ------------------------------------------------------------------------ rickwookie's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6397 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=41813 _______________________________________________ discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
