Ethernet MP3 Player

Erik Johansson writes: "You can now stream mp3s to your stereo, the guys at slimdevices seems to be building a bonafide ethernet mp3 player. There are some cool pictures of the soldering sweatshop, so perhaps it isn't vaporware?"

Ethernet stereos?

[nougatmachine]

If you already have ethernet cable strung through your house, wouldn't it just make more sense to connect your computer to the network, and then just listen to the mp3 files by connecting a stereo to that computer? Works fine for me, and it only costs $0.

But where is the Ogg Ethernet player?

[burtonator]

Sorry... but with the patent restrictions on MP3 I will skip it. Not unless they support Ogg.

Kevin

Re:The Rio Receiver

[dschuetz]

Problem with the Rio is you have to run a special Win32 app to stream to the thing. its not as flexbile as I would wish.

Actually, that's not necessarily true. Jeff Mock (http://www.mock.com/receiver/ [mock.com]) has hacked together a linux server for it. Basically, it's a bunch of mod_perl scripts for apache, along with a real simple perl server to answer the device's initial request.

That, and it runs linux, too (sort of). Basically, it spits out a DHCP request for an IP address, sends a broadcast request to a particular port to ask for servers (which is answered by the little perl server), and from there it learns of the IP address and TFTP directory of the server. It then NFS mounts a directory from that server, and reboots with the image it pulls from that directory. So, to upgrade it, just change the files in the server's directory. Real cool. Once running, everything (all artist, track lookups, and audio fetching) happens over HTTP on the fly.

They've even got a cross-compiler for it, so you can write some of your own programs, and a couple kernel hacks already. I'm waiting for someone to improve the UI a little -- it's good, but not quite all there. Maybe 80% perfect.

I got mine for, like, $150, on E-Bay. Also branded specifically by Rio, though the front panel looks much weirder.

There's also the AudioTron, which I looked at first, but that scans your net for SMB servers, then builds its own internal database. Lose power, lose the database, and you've got to re-scan all over again.

That and the display is impossible to read from across the room.

That I will give you. :(

I definitely recommend the Rio Receiver, though. I'd love to see more people hacking it, and improving it. I'm really amazed it hasn't been a bigger hit around here so far...

david.

Re:Too Neat for a Real Workshop - Photos

[starman97]

Hmmm. I see no static control at all, no wrist straps, no static mats, no ionizers, I hope the air conditioning is off when they build boards...

Thus the term 'sweatshop' Although the ionic contamination of the solder pads from sweat and skin oils wont help either...

Good luck to them...