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Just read on the SLIMP3 software download page:

Mac OS X: Music purchased from the Apple Music Store (.m4p files) is protected and cannot be played back with SLIMP3 until Apple provides the necessary hooks to enable this. In the mean time, it is possible to burn your Apple Music Store songs to CD and re-rip them.

Bummer!

http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html

> If your MP3 server is a full-blown computer (as opposed to a
> NAS or WiFiNAS box), you can never put it to sleep because
> neither product can send Wake-On-LAN packets.

My main box never sleeps because its the PAR - Personal Audio Recorder. A now discontinued Dlink product (DSB-R100) is a USB-controlled FM radio tuner. Throw away the included software and use the freeware Radiator from Miroslav Flesko in the Czech republic.

It has a built-in scripting language that lets you do off-air radio recording. I always do .WAV recordings with post-record automated LAME encoding. Make that same directory available via the SLIMP3 and you can play almost any local radio show at the time YOU want.

This is especially useful if you like radio drama - never miss an episode, even when on vacation.

I tried both the Audiotron and Slimp3, and I don't think either one is ready for prime time yet. The user interfaces for operating them from the couch, without the TV on, are both pretty bad. The Slimp3 takes some cues from TiVo's horizontal scrolling menus, but just not easy enough to use. Especially if you have one song in your head that you want to hear - searching is a real pain. The Audiotron's scroll knob is helpful in this case, but it's not available on the remote!

For just playing background music on random, they're both OK. Neither product's display is large enough to read from more than about 10 feet away, but the Slimp3's is brighter.

The web interface for the Slimp3 is great. If you already have a WiFi laptop for couch surfing, the Slimp3 is an ideal solution. If not, the laptop becomes a very expensive, but necessary, remote control.

If your MP3 server is a full-blown computer (as opposed to a NAS or WiFiNAS box), you can never put it to sleep because neither product can send Wake-On-LAN packets.

I think it is going to take a product from Apple, B&O, or maybe Phillips to get the user interface right. I have a Series 1 TiVo, so I can't try the Home Media option, but I don't want to have to turn on the TV to listen to music anyway.

Wow! Lots of good suggestions. Thanks all. It's still looking like the SLIMP3 is the way to go for me though because a small form factor is essential and I don't have a TV in the same room as the stereo.

> Would it be poor form to suggest that the best solution
> for handling MP3s is a cheap PC?

Sometimes a workable solution. I assume you mean the "living room client", not the "basement server" portion of the system.

> Get a small form factor case, and stick a pentium-90 in
> it with Ethernet and/or 802.11, and an old 20$ ATI card
> with TV-out for navigation.

Fan noise is going to be an issue. I've yet to see a power supply fan that meets the expectations of low noise. You can get around that with silence focussed components, but the cost starts to go up.

Pentium 90 is likely a little low. I used to have to be careful setting up the decoding of MP3s on a P133. I think a P233 or better would be the minimum.

Alternatively, look to a new-but-cheap system, based on something like a mini-ITX form factor. If you can completely eschew video decoding, some of the Via processors can deliver audio-capable processing power while running fanless. Power supply will still be an issue, though.

After all this, though, you're going to spend more than just
getting a SLIMP3 in the first place. And you still don't have the remote control features, nor a dedicated display.

This no longer seems to be about just getting the job done at minimum cost. People want to get a higher degree of fit and finish, something that has a clean and neat appearance and operation.

All I can say is that I hope it has better range then their Aerocard. I can't get out of the same room as my wireless setup without losing signal. Keep the box handy for a return.

A setup that I've been *very* happy with because it works great (audio and mpeg video) and it uses my existing playstation 2. It consists of a server component (Java, so it runs on Linux/Mac/Win) which serves up the files to my networked PS2. You get playlist creation, ID3, etc. as well as the ability to play video. It's pretty low bandwidth and handles MP3 over my dicey WiFi link, but video only works well when it's wired. The software is called QCast and you get a CD for the server piece and a bootable PS2 CD to receive. $50. I was thrilled it actually works as advertised! http://www.broadq.com

Home Media Option on my Tivo with 802.11, wired to my stereo is letting me use my remote to choose mp3 playlists, albums, etc AND favorite iTunes internet stations on the big screen and finally getting all my music to my stereo... bliss.

If your MP3 sounds like crap, you're not making 'em right. Visit http://hydrogenaudio.org for info on how to make archival-quality mp3s.

...

Would it be poor form to suggest that the best solution for handling MP3s is a cheap PC? Get a small form factor case, and stick a pentium-90 in it with Ethernet and/or 802.11, and an old 20$ ATI card with TV-out for navigation. (assuming this is a living-room setup, otherwise there are a variety of cheap 3-7inch LCD display options)