[slinkelist] Digital Audio server

[Tom Hammond-Doel]

A single server can store CD music whether compressed or not - so that can
satisfy those folks that hear the differences on compression/decompression
systems.  The whole point here is that it IS inevitable that music collections
will ultimately be stored on mediums other than CD.  It also will be possible
for software to do fading, mixing overlapping - you name it.  Whether it's a DSP
or a pure processor function, a simple Digital Audio Client (I haven't seen that
term before. Do I get credit?) can do the trick.

Subsequently, after music is stored on either a home local server or on an
internet accessible server that one may have to pay on a song-by-song basis
(marketing opportunity?), we still need an inexpensive Digital Audio Client (I'm
starting to like that term, the acronym is DAC - Digital to Analog Converter)
that can connect to either a 10BaseT, HPNA, or Bluetooth system.  Have multiple
versions of this DAC.  The simplest is 10BaseT+Preamp Line Out.  The most
complex could have a built-in amplifier, SPDIF, optical (my field), or
whatever.  Colby has already expanded his offerings to include a digital switch,
but these types of products are inevitable.  For all I know, they'll be here
tomorrow.  Did Comdex have anything like this?

Comments?

Schaaf John wrote:

> Don't forget that MP3's are compressed.  Even at 5 to 1 compression, 30 gig
> hard drives can be had for under $200 and you win over a $200 200 disc
> changer.  I know they can be had for under $200 also, just some numbers.  I
> compress MP3's at 10 to 1 and can't hear the difference so it comes out way
> cheaper.  Also, a hard drive can be accessed on a per song basis faster than
> your changer can change cd's.  You do however loose the ability to fade
> between tracks from different cd's if you have more than one changer.  You
> can also back your MP3's up onto cd-r's so if your data HD does blow up, you
> don't lose your collection and they will restore pretty quick (or use tape)
> and they are then also portable.
>
> Just more thoughts.
> I am really going back to work now.
>
> John
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shawn@sboyle.com [mailto:shawn@sboyle.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 9:14 AM
> To: slinkelist@nirvis.com
> Subject: Re: [slinkelist] Digital Audio server
>
> I think this depends on which direction Sony goes with their equipment. As
> long as they keep a two way interface, whether it's Control A1 or two way
> IR, or Firewire, or whatever, there will be a need for the hardware based
> Slink-e. Personally I will never give up my CD changers. Hard drives are
> fast, but it's all too easy to lose data. I'll still use MP3s to copy the
> occasional disc that I don't like enough to spend $15 on, but I'll keep the
> bulk of my music on nice, safe, cheap CDs. [If my math is right the cost/MB
> of CDs in a changer is much lower that of hard drives.]
>
> Then there's my Sony receiver and MD deck both of which I control with the
> Slink-e, and if Sony wakes up and gives it's next line of DVD changers the
> same Control A1II features that it's CD changers have, I'll be all set.
>
> I'm going to keep my little Slink-e box a part of my home theater setup for
> as long as I can.
>
> -Shawn
>
> On Thu, 16 November 2000, Brian Atkins wrote:
>
> >
> > no no no, what Colby has to realize is that with 180GB hard drives now
> > becoming available, he needs to work on ditching the whole hardware based
> > CDJ approach (i.e. slink-e and changers). He needs to come up with a way
> > to auto-rip CDs via changers into WAVs, and modify CDJ to work with those.
> > I want to get rid of my changers!!! (and I hate MP3 quality) I would
> gladly
> > pay for the CDJ software if it could do this.
> >
> > P.S. I am not sure if it is what you want, but look at shoutcast.com
> >
> > Tom Hammond-Doel wrote:
> > >
> > > Slightly off subject.
> > >
> > > Is there a REASONABLY priced digital audio server out there?  All the
> > > thing has to do is have an ethernet connection in and a decoded MP3
> > > audio out.  After that, even CDJ could control the thing with the
> > > correct interface placed on it.
> > >
> > > I've seen the Audiotron, DAS, and AudioRequest, but they're over spec'd
> > > and subsequently overpriced.
> > >
> > > Just a SIMPLE NETWORK MP3 PLAYER!  That's not too much to ask is it?  Is
> > > this another device I'm going to have to build myself (I'm a firmware
> > > engineer)?  For that matter, Colby, this seems like a prime project for
> > > you.  Want some help?  Throw a Net+Arm and MP3 decoder on a card, or use
> > > a PC104.  Seems pretty simple.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > slinkelist maillist  -  slinkelist@nirvis.com
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> >
> > --
> > Brian Atkins
> > Director, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence
> > http://www.singinst.org/
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > slinkelist maillist  -  slinkelist@nirvis.com
> > http://www.nirvis.com/mailman/listinfo/slinkelist
>
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