http://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:49:34 -0000http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-cablecard-usb-microsoftWe don't have a ton of info on this, but DISH Network was demoing a cool new technology that made use of Windows 7 Media Center and integrates Dual HD Tuners via USB. What's so interesting about this is that it bypasses the ridiculous CableCARD format in favor of using the existing USB standard. What? Bypass an all-but-failed CableCARD format for a standard already used and which takes up less space and can be more easily integrated into existing equipment? That's preposterous. Apparently, someone over at DISH Network (and Microsoft) are putting on their thinking caps and doing some real innovation in terms of bringing DISH to Windows Media Center.Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:49:34 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-cablecard-usb-microsoftDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast2The new MusicCAST2 introduces a completely new MusicCAST system redesigned from the ground up. The system consists of three different products, the MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander remote, the MCX-P200 Pre-amp Network Music Player, and the MCX-A300 Amplified Network Music Player. It gives you access to Rhapsody, Internet radio, or tracks stored on your computer (up to 16 on a network), USB sticks, and Bluetooth devices (with additional BlueTooth receiver). iTunes is supported as well as MP3, WMA (no lossless or PRO), AAC (no Apple lossless or FairPlay DRM), FLAC and WAV audio files.Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:20:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast2Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/linksys-cisco-premier-kit-wirelessCisco seems to understand the need to expand and grow. Needs change; we are not the same person we were 10 years ago, or even last year. If I want a house be full of music one day, and the next, I just want to listen to music on my headphones, then so be it. That progressive adaptability is what the Linksys Wireless Music System provides. Linksys takes some of the latest wireless technology, asks you where you want music, and then responds, "I can do that."Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:56:28 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/linksys-cisco-premier-kit-wirelessDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-vip-722-dvr-1DISH Network brings an interesting take on the DVR with the ViP 722 satellite receiver. This DVR is a dual-tuner, two-TV receiver that allows 55 hours of high definition record time, or 350 hours of standard definition (or a combination of both). What's helpful about this receiver is that it comes with an RF remote control that enables non-line-of-sight control of the unit from other rooms. This means that while the HD tuner is used in one room, the system can be controlled elsewhere - like in a bedroom.Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:20:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-vip-722-dvr-1Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/vtech-is9181VTech's new IS9181 is attempting to hit the market as a "high end audio solution" for less than $200. The device also serves as a music hub and enables consumers to play Internet radio selections, stream music libraries stored on their computers (PC/Mac-compatible) and connect any digital audio player using the line-in cord provided.Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:50:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/vtech-is9181Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/aurora-v-tune-pro-hdAurora Multimedia Corp is now shipping the V-Tune Pro HD, the latest in the company's long history of TV tuners. So why do you care? Well, if you have a legacy system it pretty much does everything including decoding just about every video codec plus is IP-based, has HDMI and coxial outputs, and has all the tuners you need. Why don't you care? IT COSTS $1300!?! Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:40:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/aurora-v-tune-pro-hdDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/toshiba-cell-tvToshiba again talked about its upcoming Cell TV technology which utilizes the IBM/Sony PowerPC-based Cell processor to allow for advanced video processing and frame interpolation o both standard definition and high definition content. There is a lot being talked about, and a working demo on the show floor, however now they are claiming that this will be shipping in 2009! Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:43:40 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/toshiba-cell-tvDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/samsung-mr-00ea1The Samsung MR-00EA1 Extender for Media Center has its good and bad points. Rather than looking at the specs, however, I recommend you think about the kind of end-user you are. If you are worried about maximizing features and trying to eek every bit of performance out of your Media Center, this might not be the product for you. But if you are a casual user that is just looking for a way of getting you content from your Vista computer to your Samsung display, the MR-00EA1 might be the right choice.Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:25:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/samsung-mr-00ea1Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-squeezebox-boomThis week, Logitech unveiled its new Squeezebox Boom all-in-one network music player. The system, which is not portable so much as it is self-contained, features an integrated 30-watt Class-D amplifier and speakers - a first for the Squeezebox family. Logitech is betting that the network music player will be the CD player of the 21st century. Now that Squeezebox has successfully added its SqueezeNetwork service, users can actually listen to Internet radio and other web-based music services without an active PC networked in their home. Adding a PC with the free SlimServer software also means that you can listen to all of your music (including those on iTunes) anywhere in your home.Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:01:06 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-squeezebox-boomDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/roku-netflix-playerImagine a magic box that cost only $99 and gave you access to a decent library of DVD-quality movies and TV shows anywhere, anytime and without any monthly fees. You could take it on vacation, move it from room to room, or just connect it to the biggest TV in your house and enjoy. That's the Roku Netflix player in a nutshell. Of course there are some caveats - and this certainly isn't going to be a perfect fit for everyone - but we'll tear it apart and discover who may rank this with the second coming, and who may find it completely insignificant.Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:59:48 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/roku-netflix-playerDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-squeezebox-duetThe Logitech Squeezebox Duet is probably one of the coolest and best products I've ever reviewed. Sure, it's a little buggy right now but that is to be expected this close to launch. The fact remains that once the bugs are worked out, you'll be left with one of the coolest remotes, the neatest streaming services, and best way to get high quality content from your computer to your home theater… wirelessly! Thu, 15 May 2008 01:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-squeezebox-duetDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/panasonic-comcast-p-dvr-tzlc100Panasonic and Comcast Corporation unveiled the industry’s first Portable DVR/DVD player powered by tru2way technology at the CES. The Comcast/Panasonic co-branded AnyPlay Portable DVR (P-DVR) will let Comcast customers record programming at home and take it with them wherever they go. The P-DVR will be available beginning in early 2009.Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:31:42 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/panasonic-comcast-p-dvr-tzlc100Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/d-link-dsm-750Microsoft was touting a number of media center extenders (other than the Xbox 360) at CES this year. The DSM-750 from D-Link features dual-band wireless Draft 802.11n technology for fast Wi-Fi performance, making the wireless streaming of high-definition (HD) video possible. It also offers content from more than 21 providers - including sports, movies and other entertainment. The box as small as a DVD player and seems to have the performance to match. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:15:55 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/d-link-dsm-750Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/microsoft-home-serverWhile the home servers are nothing new, Microsoft's new method of introducing them to your child certainly is. "Mommy, why is there a server in the house" children's book was eye opening to us on a lot of levels. First of all, how does someone (no matter their age) call a server a server without knowing what it does? Second, why does the child sound so scared?Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:56:03 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/microsoft-home-serverDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-vip-722-dvrThe slightly updated Dish Network ViP722 HD-DVR was on hand for our viewing pleasure and we noted that the primary improvement was in the storage department. The new ViP722 is MPEG-4 (and MPEG-2) compatible and stores around 55 hours of 1080i or 720p HD video and a whopping 350 hours of standard definition programming. That's like 16 seasons of House! They added the ability to add a second USB-connected Hard drive externally for almost unlimited storage. For users who really like to archive, this means you could theoretically buy cheap drives and swap them out as you go...Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:14:49 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-vip-722-dvrDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-dvr-converterWe got a sneak peek at the as-yet-unnamed DVR converter system that Dish plans on rolling out later this year. While they didn't have a lot of information on the product, the system is essentially a device which transforms any non-DVR product into a DVR system. It was contained in a Maxtor-branded external enclosure which, when paired with a Dish receiver, enables digital video recording of program material. It will allow all of the DishDVR features, including 30-second skip fast forward and reverse. It will of course, record and play back shows form the program guide - but a bonus feature is that it extends 2-day program guide systems to 9-days.Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:09:06 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/dish-network-dvr-converterDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/squeezebox-duet-network-music-systemLogitech annouced the release of their new and improved Squeezebox Duet network music system, which allows people to access and listen to the music they in any room of their home. The new Squeezebox Duet system offers an innovative controller, which includes a full-color LCD screen, and a compact receiver which enables people to wirelessly browse, select and play their digital music on their existing stereo speakers anywhere in the home – even when their computer is off.Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:38:56 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/squeezebox-duet-network-music-systemDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/escient-vision-seriesEscient stunned us by showing off its highly anticipated Vision Series Media Management products which will begin shipping in February, 2008. These new products provide users with the ability to play and import all their movies, videos, music, and photos using the front-panel drive and home network. If you read between the lines you'll see why we might be excited. It looks like the days of including a DVD changer in an Escient system may be over. The Vision Series products including two versions of an all-in-one server/player, ModelsVS-100 and VS-200, as well as the VC-1 networked audio/video zone player. All ship with HDMI 1.3 and there is also the large-capacity VX-600 media server which removes the need for an external DVD changer. All told, the new system provides consumers with an elegant new solution for managing, accessing and enjoying movies and music throughout the home, all via the intuitive Escient interface.Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:05:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/escient-vision-seriesDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-wireless-djLogitech has their fingers in so many pots it sometimes seems really hard to put them in a category. All things wireless seems to fall under their domain but there are plenty of other products including speakers, remotes, keyboards, webcams, and gaming peripherals. So when I received the Wireless DJ Music System I had two questions - the second spurred by the first. The first was "What the heck is this thing?" and, once I found out I said, "Hey, aren't these the same people that recently purchased the Squeezebox?" The Wireless DJ System is, in essence, a device that streams music and Internet radio from your computer to your home theater. While there are plenty of devices that do this (including Logitech's own Squeezebox) the Wireless DJ has enough unique qualities that it more than holds its own in very full market.Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:37:37 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-wireless-djDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/impact-acoustics-multi-function-converterThe first thing I thought when I saw the Impact Acoustics Multi-Function Converter with Tuner and Picture-in-Picture was, “Wow, that’s a mouth full!” I knew two things, first, that I had no idea what it was and what it did, and two, that there had to be a better name. Well, I now know what it is but I can’t say I’ve come up with a better name. In short the MFCwT&PnP (I don’t think that acronym is going to catch on) stands between your computer and your display. When activated, it mutes the volume from your computer, overlays a TV signal on your display, and sends the audio to your speakers. But how well does it work?Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:07:38 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/impact-acoustics-multi-function-converterDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/slim-devices-transporter-digital-music-player-reviewI hate CD players. They're bulky and they typically play only 1-5 discs at a time - unless you get a CD changer and that's like getting the family pack at Krystal - it isn't about quality. We're no strangers to Slim Devices Digital Network Music Players. In fact, we've reviewed both the second and third iterations of the Squeezebox Digital Music Players. This product is more than I would have expected - or even hoped for - a completely tricked-out Squeezebox with dual displays, upgraded DAC, and enough functionality to serve as the true powerhouse in any "analogue-is-my-friend" system. But can this new "Cadillac" model really replace your CD player?Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:07:38 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/slim-devices-transporter-digital-music-player-reviewDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/miglia-tvmini-hdHello, I’m a Mac. And many of you are probably a PC. And while I am sure that some of you PCs have tinkered with a HTPC or even purchased a media center system based on Microsoft’s Windows Media Center operating system, there are still many Mac users who also happen to be TV enthusiasts who have not yet mixed HDTV with their personal computers. The TVMini HD system is a very simple and effective way to add high-def TV to your Macintosh. The system promises to allow you the ability to watch, pause, rewind and skip forward live HDTV, as well as the ability to schedule, record and edit your favorite shows. Miglia recently sent me the system to try out, and I am here to tell you it delivers. Within minutes of opening the box, I was watching full screen HDTV on my widescreen MacBook Pro laptop. Like most software and hardware developed for the Mac OS, it comes out of the box working.Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/miglia-tvmini-hdDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/vidabox-slimWhen I was contacted by Steven Cheung, one of the co-founders of VidaBox, about reviewing one of their units, I was less than thrilled. I’d already reviewed a machine running MCE (Microsoft Media Center Edition) so I didn’t see what the big deal could be. But as I browsed their site and looked a little closer, I saw some unexpected things. First, there was a media center the size of a shoebox. Second, there was one that looked like a DVD player. But mostly what I noticed was the severe lack of configurations available. Wait a second, I thought, aren’t these just PCs? Aren’t they able to be configured however you want? It seems that VidaBox has taken a different tact. Rather than letting the user slap together whatever accessories and options they want and hope that everything meshes together the way it should, they pre-configure the system and test it extensively to make sure it is stable and solid out of the box. Supposedly, these means that once you set up the system, it should need little to no maintenance. No unexpected crashes, no driver conflicts, just solid performance. You know, the kind of performance you’d expect from a DVD player or a receiver. Well, we’ll just see about that.Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/vidabox-slimDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/qsonix-q100Music managers seem to be the wave of the future. Every product seems to claim some sort of music management system no matter how rudimentary. It also seems that the more of these reviews I do, the more often I get comments like, “Yeah but you can do all that with your computer.” My answer has always been – but how well? I don’t care if you can store 5 billion albums on your modded PC. If it crashes all the time, takes forever to access your library, and you can only listen to it from your office it is useless. In my opinion, the most important part of a server of any kind is that it works – every time.Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/qsonix-q100Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/olive-symphonyServers… they don’t just bring you your food anymore. Nope, now they’ve got to bring you your music and movies and just about everything else you can think of. When the Olive box arrived on my doorstep, it was just after my newest son was born and I thought, “Oh, that’s nice, a salad bowl or something.” Those thoughts were quickly dispelled the minute I picked it up. This was one heavy salad bowl! I’ve done enough of these reviews that I kind of know what to expect. It should burn. It should rip. It should give you a choice of formats when ripping. It should give you configurable playlists. It should stream Internet Radio? Hold on, wait a minute, that’s not usually part of the package!Thu, 20 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/olive-symphonyDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/slim-devices-squeezebox-v3-digital-music-player-reviewWe already did a review of the Squeezebox2 music server which we found to be incredibly versatile and scored high marks for ease of use and quality of music playback. The goal of the Squeezebox is to eliminate the need for a huge physical CD collection. With Squeezebox, users can rip their CDs to a hard disc in one of the lossless formats and play it back through the high fidelity Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC. The Squeezebox v3 is functionally and internally identical to the Squeezebox2, but features a brand new enclosure that has completely redesigned the unit for a more “stunning” look. Instead of a geeky looking black box that does wonders, the unit now has the look of a polished product that can go head to head with the big boys. Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/slim-devices-squeezebox-v3-digital-music-player-reviewDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/2partsfusion-dms-701I'm not going to lie to you; the thing that excited me most about the reviewing the 2partsfusion DMS-701 was the ability to record TV. I know, I know, lots of stuff can do that for a lot less money but ever since I moved out of LA, I've been without the ability and I've missed it terribly. Plus, with a pregnant wife that is chronically tired and about to pop, I needed some way to reliably record 24 and Scrubs. Hey, you've got to have your priorities. 2partsfusion is really marketing their products to the more "hands on" and computer literate among us. While the Escient Fireball DVDM-300 retails for more than you can get a fully loaded DMS-701 with a 3-year warranty, 2partsfusion are really targeting different consumers. 2partsfusion is looking to help someone take the hassle out of building their own HTPC from scratch. And to that end, they are a great success. Tue, 28 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/2partsfusion-dms-701Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast-mcx-2000-digital-music-serverThe Yamaha MusicCAST MCX-2000 is a dream come true to anyone looking for an easy to use, intelligent file management and server solution for their music database. It will be the hit at any of your social gatherings or parties and although unobtrusive in appearance, will make itself known to your guests when they hear all of the great songs, interruption free, you selected for your playlists. Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast-mcx-2000-digital-music-serverDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/escient-dvdm-300HTPCs have made some headway moving from the den into the living room in recent years. Many who have created their own movie management system understand the difficulties inherent in integrating a functional movie/music management system, much less a user friendly one. Oodles of wires, keyboards, hours organizing and managing the system are all common occurrences. Enter the Escient FireBall DVDM-300. An "all in one"movie and music management/storage solution designed to take the headaches out of the HTPC and create a functional, user friendly environment that EVERYONE in the family can enjoy.Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/escient-dvdm-300Digital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/motorola-homesight-home-monitoring-and-security-systemMotorola is not a name traditionally associated with custom home installation products. However, a company well-known for its networking and communications hardware & software is more suited for this market than people may think. When I first heard of the Motorola homesight system I was hit by the overall impression - "well that makes a lot of sense." I mean, why should a company so good at making network hardware not apply that knowledge towards home monitoring and control?Thu, 20 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/motorola-homesight-home-monitoring-and-security-systemDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/slim-devices-squeezebox2-review-using-the-systemSince the introduction of their SLIMP3 system in 2001, Slim Devices has captured the hearts of audio enthusiasts everywhere by producing affordable, scalable solutions that focus solely on audio. Their newest development, the Squeezebox v2, is the next product from a company that appears to be focused on continually improving its product platform. The Squeezebox2 is not a video server, it doesn't display your photos or have TV outputs for on-screen display. It focuses solely on serving audio to an external powered system, whether located in your office, bedroom, or home theater. In addition, the Squeezebox v2 seems dedicated to maximizing audio quality and providing a flexible interface that has room to grow and adapt to new formats.Wed, 06 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/slim-devices-squeezebox2-review-using-the-systemDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/sonos-digital-music-system-reviewI've utilized several music server systems in my tenure at Audioholics and have built and rebuilt several HTPCs to boot. As such, I've developed a feel and opinion for what makes many of these systems stand apart from the others as well as for which features are important. The Sonos Digital Music System, in a nutshell, is one of the more progressive and user-friendly systems I've seen.Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/sonos-digital-music-system-reviewDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast-2000-first-lookIn the digital age we live in, where we have wireless growing out our noses, it was only a matter of time before manufacturers started to produce wireless music server systems to distribute whole house audio. While the Yamaha MusicCAST system isn’t the first to step up to the plate, Yamaha has added unique feature sets currently not found on other product solutions. In preparation for our detailed review, we conducted a mini First Look / FAQ article to whet your appetite.Mon, 03 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast-2000-first-lookDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast-1000-digital-music-serverWhen Yamaha offered us the opportunity to review their new MusicCAST Digital Audio server and client system, I jumped on the opportunity. Having built a home theater PC and having been a fan of MP3 audio as a storage mechanism and playback format, Yamaha's solution of an easy-to-use set top MP3 and PCM audio server seemed a timely solution. It might, I thought, even be an evolutionary step into the world of CD audio archival and playback. It is no big surprise that the falling prices of hard disks and increasing processor speed would make CD archival and playback a viable format, but with regards to the masses, an easy-to-use solution would be necessary.Tue, 30 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/digital-media-servers/yamaha-musiccast-1000-digital-music-serverDigital Media ServersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/alienware-high-definition-media-serverThe just announced Alienware High Definition Media Server got our attention for a number of reasons. Sure, it's Alienware which, though bought out by Dell, has long been associated with high (priced) quality computer builds. But it's also because of the hot-swappable RAID 5 drive bays. The HD Media Server come standard with 250GB x 4 but can be ungraded all the way to 4TBs. The unit can control up to four TV tuners and provide remote access to your media. Oh, and did we mention HDMI and 7.1 analogue outputs? /reviews/digital-media-servers/alienware-high-definition-media-serverDigital Media ServersPro Reviews