[REY]

 
I understand that the squeezbox needs a pc for the initial set up,  but what if my music is stored not in the pc itself but in a external hard drive connected to my network, would I still need to have my laptop on in order to access my library?

[Bob in St. Louis]

I'm all about having a SB, but am unable to answer your question. I've got a PC in between an external harddrive, but I think there's more information we'd need to determine if your existing rig would support a SB.
I assume your network has some for of UI that's assessed by a PC/laptop?
If so, you should be fine as long. A Due SB would be easier to use that a "traditional" SB.

I'm rambling, but I think what you've got will work. You do need to occasionally have access to a PC, but to use the SB for listening, all you need is a server (the drive), a network, and a front end.

Hope that helps.....in some small insignificant way. 
 
Bob

[Wayne1]

The SqueezeBox is a slim device. It does not have enough memory or processing power to run SqueezeServer by itself. SqueezeServer is the program the does all the work.

If you want to play music from a hard drive you need to use something with a decent processor. Some people have been able to use a NAS drive. It most cases you need to have a PC with SqueezeServer loaded on it to use the SqueezeBox. It you just want to play internet radio, then the PC can stay off but you will need to have your router on.

[firedog]

You need either a PC or server of some kind with Squeezebox Server software installed. Any device, even an ATOM powered netbook will do.

Some external NAS can run the server software - check the slimdevices forums, where there is extensive discussion of this. There is an official version of the SB Server written for Netgear Ready NAS.

[ctviggen]

NAS?  Network accessible something?

[mcgsxr]

Network attached storage.

[Regalma]

If you are not very computer savvy and don't have infiinite patience I would stay away from trying to set up the NAS as the server.

I use a laptop to run SqueezeCenter and have used a NAS for my library. Mostly it works but there are problems if ou turn off the laptop. You can lose your library (not the actual files). I have switched away from that. A USB hard drive holding the library connected to the laptop is much more robust. Another idea is to wait for their new Touch, coming soon. You can connect a USB drive directly to that. Being new you will risk major frustrations. No one has ever accused SlimDevices of bringing out products that are fully debugged

One caveat about the Squeeze Box. They are continuously bringing out new versions of the software. People very often "upgrade" just to spend countless hours getting back to where they were. Squeeze Center/Squeeze Network is not for the faint of heart. Don't let their hype fool you.

That being said I have been running a Squeeze Box for years and love it..........most of time. But everytime I change something there is usually a big price to pay. I now refuse to change the version of software I am using.

Go to the SlimDevices forums. That will give you a sample of what I am talking about. 

[richidoo]

I understand that the squeezbox needs a pc for the initial set up,  but what if my music is stored not in the pc itself but in a external hard drive connected to my network, would I still need to have my laptop on in order to access my library?

Yes, you need a PC to run the "Squeezebox Server" software (formerly SqueezeCenter and before that Slimserver.)  Squeezebox, Duet and Transporter all require their own external server software to access music files stored on your network. If you shut off the server the music stops. They can however access internet radio without Squeezebox Server.  The new server software is too big to run on a consumer nas appliance. I have ReadyNas and I stick to older smaller slimserver software for my one remaining Squeezebox.  On the PC, the software can be run as a service instead of an application, so as long as the PC is running then the Squeezebox Server will be functioning, no matter who is logged in, or even if nobody is logged in.  The PC cannot be in sleep mode or hibernating, it has to be ON.

Sonos network player has an internal server software so it does not require a separate PC to be running. Any normal cheapo NAS fileserver can serve music files to Sonos. It is great in every way except price and sound quality. Factor in the cost of a server PC and it is the same as Duet or Squeezebox, but I think they sound a little better than stock Sonos.

None of these players (except Transporter) were designed for excellent audio quality. Squeezebox and Duet are still better than Sonos, but not much. Even the transporter sounds kinda flat. Most computer audiophiles use the network player only as a digital transport, to feed a good external DAC.

If you've never used computer audio, then you are in for a big treat, even if you have to run the PC or don't have a DAC. You can do those later. It's the music that counts and network players can really enhance your listening enjoyment.
Rich

[REY]

  :DThanks for the info guys, now and after reading some in the slimdevices forums everything makes more sense, I do have a external dac (pear audio) that I put together that actually has a USB input but for some reason if I plugged my laptop directly through USB there are some clicks on both channels, the same happens with my wife's notebook, I dont know if it is the harddrive spinning or fans, who knows, so I am looking for alternatives, so that SB touch would be able to read from a  external harddrive? That sounds very interesting! When is the release date?

[adydula]

REY,

I have on on pre-order via Amazon. The availability I got from Logitech is late December.

You will be able to attach a USB drive to is and be connected to the PC via wireless or ethernet cable at the same time...is what they told me.

I plan on just running the Touch with the usb drive, no pc, no noise etc...hope it works!!

Alex