Setting my music free

I've been researching multimedia solutions that would allow the sharing of mp3 music files I have on my PC to different areas of my house. The music I have just isn't being put to maximum use and the technology exists now to rectify that situation. I've been looking at 2 contenders: The Sonos system (pictured) and the Roku Soundbridge system.

The Sonos system revolves around a complex remote control device that manages every piece of the Sonos system. The idea is that you can buy 2 different Sonos modules. One only requires speakers to play your music collection, the other requires an amp and speakers. But while one module connects to your home network (to access the music on your PC), the other modules (you can have many) are put in any location where you'd want to listen to music. Each module acts as a wireless peer repeater, which means that each module can assist in getting the
music streamed to whatever device you're listening on, even if other modules are playing other songs at the same time (this is known as mesh networking for those of you in the know). It's quite a system, but because it's so complex, it costs a few bucks. The starter system is worth $1200, which gets you the remote and 2 modules, one with amplifier and one without. The only flaw I see with the Sonos system (besides the price) is that every module is controlled by the same single remote [edit] unless you get more remotes. So if you have 2 or more people listening to different modules at the same time, only one person can be controlling those modules. That could get hairy [edit] unless you get additional remotes. A Sonos user also commented that an advantage of the Sonos system is that you don't actually have to 'see' your player to make a change - thank you anonymous.....

The Roku Soundbridge system is a bit different. There is really only one type of module and it has no amplifier, so you need an amp and speakers to use it. The Soundbridge can hook to your network via built in wireless (B or G) or a network cable. But each Soundbridge is independant, with its own remote. You can have more than one, the maximum determined by what software you're serving out your music collection with on your PC. Windows Media Connect allows for 10 Soundbridges. The Soundbridge is not as easy to set up as the Sonos system and your networking skills will be put to the test to get it functioning, especially with Wireless. Each
Soundbridge is worth $250, so starting up with Roku is much cheaper than the Sonos solution, which is why I decided to give it a try.

More on the Roku Soundbridge experience in my next post.