We should point out that we suspect Philips device we tested may have had beta firmware. Why? Well, the menu has settings to access both pictures and video, which is a little curious on a music streamer. Philips recently announced a big brother to the NP1100, the NP2500, which offers same basic functionality but with a colour screen and some fancy sound-enhancement technology.
Set-up
None of these devices are going to tax the old grey matter too much when it comes to setting them up. The Philips and Roku devices are unbelievable simple: plug in, switch on, type in any needed Wi-Fi security codes and that's it. Done. With no need for instructions or an Ethernet cable.
Sonos' Controller Cradle (left) costs £30 extra. Logitech's is free with the remote
To be frank, the Sonos and Logitech aren't much more complex though both require some server software to be installed on your computer – Sonos Desktop for the Sonos, SqueezeCentre for the Logitech - while the Logitech's set-up menus are just a little less self-evident than those on the Sonos. The Logitech's enclosed Quick Start guide is rather poorly written and just a bit confusing, the downloadable full instructions being far more comprehensive and much easier to follow.
Round the back: Sonos' ZP90 (left) and ZP120
Connectivity
Both the Logitech and Sonos set ups come with all-singing, all-dancing wireless remote controls that allow you to navigate your media from anywhere in the house and play different music through different parts of the network.
The Sonos remote has long set the standard in this field, but we found the Logitech unit was easier and faster to use notwithstanding it only having a 2.4in as opposed to 3.5in screen. The Sonos remote lasted longer on a full charge but by way of compensation Logitech supply a stand/charger while Sonos want an extra £30 for the same.
COMMENTS
I am happy with my NP1100
As indicated in your review, set-up is simple for Roku and Philips. I have choosen the Philips because it was cheapest and didn't want to spend too much to test a new technology.
Result is I am very happy with my NP1100 which is quite nice and so easy to use. I am also amazed by the number of station available.
When I have plug-it in the first time, SW has been automatically updated and now BBC is working very well.
I really love this device which allow me to listen internet radio without PC and also all my MP3 on my Hi-Fi system.
Tks for your usefull comparizon.
Problems with Squeezecenter & Ubuntu
If your music sits on a Linux server, check that the Squeezecenter server software works on your machine before parting with your hard-earned cash on the Logitech offering.
There are known problems trying to get Squeezecenter 7.2 running on Ubuntu 8.04 and derivatives. The advice from Slimdevice's support team is limited to telling you to go and read the forums - thanks guys.
I for one have given up with this and am going to investigate the Sonos product.
Aren't these technically a violation of copyright?
After all it is making available to others. If they have a receiver and live close enough they could pick up your transmissions and GOD FORBID copy it onto a cassette tape, then encode it to FLAC (sarcasm).
Honestly though, surely there is a legal question about these devices. They duplicate the copyrighted works don't they. And transmit them to all and sundry.
Bloody Freetards, paying lots of money to make available copyrighted works. I think that you all should pay the artists, no the music labels on a per listen basis.
(....paytard)
Roku in Pinnacle disguise too
You can get a down market version of the Roku SoundBridge in Pinnacle clothing. DLNA compliant, I use a Buffalo NAS with a UPnP server built in. I generally use the web interface for all set-up as it's much easier than the remote, much better way to set up the radio streams. The Pinnacle version has an SD card slot for a local music library too.
I would avoid the Logitech
It's not DLNA compliant, and uses it's own propitery streaming system (something which if it were Sony doing this, would be dragged over coals for).
I like the idea of having the media info on the remote, but for the moment, my trusty Noxon2's work just fine.
