View Full Version : I don't understand this device
Hi,
I got slimbox v3 black as a present but don't understood this device. I simply don't understand why I would need it. Possibly,I don't understand the offering here so please help me.
I got it out of the box, connected it to my DSL wireless routers' free ethernet port. An IP address assigned by DHCP server in the router. Fine up to now.
Now, as I understand, I can connect to slimnetwork and listed to internet radio? Well I can't connect and no firewall is setup in my router. What could be the problem?
Secondly, how will slimbox "see" my music collection in my laptop? If it is through the network, do I need to setup some networking stuff in my laptop? My 2 laptops cannot see each other at the moment although connected to the same router, hence my confusion?
After all this, to play my mp3 collection, my laptop needs to be on right? Now what I don't get is, why do I need a slimbox for all these? Can windows media player not play my mp3's and access internet radio? I just don't get it.....
I am not trying to undermine the hardware, I just want to understand. Dont get me wrong. Help please!!!
Mark Lanctot
2007-05-08, 06:26
Start here:
http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?BeginnersGuide
> I got it out of the box, connected it to my DSL wireless routers' free
> ethernet port. An IP address assigned by DHCP server in the router.
You might give us some more detail about your network configuration (ip
addresses, netmask, DNS) of your different devices: PC, SB3, router.
> Now, as I understand, I can connect to slimnetwork and listed to
> internet radio? Well I can't connect and no firewall is setup in my
> router. What could be the problem?
Hard to say without the additional information.
> Secondly, how will slimbox "see" my music collection in my laptop? If
> it is through the network, do I need to setup some networking stuff in
> my laptop?
You'll need to download and install SlimServer from
http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html
> After all this, to play my mp3 collection, my laptop needs to be on
> right?
Yes.
> Now what I don't get is, why do I need a slimbox for all these?
- You don't want your laptop sitting on top of your hifi
- you want to be able to select your music sitting on the couch, using a
simple to use remote control
- you want better sound quality than your laptop can deliver
- you don't want any computer near your living room
- you want to know the current avalanche situation in the Swiss alps
without starting your web browser (thanks to one of numerous plugins out
there ;-))
Once you've set it up and running you'll see a lot more reasons, believe
me.
--
Michael
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.herger.net/SlimCD - your SlimServer on a CD
http://www.herger.net/slim - AlbumReview, Biography, MusicInfoSCR
nicketynick
2007-05-08, 06:44
There is one key thing that you don't mention in your posting - have you plugged the SB3 into a stereo? That's the whole point, it gets the music from the internet/network to a stereo, probably in a totally different (and not previously 'networked') area!
You lucky duck - I wish someone would buy me another SB3!
After all this, to play my mp3 collection, my laptop needs to be on right? Now what I don't get is, why do I need a slimbox for all these?
I'm not sure if this is just a rant, or if you actually need help with wireless networking (not my specialty), but I'll address the rant.
Firstly, most people call it a music server, not a laptop. If it's a server it can feed more than one squeezebox, which is handy because it keeps you from needing a windows environment in each room. Not having it in the same room reduces the noise, so you can use a very cheap (nearly worthless) machine, tucked away in the garage, to feed all your squeezeboxes. Now your laptop is free to be a remote control web interface that can be used in all the rooms, or from the coffee shop. Even better, you can use an actual real hand-held remote control, instead of pecking at the laptop.
Then there is sound quality. Computers are noisy, and unless you have a really good sound card will couple the dirty PC and the sound system. The bits will get there fine, but the timing information will likely suffer jitter from the noisy PC. The squeezebox is ideal in that it pulls the info over TCP (with error correction), buffers it, and plays it back based on the local clock rather than the clock in a cheap soundcard. All of which I'm sure you couldn't care less about :-)
Once you get it sorted you'll probably love it.
Ok, I think I am starting to understand this device. Main advantages I see are
- remote control + plug ins. If you have desktops instead of laptop and you want music in your rooms, then it is good. IT is also expandable.
- sound quality (I got harman kardon soundsticks connected and also a logitech z5500 lying around somewhere unused)
Now my current setup is this without SB3, very simple
2 laptops connected wirelessly to my netgear router, which is a modem router with 4 ethernet ports and wireless. Ip addresses are assigned by the router, which starts from 10.0.0.0 and goes on. SB3 gets 10.0.0.7 when I connect to the router, but then hangs when connecting to slimnetwork.
As I said I had hard time connecting my laptops to each other via the router but I think it is because I cannot create a workgroup in my work laptop due to office network config.
Sometimes I connect my PS2 and other devices to the ethernet ports but I unplugged them to keep this simple.
Ip addresses are assigned by the router, which starts from 10.0.0.0 and goes on. SB3 gets 10.0.0.7 when I connect to the router, but then hangs when connecting to slimnetwork.
The router itself needs an IP Address and should probably be 10.0.0.1 with a suitable netmask (255.255.255.0 would be more than enough). Without DNS (from your ISP) and a default route no wonder the SB hangs when trying to connect to the SqueezeNet. These would be set in your router. I don't thinka workgroup is required, though it does make it easier?
Yes, router is setup correctly. The router is 10.0.0.1 and I have laptops getting assigned 0.2, 0.3 so on. I can connect to internet, no probs there. The problem is getting slimbox to connect to slimnetwork and talking to my laptop to get the mp3's.
Now, how can I check if laptop and sb3 sees each other.
Mark Lanctot
2007-05-08, 07:52
The problem is getting slimbox to connect to slimnetwork and talking to my laptop to get the mp3's.
Check DNS and gateway. See http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?NetworkProblemsBeginnersGuide
Now, how can I check if laptop and sb3 sees each other.
You can ping the SB3 address from the laptop by typing "ping 10.0.0.7" from the command line (Start - Programs - Command Prompt) but that will only say if they can see each other on a basic level. To do anything useful, you need to install SlimServer.
brucegrr
2007-05-08, 08:51
I hope you realize your "don't get this device" is not a good way to start when asking for advice. Lots of great people on these forums. Great advice. Patient people i.e. no one has told you so far that you are a troll :) But........telling the girl she is ugly and fat and then asking her out for a date usually doesn't go well.
Curious? Did you read the install directions that came with the Squeezebox? Did you follow them? Are you SURE the router doesn't have a firewall? Do you have a software firewall? In XP it is turned on by default.
Perhaps you could post ALL of your network /router settings? Only takes one to be wrong to stop up the process.
The Squeezebox can be finicky at times but every problem I have ever had was ultimately resolved. Patience is key. With any wireless product there are numerous points where failure can occur.
Bruce
Ok. will try all these when I get home. Thanks for all the replies so far. I will keep you posted with the results.
I may ebay it though if I think it is too much for me. I have less than 50 mp3s on my laptop anyway...It sounds like overkill for me given my lack of interest in music.
nicketynick
2007-05-08, 09:14
Ok. will try all these when I get home. Thanks for all the replies so far. I will keep you posted with the results.
I may ebay it though if I think it is too much for me. I have less than 50 mp3s on my laptop anyway...It sounds like overkill for me given my lack of interest in music.
Well, if it's not your thing, just leave a note here - it'll be gone in a hurry.
It sounds like overkill for me given my lack of interest in music.
I would agree, if you're not very interested in music, although there are lots of news/talk radio stations you could listen to, if that's more your thing. Otherwise, I'm sure you can sell it here easier than ebay.
Pale Blue Ego
2007-05-08, 09:52
Squeezebox is designed mainly to allow you to enjoy mp3 music and internet radio WITHOUT being near your computer. Many people have a good home stereo system or home theater system, and Squeezebox lets them send music from a computer to a comfortable listening room.
As to your problem connecting with SqueezeNetwork - you do have to create an account on www.squeezenetwork.com and enter your player ID on the SqueezeNetwork site in order to connect.
Why did anyone not mentioned this enrollment before? Thanks blue ego! That must be the problem.
I am in London/UK, not sure if there are any members from UK here. Well, let me first work out the features of this device and then I will decide to sell it or not.
I hate ebay and paypal fees anyway...
not sure if there are any members from UK here.
There are TONS of UK members here.
adamslim
2007-05-08, 10:56
I may ebay it though if I think it is too much for me. I have less than 50 mp3s on my laptop anyway...It sounds like overkill for me given my lack of interest in music.
Wow I think 50 music tracks must be a record - most of us are big music fans, and have thousands of tracks. Sounds like it's just not your kind of thing, so you may as well ebay it - they generally get a very good percentage of new price, so you can treat your friend who bought it for you to a very nice meal out!
Adam
Use an hour reading the beginners guide you got the link to, and continue with other guides on that page, after reading those pages you will understand more than we can explain in 20 pages here....this is what I did when I got mine...
funkstar
2007-05-08, 11:02
I think the UK must be one of the largest markets for the SqueezeBox outside of the US.
Squeezenetwork is getting better and better all the time. Along with a service called MP3Tunes, you can do everything without having a PC on all the time. See http://www.mp3tunes.com/ for details.
Have a decent play with your SqueezeBox, once you get used to the way it works you realise there is a whole load of things you can do with it that probably never occured to you before :)
Hmm this is looking like fun now :) One question, are all SB3's wireless?
shadowboxer
2007-05-08, 13:56
You know, I was really "put off" with Slimbie when I first read the thread "Don't get this device" thinking the poster was giving folks advice not to buy a SB, without really knowing what it could do! I just hate negaitive posts from uniformed posters, But, just now, I was reading the original post when I figured out that Slimbie was indicating that he or she doesn't get (meaning understand) the device, not giving people advice not to buy one.
Anyway, maybe I am the only dense one on the forum. Welcome to the forum slimbie. I definitely "get" this device and myself and my wife are on our fifth!!
-dale
Ok. will try all these when I get home. Thanks for all the replies so far. I will keep you posted with the results.
I may ebay it though if I think it is too much for me. I have less than 50 mp3s on my laptop anyway...It sounds like overkill for me given my lack of interest in music.
Despite it being a VERY nice present if music's not your thing, sell it on and buy yourself something you'll use instead. If it's from a very good friend perhaps you could ask them if they can return it for a refund? It'll only sit there gathering dust otherwise. I've cupboards full of stuff that seemed like a good idea at the time!
We could all bore you to tears about how its changed the way we listen to music etc but none of us will convince you to use it if you just don't see the point and/or are not really into your music. It's like me and PDAs, I just don't see why anyone would want one. It'd be a 5 minute wonder for me. Total waste of money. Other people can't live without them. Each to their own!
Mark Lanctot
2007-05-08, 14:15
Hmm this is looking like fun now :) One question, are all SB3's wireless?
Currently yes. There were wired-only versions offered up to about 4 months ago.
You know, I was really "put off" with Slimbie when I first read the thread "Don't get this device" thinking the poster was giving folks advice not to buy a SB, without really knowing what it could do! I just hate negaitive posts from uniformed posters, But, just now, I was reading the original post when I figured out that Slimbie was indicating that he or she doesn't get (meaning understand) the device, not giving people advice not to buy one.
Anyway, maybe I am the only dense one on the forum. Welcome to the forum slimbie. I definitely "get" this device and myself and my wife are on our fifth!!
-dale
<smacks himself on the head> OF COURSE! Very good point. Glad no one tore a strip off slimbie, I know I wanted to when I saw that title. :-)
Despite it being a VERY nice present if music's not your thing, sell it on and buy yourself something you'll use instead. If it's from a very good friend perhaps you could ask them if they can return it for a refund? It'll only sit there gathering dust otherwise. I've cupboards full of stuff that seemed like a good idea at the time!
We could all bore you to tears about how its changed the way we listen to music etc but none of us will convince you to use it if you just don't see the point and/or are not really into your music. It's like me and PDAs, I just don't see why anyone would want one. It'd be a 5 minute wonder for me. Total waste of money. Other people can't live without them. Each to their own!
Good point. No one can make you like the SB3, slimbie. But do allow us the chance to get it working for you before you make up your mind. It's well worth the effort.
I would say, if someone gave me an SB3 as a present, we'd be BFF. :-D
brucegrr
2007-05-08, 14:22
For me the Squeezebox was the answer for a growing CD collection. What put me over the edge was a Sony 400 CD changer that was "repaired" 4 times in the first year and it still damaged CD's, skipped Cd's, etc. I stumbled on a review of the Squeezebox. Read the forums for a few weeks.......and finally bought one (and bought a second one 2 weeks ago)
I have been a computer user (and operate a computer repair/service business part time) since 1991. The Squeezebox has proved to be the single best piece of hardware I have ever bought. It literally changed HOW I listen to music and the radio. Granted the internet is also a necessary part of the package.
My family has finally learned "how" to operate the Squeezebox My wife is the exact opposite of me when it comes to computers and technology in general. We now buy new Cd's, rip them, and put them away (or put them in the car)No more "where is the cd?"
For me random play is the best part of the Squeezebox. With 16000 mp3's........it is great! I use Pandora with the Squeeze Network and that is also a wonderful service. (and the 36.00 a year for Pandora is well worth it) I also can listen to 700WLW out of Cincinnati via RadioTime. Over the air is impossible.the Squeezebox, along with the Squeeze Network and RadioTime make crystal clear listening a reality.
For the dollar.......the Squeezebox is tops. It is one of the few pieces of technology I am just plain...happy with.
Bruce
I may ebay it though if I think it is too much for me. I have less than 50 mp3s on my laptop anyway...It sounds like overkill for me given my lack of interest in music.
You do understand that most of us are ripping our cd collection, so we don't have to use a cd player anymore, as well as being able to listen to whatever mp3s 'are on our laptop'... right?
I like buying albums at the used book store or music stores, anywhere the bottom shelf is clearance for $1! You can get some cheap discs on ebay too, especially if you find a seller with lots of albums you like (to save on shipping). The music server experience is one that may just spark your interest in music again. I probably buy 3-5x as many cd's as when I used a cd player. Of course, having a system that captivates you helps as well :-)
Guys, don't get this device means I didn't get it meaning I didn't understand the purpose. Sorry for any confusion. Sure it has increased the hit of the thread though lol :)
GUYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
I finally be able to set the SB3 up and it is amazing. Unfortunately, as I have said before I am not a huge music fan. I am more into photography and already thinking of a filter I want to buy with the money I can get from this.
I will open another thread to sell it.
My SB3 is a wired black (not all black) device.
This week only, I will try to sell it here to the SB3 fans rather than anyone on ebay...
AndyC_772
2007-05-09, 04:54
Ironically it was my interest in photography that led me to end up with a Squeezebox. I was looking for a better way to store all my photos, and so I bought myself a NAS unit. Then I discovered that it ran SlimServer, and it seemed silly not to at least try it out.
I don't think I've actually used my CD player since... ;)
nicketynick
2007-05-09, 05:45
GUYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
I finally be able to set the SB3 up and it is amazing. Unfortunately, as I have said before I am not a huge music fan. I am more into photography and already thinking of a filter I want to buy with the money I can get from this.
I will open another thread to sell it.
My SB3 is a wired black (not all black) device.
This week only, I will try to sell it here to the SB3 fans rather than anyone on ebay...
Can you confirm that it is in fact wired-only? I don't think you can tell by looking at the device itself - both wired and wireless have the ethernet jack, and there is no visible antenna! I guess the box is the only way to confirm?
It says wired only at the bottom cover
To save any further confusion, would the person who started this thread mind tweaking the thread title, by editing the first post? :-)
I did tweak but it doesn't work
Agree that the title is a tad misleading as to the point of the thread but as soon as you start reading slimbie's first post it all makes sense.
Anyway, shame you weren't converted slimbie but hopefully your new camera filter thingy will give you many hours of pleasure instead :)
I am more into photography and already thinking of a filter I want to buy with the money I can get from this.
I will open another thread to sell it.
I have a darkroom in my basement, and enjoy music :P It's good to have more than one hobby, and they actually go well together if you're sitting there waiting for prints to develop.
I try to stay interested in photography though, and not focus on the gear itself. That philosopy pretty much holds true for my audio setup as well. E.g. I love my plastic Holga camera (sometimes even more than the Mamiya 6x4.5 format), and my cheap (but great performing) made-in-china audio kit, because the music and photography themselves trump gizmo lust.
YMMV, and as someone else said, enjoy your filter. I wish I had something to trade you for the sb3! (need a medium format camera?)
seanadams
2007-05-09, 16:05
I did tweak but it doesn't work
I assume you don't mind if I change it for you then? Changing it to "I don't understand this device"
shadowboxer
2007-05-10, 08:47
I assume you don't mind if I change it for you then? Changing it to "I don't understand this device"
LOL. Thanks, Sean!
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