Want to buy SB, but need to know if Zune fix will work

[foggyburk]

Hi -- I'd really, really like to buy a Squeezebox system rather than a Sonos. However, I have Zune's subscription service and need to be able to play downloaded subscription tracks on the SB through my PC. Here's how Sonos handles this problem: https://sonos.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/s...i=&p_topview=1

Does anyone know if this same fix will work with Squeezebox? Please let me know.

Thanks,
Mike

[SuperQ]

It's possible this will work via UPnP. You can download Squeezecenter for free and try it out before you buy anything.

Of course, getting rid of DRM music is the easiest way to fix this. :-)

[foggyburk]

I tried it, but Squeezecenter didn't recognize the music files in the Zune subscription folder, despite the fact that these are listed as .wma files.

I'm not a total luddite, but not that advanced either; still, if this works on Sonos, why doesn't it work with Squeezebox? And is there a plug-in or some other way to make this work?

I know getting rid of DRM music is the defacto response but there's I think there's value in the discovery and choice of the subscription model (especially with Zune since you get to keep 10 tracks -- DRM-free or otherwise -- every month) and it would be really nice to see Logitech and Squeezebox support this.

[toby10]

I tried it, but Squeezecenter didn't recognize the music files in the Zune subscription folder, despite the fact that these are listed as .wma files.

I'm not a total luddite, but not that advanced either; still, if this works on Sonos, why doesn't it work with Squeezebox? And is there a plug-in or some other way to make this work?

I know getting rid of DRM music is the defacto response but there's I think there's value in the discovery and choice of the subscription model (especially with Zune since you get to keep 10 tracks -- DRM-free or otherwise -- every month) and it would be really nice to see Logitech and Squeezebox support this.

The soon to be "defacto" is DRM free. DRM has been such a dismal failure that Apple will discontinue using DRM in the next few weeks. You can bet MS and the others are probably not far behind.

Can you move a couple songs out of the Zune folder and play them via SC7?

[andyrich29]

The soon to be "defacto" is DRM free. DRM has been such a dismal failure that Apple will discontinue using DRM in the next few weeks. You can bet MS and the others are probably not far behind.

Can you move a couple songs out of the Zune folder and play them via SC7?

DRM has been a complete failure due to iTunes!

Rolled out properly on a subscription basis, with proper hardware support for it, e.g. wireless music players, I dont see the big issue.

Paying a measly £9 per month to play any music you like from any artist at any time seems good value to me.

Zune is supported by Sonos. If Sonos can do it, why cant the SB?

[andyg]

We don't support WMA DRM, sorry.

[toby10]

DRM has been a complete failure due to iTunes!

Rolled out properly on a subscription basis, with proper hardware support for it, e.g. wireless music players, I dont see the big issue.

Paying a measly £9 per month to play any music you like from any artist at any time seems good value to me.

Zune is supported by Sonos. If Sonos can do it, why cant the SB?

iTunes is not solely to blame. The biggest reason DRM failed with purchased music was lack of any industry standard for incorporating it and using it.
Each seller had their own formula for DRM so purchased music from company A would not play on hardware or software from company Z.
This "locked" users into limiting their legally purchased music to only be usable on a single companies hardware or software (or whomever that company deemed worthy of their licensing).
Logitech (SlimDevices at the time) asked numerous times to license Apple's iTunes DRM, Apple refused to even discuss it with them.

I always use the analogy of DVD's. Imagine if you had to purchase a separate DVD player for each movie studio / content provider in existence.
As outrageously silly as this sounds, that was essentially the business model of DRM'd music.

DRM for subscription services is fine and already exists on SB services like Rhapsody and Napster. You will have to contact Logitech marketing to ask why there exists no Zune support, I dunno. I think the Zune model is actually downloading the songs onto your computer or device, not "streamed" like Rhapsody and Napster. Whether this plays a roll into SB not supporting Zune I have no clue.

[andyrich29]

iTunes is not solely to blame. The biggest reason DRM failed with purchased music was lack of any industry standard for incorporating it and using it.
Each seller had their own formula for DRM so purchased music from company A would not play on hardware or software from company Z.
This "locked" users into limiting their legally purchased music to only be usable on a single companies hardware or software (or whomever that company deemed worthy of their licensing).
Logitech (SlimDevices at the time) asked numerous times to license Apple's iTunes DRM, Apple refused to even discuss it with them.

I always use the analogy of DVD's. Imagine if you had to purchase a separate DVD player for each movie studio / content provider in existence.
As outrageously silly as this sounds, that was essentially the business model of DRM'd music.

DRM for subscription services is fine and already exists on SB services like Rhapsody and Napster. You will have to contact Logitech marketing to ask why there exists no Zune support, I dunno. I think the Zune model is actually downloading the songs onto your computer or device, not "streamed" like Rhapsody and Napster. Whether this plays a roll into SB not supporting Zune I have no clue.

Indeed, I agree with all of what you have said.

I have a Windows PC, an XBOX and a Windows 7 Phone, and all I want to do is play music in my bedroom/kitchen/living room that has been downloaded from Zune.

I guess I'm going to have to avoid Zune & DRM as I like all my hardware!

[aubuti]

I think the Zune model is actually downloading the songs onto your computer or device, not "streamed" like Rhapsody and Napster.

Is that really how the Zune library works? I guess it would make sense if they are _only_ interested in supporting portable players, but for home use it sounds like a complete PITA compared to streaming via Rhapsody or Napster.

[toby10]

Is that really how the Zune library works? I guess it would make sense if they are _only_ interested in supporting portable players, but for home use it sounds like a complete PITA compared to streaming via Rhapsody or Napster.

That was my understanding, yes. But I've never even seen a Zune device so maybe I misinterpreted what I had read about it.