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3A compared with other architecturesIn our quest for an ideal way for listening and handling digital music, we've been looking for a architecture in which we we're able to store our music files in a central location and access these files with the use of multiple, different agents, both hardware and software. At least one agent should be connected directly to an existing audio setup. Why have we chosen for central storage on a PC architecture in stead of fixed hardware with everything built in? Benefits of an all-in-one deviceAt first sight, one case containing all hardware and software, with dimensions like any other audio component seems the ideal solution:
Limitations of an all-in-one deviceBut soon, several limitations came to the surface. Note that not all limitations are for all devices. Each device by brand or type does have one or more limitation though. In Italic is shown how 3A removes those limitations. Bound to audio formats or codecs which the audio unit supports. Often that's only mp3 and maybe wma and no more. If you want to have flac or ogg when this is not supported by the device, that's impossible. Sometimes, but this is mostly an exception, other formats will be supported by a firmware upgrade. Still it's very limited. 3A is software based, so there are virtually no boundaries. Bound to quality levels (bit rates) which the audio unit supports. Often that's for mp3 only 128 Kbit/s. If you want more (or less), that's impossible in most cases because everything is built in. 3A is software based, so there are virtually no boundaries. Fixed storage capacity. Often, the capacity of the built in hard disk is 40 GB. For mp3 on 128 Kbit/s no problem, but when you move to flac (assuming the unit is supporting this codec), soon you will be in trouble. Extending the hard disk is not possible most of the times, so you'll be stuck with the fixed capacity, only solvable by buying another, more expensive unit (if available). The dedicated audio server within the 3A concept, has a minimum of 300 GB and is easily extensible. Bound to specific hardware clients. This means, you can only connect vendor specific clients to the central unit. With other words, the agent which collects music from the central audio unit, can only be connected with the chosen hardware. There's hardly any flexibility in this and thus has every aspect of vendor lockin. Also, software clients like SoftSqueeze for streaming music on your standard PC, are almost always out of the question. With 3A, you can connect any hardware you like to, providing it makes use of the Slimserver streaming server. This means Squeezebox, but also other software like Sonos and even software like SoftSqueeze. Backup with limitations. Because files are stored on the built in hard disk in a vendor specific, proprietary way, standard backup methods like connecting an external USB-hard disk to the central unit and just copy the files away, simply don't work. Even if you can make a backup, for some devices it's not possible to make a backup (!), there are strong limitations of what you can do with the backup: restore only to a similar device (same brand, same type). According to some device documentation, this is done to block copying of music, but think of it: this is your OWN music. These limitations are strongly degrading usability. With 3A, every file stored is accessible by any other PC in the network through (standard) file sharing. Making backups can be done in several different ways, all without any limitation. No external digital/analog converter. Most devices are made for consumer quality levels. If you want to enter high end regions, assuming the device supports flac, which is not certain, recommended is that you make use of an external D/A converter. 3A let's you choose whether you use an external D/A converter to the Squeezebox or not. Simply having such an often is enough to be flexible enough to, in a later point of time, enhance the quality level further. Choice is your's. Limitations in modifying tags. Big problem here, is the non existence of a keyboard and the very little size of the built in display. It's not very effective to write of modify tags, even when most of them are initially extracted from a CD database like FreeDB with a remote control. The ripping, encoding and tagging within 3A takes places on a normal computer, desktop or laptop. This is by far the easiest way of modifying tags. No other server appliances. Because everything is built in, there's no way you can convert your central unit to a web server or a file server. The dedicated audio server within 3A is running Linux. File server functionality is already standard available and within a few minutes, the server is converted to a web server or anything you like. The key here is flexibility and 3A has plenty of that! Fixed ripping software. Because everything is built in, there's no way you an choose for another ripper providing best-of-breed ripping quality. You're bound to built in software, but also hardware, the CD-ROM player. 3A is flexible is the way you can choose your own ripping software. 3A advises you to use state-of-the-art software like CDex, Exact Audio Copy or CDparanoia (Linux), but is still your own choice. Even the CD-ROM player can be chosen by your self. Other architecturesPhilips StreamiumNice thing about the Streamium is that it's looking nice, very nice, almost high tech. The other positive thing you can name is that it is bringing computerised music listening to the people: Streamium's are offered in all kind of computer and non-computer shops, so it's visible everywhere. As always, it has same disadvantages:
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