• A single HDMI cable can be connected with External devices like Digital TV or Receiver
• High compatibility with various external/internal devices by multi-Input selection (4 input).
• Compatibility with Desktop/HTPC/Slim PC (with Standard/LP bracket)
• Supports the next generation of Audio format (Dolby True HD/DTS HD)
• Swift and stable hardware installation without any installation of related software.
• Wide connectivity using the SPDIF Combo Output port.*
• Support for HDMI 1.3 and earlier receivers

The HDMI X-Tension is expected to be released in the first half of 2008 and might actually be a compelling reason not to use a media center extender in your home theater.

Sideshow

There are a couple of Media Center remotes that are in development but they seem to be perpetually delayed. Microsoft could remedy the situation by making the Zune Sideshow-enabled. Not only could the Zune play music on its hard drive but it also could be a remote for your audio server (i.e. a media center pc). The Zune has wifi built into it already so there is a way to communicate via a network.

Sideshow on a Zune would be another way to differentiate Microsoft’s handheld device with the iPod juggernaut.

Right now, the best options appear to revolve around iPod integration and FM transmission. I have decided to look at after market solutions to my digital music issue. By happen stance today, I was sent a press release that the Belkin TuneBase FM was named iLounge Car Accessory of the Year. From the press release:

In a recent review, iLounge rated the TuneBase FM with the coveted “A-” rating, praising it for “delivering better value for the dollar than its competitors while offering an equivalently acceptable FM transmission solution, the reason for TuneBase FM with ClearScan’s high recommendation and superior overall rating.”

One thing that appeals to me is that the Tunebase is compatible with the new iPod Touch, which I am considering buying. In fact, it is compatible with most iPods and iPod Nanos. I guess if you are going to target one family of mp3 players, it might as well be the iPod.

From the iLounge review:

With one button press on each device, the screen begins to sweep back and forth as the transmitter searches for a relatively empty FM radio station, displaying its result so that you can tune the radio to it.

The TuneBase costs about $90, in range with most other FM transmission solutions for your car, if not cheaper.

Spiralfrog, the ad-based music download service, has finally opened its doors for business. The music industry has been trying different ways to increase revenues, especially online.

Spiralfrog boasts over 800,000 tracks and 3,500 music videos available at launch. Although 800,000 sounds impressive, it has a long way to go to catch up to iTunes and even Emusic.

SpiralFrog is able to offer songs for free by requiring the user to view ads in order to download the music, and has a revenue-sharing deal with the labels. The music catalog right now revolves around Universal Music Group. EMI also is offering songs with SpiralFrog, as are a number of independent artists and music labels. Big name artists like Gwen Stefani and Fergie are available for download so that is a good sign.

I tried out the service to see how it performs. Overall, I think it works fairly well. Spiralfrog does make you download their own “download” software, which is kind of annoying but I guess pretty standard. You need to use Windows Media Player 10 or higher. Mac users need not apply.

The service requires the user to log in and view ads at least once every 30 days. On the front page, there is a counter that tells you how many days you have left before you have to “renew” for free. You also cannot burn the songs to CD or transfer it to an iPod.

Sprialfrog has two things not working in its favor right now: 1) a limited catalog of songs and 2) no iPod compatibility. New songs apparently are right around the corner but the iPod issue might be a deal breaker for the college crowd.

From the Sonos website:

With the wireless Sonos Controller in hand you’ll have instant access to more than 80 SIRIUS Internet Radio channels. All you have to do is pick a room, pick a channel and hit play. It’s that easy.

New subscribers to Sirius will need to shell out $12.95 a month but existing users can upgrade their service to include their Sonos for $2.99 a month. If you are already an existing Sirius user, Sonos might be worth checking out , if you can stomach the $1,000 price tag.

Sonos could be a dominant figure in the digital audio realm if they just lowered their price. It seems like their system has always been around $1,000.

Following on the heels of EMI, Universal Music Group has decided to test the DRM-free marketplace. Starting August 21, Universal will offer its most popular music DRM-free as MP3 files. Songs will sell for 99¢ each. This DRM-free music will be available at Amazon, RealNetworks, and retailers such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart.

One notable exception to this experiment is the lack of DRM-free music at the iTunes Music Store. There is no way this is an oversight. Universal has been looking to get out of their current contract with Apple and get more favorable terms, like a portion of iPod sales. Universal is definitely trying to get their point across to Steve Jobs. I think the music industry is beginning to realize that they only way to tame the iTunes juggernaut is to offer DRM-free music at lots of music e-tailers.
DRM-free music is gaining momentum. With the success of Emusic and the Barenaked Ladies, this should come as no surprise. Hopefully the bitrates will begin to increase as well.

Anywhere.fm is a free web service, based on Adobe’s Flash, that let’s you stream songs from their site to any computer though an iTunes-like interface. I have been playing around with it today and think it is a somewhat interesting. One of the more promising features is that Anywhere.fm seamlessly integrates with iTunes. From the site:

Better yet, use either the Mac or Windows iTunes Desktop Uploader to automatically upload your song library, playlists, and play counts. It will upload songs with the highest ratings and play counts first, and will also automatically manage your upload speed so as not to disturb your internet experience. These can be downloaded from the “iTunes Uploader” button in the top right corner of the site.

Right now, there is no storage limit so you can upload, supposedly, all the music you have. I am sure that will change once a premium service is announced.

After using Anywhere.fm today, I am not sure if I am going to use it again. Placeshifting of music is kind of a funny thing. If I want to placeshift music, I will just put it on my iPod. If I want to hear new music, I will listen to Pandora.

I wonder about how legal this software is but Simplify Media answers that question on their website:

Music is streamed friend-to-friend, and only within small, private groups. There are limits to how many friends can be on your Media List and how many listeners can concurrently stream music from your computer. Friends cannot burn remote songs to CDs, transfer them to an iPod or mp3 player, or access them when you are logged off. Links to partner stores let you purchase music you wish to own.

As with all software nowadays, there is a social networking component. SimplifyMedia lets you invite friends placeshift your music as well. Once an invitation is accepted, you will be able to sort, search and play each other’s libraries when online, all within iTunes.

Overall, I think it is a cool idea and am looking forward to their Winamp and Windows Media Player versions.  Hopefully I can stream my Emusic files as well that I have on my home jukebox.

Basically Slacker works similar to Pandora, leveraging internet radio to deliver you new music. The Slacker Portable Player will eventually integrate with your online “radio” and download songs automatically. Your custom stations are updated on the Slacker player, ensuring that your favorite music always plays when you want it to.

The Portable player may cost as much as $400 dollar while the radio service is ad-supported. A premium version of the service will surface later this year that will charge subscribers $7.50/month to get rid of banner ads, eliminate the “six song skips per hour per channel” limit, and allow users to designate any currently-playing track as a favorite to have it added to their online music library.

As always content will be king. Slacker appears to be doing a good job on that end, having already made deals withUniversal, Sony/BMG, Warner Music Group, and hundreds of indie labels.

I have mixed feelings about Slacker. I think Pandora is really cool, especially when it is integrated into a system like Sonos, so I have somewhat high expectations for Slacker. I am not quite sure how Slacker’s service will perform and am curious to see it in action.

The unique design of the 2.1 wireless satellite stereo speaker allows for mounting directly on a wall power outlet independently, without mounting brackets or other support…just plug it in. Remove the power supply from the cabinet and put the Eos wireless satellite stereo speaker on a desktop or bookshelf.

Each additional speaker can be picked up for $129 and there is also an outdoor amplifier to boost signal for outdoor usage also for $129. Each wireless speaker also includes two stereo drivers and a ported subwoofer.

Recently, I have been considering buying a Sonos Digital Music System in order to stream digital audio throughout my house. Eos’s solution seems cheaper but I am not sure it is for me. First of all, I do not have an iPod. On top of the $299 for the Eos wireless speakers, I would need to buy an iPod. Also, I would be limited by the size of the iPod storage. I am also holding out hope for Vista Media Center remotes with Sideshow.

If you have an iPod, this seems like a cool way to stream your music.

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