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In Reply to: Got my Squeezebox...woohoo! posted by navman on September 8, 2006 at 10:38:54:
Some say that quality of CD drive does matter, i.e. that less errors during reading translates less time for EAC repeated ripping. I guess it is not critical. I have met a guy who used DIY external platform (sand-filled box like one used for turntable platforms)and ordinary cheap CD-R with good results. I would fo that.Using a file server exclusivelly for Squeezebox is an excellent idea. You may place it in the other room. Also, no need for a fancy case, or sound deadening. Any minitower or even better, tower will do. I would install a powerful powersupply from a well-known manufacturer, and replace crappy $20 PSU usually found in the office PCs. Also, I wouuld invest money in nice backup power supply, they are less than $100 today. This is for the peace of mind.
Don't ever connect file server to home network or internet. If you
keep file serve unconnected, no need for Firewall, antivirus, and other parasite software. I was surprised to see that after two months my standalone music server did not need any defragmenting of the C drive, everything was neatly organised, as it was when installed. Viruses harms us twofold, by the damage they cause and by the damage caused by software guarding our PCs.
Follow Ups:
How do you have a networked file server for the SQ without having it on your network? Are you talking about running an Ethernet cable between them? I think most people today have wireless networks in their home.
Some great points but I didnt understand how it would work if it was not connected to the home network since it needs that to wirelessly transmit.I like the idea of putting in a better power supply and not having to worry about soundproofing it.
don't want to hi-jack the thread, I think this question sort of relates..If one wants to build a dedicated file server(for music)what are the needed components? I've built a few PC's, but I'm definately no PC geek. Everytime I build one I have to do the research all over again about how to do it.
So, what exactly would one need to make a dedicated music file server? Obviously you need a tower, PSU, motherboard, and your HD with your music. How much memory? What size proccessor is adequate?
I also assume that it is possible to connect wirelessly via a SB to the file server and NOT connect wirelessly to your main-online-PC?
Regarding dedicated servers, seems like that's a whole new thread in itself.My server has a modest AMD Athlon 3000+ processor. When streaming music to the SB, processor usage is near zero with occasional bursts where it reaches about seven percent for a very short time, then goes back to near zero again. I enable the AMD "Cool 'n' Quiet" feature, which senses processor load, reducing clock frequency and processor voltage when a light load is detected. This keeps the processor running cool. With the Cool 'n' Quiet monitor software, I see that it's always at reduced voltage and frequency, even when streaming music. So the load for SB streaming is very light.
Regarding wired vs. wireless, the data path from server to SB goes like this:
server-> router-> SB
You'll want the connection from server to router to be wired if at all possible. Otherwise you'll have two wireless hops which will increase the possibility of glitches.
"You'll want the connection from server to router to be wired if at all possible. Otherwise you'll have two wireless hops which will increase the possibility of glitches."Squeezeboxes 2 and 3 both have a big buffer and since the SB always plays music from the buffer, if your wireless is any good, there will be no glitches.
...if your wireless is any good, there will be no glitches.It's not just a matter of the quality of the wireless hardware though. If you have a large home, and the router is a long distance from the SB, there may be a problem with low RF signal level. This can be fixed up with range boosters.
In the SB forums, people from the UK have reported that construction techniques used in the older homes there use materials in the walls that attenuate the RF quite a bit. So if the signal has to go through many walls, this could be a problem.
There's several discussions in the SB forums where people have given up wireless entirely, going to ethernet over power line.
I have decided to go for the computer attahed to the router by cable. I'll use an ext drive for the files so some mobility exists if I need it.
...I didn't mean to say that it's essential to cable the computer to the router. But it does introduce less variables, making any potential problems easier to troubleshoot. If you get everything working well with a cabled computer connection and later decide to move the computer so its network connection is wireless also, you'll know that before you moved it everything was working okay. But if you have two wireless hops and there's a wireless problem, it becomes necessary to first figure out which hop has the problem.
I think I got that, and while initially I was thinking of setting up a dedicated machine, I might use my current system.... as it has been reliable and is mostly on anyway.
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