Editors' Top Home audio
updated May 15, 2006

The rapidly expanding category of network media players will interest any PC user looking to liberate a burgeoning library of digital files from the computer's hard drive. Just add one to an Ethernet or wireless home network, and all manner of digital audio, video, and photos can be effortlessly streamed from the PC or the Internet to a TV or an A/V system on the other side of the house. Some products are audio-only, while others stream photos and videos as well. Of course, file-format compatibility as well as copy protection and digital rights management (DRM) issues remain an ongoing source of headaches, so make sure your prospective player can handle your preferred audio, video, and photo files. -- John P. Falcone, senior editor

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Network media players

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Network media players

Home audio	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Sonos Digital Music System (ZP80 bundle) Released: 04/10/2006	8.5 Excellent	$999	With its ZP80 bundle, Sonos has done what fans of its highly regarded multiroom Digital Music System have requested all along: ditched the built-in amp of the ZP100, added digital audio outputs, and lowered the price. The recent Rhapsody integration is the icing on the cake. Specs: Network audio player , Stereo , Network audio player - AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , AIFF , FLAC , Audible , Ogg Vorbis , Apple Lossless , None , Light gray , 5.4 in x 5.5 in x 2.9 in , 1.5 lbs, None , -1

Roku SoundBridge M1001 Released: 08/27/2004	7.7 Very good	$149-$164 from 2 stores	Striking looks, easy setup, and great file compatibility make the Roku SoundBridge M1001 a solid option for streaming digital audio and Internet radio to your home stereo. Specs: Network audio player , Stereo , Network audio player - AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , AIFF , FLAC , Ogg Vorbis , Remote control (Infrared) , Black , 10 in x 2.4 in x 2.4 in , 24 oz, None , -1

Olive N?3 (160GB, black) Released: 10/15/2005	8.0 Excellent	Email me when product is available	The Olive N°3 is an impressive digital audio server with a host of high-end features--built-in wireless networking; an internal 160GB hard drive; and the ability to play, rip, and record CDs--that discriminating listeners will appreciate. Specs: Digital audio server / CD recorder , Stereo , AAC , MP3 , PCM , WAV , AIFF , FLAC , Ogg Vorbis , Network audio player - AAC , MP3 , WAV , AIFF , FLAC , Ogg Vorbis , Remote control (Infrared) , Black , 17.1 in x 11.4 in x 3.3 in , 13.2 lbs, Hard disk drive , 160 GB

Roku SoundBridge Radio Released: 03/31/2006	7.7 Very good	$299-$329 from 3 stores	The Roku SoundBridge Radio successfully combines a high-end AM/FM clock radio and a wireless digital audio receiver, but we'd like to see a few more extras at this price. Specs: Network audio player with radio , Stereo , Network audio player - AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , Remote control (Infrared) , 11 in x 6.5 in x 6 in , 4.2 lbs

TiVo Series2 DT (80-hours) Released: 04/25/2006	7.4 Very good	$146-$179 from 7 stores	While its slick interface and cool networking features still distinguish it from rival DVRs, the dual-tuner function of the TiVo Series2 DT is useful only for those with analog cable service. Specs: DVR , 15 in x 12.5 in x 3.3 in , 80 hour(s), TiVo

Creative Sound Blaster Wireless Music Released: 09/30/2003	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	A remote with a built-in LCD for music navigation gives Creative's wireless music solution a competitive edge. Specs: Network audio player , Stereo , Network audio player - MP3 , WMA , Remote control (Radio) , 6.9 in x 1.1 in x 5.5 in , None , -1

D-Link DSM-120 Released: 12/15/2005	6.8 Good	Email me when product is available	Capable of playing tracks from networked PCs, the Internet, USB-connected drives, certain MP3 players, and an optional internal hard drive, the D-Link DSM-120 is the most versatile digital audio receiver in its price range. Specs: Digital multimedia receiver