Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: Sonos, wireless, music | Themes: Networking
- 1. Music Freedom = House Party
- 2. What's in the Box and Speaker Wiring 101
- 3. ZonePlayer Setup and Installation
- 4. Software Interface and Linked Zones
- 5. Controller Functions and ZoneBridge Explanation
4. Software Interface and Linked Zones
As soon as Sonos finished indexing my entire 300 gigabyte library—which took 7 minutes—a nice Web 2.0-style Desktop Controller Interface launched showing two zones (Office and Living Room) in the upper left-hand corner. I immediately saw that I could link these two zones together via a "link zones" button, or keep them distinct. Linking zones seemed like it would mean both zones would always play the same music, and that sounded good to me.
The software interface alerted me to another Sonos function: the ability to plug in just about any audio device to either of the ZonePlayers and listen to that device’s audio in any of the zones. So, for example, I can plug in my iPod, record player, or even my TV into this "line in" function and play the sounds in either room.
The software interface has an excellent search function that allowed me either to search by folder, or by all folders. That allowed me to keep my precious FLAC files separate from the riffraff if I so desire when deciding what music to play; I could also pick songs from the entire mixed-file type collection. What a relief that all the file types (and folders) weren’t automatically mushed together for browsing and searching purposes!
I picked a couple of tracks, added them to a "queue"—something akin to an iPod playlist—pressed play, and music erupted from the Sonos loudspeakers in my office. Even though my office and living room zones were linked, however, sound wasn’t coming out of my living room speakers. I realized that I needed to put the living room receiver on the "DVR" setting to access that particular optical port. (Of course, not every receiver is the same, so my setting will surely differ from yours.) Once I was on the correct receiver setting, the same audio came pouring out of my living room speakers.
I then experienced the feeling that Sonos really wanted me to feel. I walked through the two hallways between my office and my living room and heard the office music fade ever so slightly while the living room music grew louder until I was upon it. The transition was so seamless—the music followed me between rooms. It actually made me skip around the house in joy! House parties aside, I knew the two synchronized Zones might inspire me to clean my house.
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A couple of tips:
1) When scrolling through the artist list on the Sonos controller, push the soft button labelled "PowerScroll". This will allow you to skip straight to any letter in the alphabet, like the W you mentioned in the review. This function was added by Sonos a couple of years ago following customer requests.
2)Sonos can actually play some DRM protected files from stores that use MS Play for Sure technology.
3) Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
A couple of tips:
1) When scrolling through the artist list on the Sonos controller, push the soft button labelled "PowerScroll". This will allow you to skip straight to any letter in the alphabet, like the W you mentioned in the review. This function was added by Sonos a couple of years ago following customer requests.
2)Sonos can actually play some DRM protected files from stores that use MS Play for Sure technology.
3) Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
On the price comparison: With Logitech yet get two unamplified Zones for $599, to compare with the Sonos bundle you need to figure in the cost for an amp as well, which is included in the ZP120
Another note: Sonos does offer a "jump to" option to jump to a certain letter. It is on the left soft button (below the screen).
A couple of tips:1) When scrolling through the artist list on the Sonos controller, push the soft button labelled "PowerScroll". This will allow you to skip straight to any letter in the alphabet, like the W you mentioned in the review. This function was added by Sonos a couple of years ago following customer requests.2)Sonos can actually play some DRM protected files from stores that use MS Play for Sure technology.3) Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
Thanks Ro53ben, great advice about the microwave. It is likely an old machine.
The powerscroll function worked for me, but it still requires the gesture of scrolling, which can get tiresome, I found, If I was making a long list of songs.
On the price comparison: With Logitech yet get two unamplified Zones for $599, to compare with the Sonos bundle you need to figure in the cost for an amp as well, which is included in the ZP120
Thanks Avee. If you do another read of my review, you'll see that I did factor the amp into the price comparison. I said you'd need to pay (at the absolute least) $200 for an amp for your extra SqueezeBox unit, which would bring the price difference down quite a bit. I am assuming the consumer owns at least one amp (Sonos makes the same assumption with its bundle).
-Rachel
I know that this is a Sonos review, but since you brought up SB and Roku, I would like to see a more detailed comparison between them. SlimServer is a very powerful piece of (free!) software that is open source and has several plug-ins available for it. I haven't used SqueezeCenter yet. I don't know how the Sonos server compares. Also, since Roku can connect to SlimServer, it can reap all the rewards of it *at a much lower cost*...
I agree, you are giving Slim Devices the short end of the stick when overlooking its openness. There are alot of plugins. At least a year ago, this was not the case with sonos. This along with price is why I choose it over the Sonos. I am using a wireless PDA to control the slimserver. You can use your cell phone too. Why bother carrying another control when you cell is always right there?
Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
I have yet to see ANY microwave(high and low powered) not have some amount of impact on wireless B and G. A would have been a better choice(unless I missed it in there somewhere). We have gone through many a microwave so I can confirm that this is a normal behavior for a 2.4 GHZ device. 2.4 GHZ phones will static if they are analog skip if they are digital unless they are extremely powerful units.
Even the manual on many wireless routers warns about 2.4GHZ interference from phones/bluetooth and microwaves.
I can sit my laptop between 2(Yes 2) microwaves running and music is fine, but video is a lost cause. The router is fairly high powered.
Bottom line, you should have have to worry. Getting your access point higher may help. Changing the channels and seeing whats best is also a good idea.
Oppsy
you should NOT have have to worry
Just realised that you never mention how the Sonos controller is splash proof. I took the testing of this to the extreme...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqHdxVK9cvI
I have had Sonos for three years now. I have two Russound whole-house audio systems that are tied together giving me 12 zones throughout the house. I added a Sonos zone controller and have four hand held Sonos units. I could not be happier with the setup. I have Siruis radio and it streams in all 12 zones if I want. Also, I have found Sonos' customer support to be one of the best. It will be interesting to see if they keep it up as they grow.
Software in Sonos is pretty boring. eJukebox is better for parties.