DIGITAL MEDIA SERVERS

Sonos Digital Music System

A digital media server is like a Media Center PC that doesn't have all that PC stuff in it. The functionality is essentially the same; you use the server to store and access digital audio files, and then to play those files over your home audio/video system or, in some cases, to multiple systems in multiple rooms.

My favorite digital media server is an odd little bird from Sonos. It's odd in that it's more like a digital media hub (which I'll talk about in a few pages); it doesn't store any media files but instead streams audio files from your desktop PC. But then it feeds music to multiple rooms, just like a good little whole-house audio system. As I said, a tad unusual, but unusually effective.

The main box in the system is the Sonos ZonePlayer, which connects to your main stereo speakers. It contains a 50 watt per channel amplifier, and connects to your home network via Ethernet. The ZonePlayer is controlled by handheld controller that looks more than a little like an Apple iPod. The controller has a big color LCD display, and you work the thing with an iPod-like scroll wheel. The nice thing about the controller is that it functions much like a traditional onscreen display; the color display lets you view song info, playlists, and even album cover art. To my mind, this is the coolest part of the system.

Surprisingly, even though the remote is wireless, it doesn't use standard WiFi technology. Instead, the remote (and all remote ZonePlayers) use a kind of wireless mesh networking technology. This actually makes connection and setup a real breeze; configuration is pretty much as easy as turning the thing on, no interference or device recognition issues.

To set up a whole-house system, just set up additional ZonePlayers in additional rooms. The individual ZonePlayers talk to each other via the wireless mesh network, and you can control all zones from each remote. It's so easy it's actually a little startling; all technology should be this user-friendly. (And remember, a zone doesn't have to be a room; think of your back deck as a zone with its own ZonePlayer.)

Sonos sells a variety of different packages. You can buy the ZonePlayers and remotes separately, or spend $1,199 for a package with two ZonePlayers and one controller. They also offer matching speakers, in case you don't have any of your own.

Manufacturer: Sonos (www.sonos.com) Dimensions (ZonePlayer): 10.2'' (w) x 4.4'' (h) x 8.2'' (d) Dimensions (Controller): 6.5'' (w) x 3.8'' (h) x 0.95'' (d) Price: $499 (ZonePlayer), $399 (Controller)

Escient Fireball DVDM-300 DVD and Music Manager

This is the system of choice for professional home theater installers, unusual in that it's based around both physical and digital media. FireBall manages, catalogs, and controls digital audio files, CDs, DVDs, Internet radio, you name it. It comes with its own 300GB hard drive for digital audio storage (in MP3 or FLAC lossless format), and you can connect up to three 400-disc CD/DVD changers. Connect optional MP-150 digital music players to set up a whole-house audio system.

Model: Fireball DVDM-300 Manufacturer: Escient (www.escient.com) Dimensions: 17 3/8'' (w) x 4 5/8'' (h) x 11 7/8'' (d) Weight: 14 lbs. Price: $4,999

Yamaha MCX-1000 MusicCAST Digital Audio Server

Yamaha's MusicCAST is a media hub that functions as an audiophile-quality audio component. The MCX-1000 digital audio server serves as the base unit and has a built-in 80GB hard drive that can store up to 1,000 CDs (in MP3 format). Serve music to other rooms with one or more optional MCX-A10 client systems ($600 each), which connect wirelessly. There's a front panel display for song information; the obligatory wireless remote; and a full complement of analog, digital optical, and digital coaxial outputs.

Model: MCX-1000 Manufacturer: Yamaha (www.yamaha.com/yec/) Hard drive capacity: 80GB Dimensions: 17 1/8'' (w) x 4 3/4'' (h) x 15 5/8'' (d) Weight: 24.2 lbs. Price: $2,200

Denon NS-S100 Network Multimedia Server

Denon's NS-S100 is another digital media server designed for the professional installation market. It's a Linux-based device that functions as a high-end audio/video receiver, PVR, and digital audio manager; it can store and serve television programming, digital music, digital photos, and so on. It comes with two 120GB hard drives, one fixed and one a removable "mirror" for backup and archiving. Whole-house operation is possible via an Ethernet connection to your home network, using individual NS-C200 client units.

Model: NS-S100 Manufacturer: Denon (www.usa.denon.com) Hard drive capacity: 240GB (120GB x 2) Price: ~$4,000

DVICO TViX M3000 Digital Movie Jukebox

This is a promising device for those of you who want to store and stream digital movies. The TViX unit lets you rip CDs and DVD to the unit's hard drive, then play back movies and music through your home theater system. You can order the unit with anywhere from 120GB to 300GB of hard disk storage; go with the largest capacity, as DVDs are disk hogs. Video output is via your choice of composite video, S-Video, or component video; audio out is optical digital or coaxial digital.

Model: M3000U Manufacturer: DVICO (www.tvixusa.com) Dimensions: 4.8'' x 6.8'' x 2.7'' Weight: 42.3 oz. Price: $274.99 (120GB), $289.99 (160GB), $329.99 (200GB), $369.99 (250GB), $409.99 (300GB)