Network Media Player With Storage

MACSENSE MP-100 HomePod is a digital stereo component that takes full advantage of your existing wireless or wired network to stream music files stored on computers anywhere in your home or office. Simply select music residing on your computers from the LCD screen of the HomePod, and you are set. Features always-on, low-power mode Includes built-in stereo speakers and headphone jack for stand-alone operation Host Server software runs on PC, Mac or Linux machines Features 802.11b wireless and Ethernet network interface, FM tuner, USB port, built-in stereo speakers, stereo audio outputs to hi-fi system, headphone jack, 2.5 back-lit LCD, jog-shuttle rotating dial, and on-unit control buttons OS Support - Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP Dimensions - 5H x 7W x 2D; weighs 15.3 ounces

Amazon Sales Rank: #18771 in Network Media Player Brand: Macsense Model: MP-100 Standalone unit plays MP3, Internet radio and is upgradeable to support AAC, WAV and WMA very soon. Access and play music from 10,000+ Internet Radio stations. Streams music to home speakers, headphones or built-in stereo speakers via an existing wireless or wired Ethernet network. Compatible with Apple iTunes, MusicMatch Jukebox, NullSoft WinAmp, and many other media management applications. Play music from any USB storage device like a Flash Drive, via the USB Port.

Macsense HomePod is a digital stereo component that allows users to take advantage of their existing wireless network to stream music files stored on their computers to HomePods located anywhere in the house. Imagine being able to select from any computer in your home or office and choose the music you want to listen to on any speaker or headphone set. Simply select your music from the LCD screen on the HomePod and you are set. HomePod works outside on the patio, in the garden or while organizing your garage. Until now, MP3 music lovers have been forced to connect their computers to their home stereos, or to make duplicate copies of their music files to CDs and portable storage players if they want to listen to their music away from the computers. But now, with HomePod's 802.11b, or Wi-Fi, network interface to stream MP3 files to remote devices, consumers now have a real and convenient solution to enjoying their digital music around the house. The HomePod enhances Apple's digital hub concept, complementing iTunes and iPod. Think of HomePod as an iPod for home distributed entertainment. The handheld device functions just like an iPod, with the ability to browse by song name, artists, album, and genre. The device scans surrounding computers on the wireless network for available media libraries and list them for selection and playing. Host Server software runs on a PC, Mac, or Linux machines. HomePod features an 802.11b wireless and Ethernet network interface, FM tuner, USB port, built-in stereo speakers, stereo audio outputs to home hi-fi system, headphone jack, 2.5" back-lit LCD display, jog-shuttle rotating dial, and on-unit control buttons.

Most helpful customer reviews 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Rough round the edges but still a "Cool Geek Toy". By Alan Don't be fooled by the "Mac" and "Pod" in the name, nor the iPod white case, and iPod-like wheel. This is a product made by a distributor of Apple computers and not Apple themselves. Had Apple made it, it would undoubtedly have been a much more pollished product, and a lot less fragile in it's interface.As it is the HomePod is a workmanlike gadget for reading your MP3s across a network and playing them remotely. Setup is easy-ish. With only a single previous experience of setting up a wireless computer, the wireless setup on the HomePod took half an hour or so and a careful reading of the instructions. Server software is required on the PC (or an Apple), and this could be better explained. For instance loading an iTunes library file and the MyMusic folder from the PC, causes the HomePod's library listing to become a little garbled, and the HomePod to crash sporadically. This could definitely be handled better. There are also Linux servers available for the HomePod available on the internet.The HomePod itself comes with an old version of the firmware and software, and upgrading the software is well worth the effort, for those with some technical savy.Using the HomePod is easy and satisfying: the music files are listed by artist, author, trackname, genre and playlist, and the software interfaces well with iTunes. Reportedly it also works with Real Player and the MS Media Player, although I've never tried these.There is also an FM radio tuner built in - but the reception is so bad that this is completely worthless. There is also an internet radio facility which appears pretty neat, but I have used it only briefly.The homepod includes its own very low quality speakers but also has 3.5mm ear plug, and phono plugs to attach external speakers.The software does have numerous areas where it falls short of reasonable expectations, for instance the wheel scrolls either very slowly, or too fast, with no happy medium; the music cannot be played while the menus are being navigated; many of the HomePod settings can only be changed from the PC; and the software does crash occassionally. However, the software is open source, and can be downloaded from gloolabs.com for free, and those with some technical experise can customize to their hearts content.Bottom line is the HomePod finally lets me play my mp3s from my PC harddisk anywhere around the house, something I've wanted to do for some time. It is not perfect, but it is a relatively cheap solution and after working through the kinks does a fine job. 9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. HomePod exceeded my expectations By Mr. M. Connolly I am extremely happy with my purchase of the Macsense Homepod. At this price I wasn't expecting much - but I was wrong.I have a wireless lan in my home, and was attracted to the Homepod for the following reasons1) I was looking for something could easily and occasionally switch between Kitchen and Living room. I didn't need to bring it skiing!2) I listen to radio quite a bit, and the FM tuner was a definite plus3) I liked the idea of an open platform with an active developer community finding ways to improve the product.Here's whats good about it1) It works beautifully and simply once it's set up2) It is a solid, well thought out design.3) I love being able to browse & shuffle-play my music in the kitchen4) The product is being improved all the time via firmware updates5) It's very compatible6) The Internet Radio feature is a lot of fun, and works without a "server" PC.Here's what's weak1) Wireless setup was quite easy, but I did have some trouble getting the supplied server software working (I eventually downloaded MusicMatch). My problems were probably down to the fact that I'm still using Windows 982) The FM Tuner isn't great - OK for strong signals only3) The built-in speakers are on a par with typical