The iHome Multi-Center on display at CEDIA has been around for awhile but somehow managed to slip below our radar. Still, when a Windows Media Center Edition device touts the ability to playback Apple's DRM-protected AAC files, well, it makes sense to double-back and take notice. The device is said to exploit iTunes and the Quicktime APIs to create a two-zone (analog and digital audio) music server in addition to its MCE capabilities. The magic created by using Quicktime as the output driver makes the iHome the only
server product we know of that will playback your FairPlay tracks purchased off the iTunes store. The slab even busts-out an IP control server which generates both full-sized and mini flash-based HTML pages for two-way control over the system from any networked device sportin' a web browser with Flash support. Sweet. The iHome MCE features a couple of 400GB disks (750GB disks coming early next year) and an HDTV video card for a luxurious, $8,000 addition to your home audio rack. You do have one don't you?
[Via
TalkAbout:CEDIA]
posted Sep 13th 2006 9:25AM
but has it been tested with itunes 7?
That's one ugly looking HTPC.
It's a rack server, Zach. You're not supposed to be looking at it too often.
"The magic created by using Quicktime as the output driver makes the iHome the only server product we know of that will playback your FairPlay tracks purchased off the iTunes store."
Last I checked, iTunes itself is a "server product".
Stick it on a networked PC and you have an instant music server. I've been serving up music on my home network this way for years now.
Very Cool!
Wouldn't it just be cheaper to stick an iPod in the unit? Oh, wait, I think I just figured out its "secret technology"...
:)
There is another device that allows you to play DRM music over WiFi. It is called the Sirocco from Sondigo. It sells for $139.99 and supports digital output via coax or optical. I posted about it in my blog...
http://kevinbaggs.com/2006/09/13/playing-music-via-wifi/
This software syncs my iTunes library to MCE and plays my protected mp4 tracks.
www.mcetunes.com
Sorry, make that m4p tracks ... fat fingers!