Home Networks

We look at two new devices that make a home network a lot more exciting

The SliMP3 may sound like it's named after a dodgy rap artist, and look like a ripped out car stereo, but it is, in fact, an ingenious device waiting to show off its musical talents on your home network.

The KiSS DP-500 DVD player, on the other hand, looks like any of the millions of DVD players taking our living rooms by storm - but it also has hidden talents. Link it to a computer with an internet connection and you can watch film and home movie favourites from your very own video jukebox.

We've connected both up to a home network to see whether they live up to their promises.

Ethernet Explained

Most home networks are used to allow two computers to share files, or to use a single printer. These two devices take networks a step further - but first you'll need to set yours up.

Most wired networks use Ethernet technology. So your computers need a Network Interface Card (NIC, about £10) to provide the necessary Ethernet port for connecting other networked computers and devices (both the SliMP3 and the Kiss DP-500 have a standard 10/100 Ethernet connection).

The two devices stream internet radio only if a broadband (cable or ADSL) connection and modem are part of your network. If your modem doesn't have an Ethernet port, you'll need one that does: we used the Zoom ADSL X3 (£85).

Finally, you'll need an Ethernet router (a sort of central hub) to connect everything. We used the LinkSYS BEFSR41 DSL (£50) pictured above. The computer, broadband modem and SliMP3 or DP-500 then connect via standard Ethernet cabling (often called CAT-5 cabling) to the router.

The DP-500 must be used with a router (even if you're not interested in streaming radio). But you can use the SliMP3 without one as an MP3-only player. You connect it straight to your computer, using a special crossover Ethernet cable, and hi-fi.

We tested both devices on a wired network but, if you don't want cables round the house, both claim to work on a wireless one.

SliMP3 Network MP3 Player

Multitask Computing £209

This mysterious black box decodes MP3 files so you can listen to them on your hi-fi, even if they're on a computer in another room.

As well as linking to the computer, you must connect it to an amplified set of speakers. And once hooked up, you also need to download special server software (not supplied, strangely) from www.multitask-computing.co.uk/slimp3 . When you have, you can pack away your CD and tape collection forever. The software allows your computers and the SliMP3 to communicate. It works as a sort of central access point, controlled by the remote control or any computer on the network (even though it's installed on just one).

It's impressively intuitive and flexible, acting as filing cabinet for all your MP3 tracks. You can set up playlists - compilations to suit different moods - and alter the information displayed on the player's screen. You can even set the SliMP3 as an alarm clock, waking you up with music from a particular playlist.

SlimP3 Network MP3 Player: II

On Display

The SliMP3 itself is basically a box with a large LED display which shows track details. These details scroll, so even long tracks will fully display. There are no buttons, so it's controlled entirely from the software or via remote control.

Sound quality is slightly inferior to decent hi-fi (a limitation of the MP3 format), but better than computer speakers. And with the SliMP3 in a different room to your computer - as intended - there are no whirring computer noises. The SliMP3 can also stream internet radio - when the computer is on - via the server software. An eight-second buffer memory prevents any interruptions to broadcast. There are no preprogrammed stations; instead you have to go through a fairly complicated manual procedure to set them up.

The many internet radio stations using the Shoutcast, iCast and Live 365 audio streaming systems are supported by the player. By visiting their websites, you can choose the ones you like, and make them pre-set stations. So a thumbs up for technical flexibility, thumbs down for ease of use.

The SliMP3's server software lets you organise your MP3 collection

The technical flexibility also means that SliMP3 enthusiasts are taking the concept further. The server software supports plug-ins, extra bits of code (written by anyone who has the ability) to enhance functionality.

It ships with the game Tetris, for example. Turn the player on its end, and use the remote to control the pieces falling down the screen. Other plug-ins, including live internet news feeds, weather forecasts and stock market information, are available to download.

Key
best worst

Performance Features Ease of use Value £££

OVERALL 59%

DP-500 DVD Player

Kiss £260

With a finger in many pies, the DP-500 makes the most of its 10/100 Ethernet port. Connect it to a networked computer, and the PC Link server software (supplied on a CD) controls the playback of jpeg, MP3 and DivX (compressed video) files stored on the computer hard drive.

So as well as playing standard DVDs, you can use the DP-500 with your TV to see and hear video, photos and music from your computer-cum-jukebox.

The Kiss website, which you use to control your internet radio set up

Radio Days

The DP-500 can, like the SliMP3, stream internet radio stations. What's different about the DP-500, though, is that it can receive web radio without your computer being turned on. The player stores a list of pre-sets selected and downloaded from a fixed choice of 81 international stations at webradio.kiss-technology.com. There are few mainstream stations - no BBC, for example - but stations covering lots of different music types are streamed at a good-quality 128Kbps rate.

Streams only had interruptions when we used the internet on the computer at same time - the player doesn't quite have a big enough buffer memory to avoid this problem.

DP-500 DVD Player: II

Kiss and Not Tell

As a straightforward DVD player, the DP-500 is easy to set up and use, working through intuitive menus and on-screen prompts. But the instructions reveal little about networking the player to the internet and a computer or using the PC Link server software. We were left to figure out a lot of things, and beginners to networking may struggle.

If you do give up in frustration, you'll at least have a versatile DVD player for consolation. The DP-500 is one of the first DVD players that can play DVDs and CDs recorded in the DivX compressed video format. Increasingly used for sharing video over the internet, it's a controversial, though high quality, format (see Burning Trouble, May 2003, and Slow Burn, May 2003). Picture quality of video both in this format and standard DVD Video format (with the player connected to a good TV) was excellent.

The player can also play all types of CD and DVD disc except DVD-RAM, as well as discs of MP3s or jpegs, Video CDs, regular audio CDs and DVD films (Regions 0 and 2). Unfortunately, MP3 compilations and DivX discs cannot be fast forwarded or rewound. A zoom feature - up to 400 per cent - works on video or still images and, especially useful for picture CDs, images can be rotated through 360 degrees. Sound tracks and film chapters can also be repeated and shuffled. The only letdown is that DVD films can't be bookmarked and resumed during interrupted playback.

Performance Features Ease of use Value £££

OVERALL 61%

www.kiss-technology.com
Needs : Windows98 required for PC Link software

Verdict

Both the SliMP3 and DP-500 are novel, not novice, devices. They're clever products that work well. But the instructions with both - particularly on how to connect them to a network - are limited.

We suggest you get your networking wings on more standard stuff first, then add these when you're more confident. That way you'll probably already have the router, NIC cards and cabling you need to set these up for networking. Otherwise these components will set you back from £70 to £150.

That said, and for home networking enthusiasts, both have undeniable attraction. They're best suited to a 'smart' home - with hidden Ethernet cabling and where a computer is pretty much always on.