|
Overview
The Roku Labs SoundBridge is unique in its form
factor and design amongst music streaming gadgets. The cylinder is
made from metal and is quite heavy. The smaller SoundBridge M1000
measures 10" x 2.37" diameter. It weighs 1.5lbs. The only difference
to the longer (17") M2000 is the display size. The M1000 has a
280x16 pixel vacuum fluorescent display, the M2000 has 512x32 pixel.
The plugs are hidden under the plastic caps on each side. The basic
idea of such devices is to enable listening to music stored on a PC
on a Hi-Fi system. I connected the SoundBridge to my Hi-Fi system
(still has an analog amplifier, great sound).
Setup
Roku tries to make it really easy to connect
and install the SoundBridge. They packaged audio cable can be
connected to a head-phone jack. I ended up hooking the music streamer via a cable to the
network. After plugging in the Power adaptor the M1000 boots within
a couple of seconds. And that is it. If the Windows Media Connect
service is already running on a PC in the network the SoundBridge
will display that server on the screen and with the remote I can
select and browse the shared connect and play it.
Now for me the setup was a bit different. I plugged mine into the
AUX panel on the backside of my stereo system. For that I had to use
my own cables. So if you plan to hook-up the Soundbridge on the AUX
you need to buy that cable. First I wanted actually to
connect the SoundBridge via the wireless option with the packaged
Wireless CF-Card. But then I found out that the SoundBridge does not
support WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi
Protected Access Pre-Shared Key), only WEP encryption. I have my
wireless network configured for WPA-PSK authentication and did not
want to change. Roku Labs said WPA-PSK support is on their list, but
the support will not come this year. If you have a WEP configured network you
can easily configure the WEP id via the remote control on the SoundBridge.
I ran into one more issue. The Roku SoundBridge did not take an IP
address via DHCP when I then connected it via the cable. It turns
out the router I am using has a compatibility issue with the Roku
device. I am using the relatively new
Netgear WGT624. Roku Labs responded to this issue with that the
current shipping versions would not have this issue. To check if
your router is compatible with the SoundBridge see this
list
provided by Roku Labs. To circumvent that issue I configured an IP
address manually via the Telnet interface of the SoundBridge (port
4444). After that everything worked great.
|
|
|
Roku Remote Control. The unit
itself does not have any buttons. |
|
|
|
|
A WLAN CF-CARD is used for
optional wireless connectivity |
|
Usage
After installing Microsoft Media Connect (download
at MS) and enabling the SoundBridge as an active device, I could stream
MP3 and WMA files off my PC including purchased files with DRM 10.
The sound quality is excellent. The load on my
IBM Thinkpad X40 of
running the Windows Media Connect service was not noticeable. With
the remote control I can easily scroll through playlists and other
categories configured on the Windows Media Player 10. To play live
streaming internet radio I still have to use iTunes. Windows Media
Connect does not support sharing internet radio. To play internet
radio on the SoundBridge I just have to create a playlist in iTunes
and drag'n'drop radio stations in the list. The list is then
accessible from the SoundBridge. Playing streaming radio via the
SoundBridge is a great feature.
The display of the SoundBridge is very bright and easy to read. The
menu is straight forward and easy to use. My M1000 came still with
the version 1.0 software. The device features a software upgrade
option that downloads new updates from Roku and upgrades the unit.
Works nice. Not much more to say here on usage. Streaming music
should not be a difficult task it should be as easy as switching a
radio channel. Once the Roku SoundBridge is installed, it works
pretty much like that. (more photos below).
Conclusion
The Roku SoundBridge is definitely an eye catcher.
Now with the SoundBridge software version 2.0 it the music streamer
is Microsoft certified with the MS PlaysForSure Label. So no matter
if you a iTunes user or Windows Media Player user the Roku
SoundBridge works for you (see list of
compatible Media Servers). The sound quality is excellent.
Installation is designed to be very easy for wired and for wireless
as long as you use compatible routers and WEP wireless
authentication.
How to Buy
The
SoundBridge M1000 sells for $199.99 without Wireless CF-Card.
With CF-Card it sells for $249.99 at the
Roku Labs
Store.
The
SoundBridge M2000 sells for $499.99 including Wi-fi CF-Card.
More Photos
|
|
|
The Roku SoundBridge sitting on
top of my Hi-Fi system. Fits nicely with the metal finish. |
|
|
|
|
The Display of the SoundBridge is
easy to read. This is the play screen |
|
|
|
|
Windows Media Connect Device
Manager: Click on Image to see full-size. |
|
|
|
|
Windows Media Connect sharing:
Click on Image to see full-size. |
|
|
|
|
Windows Media Connect Settings:
Click on Image to see full-size. |
|
|
|
|
The SoundBridge automatically
finds Windows Media Connect Servers on the net. |
|
|
|
|
Audio Plugs and power adaptor plug
on one side. |
|
|
|
|
And the network connector on the
other. Here is also the slot for the wireless CF-Card. |
|
Specifications
SoundBridge
Spec. Sheet
SoundBridge Software v2.0
User
Manual
Processor
400 MHz Blackfin DSP
Audio Output
Analog Left, Right
Digital S/PDIF Coax
Digital TOSlink Optical
Maximum Line Output: 3 Volts Peak-to-Peak
THD +N: <0.0009%
Signal to Noise Ratio: >96dB
Dynamic Range: >104dB
Frequency Response: <20Hz - >20kHz
(All three audio outputs can be active at once.)
5.1 surround sound supported through Digital Coax and Optical audio
outputs
Supported Protocols
Apple Rendezvous™
TCP, DAAP, AutoIP, HTTP, UPnP AV, MS DRM 10, others
SlimServer Open Source 5.x-based streaming and control protocols
Audio Format Support
WMA, AAC*, MP3, AIFF, WAV
(Apple Lossless, FLAC and Ogg-Vorbis supported through third-party
SlimServer software)
*AAC DRM files purchased from the Apple Music Store are not
supported.
Sample Rates Supported (kHz)
8.0, 11.025, 12.0, 16.0, 22.05,24,32,44.1, 48.0
Bit Depth Supported
8 bit, 16 bit, stereo or mono
Network Connections
10MBit wired Ethernet or a CompactFlash 802.11 Adapter (included
with most SoundBridge models)
Windows System Requirements
iTunes users: Windows XP or 2000, iTunes 4.0 or later
Windows Media Connect users: Windows XP wth Service Pack 2
Musicmatch users: Windows 98, SE/Me/XP/2000 (SP3 or above)
Slimserver users: Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, NT
500 MHz Pentium class processor or better
128 MB RAM minimum, 256 MB RAM recommended
Macintosh System Requirements
iTunes users: Mac OSX v. 10.1.5 or later, iTunes 4.0 or later
400 MHz G3 processor or better
128 MB RAM minimum, 256 MB RAM recommended
Other Requirements
Computer with network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
Power Supply
Ships with a switching 110V/220V power supply. (An outlet adapter is
required to convert the N.American plug to international plug
types.)
Input: 100-240V; 50/60Hz
M1000: Output: 9V, 1.3 amp
M2000: Output: 24V, 07.75 amp
Carton Contents
Roku SoundBridge Network Music Player
Detachable rubber base
Illustrated user guide
Tiny power supply (self-switching for 110/220v - plug adapter for
wall outlet not included)
Custom Roku remote (two AAA batteries included)
6-foot (2m) RCA-to-mini Y-cable (for connecting to powered speakers)
Warranty
One year, parts and labor
Optional Accessories
SoundBridge Mounting Kit (includes brackets for wall and
shelf/under-shelf mounting)
Approved CompactFlash Wi-Fi Card (already included with most
SoundBridge models)
Additional Remote Control
Third-Party Accessories
Powered Speakers
 
|
