I have 6 slimp3 network mp3 players/streaming units and they are
fantaastic - they are fully open architecture and have some very clever
plugins available. The new model is called a squeezebox and can be bought
in wifi versons - you can see them at www.slimdevices.com

Drew
MC wrote in message
om...
I have a 6 zone whole house audio system controlled by keypads and
remote. I am using the Rio Receiver to play mp3s for a couple years
and it works pretty well. I am thinking of upgrading due to a few
limitations, but am not sure if anything better is out there. Due to
my circumstances, it needs to:

1) Be able to be controlled w/o seeing the unit or a tv. This means
being able to spell out song/artist/genre/playlist names out via
remote so I can do so with the keypads. Many require you to look at a
TV, the unit itself, or browse by up/down keys.

2) Preferably use an ethernet connection to my PC. Some have
standalone hard drives (more $$$s and have to transfer music anyway)
and some have wireless connections only (why possibly introduce
glitches when you have the wiring).

What are other people using for installations like this that is
reasonable in cost?