Squeezebox and BBC iPlayer

[rwacka]

Good afternoon all. I am completely new to digital audio so apologies if this seems a dumb question. I would like to put together a small system to use in the office whilst I am working. I like to listen to specialist music radio, mostly via the BBC iPlayer. I would also like to have a system independent of my computer. Does the Squeezebox Touch support the BBC iPlayer? From what I have read on the Logitech website it offers a 'selected' number of internet radio stations. I presume you cannot just browse the internet for specific music stations (e.g. Black Diamond FM)?

My second question is does it have a decent inbuilt DAC or will I have to buy something like a Beresford? I plan to run it through an old Marantz/Rotel/Sony amp into a set of bookshelf/floorstanding speakers (all to be obtained).

Many thanks for any info
Cheers
Richard

[Stratmangler]

The analogue outs on the Touch are very good, so you don't have to use to an external DAC of any sort.

As for iPlayer - if you run the Touch from a computer running Squeezebox Server then iPlayer is dependable.
However, if you're thinking of running iPlayer using TinySC (the player embedded server) then this is dependant upon mysqueezebox.com working, and saying that mysqueezebox.com is flaky is being polite about it.

[slate]

For an office setup a Touch is plenty.

Triode made an iPlayer plugin for Squeezebox, however I am not certian if it runs on the Touch as a standalone, or if you need to have a dedicated SBS server installed.... in which case it will work.

I am sure that that some of the Touch owners on here can chime in with some more knowledgable answers... anyone?!

[rwacka]

Thanks Guys. Sounds like a PC connection is a good idea. In which case why would I need a Squeezebox? Could I not go PC->DAC->Amp? For the PC->DAC connection could I use a USB slot on the PC and connect to a USB input on the DAC or do I need a digital out on the PC? I could then run iPlayer on my PC with the audio out through the DAC/Amp/Speakers? I warned you they would be basic questions! Thanks for your time guys.
Richrd

[Stratmangler]

Thanks Guys. Sounds like a PC connection is a good idea. In which case why would I need a Squeezebox? Could I not go PC->DAC->Amp? For the PC->DAC connection could I use a USB slot on the PC and connect to a USB input on the DAC or do I need a digital out on the PC? I could then run iPlayer on my PC with the audio out through the DAC/Amp/Speakers? I warned you they would be basic questions! Thanks for your time guys.
Richrd

Yes.

[icehockeyboy]

I also queried i player on the SBT, on my upstairs SBT, it is there, but downstairs I can only access it via the laptop.

Sorry to slightly hijack the thread, but any thoughts here folks?

[dave2010]

Yes.

I think you'd only get 16 bit audio out of the USB unless you use a specialist interface. If you use the wired or wireless ethernet you should be able to get a wider range of opions. However, for many applications 16 bit 44.1 or 48 is often satisfactory. If you want "the ultimate" you might look at more bits/sample, higher sample rates and more esoteric equipment. Really depends on how desperate you are for really high quality.