Logitech Squeezebox Duet
$599.95
Rating: 3 out of 5
www.logitech.com

Logitech's Squeezebox Duet lets you play your digital music collection to sound systems around the house.

The Squeezebox Duet consists of a remote control, a recharge cradle and a tiny receiver that connects to your stereo (analog or digital) and your home network (wired or 802.11G wireless).

The remote control also connects to your wireless network, meaning you can use it anywhere in the house rather than relying on line-of-sight. Its 6.1-centimetre colour screen lets you browse the music library on your computer (Mac, Windows or Linux), using an iPod-esque scroll wheel interface. Unfortunately the scroll wheel can be imprecise at times.

Once you've selected your music, you can then play it through your sound system via the receiver. You can also control the music from your computer, within your web browser. The system supports multiple remotes and receivers, allowing you to either synchronise what they're playing or have different music in each room.

Without turning on your computer you can listen to internet radio, or access your music collection if you copy it to the associated MP3 tunes online storage service. It sounds complicated but it's simple to use once set up. Unfortunately the set-up can be a nightmare, with minimal troubleshooting support from Logitech.

We couldn't get it to play nicely with our wireless network unless we disabled the encryption, and even then it was hit and miss as to whether the computer, remote control and receiver could detect each other.

Once running, the Squeezebox Duet can scan your hard drive for music or read your iTunes library - but it can't be controlled directly from iTunes library and it can't play DRM-protected Apple or Windows tracks. If you're already an iTunes user, AirTunes is a more user-friendly and cost-effective multi-room audio solution.