MacSense HomePod MP-100
Manufacturer: Macsense Connectivity Part number: MP-100
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Lovely but flawed, the HomePod's MP3-only handicap puts it light-years behind other iPod knockoffs.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
MacSense HomePod MP-100 price range: $199.99
- Reviewed by: Troy Dreier
- Edited by: David Katzmaier
- Reviewed on: 01/14/2005
- Released on: 01/01/2003
The good: Attractive design; streams music wirelessly from home computers or Internet radio stations; works as an alarm clock; plays from USB storage drives.
The bad: Streams only MP3 files; awful built-in speakers; FM antenna not durable.
The bottom line: Lovely but flawed, the HomePod's MP3-only handicap puts it light-years behind other iPod knockoffs.
Despite being made by a company named MacSense, the HomePod ($249 list, with a street price of about $150 to $170) works with both Windows and Macintosh computers. As long as you have an 802.11b/g wireless network, you can use it, and setup takes only minutes. You'll need to install the HomePod software on any computer you'll be using. The device can work with multiple home computers, but they all must be turned on, with the server software running.
The HomePod's design--reminiscent of a bigger, clunkier iPod--looks relatively attractive, and it can stand alone or be mounted on a wall. In our testing, the HomePod found our music collection instantly with no fuss. You use the dial to scroll through your collection and the Enter button, in the center of the wheel, to select.
Once the music started playing, the HomePod's problems began. First off, the built-in speakers are simply terrible. If you love your music collection, you'll hate hearing it played through these intercom-quality speakers, which eliminate highs and lows and leave a thin, flattened-out middle.
Happily, the HomePod's extensive connectivity means you won't have to listen through its speakers. There are optical and coaxial digital outputs, a set of analog stereo outputs, and a headphone jack. A USB port on the back lets you play music from an external USB drive, such as a keychain flash drive.
The biggest problem is that unlike many network media players available today, the HomePod can stream only MP3 files. Awkward wording on the company's Web site suggests that you can upgrade for AAC and WMA ability, but that refers to a future upgrade, not one that's available now. A company rep told us that once the HomePod can finally play WMA files, it will be a small jump to add WMA digital rights management-protected (DRM) content. Unfortunately, since Apple will probably never give permission for non-Apple devices to play AAC DRM files, the HomePod won't be able to play songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store. So much for that promising name.
When you get tired of digital music, the HomePod has a built-in FM tuner. We liked the option but hated the flimsy wire antenna, which actually broke off in our testing. Getting it back in place meant unscrewing the antenna base with a teensy eyeglasses screwdriver.
If you upgrade to the beta software now available on the HomePod site, you'll gain some cool new features, such as the ability to stream Internet radio stations. HomePod tunes in Live365, ShoutCast, and RadioIO stations, displaying artist and song info for most of them. The beta software also turns the HomePod into an alarm clock.
With better speakers and the ability to play more file types, the HomePod could be a good product for any digital music lover. But for now it's better suited to people who use only MP3s and can't get enough of that iPod look. Die-hard iPod/iTunes fans should consider getting another dock for their existing iPod (connect it to your living-room stereo, and you have a cheap and easy multiroom digital audio solution) or Apple's own AirPort Express for wireless streaming. If you don't need compability with iTunes Music Store downloads, consider the Roku SoundBridge M1000, the Creative Sound Blaster Wireless Music or the Slim Devices SqueezeBox.
User reviews
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An Incredible Internet Streaming Radio !!!!
by Johncece on October 8, 2005
Pros: Easy to Use, Easy Network Set Up, Great Sound Connected to Stereo !!!
Cons: built in speakers :(
Summary: I purchased this radio over a year ago and just recently purchased another. It's incredibly easy to use. I have this hooked up to my surround sound stereo, the ...
Summary: I purchased this radio over a year ago and just recently purchased another. It's incredibly easy to use. I have this hooked up to my surround sound stereo, the internet radio stations sound SUPER !!!, I listen mostly to Live 365 stations, incredible sound. The built in speakers are not the best but when I'm listening to it next to the bed at night time you dont want it turned up anyway. I have done alot of research on streaming internet radios this one to me is an incredible value.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Product, Horrendous documentation
Pros: Great concept and design, Pleasing looks, Linux based code that is versatile, USB storage support, plays WMA, MP3, AAC streams and files. Great LCD screen, Audio-out options and built in speakers. Remote control is sylish and functional. Loved the Interne
Cons: Absolutely horrendous documentation, doesn't even talk about any advanced features advertised on the retail box or website. I almost sent it back but I realised that they have put out beta code that does lot of things that they have been claiming. Getting
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Cool music server link solution and developer toy
Pros: I bought the Developer version. To a Java/Linux developer it's a networked Linux computer with misc networking interfaces and audio streaming capability for many cool ways to stream audio from the Internet or local PC's. But this haven't resulted in that
Cons: The coolness factor is high but the manufacturer haven't leveraged the potential of a potential 3rd party community (missing Java/Linux app install framework).
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Very Satisfying - MP3 Streaming From My PC
Pros: The unit is very well-made, high quality exterior. It plays my 35 gigs of music without a hitch. iTunes based music management library is a nice feature, but it also works with other music management software, so I've heard, but i'm very satisfied with th
Cons: Can't play streaming Rhapsody music.
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Incredible Radio !!!!
Pros: Small, Nice sound at bedside from the little speakers. Cool display, scrolls title, station info (Real Cool) Streaming audio channels (MANY!!!!) Always a channel to listen to.
Cons: The Beta Software Crashes from time to time, thats to be expected thou for now. It's not battery operated, would be nice in the back yard without an extension cord. Needs a search feature for streaming station location.
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Innovative product, unique design
Pros: all-in-one design. no need to attach to TV or home stereo, built-in speakers, compact, place anywhere. wireless convenience. rich features, network music, internet radio, FM radio, on unit control, rotating dial. wall-mountable.
Cons: lcd too bright, unit sometimes topples, remote control unit too small for comfort.
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High quality sound, convenient stereo system addition
Pros: The sound quality is impressively good. It can be brought about anywhere in my apartment and i have my N-gigs of tunes at my fingertips. It comes with small speakers, but when hooked up to my stereo system, it sounds great!
Cons: Maybe not battery operated?
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Macsense Connectivity
- Part number: MP-100
- Description: Macsense HomePod is a digital stereo component that allows users to take advantage of their existing wireless network to stream music files stored on their computers to HomePods located anywhere in the house. Imagine being able to select from any computer in your home or office and choose the music you want to listen to on any speaker or headphone set. Simply select your music from the LCD screen on the HomePod and you are set. HomePod works outside on the patio, in the garden or while organizing your garage. Until now, MP3 music lovers have been forced to connect their computers to their home stereos, or to make duplicate copies of their music files to CDs and portable storage players if they want to listen to their music away from the computers. But now, with HomePod's 802.11b, or Wi-Fi, network interface to stream MP3 files to remote devices, consumers have a real and convenient solution to enjoying their digital music around the house. HomePod has the ability to browse song by name, artists, album, and genre. The device scans surrounding computers on the wireless network for available media libraries and lists them for selection and playing. Host Server software runs on a PC, Mac, or Linux machines. HomePod features an 802.11b wireless and Ethernet network interface, FM tuner, USB port, built-in stereo speakers, stereo audio outputs to home hi-fi system, headphone jack, 2.5" back-lit LCD display, jog-shuttle rotating dial, and on-unit control buttons.
General
- Product Type Network audio player with radio
- Width 7 in
- Depth 2 in
- Height 5 in
- Weight 15.3 oz
Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Built-in Display LCD
- Display Illumination Yes
- Additional Features Upgradeable firmware
- Digital Storage Media None - -1
Speaker System
- Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker - Built-in
Radio
- Type Radio tuner - FM - Digital
- Tuning Display LCD display
- Preset Station Qty 20
- Additional Features Station naming
Network Player
- Network player type Network audio player
- Network player functionality Digital audio playback, Internet radio playback
- Supported digital audio standards MP3
- Connectivity Wireless
- Connectivity protocols IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet)
- Network player features Web interface
Turntable
- Type None
CD System
- CD system type None
DVD
- Type None
Cassette System
- Cassette system type None
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Supported Digital Audio Standards AAC, MP3, WMA, WAV
MD System
- MD system type None
Headphones
- Headphones Type None
Microphone
- Type None
Remote Control
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
Remote Control (2nd)
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ), 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), 1 x SPDIF output, 1 x SPDIF output ( RCA phono ), 1 x USB, 1 x Network ( RJ-45 )
Miscellaneous
- AV Furniture None
Manufacturer info
- Macsense Connectivity
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Macsense Connectivity products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.macsense.com/
- Address:
442 Littlefield Ave.
So. San Francisco, CA 94080 - Phone: 650-869-4828
- Fax: 650-869-4878
