The Noxon is a media-streaming device that connects your stereo to your home network. The device allows you to listen to your MP3 collection through your hi-fi and play internet radio without even switching on your PC.
You attach the player to your network, using either an Ethernet cable or the Noxon's built-in wireless networking adapter. Getting it to work with Wi-Fi couldn't have been easier. We simply used the remote control to guide the player through its automatic setup routine - it scanned for wireless networks and displayed the ones it had found on its LCD screen. We chose the right network, entered our password using the remote's alphanumeric keypad and Bob's your uncle, the player was connected to the network and to our internet connection. As soon as it had access to the internet, we were able to use the Noxon to listen to internet radio. The device automatically connects to an internet radio server run by Terratec, which provides thousands of stations from every continent and in every language. Sometimes, however, stations from more exotic locations, for instance the Middle East, were unavailable. The quality of the stations varied depending on the internet audio stream, but it was no worse than listening on a PC.
As well as streaming internet radio, the Noxon can play MP3 and WMA files from the hard disk of any PC on your network. You simply install Terratec's music server software on your PC, spend a minute or two configuring the software and then reboot the device. The player then detects your PC, allowing you to browse your music files and choose which one you want to play. When we tested the Terratec it worked a treat.
The Noxon can also automatically detect and play files from a networked hard disk that supports the uPnP AV standard. We tried it out with a Buffalo LinkTheatre. Again, the player automatically detected the hard disk on the network and we were up and running in minutes - allowing us to play our MP3s without even switching on a PC.
System Specifications
NETWORK 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11b/g wireless CONNECTORS RCA/phono, digital S/P-DIF, USB 2, headphone FORMATS SUPPORTED MP3, WMA Size 165 x 165 x 73mm
Verdict
The Noxon provides quality internet radio through your stereo, in a package that's easy to use, but at a price. A great add-on for your hi-fi that's easy to set up and fun to use. It isn't cheap, though.
Author: Karl Wright
Computer Buyer Online