The Blackbird Digital Music Player is an audio component and a network peripheral. It allows you to store and play digital music files on your home stereo system. It connects to your stereo system with standard audio cable and to your home network with standard ethernet cable. A wireless option is also available for use on a wireless network.

Blackbird will work with virtually any stereo amplifier or receiver with standard RCA inputs. It uses any line-level input, so any input labeled CD, AUX, or TAPE will work.

If you have a router then you have a network. Many cable and DSL services include a router, especially if you access the Internet from more than one computer. If you have only a cable or DSL modem and connect your computer directly to it, then you do not have a network. In this case, you would need to add a router between your modem and computer. Routers are readily available for less that $50.

If you access the Internet from a wireless laptop then you probably have a wireless router. The exception would be if you have a wireless access point which is only capable of connecting one computer. If you access the Internet from multiple wireless computers, then you have a wireless network.

Blackbird is especially suited for use with a wireless laptop. Many people have music collections on their laptops. Blackbird makes it easy to listen to those songs on a home stereo system. Once installed, you simply use the browser on your laptop to access the Blackbird home page just as you would access an Internet web site. From the home page you can follow the links to load your music files and play them through your home stereo.

No. Blackbird runs only on your local network when playing digital music files. It does of course need an active Internet connection when playing Internet radio.

Connecting the Blackbird to your stereo system is very similar to connecting a CD player. A single audio cable goes into any line-level input on your stereo receiver or amplifier. Connection to your network requires an ethernet cable. Once connected, turn it on and enjoy. Connecting to a wireless network requires another step as you must first connect by cable and enter your wireless network encryption key. Once that is entered you can disconnect the cable and move Blackbird anywhere within range of your wireless network.

The main differences are storage, convenience, and security, especially pronounced for users with laptops. Network streamer products use storage on your computer and require server software to run on your computer. The quality of the server software varies greatly between devices. Blackbird has the computer, hard disk storage, and server built into it. Blackbird is more convenient because it is a dedicated audio component which is always available, designed to run continuously without a fan. There is no software to install! It doesn't go into sleep mode, or interfere with other users on a shared computer. It has the best server software and the best browser interface of all the home players. The user interface was designed for use on any browser, including small screen PDA's and laptops. Security means your music is safer. Your digital music is stored with your audio system making it less likely to be stolen or lost. And Blackbird runs on Linux for reliability and virus protection.

No. At this time, Blackbird can play only unprotected music files.