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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. What's the story on StreetFire Sound Labs?
  2. Where can I check out an RBX1600 before I buy it?
  3. What's in an RBX1600?
  4. Will you ship internationally?  What about 220V power?
  5. How many CDs can the RBX1600 control?
  6. Do I need to have an internet connection?  Why?
  7. What are the home network requirements to use an RBX1600?
  8. Can the RBX1600 link up with my home wireless network?
  9. How long does the setup take?
  10. How can I rip down my CD collection for my iPod?
  11. Can the RBX1600 unify my music CD collection with my music files on my computer?
  12. Does the RBX1600 work with Sony DVP CD/DVD changers?
  13. Aren't you worried about the RIAA?
  1. What's the story on StreetFire Sound Labs?
    StreetFire Sound Labs is a privately held company in San Francisco.  It was started by Stephen Street as a result of his own experience in trying to build a reasonably priced, multi-zone home entertainment system that also employed modern computer networking capabilities.  In a moment of temporary insanity, he vowed to do better and decided to start StreetFire Sound Labs.  Find out more here.
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  2. Where can I check out an RBX1600 before I buy it?
    StreetFire Sound Labs does not have a retail presence.  Instead we sell direct on the web and pass the savings on to you.  We offer a risk-free, unconditional 30 day money-back guarantee, so try an RBX1600 out in your own home!
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  3. What's in an RBX1600?
    The RBX1600 is a custom Linux/Java computer server with a Java client running on your PC.  It's powered by an Intel X-scale processor that we've turbocharged with a Xilinx FPGA.  For more info, see the StreetFire Forum in our Community section for software resources and our Technical Info for hardware specifications.
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  4. Will you ship internationally?  What about 220V power?
    Yes! You can order your RBX1600 with a flexible international power supply.   Please contact sales if you would like to ship to a specific country not already listed in our store.
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  5. How many CDs can the RBX1600 control?
    Each RBX1600 can control up to 4 Sony jukeboxes.  Current models, like the CDP-CX455, can control up to 400 music CDs and MP3 CDs.  Four of these jukeboxes together would be 1600 CDs potentially containing tens of thousands of tracks.  If that's still not enough music for you, then you can install several RBX1600s and control them all from one application.  Now THAT is a lot of music.
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  6. Do I need to have an internet connection?  Why?
    The RBX1600 does require an internet connection.  Oddly enough, most music CDs do not have the track and title information on the disc.  Our software looks at your CD in the jukebox and then figures out which disc it is and associates it with title, track and other information.  To do this, we need access to a free on-line database called FreeDB.  A broadband connection makes this CD identification process a little faster, but dial-up will work too.
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  7. What are the home network requirements to use an RBX1600?
    An RBX1600 needs to connect to your CD jukebox(es) via optical cable(s), to your receiver/amplifier via an optical or analog cable, and to your Ethernet network via CAT-5 cable.  A diagram may be found here.  An optical cable, an analog cable, and an Ethernet cable are all included with the RBX1600.  Additional cables may be ordered by contacting support.
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  8. Can the RBX1600 link up with my home wireless network?
    Yes, and you have several options.  Of course, you can make a wired connection between your RBX1600 ethernet jack and a wireless hub.  This is the simplest and quickest way to use the RBX1600 in a wireless environment.      If that configuration is not possible for some reason, we recommend using an ethernet bridge, which simply plugs into your ethernet port and has it's own WiFi antenna.  The RBX1600 has a compact flash (CF) slot that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including 802.11 (WiFi) cards.  We have found that unadvertised variations in WiFi equipment can be problematic and is an excessive burden on our noble tech support team.   However, all the software is now in place to use the wireless connection after a manual configuration.  If you are very technically disposed and would like to enjoy your RBX1600 over a CF wireless link, please contact us and we'll suggest a CF card model that you will need to purchase separately and explain how to manually configure the RBX1600 for wireless use.
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  9. How long does the setup take?
    It takes only a few minutes to hook up the cables and install the software.  The initial identification of your CDs typically takes about 30 seconds per CD, limited by the mechanical speed of your jukebox.  Multiple jukeboxes can cut this time significantly.  Please follow the sequence in the included QuickStart guide.
    Once you've completed the initial setup, the RBX1600 remembers your identified CDs, so you won't need to restart this initialization process when you change a CD in your jukebox - only the new CD is identified.
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  10. How can I rip down my CD collection for my iPod?
    In March 2005 we will release our cool new GUI and RipSmart, our special ripping modes that uniquely take advantage of the RBX1600/Sony jukebox(es) combination.  With our 1ClickRip, you can automatically rip your custom playlist of tracks across multiple CDs, or simply rip down your whole collection - entirely unattended!
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  11. Can the RBX1600 unify my music CD collection with my music files on my computer?
    We will add support for hard disk-based music in spring 2005 that will let you integrate music tracks stored on your computer with your music CD tracks.  You'll then have the ability to stream music on your computer to your stereo and vice versa!
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  12. Does the RBX1600 work with Sony DVP CD/DVD changers?
    We control and manage only the Sony CDP models of CD Players with a Sony S-Link Control-A1II control port, a port that Sony did not include in the DVP models. Our future products may support the DVP models through the RS-232 port, but unfortunately not before the 4th quarter of 2005.
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  13. Aren't you worried about the RIAA?
    StreetFire Sound Labs does not condone illegal file sharing or other copyright infringement.  We do, however, feel strongly that consumers are entitled to enjoy the fullest "fair use" of their music, and videos.  We don't think people should be subject to inappropriate legal intimidation either.  For more information, please see the Electronic Frontier Foundation website.  They fight for your digital rights and deserve your support.  [Back]
     
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