Macsense MP-100 HomePod

by Macsense

Product Details

Data Sheet [512kb PDF]

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Supplementary Guide [904kb PDF]

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Product Manual [3.10mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00013BK3C
• Item model number: MP-100
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,555 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

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 now have a real and convenient solution to enjoying their digital music around the house.

The HomePod enhances Apple's digital hub concept, complementing iTunes and iPod. Think of HomePod as an iPod for home distributed entertainment. The handheld device functions just like an iPod, with the ability to browse by song name, artists, album, and genre.

The device scans surrounding computers on the wireless network for available media libraries and list 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.

Product Description

MACSENSE MP-100 HomePod is a digital stereo component that takes full advantage of your existing wireless or wired network to stream music files stored on computers anywhere in your home or office. Simply select music residing on your computers from the LCD screen of the HomePod, and you are set. Features always-on, low-power mode Includes built-in stereo speakers and headphone jack for stand-alone operation Host Server software runs on PC, Mac or Linux machines Features 802.11b wireless and Ethernet network interface, FM tuner, USB port, built-in stereo speakers, stereo audio outputs to hi-fi system, headphone jack, 2.5 back-lit LCD, jog-shuttle rotating dial, and on-unit control buttons OS Support - Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP Dimensions - 5H x 7W x 2D; weighs 15.3 ounces

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rough round the edges but still a "Cool Geek Toy"., April 28, 2005

By 

Alan "add1" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macsense MP-100 HomePod (Electronics)

Don't be fooled by the "Mac" and "Pod" in the name, nor the iPod white case, and iPod-like wheel. This is a product made by a distributor of Apple computers and not Apple themselves. Had Apple made it, it would undoubtedly have been a much more pollished product, and a lot less fragile in it's interface.

As it is the HomePod is a workmanlike gadget for reading your MP3s across a network and playing them remotely. Setup is easy-ish. With only a single previous experience of setting up a wireless computer, the wireless setup on the HomePod took half an hour or so and a careful reading of the instructions. Server software is required on the PC (or an Apple), and this could be better explained. For instance loading an iTunes library file and the MyMusic folder from the PC, causes the HomePod's library listing to become a little garbled, and the HomePod to crash sporadically. This could definitely be handled better. There are also Linux servers available for the HomePod available on the internet.

The HomePod itself comes with an old version of the firmware and software, and upgrading the software is well worth the effort, for those with some technical savy.

Using the HomePod is easy and satisfying: the music files are listed by artist, author, trackname, genre and playlist, and the software interfaces well with iTunes. Reportedly it also works with Real Player and the MS Media Player, although I've never tried these.

There is also an FM radio tuner built in - but the reception is so bad that this is completely worthless. There is also an internet radio facility which appears pretty neat, but I have used it only briefly.

The homepod includes its own very low quality speakers but also has 3.5mm ear plug, and phono plugs to attach external speakers.

The software does have numerous areas where it falls short of reasonable expectations, for instance the wheel scrolls either very slowly, or too fast, with no happy medium; the music cannot be played while the menus are being navigated; many of the HomePod settings can only be changed from the PC; and the software does crash occassionally. However, the software is open source, and can be downloaded from gloolabs.com for free, and those with some technical experise can customize to their hearts content.

Bottom line is the HomePod finally lets me play my mp3s from my PC harddisk anywhere around the house, something I've wanted to do for some time. It is not perfect, but it is a relatively cheap solution and after working through the kinks does a fine job.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HomePod exceeded my expectations, December 23, 2004

By 

Mr. M. Connolly (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macsense MP-100 HomePod (Electronics)

I am extremely happy with my purchase of the Macsense Homepod. At this price I wasn't expecting much - but I was wrong.

I have a wireless lan in my home, and was attracted to the Homepod for the following reasons
1) I was looking for something could easily and occasionally switch between Kitchen and Living room. I didn't need to bring it skiing!
2) I listen to radio quite a bit, and the FM tuner was a definite plus
3) I liked the idea of an open platform with an active developer community finding ways to improve the product.

Here's whats good about it
1) It works beautifully and simply once it's set up
2) It is a solid, well thought out design.
3) I love being able to browse & shuffle-play my music in the kitchen
4) The product is being improved all the time via firmware updates
5) It's very compatible
6) The Internet Radio feature is a lot of fun, and works without a "server" PC.

Here's what's weak

1) Wireless setup was quite easy, but I did have some trouble getting the supplied server software working (I eventually downloaded MusicMatch). My problems were probably down to the fact that I'm still using Windows 98
2) The FM Tuner isn't great - OK for strong signals only
3) The built-in speakers are on a par with typical laptop speakers - i.e. useless for all but emergencies. You won't understand the quality of this equipment without connecting decent speakers (mine are modest Altec Lansing 2.1).

Summary - I love it, and I'm looking forward to more (free) enhancements in the future. It gave me a low cost entry into the world of MP3/Digital media using my existing PC, WLAN, speakers etc.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars All the right features (with bugs), April 10, 2005

By 

R. Wright (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macsense MP-100 HomePod (Electronics)

I've owned the Homepod for over 1 year now. To get the features I wanted I needed the Release 2 Beta firmware. This has been Beta for 2 years now! (written 4/2005) The system will hang after it's been on for several hours if you do anything besides just let it play. I find this particularly true if a shuffle operation is attempted. The system has to be power cycled. That wouldn't be a really big deal if it weren't for the 37 second startup time! I've found the overall experience to be a bit frustrating.