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Digital Music Distribution Around the Home

In-Stat recently surveyed home network users, and asked them about various current uses and activities that they were interested in but not currently doing.

They found that about 44 percent were interested in streaming digital music from a computer or network storage over their home network to a traditional analog stereo system in another room that was not directly connected to their computer. In-Stat also found that there were many reasons why those home network owners were not using their network in this manner.

These reasons included:

- They have not had the time to convert their music library to digital.

- They have no interest, as they only listen to the radio or listen to CDs.

- They listen to digital music with speakers attached to their personal computer.

- They prefer to use a portable digital music player.

- They listen to digital music with a portable music player in a docking station.

- They believe it's too complicated, or there are known quality issues.

The most popular reason cited was "no interest, as they just listen to CDs or radio." However, In-Stat believes that most likely the easiest solution would be to convert consumers who cited two of the primary reasons mentioned.

For those who did not know they could do this, some could be converted by seeing more products on the market with this capability, point-of-sale marketing, and general exposure for this activity.

For those who listen to their digital music with a portable music player in a docking station, some could be converted by seeing more docking stations on the market that have at least an Ethernet jack (only Ethernet, for low cost). Various types of network adapters could then be used, depending on consumer preference, such as WLAN, powerline, etc.

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