Digi also makes an extremely nice and rather expensive wifi DB9 RS232 to IP dongle which does a great job: However you are still pumping RS232 comms encapsulated in an IP packet and as a result you are now dealing with both RS232 and IP protocol issues (if any). Although it is a pretty slick solution, it's not true IP comms as the RS232 protocols (or lack thereof) are still the base comm methodology. All the IP does is act as a transporter for rough and ready old technology.

Jon: although your solution is eloquent and very functional, it's not true IP: It's RS232 comms wrapped in an IP overcoat. Mid & Low-end manufacturers appear to be in transition to RS232, but they really need to jump forward an extra step to true IP based comms. Media server manfucatuers may have been IP out of the gate; unfortunately I'm not interested in that path as I've built TCP listeners to control my PC through the pronto. The components I am interested in seem to be stuck in the mud (players and pre/pros).

Thanks to all for your suggestions on players and pre/pros!