So whats the verdict? Do you like a cd management system (Escient, etc) or a harddrive based system (Russound, etc). Have a customer that wants to do someting with his cd's. The only interface will be a tv for monitor and an RTI T2+. Any ideas? Leaning towards Escient !!!!

Escient has the best of both worlds, so why not?

I think you should begin with budjet. If the funds are there you cant get any better than a request.

Working with the Escient e2 seiries right now.

HUGE LEAP BACKWARDS from a Squeezebox interface or a Sonos. Can't make a play que on the fly. Can't reorganize tracks in a play lists. Playlists are pretty limited too. Internet radio has been flakey requiring me to switch to RadioIO then back to get shout cast stations to work. Can't reorganize tracks once they are in the library and the interface to fix track info is REAL limited. Alblum art.. don't even get me started on the screwed up things I got there.

I don't hate it... I have a call into my rep about the issues I tripped over but they have not called back.

On the upside it takes imports well and even plays back imported WMA files despite what the rep told me.

Take some time to try it out and see if you like it thou.

But sorry to take a shot a djnorm but I would have to whole hartedly disagree with the "best of both worlds" statement. More like passable or weak of both worlds.

Just my opinion.

I called Escient about this very problem the other day. They are working on a fix for this issue and it will be in the next software release which is scheduled in the next few weeks.

The nice thing about Escient is it's simple interface for non-industry users. We tend to forget that 95% of our customers are not nearly as tech saavy as we are. For most people, the Escient will do everything they need it to do. Anyone looking for more advanced features should be thinking about a Media PC anyway. Qualify your customer to the right product, don't sell him what you want to sell him. Huge difference.

Just my $.02 worth.

Fred Forlano
Higher Definition