This project aims to provide a comfortable user interface for managing an instance of Logitech Media Server (previously Squeezebox Server, previously previously SqueezeCenter, previously³ SlimServer) and a reasonable number of attached players, such as might be found in a home or small office.
Logitech Media Server is a Free Software streaming audio server, with a number of nice features, including in particular synchronizing the audio playing between user-settable combinations of players. There’s also an active community of users and plugin developers, despite the discontinuing of support from Logitech.
LMS provides a web interface to its controls (on port 9000 by default), which is adequate for many uses. It also provides a CLI over TCP/IP (on port 9090), and it is this CLI that this project exploits.
Squeezebox players come in various forms; hardware supporting the LMS protocol was sold as Squeezebox Classic, Boom, Receiver, Touch and Radio. After purchasing the Squeezebox company, Logitech discontinued the sale of LMS devices, devising a new “UE” protocol with the disadvantage of requiring an always-on Internet connection, even to play local media. It is reportedly possible to convert UE Radios to Squeezebox Radios by executing a command in the Radio user interface.
In addition to the hardware players, there exist software clients, such as SqueezePlay and SqueezeLite. This opens the door for enthusiasts to build a low-cost home media system using off-the-shelf components and Free Software.