BRYSTON BDP-1 (SILVER)

Home Network (propeller-head option): The BDP-1 is a technically sophisticated component incorporating state of the art solid-state electronics which links up to your home network and may be controlled by a variety of graphic interface devices (eg, laptop, Netbook, PC, PDA, iPhone, web-browser etc.). The BDP-1?s graphic interface operates under "open source" software protocols, ensuring long term future proofing and compatibility with the widest possible range of other digital devices as they are developed. We will also be developing our own Bryston web based MPD client. The main point to understand here is the BDP-1 is accessing the digital files from the attached USB drives(s) directly and not streaming files on the network. The network is only used to interface your library storage on your remote (itouch, laptop, notebook etc.) or using a web browser on your computer as the interface. This approach eliminates all the issues inherent in streaming high-resolution digital files over the home network or the dreaded ?sharing the home network? with the rest of the family. Moving forward we are going to look at the possibility of integrating a NAS (network attached storage) drive to the BDP-1 so the network would find the NAS drive instantly on the network when connected.

Locally: (luddite option) - The BDP-1 can also be operated ??outside? the home network by simply utilizing the front panel buttons and the front panel two line graphic display. You can also access the basic functions of the player using the Bryston BR-2 remote (Play, Pause, Stop, Next and Previous). So with the BDP-1 you ?DO NOT? have to be on the network to play your songs. You can do some simple navigation of the USB drive(s) using the two line graphic display and front panel controls. You can open folders and choose songs to play. At this point you know it all works and you can then deal with setting up your network interface as time and talent permits.

ON THE INSIDE:
Internally the Bryston BDP-1 music player employs a fan-less motherboard with an integrated processor and flash drive memory. It runs an extremely pared down embedded version of the ?Linux? operating system (as opposed to Windows or Mac OS). It boots in read-only mode so you cannot accidentally or purposely cause a system failure. It employs a very high quality modified digital soundcard capable of native resolutions all the way up to 192/24. The output section is a specially designed interface to allow state of the art digital connections between the BDP-1 Player and the Bryston BDA-1 external DAC utilizing either AES-EBU or BNC connectors.

The Bryston BDP-1 Digital Music Player uses any direct coupled USB (thumb drive or harddrive) storage source? and can play all high resolution AIFF, FLAC and WAV files up to and including native 192/24 bit files. Music must be ripped using a different computer running any operating system and any ripping program the end user is comfortable with. Playback can be controlled via numerous methods. A popular option will be the iPod Touch or iPhone, a web browser or the front panel controls on the BDA-1 digital player or basic functions using the Bryston BR-2 remote.

PLAYING MUSIC FILES:
In conclusion, the easiest way to understand the Bryston BDP-1 Digital Music Player is to think of it as an 21st century updated CD player. Instead of CD?s as the music source though it utilizes USB thumb drives or USB hard-drives as the music storage source. For example you can use a large 500GB to 1TB USB hard-drive which is permanently connected to the BDP-1 for mass storage of your music and then use a number of smaller 8-16GB USB thumb-drives to create specific play lists ? one for Jazz, one for Classical, one for Rock etc. and insert them into the BDP-1 as you wish. Also your friends can come over with their favorite songs loaded on their personal thumb-drives and listen as well.