I’ve been using Mlem since week 2 and I have no idea if I’m missing anything or not. I’ve never visited any instance on anything but Mlem.

I have Sonos and it is meh. They just issued an apology in the app for how bad their app got, so I can’t really recommend it.

I keep seeing good reviews about Audio Pro. I don’t know too much about them, but they seem to have the same idea of multi-room audio.

Self hosting is the big caveat. There’s a lot of great software options, but the hardware can get to be a bit limiting if you don’t wanna play with common protocols like AirPlay or Chromecast.

Additionally, you could do a Denon or Marantz receiver or Soundbar with multi zone and cover at least 2 spaces wired and add wireless zones via their Heos protocol.

There’s also HomePod, Alexa, or even Bluetooth speakers like the UE Boom or JBL series that you can daisy chain Bluetooth speakers together. No real soundbar solution with this option. Ironically JBL Soundbars don’t communicate with their Bluetoo speakers.

Audio Engine makes some fine speakers that support WiFi or Bluetooth and all they need is power.

Kef has the incredible but pricey LS series of bookshelf and tower speakers. They are independently powered and support all kinds of wireless protocols including AirPlay.

There are a ton of audio solutions nowadays but a lot of them will still require either a wire somewhere or playing with standardized protocols.

I too wish there were a more “self hosted” options. It seems like sooner or later some more viable options will come to light though.

I legit thought it was Steve-O

I was also recently laid off. Regional management for retail support. Piggybacking onto this thread for any useful tips.

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I like my EcoTank. I got it cause we print a decent amount of pictures and laser can’t do even passing quality photos. Having no cartridges to worry about is much less of a hassle than it used to be.

That said, laser is fine for most people.

Projector guy here. Once you get a taste you don’t wanna go back. The tech has gotten so much better over the last 10 years and short throw projectors are a game changer.

What’s sad is that t one of the next great leaps in technology could have been something interesting and profound. Unfortunately, capitalism gonna capitalize and companies we’re so thirsty to make a buck off it that we didn’t do anything to properly and carefully roll out or next great leap.

Money really ruins everything.

This used to be true, but unfortunately, like USB-C the game has changed completely.

The downside to standardization is that if you keep the same physical form for multiple iterations, the internals can change. The specs of the source and receiving ends have gone through tons of changes since 2015 and old HDMI 1.4 Cables don’t have the same standards to transmit high speed signals from things like PS5, Xbox, Apple TV etc.

Additionally because they require programming and HDCP (a verification handshake between the 2 devices it connects) when companies cheap out they may not properly program them.

That being said, you don’t need spend an arm and a leg, but don’t get shit either. Generally speaking, buy the cheapest version HDMI 2.1 from a reputable brand or vendor. Definitely not from Amazon anymore, a TON of products labeled 2.1 are actually 2.0 or worse, 1.4.

Why else? They don’t think it’s “worth it” because they only have so much money to go around and they don’t want to waste it on bullshit like needlessly expensive laundry detergent compared to their salary.

When a bottle of detergent is 2/3 your hourly wage why the hell wouldn’t you want to steal some if you could?

Man, capitalists will do literally anything to not pay people more money. You know people steal cause shit is expensive and they don’t have a lot of disposable income to waste on stuff right? Why inconvenience everyone. Pay people more and hire more workers.

Also cause the propaganda to get people to “want” stuff is so effective they start stealing just to have it.