Examples include a playback device with a network interface and memory with program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the playback device to (a) receive, via the network interface from a network device communicatively coupled to the playback device over a local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at an audio information source, where the audio information source is outside of the LAN, (b) obtain, via the network interface from the audio information source, the first audio information, (c) receive, from a second audio information source connected to the playback device via a direct communication link, second audio information, and (d) play back one of the first audio information and the second audio information.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

An audio information source interface that receives first audio information from an audio information source directly connected to the audio playback device; an ADC configured to sample the first audio information; a network interface configured to connect the audio playback device to a network and to receive packets from the network containing second audio information and playback timing information from a network audio information source; a DAC for generating an analog audio signal based on either the first or second audio information; an audio amplifier interconnected with the DAC and configured to amplify the audio signal; an audio reproduction device interface interconnected with the audio amplifier; and, a control module configured to receive commands via the network interface and to provide to the DAC one of the first or second audio information.

Clock rate adjustment methods and systems, including receiving, by a playback device from a source device, a plurality of frames, including a first frame and a second frame, each frame being associated with audio information and a time indicating when to play the audio information wherein the time is based on the clock of the source device; determining, by the playback device an expected time value for a third frame; comparing, by the playback device, the expected time value to the time indicating when to play the audio information associated with the third frame; and when the difference between the expected time value and the time indicating when to play the audio information is above a threshold level, adjusting, by the playback device, a rate of a digital to analog converter clock associated with the playback device.

Examples include a playback device with an audio information source interface, a network interface, a processor, and data storage with program code, that when executed by the processor, causes the playback device to (a) receive a first analog signal including first audio information from a first audio information source, (b) receive second audio information from a second audio information source, (c) generate timing information based on the second audio information, (d) transmit the timing information and the second audio information to another playback device over a network, and (e) play back one of (1) the first analog signal or (2) a second analog signal including the second audio information in accordance with the timing information.

In a network comprising a first zone player, wherein the first zone player is a member of a first synchrony group, a method comprising: playing, at the first zone player, audio information associated with the first synchrony group; receiving, at the first zone player, control information from a user interface module, wherein the control information directs the first zone player to disengage from the first synchrony group and to join a second synchrony group; disengaging, by the first zone player based on the received control information, the first zone player from the first synchrony group; joining, by the first zone player based on the received control information, the first zone player to the second synchrony group; and playing, by the first zone player, audio information associated with the second synchrony group.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A method comprising: a zone player receiving control information from a user interface module, wherein the zone player is a member of a synchrony group having other members with at least one additional zone player as one of the other members; the zone player using the control information to (1) adjust a playback volume associated with the zone player, and (2) transmit an instruction to the other members of the synchrony group, wherein the instruction enables the other members of the synchrony group to adjust their playback volumes.