Black Boxes: Panja BMP-100 Broadband Music Player

by John Davis
Summer 2001

Panja, Inc.
(866) 649-6023
www.mypanja.com
$400; Service $9.95 per month or $59.95 per year

The Panja BMP-100 Broadband Music Player is essentially a computer set up as a specialized Internet appliance. The device connects to the Internet via your local area network (LAN). It retrieves MP3 files from the Panja Web site (www.mypanja.com) and plays them back in near-CD quality (128Kbps) sound. The BMP-100 consists of the unit itself, along with a remote control and audio, composite video, S-video, power and Ethernet connection cables.
The BMP-100 also utilizes its built-in Ethernet to connect to your computer. There, it plays MP3s stored on your hard drive, encodes music CDs and stores them in your MyPanja storage area. The video and audio outputs connect to your stereo and television. The TV connection is essential, as navigation is done via a user-friendly on-screen interface.

Getting Started with Panja
Once we completed the cable connections, we utilized the Quick Start Guide and inputted our network parameters to the set-up screen. While the Panja rebooted, we used our computer to visit www.mypanja.mp3.com, and signed up for an account. Panja gives you a seven-day grace period before the "Panja Audio Blast" requires you to provide payment information. You may pay your membership monthly for $9.95 or annually for $59.95.
Membership allows you to store MP3s in a private area on MyPanja, and play back some special public content, such as streaming audio files available exclusively to Panja members.

Beam-It Up, Panja
The BMP-100 allows you storage of your entire audio collection at MyPanja. With a touch of a remote control button, you can play songs, in any order, through your stereo. The difficult part of this is, via a free utility called Beam-It, getting all those CDs encoded to MP3s and "beamed up" to MyPanja. You have to go through your entire collection of CDs, one at a time. But once accomplished, it provides a great way of extending the enjoyment of your music. No more CD swapping, just quick menu choices on your television screen. Then, whatever song or songs you want to hear will stream to the BMP-100 and output to your stereo speakers or headphones.
Another cool thing to do with Panja is to download the PanjaCast Server software. This program, when installed on your computer, allows usage of your computer's hard drive to store MP3s, which can be played through your stereo by the BMP-100. If your music collection is stored on your computer's hard drive, rather than MyPanja, you can play them without an Internet connection.

Pumped about Panja
Despite the rather steep requirements (broadband Internet connection, LAN and even the monthly subscription fee), the Panja BMP-100 is an awesome device, that is able to bridge the disparate worlds of home entertainment and home computing.
It is predicted that by the end of 2001, about 70% of households in North America will have broadband access available to them. This trend will continue to open up new possibilities for specialized appliances like the BMP-100. A leading-edge device, the BMP-100 provides a tantalizing glimpse into the future.

Smart Specs
Audio Outputs: Line Out = Stereo RCA jacks
Other Connectors: 2 USB ports; Ethernet 10/100 BaseT = RJ-45 jack
Power Requirements: 100V-240VAC, 42 watts
Weight: 6 lbs.
Size: 13.5"(W) x 2.5"(H) x 10.5"(L)