High-end networked media server Sooloos is offering new hardware options and more versatile software support. Known for its deep, rich user interface accessed via a sophisticated touch-screen, the expandable, upgradeable Sooloos system distributes digital media anywhere in the house, breaking free of the PC.

The entry-level Sooloos Ensemble is their lowest-cost bundle ever. The Ensemble hardware offers four stereo unbalanced RCA outputs and one S/PDIF digital out, for multiple simultaneous feeds to different rooms. Ensemble's removable drive bay can accommodate up to a terabyte of storage. ($3,500) The optional Twinstore is a single chassis with two removable drive mechanisms, each of which that can accommodate up to a terabyte of storage, allowing primary and backup drives to be located in a single enclosure. ($2,500) And although Sooloos offers hard disk drives at commodity prices ($350 for one terabyte, $175 for a 500 gigabytes), users can install their own drives as well.

Ripping large CD libraries is a breeze with the new Sooloos Import:One ($800), a 25-disc autoloader that connects via USB to a networked computer, just load it up and hit the Import button. Sooloos' Control:PC software handles the more tedious aspects of the import process.

An iPhone or iPod Touch wirelessly accessing the same network as Sooloos can now control the system. Sooloos offers all-new Crestron Text and Overlay Modules with templates and the proprietary Sooloos interface for all screen resolutions. The Control:One touch panel can also be configured to access a URL in order to integrate with browser-enabled control systems like Vantage Controls' Webpoint 2.0.

Sooloos has further announced account integration for Rhapsody, YouTube and Flickr services, broadening its available content to include online music, video and photos, in addition to locally stored content. In addition, behind-the-scenes efforts are apparently being made to bring legal DVD ripping to a Sooloos hard drive, a la Kaleidescape, this on top of support for high-definition movie downloads. When they're done, Sooloos just might have the most sophisticated, robust home entertainment system on the block.

More information: www.sooloos.com