Over the past few months we've seen our fair share of media streaming devices, and to the seasoned eye Creative's Soundblaster Wireless Music doesn't look too special. But as the old adage goes, looks can deceive.

The product defies its half-understated, half-ugly appearance to provide a great way to spirit music files stored on your PC to hi-fi equipment elsewhere in your home.

Ironically, the package's unsightly component is also its best selling point. Where many other media streamers require the user to devote a TV channel as a screen for music selection menus, or force the user to read the display of a wireless receiver box situated alongside the hi-fi, Wireless Music puts track information and control in the palm of the hand.

The remote's dated hammerhead-style design is the result of a blue back-lit LCD panel that displays track information served up by the kit's receiver box. Best of all, the handset communicates with the box via RF, so no line of sight is required. So, while the remote control is unattractive, it is informative and useful.

The wireless receiver is a slim box styled to blend in with existing hi-fi equipment or speaker set-ups. The audio outputs amount to stereo RCA and S/PDIF sockets. The unit automatically connects via a wireless access point attached to 802.11b/g networks, unless Wep encryption is at work; in which case, some tweaking is required.

At the PC end, control is via a collection of idiosyncratic Creative applications. None of these is difficult to master but the lack of integration is a shame. Essentially, the set-up requires little more than importing a collection of music files and preparing play lists.

Contact: Creative 0800 376 7954
uk.europe.creative.com

Specifications:

• Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP
• Pentium III 500MHz processor or equivalent
• 128MB Ram
• 100MB hard disk space
• 802.11b/g with access point
• USB 1.1 port
• CD-Rom drive