Obtaining content from remote source for playback

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a first playback device from a network device configured to control the first playback device and communicatively coupled to the first playback device over a network, control information identifying an audio information source, wherein the audio information source is accessible by the first playback device via a wide area network (WAN); and after receiving the control information (i) obtaining, by the first playback device from the audio information source, audio information; (ii) transmitting, by the first playback device to a second playback device, the audio information, playback timing information associated with the audio information, and device clock information of the first playback device; and (iii) playing back, by the first playback device, the audio information in synchrony with the second playback device by using the playback timing information associated with the audio information and the device clock information of the first playback device to play back the audio information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked during synchronous playback of the audio information.