Interfacing legacy analog components to digital media systems

Abstract

An audio processing device includes a first analog cable connector that receives at least one analog audio source signal from a first analog cable. The first analog cable connector suitable to detachably interconnect the audio processing device to the first analog cable. The audio processing device includes a second analog cable connector and transmits the at least one analog audio source signal to the second analog cable connector suitable to be received by a second analog cable, where the second analog cable connector is suitable to detachably interconnect the audio processing device to the second analog cable. The audio processing device includes digital identification data that identifies the audio processing device. The audio processing device transmits the digital identification data to the second analog cable connector suitable to be received by the second analog cable. An enclosure that encloses the audio processing device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A media system comprising:
 (a) an audio device including at least one of:
 (i) said audio device capable of sending an audio stream and associated configuration data together with said sent audio stream on a network; and 
 (ii) said audio device capable of receiving an audio stream and associated configuration data together with said received audio stream on said network.