New to Mezzmo but most impressed with how easy it was to get 2.4.2.0 on XP to stream m4a (ALAC) files captured with iTunes and stored on Server2003 to Onkyo HT-RC180. Tried several other products first but all had problems of one sort or another. The ability to access iTunes playlists is also a plus.

Ultimate objective is to have Mezzmo's server on Server2003 but would like to continue use of XP machine to capture files and build play lists (that is, to manage library) using iTunes. Guess Mezzmo can be set to monitor library files on server and therefore keep its own file inventory current - at least periodically if not in real time. Can it also be made to automatically update its playlist index by monitoring the iTunes playlist file (iTunes Library.xml) - perhaps using the Linked Playlist feature? Would it help to locate this playlist file on Server2003?

Or, can the server part of Mezzmo, the library and playlist indicies, and maybe the list management parts reside on Server2003 and the GUI part reside on another (XP) machine?

The real objective here is to be able to stream with only Server2003 running (since it's on 24/7 and XP is not), but not grant user access to Server2003 hardware (that is, no logon to Server2003 machine) to add media (using iTunes because of its ALAC support) or playlists (using iTunes or, maybe better, Mezzmo).

Another way to do this might be to run a copy of XP on a virtual machine under Server2003, then install Mezzmo and enable remote desktop on this XP instance. This would give user access to the Mezzmo GUI and features without direct access to Server2003. Media files (and playlists) could still be put on Server2003 using iTunes on other machine(s). Kind of a kludge, though.

I realize this is a complicated question. Any help appreciated.