Concurrent transmission and playback of audio information

A first zone player comprising:

• a network interface that is configured to communicatively couple the first zone player to at least one data network;
• at least one processor;
• a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium;
• and
• program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to perform functions comprising:
• receiving, via the network interface, a request to engage in synchronous playback of audio content as part of a synchrony group that includes at least a second zone player that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player via the at least one data network;
• after receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of audio content as part of the synchrony group:
• detecting an indication that the first zone player is to operate in (a) one of a control-master mode or a control-slave mode for the synchrony group and (b) one of an audio-master mode or an audio-slave mode for the synchrony group;
• and
• beginning to operate in the synchrony group in accordance with the indication;
• wherein, while operating in the control-master mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• receive, via the network interface, first control information for the synchrony group from a network device that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player;
• and
• based on the first control information, cause, via the network interface, at least one playback action to be applied in the synchrony group;
• wherein, while operating in the control-slave mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• receive, via the network interface, second control information from another zone player;
• and
• perform one or more playback actions in accordance with the second control information;
• wherein, while operating in the audio-master mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• obtain audio information that is representative of the audio content;
• generate playback timing information associated with the obtained audio information that is indicative of at least one future time that is relative to a reference clock time and denotes a time at which at least the first and second zone players are to engage in synchronous playback of a corresponding portion of the obtained audio information;
• and
• transmit, via the network interface, the obtained audio information and the generated playback timing information to the second zone player;
• and
• wherein, while operating in the audio-slave mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• receive, via the network interface, audio information and playback timing information associated with the received audio information from another zone player;
• and
• engage in synchronous playback of the received audio information with at least the second zone player based on the received playback timing information associated with the received audio information while a local clock time of the first zone player differs from a local clock time of the second zone player.

Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a first zone player to perform functions comprising:

• receiving, via a network interface at the first zone player, a request to engage in synchronous playback of audio content as part of a synchrony group that includes at least a second zone player that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player via at least one data network;
• after receiving the request to enter into the synchrony group:
• detecting an indication that the first zone player is to operate in (a) one of a control-master mode or a control-slave mode for the synchrony group and (b) one of an audio-master mode or an audio-slave mode for the synchrony group;
• and
• beginning to operate in the synchrony group in accordance with the indication;
• wherein, while operating in the control-master mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• receive, via the network interface, first control information for the synchrony group from a network device that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player;
• and
• based on the first control information, cause, via the network interface, at least one playback action to be applied in the synchrony group;
• wherein, while operating in the control-slave mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• receive, via the network interface, second control information from another zone player;
• and
• perform one or more playback actions in accordance with the second control information;
• wherein, while operating in the audio-master mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• obtain audio information that is representative of the audio content;
• generate playback timing information associated with the obtained audio information that is indicative of one or more future times relative to a reference clock time, wherein an individual future time denotes a time at which at least the first and second zone players are to engage in synchronous playback of a corresponding portion of the obtained audio information;
• and
• transmit, via the network interface, the obtained audio information and the generated playback timing information to the second zone player;
• and
• wherein, while operating in the audio-slave mode for the synchrony group, the first zone player is configured to:
• receive, via the network interface, audio information and playback timing information associated with the received audio information from another zone player;
• and
• engage in synchronous playback of the received audio information with at least the second zone player based on the received playback timing information associated with the received audio information while a local clock time of the first zone player differs from a local clock time of the second zone player.