Media appliance with auxiliary source module docking and fail-safe alarm modes

A media entertainment system, comprising:

• a. an appliance including at least one electronic data communications interface operatively connected to at least one computer processor configured to connect electrically to an auxiliary source module (ASM), the ASM having an electronic data communications interface that when electrically connected to the appliance, is configured to receive at least control information from the appliance and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the appliance;
• b. means for executing computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer storage means;
• c. non-transitory computer storage means operatively connected to computer processor means and configured to store executable computer instructions and at least one of data, media metadata, media files, and control information;
• d. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals;
• e. at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to output audio signals when a complementary connector is plugged in;
• f. computer display means operatively connected to the computer instruction execution means and configured for displaying media metadata, current time, alarm time, system playback volume levels and alarm volume levels;
• and
• g. user interface means operatively connected to the computer processor means and configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for at least one of plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting controlling the appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered;
• and
• h. user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting means.