Method and apparatus for controlling multimedia players in a multi-zone system

A method for controlling a plurality of players, the method comprising:

• displaying on a screen a list showing a plurality of volume meters, at least one of the volume meters representing an audio volume of one of the players, and another one of the volume meters representing an audio volume of a group of players, when there is such a group;
• and
• adjusting one of the volume meters as desired after one of the volume meters from the list is selected, wherein the one of the volume meters is for the group of players, represented by an averaged value of audio volumes of the players in the group, and said adjusting of the one of the volume meters includes
• changing a volume of each of the group of slayers synchronously in accordance with an adjustment made by a user.

An apparatus for controlling a plurality of players, the apparatus comprising:

• a screen;
• a screen driver commanding the screen;
• an input interface;
• a network interface;
• a memory for storing code for an application module;
• a processor coupled to the memory, the input interface, the screen driver and the network interface, the processor executing the code in the memory to cause the application module and the screen driver to perform operations of:
• displaying on a screen a first list showing at least available players;
• displaying a zone group including players from the available players when at least two of the available players are selected to form the zone group, wherein any one of the players in the group serves as a zone group head;
• synchronizing all players in the zone group in accordance with the zone group head;
• and
• adjusting a volume meter represented by an averaged value of audio volumes of the slayers in the group, wherein said adjusting of the volume meter includes changing a volume of each of the group of players synchronously in accordance with an adjustment made by a user.

An apparatus for manipulating a plurality of players, the apparatus comprising:

• a screen;
• a screen driver commanding the screen;
• an input interface;
• a network interface;
• a memory for storing code for an application module;
• a processor coupled to the memory, the input interface, the screen driver and the network interface, the processor executing the code in the memory to cause the application module and the screen driver to perform operations of:
• displaying on a screen a list showing a plurality of volume meters, at least one of the volume meters representing an audio volume of one of the players, and another one of the volume meters representing an audio volume of a group of players, if there is such a group;
• and
• adjusting one of the volume meters as desired after one of the volume meters from the list is selected, wherein the one of the volume meters is for the group of players, represented by an averaged value of audio volumes of the slayers in the group, and said adjusting of the one of the volume meters includes changing a volume of each of the group of players synchronously in accordance with an adjustment made by a user.