The Media Director 2 is a hard-drive based internet-connected appliance designed to reside at the end-user customer’s site(s) and play audio and/or video media assets from a local hard drive as commanded by a prescribed playlist. This independent playback unit communicates with a main server for commands, assets, playlists, and status reporting via an internet or intranet FTP. The communication is non-real time and typically performed at off peak hours. The Media Director 2 appliance is available in single-zone stereo or dual-zone mono audio models and features L/R/M audio output, internal hard-drive, fanless design, and an integrated s/w management program to coordinate all commands, schedules and media assets. The Media Director 2 appliance requires integration with the Antex Management Console s/w application (on the host PC) in order to perform seamlessly with the Antex server. These appliances are designed to run autonomously until scheduled connect times download any new commands or content and upload the unit’s specific status report.