====== Ampache Is... ======
  * a solution for accessing your music collection from any computer with internet access.
  * a back-end for supplying the player of your choice (with http streaming support) with all of your music.
  * both a front-end and back-end for various [[Localplay]] options meaning you can use Ampache to control [[mpd]] as well as supply [[mpd]] with the music it is to play.

====== Ampache Isn't... ======
  * a media converter.  Ampache is designed to keep your media accessible to play anywhere, it doesn't provide options to convert between formats unless [[transcoding]] is required to play in your player of choice.
  * a universal player.  Ampache doesn't use codecs.  It simply streams the music to your player.  If set up properly, it can convert music on the fly in case you use a player that doesn't read a specific format.  For instance, if your player doesn't support FLAC, Ampache can [[transcode]] it on the fly to mp3 or any other format.