Community Newsletter: Q&A: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo
- 10/2/06 4:31 PM
this sounds interesting
by m1553 - 9/23/06 8:39 AM In reply to: Answer: Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge by jsorhaugThis sounds like it might be the way to go. FM transmitters have very poor sound quality and terrible interference (even with appliances!). I imagine this one is digital running on the standard wireless frequencies?
Love my WMB54G wireless music bridge.
by adrees2009 - 9/24/06 2:49 PM In reply to: this sounds interesting by m1553Just to let you guys know-- the WMB54G has a rep for being hard to get going, and I had a bit of a pain myself, but now it's the perfect solution for me. I get my favorite stations as well as any I want worldwide, plus, since it is only an audio re-director, it doesn't matter what media you are playing-- if the audio will go to your puter's speakers, it'll be redirected to your WMB and to your stereo, using your wireless home network. It can be totally managed thru a web browser just like a router. Ignore the instructions-- you'll find many tutorials online, such as this one:
http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=Media_Adapters&message.id=35
follow one closely and be sure to reboot everything once you get it set up as instructed.
Right now I'm listening to KFOG from SF and I live in NM and the sound is perfect thru comcast internet. Moments ago I was listening to a New Zealand station. also, it's a great use for that old 'puter you haven't been using much lately, if you don't want the audio for your main 'puter tied up.
If you want more good tips on getting it going, just do a google search for ''WMB54G tutorial''. Many reviews and tips are in the reviews section at amazon.com, including my own solution. But expect to have to work at it, and then be glad you did. Don't give up, it's worth it!
For $125, buy an Airport Express and do it all...
by nitroxpro - 9/22/06 5:54 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Oooops, you own the WRONG COMPUTER! Buy a Mac.
They call them PCs because it stands for "POOR CHOICE."
AND... you can run Windows on it with more compatibility than with a Dell.
Your mac is called what?
by fjeffery - 9/22/06 6:18 AM In reply to: For $125, buy an Airport Express and do it all... by nitroxproI think, I do go pretty far back, that a P.C. would stand for personal computer. That would include your MAC. People rave about MACs all the time. My career involves connecting devices and installing software on networks, big and small. When myself or my colleagues are going to an accout with a MAC network or MAC P.C.s we cringe. Usually takes the longest. At least there is usually an easy solution to Windows problems. XP is XP. Tiger is not Panther is not OS9 is not Zebra. I'm a UNIX guy myself, but hey, can't have it all with one. I also play live instruments and record, all on windows based laptops. Believe it or not, I rarely have any issues. As far as getting sound to the stereo, a $39 IRocks FM transmitter works great.
Typical IT answer
by nevido - 9/22/06 7:13 AM In reply to: Your mac is called what? by fjefferyPeople like what they know. Mac users shudder when they have to try and figure out simple Mac tasks on nonintuitive Windows systems. People familiar with Windows think Mac stuf is coming from left field. To be fair, XP is not ME or VISTA or DOS 3.2! All the Mac OS's have been easy progressions with the biggest shift being the switch to UNIX based OSX.
It's interesting to ask the question why IT departments are smaller at Mac based businesses?
P.S. A Zebra is not a cat. (hint-the OSX's have cat names)
(NT) OSX is a unix based system
by piook - 9/22/06 10:26 AM In reply to: Your mac is called what? by fjefferyI am sure that you knew that but yeah OSX uses a UNIX base.
Airport Works Fine On a "PC" (including Windows)
by EscapePod - 9/22/06 6:00 PM In reply to: For $125, buy an Airport Express and do it all... by nitroxproHey Nitrorookie, what make you think the Apple Airport doesn't work on a Windows OS PC?
Bluetooth audio receiver
by perspective99 - 9/22/06 5:55 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The best solution is a Bluetooth audio receiver, like the Zoom Model 4360. It is a clean digital signal, inexpensive, and has excellent range. The Bluetooth audio receiver simply plugs into the stereo input jacks on your audio amplifier. You should be able to get the receiver for less than $60 retail.
Just be sure the USB adapter in your PC supports the Bluetooth A2DP profile. The Zoom receiver is a Class 1 Bluetooth device, so if it is used with a Class 1 transmitter in the PC, the range in a clear field is 330 feet. Bluetooth penetrates walls and other obstructions well, so a Class 1 adapter for the PC and the Bluetooth audio receiver should provide good coverage in most residences.
In addition, you can pair the receiver with powered speakers and have a very inexpensive portable music system for the yard or workshop.
Bluetooth has the additional advantage of being supported by a many more devices than the other solutions mentioned. For instance, you can get a Bluetooth transmitter to send audio from portable music players. With the addition of the Bluetooth transmitter, an iPod or other MP3 player becomes a great handheld remote music control. A large music library is available and displayed in your hand. Bluetooth also works with Bluetooth stereo headsets for private listening of your music library.
I've used FM transmitters. They work OK in a car, but are far more subject to interference than Bluetooth and have a much shorter range. The audio quality with Bluetooth is definitely better.
Other consideration: the Bluetooth audio receiver is attractive, has a very cool blue light to show pairing, is small, extremely easy to hook up.
Zoom
by jjpann - 9/22/06 6:55 AM In reply to: Bluetooth audio receiver by perspective99This looks like a winner. Thanks.
this is it
by cris - 10/21/06 5:33 AM In reply to: Bluetooth audio receiver by perspective99Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for.
I'd just like to mention that the emitter for the PC costs about $10-$30, depending on the range.
I'm getting both the receiver and the transmitter (Zoom 4310).
No one thought of a solution to kill two birds with 1 stone
by Nfuego - 9/22/06 6:16 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
TiVo.
TiVo will play audio and video from your computer. I know the cost is more than a couple hundred dollars, but my suggestion is to find a USED TiVo that includes lifetime service. There will probably be quite a few on ebay soon because of the new TiVo Series 3 coming out. If you buy a NEW TiVo, you can't get lifetime service. You would have to pay a monthly fee.
Using TiVo as your solution would give you, not only, a multimedia wireless solution from your computer, but also a DVR.
TiVo Lifetime service
by MENINBLK - 9/22/06 6:58 AM In reply to: No one thought of a solution to kill two birds with 1 stone by NfuegoI don't think you understand what TiVo lifetime service means.
It is NOT for YOUR LIFETIME, it is only good as long as
TiVo supports the device you purchased.
So when TiVo stops supporting the original TiVo box,
your Lifetime Support will also cease to exist with the support.
Not True
by Nfuego - 10/3/06 11:45 AM In reply to: TiVo Lifetime service by MENINBLKTiVo doesn't "support" Series 1 boxes any longer...meaning there are no software updates, or factory replacements, but the boxes still get guide data and function properly.
As long as your CPU doesn't die, the boxes will work as they do now.
If something other than a hard drive crash, or power supply failure happens, you can still send in your old box and hopefully it could be repaired...
So, your statement is not true at all.
Series 2
by lego1899 - 9/22/06 2:10 PM In reply to: No one thought of a solution to kill two birds with 1 stone by NfuegoYou need a series 2 Tivo with a supported wireless USB adapter. But I agree, this is the first solution that came into my head - why buy a seperate gadget (for $200!) when Tivo already supports this.
Lifetime service is optional, you can pay monthly. It's likely down the road more items will support streaming your MP3 to your stereo - so getting a lifetime subscription may be overkill.
Tivo offers their box at no cost now, if you sign up for a year contract.
Lifetime
by Nfuego - 10/3/06 11:48 AM In reply to: Series 2 by lego1899I personally prefer lifetime to rid myself of the monthly payments...there comes a time in owning the machine where monthly costs will be more than lifetime.
Sadly, TiVo no longer offers lifetime service on new purchases, or I would buy a third.
The Series 3 can be purchased and have your lifetime service transferred to the new model for an extra $200...
I'm not looking at the Series 3 just yet.
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