Community Newsletter: Q&A: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo
- 10/2/06 4:31 PM
Worst answer I have seen in a long time
by meini - 9/25/06 5:21 PM In reply to: So Much For "Not About Retail"....Where's the Answer? by tnhiker865I don't like bashing, but this answer is the worst one I have seen as long as I can remember. I fully support your post, Al. Whoever decides on the winning answer should take a better look next time.
It is good that there is so much great advice from other members!
Meini
----------------
www.utech.net.au
iTunes integrated solution: Apple Airport Express w/AirTunes
by computerup - 9/22/06 3:36 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Years ago before buying an iPod, I determined iTunes to be the nicest program for music/MP3 listening and organizing. If you are using iTunes for this, there is really only one inexpensive integrated and useful solution to playing your music over wireless to your stereo. It is Apple's Airport Express.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This only works with iTunes, and this is basically the only product that works with iTunes. If you are using other music playing programs, this will NOT be your solution. If you are using iTunes, on the other hand, this is pretty much your only solution!!!
Airport Express is priced at about $122 from Amazon.com, and retails for $129.99. It is a simple unobtrusive wireless base station device that can fit in your hand and plugs into your stereo receiver with a mini-plug to L/R RCA cable (purchase separately). It has a built-in A/C plug for plugging right into the wall, but I strongly recommend that you use either a surge protector or power strip, since you'd probably like to place this high up to get the best signal.
The unit can be either a cinch OR a bit tricky to set up, depending on your wireless configuration (even though Apple's press says that it is a snap). It configures easiest with a PC with a wireless NIC (but not required) as IT is a wireless base station! However, if you know some TCP/IP and wireless basics (and you have patience), you can set it up to access an existing wireless router or access point.
The reason it is so nice (once configured) is that inside iTunes you can easily switch between playing something on the PC and playing it over the Airport to the stereo. I named my Airport Express "Living Room Stereo" and now that pops up as an option inside iTunes. Quick and easy to switch.
Even though I'm a PC geek with many programs at my disposal, I prefer to have a single easy-to-use media solution. It just makes life simpler. If you have an iPod, you basically have to use iTunes. And if you are using iTunes, then you basically have to use this product.
Other iPod products which rely on FM transmitters simply DO NOT WORK in radio markets like Los Angeles where virtually EVERY SINGLE FM frequency is used (with significant leakage over to one of the 2 or 3 open frequencies). However, this Airport Express/AirTunes solution is a true wireless networking solution and works nicely.
Airport express
by DD8767 - 9/22/06 5:54 AM In reply to: iTunes integrated solution: Apple Airport Express w/AirTunes by computerupThis isn't the only solution for people who use itunes. Several products already mentioned can do the job but they're a middleman kind of approach, if you want to play any DRM music. They capture the sound being produced and stream it. Perfectly fine.
I use itunes and an Airport Express with itunes. I like it because I have my music library on my main pc with itunes installed, and I can play music to my stereo from there or from my laptop. My laptop only has itunes installed, no actual music resides on it. But you can connect to your music library thru itunes and play music wirelessly to the Airport Express.
This is only a suggestion for people who already have an ipod and/or use itunes and like it. Some don't but I get along very well with this setup.
iTunes and Airport Express
by jadsemail - 9/22/06 7:05 AM In reply to: Airport express by DD8767I have used iTunes and Airport Express (also known as ''AirTunes'') successfully with both a Windows XP Pro laptop and a Mac OS X laptop. It works great whether or not you have or use an iPod.
My only quibble with the Airport Express is that the audio out is PCM stereo instead of digital optical or coax. I ran my output to my Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS system and would really like it if it process the digital bitstream instead of analog audio.
That having been said, since iTunes is free and Airport Express is only $129, it's hard to complain about a complete solution for that price.
Caveats: microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, and 2.4 GHz phones and accessories all will interfere with any Wi-Fi (802.11b or g) network, whether streaming music or not. It's a BIT more irritating, however, when streaming music.
Airport Express
by dahlen - 9/22/06 7:22 AM In reply to: iTunes and Airport Express by jadsemailI cannot praise Airport Express. It will do everything you want on the wireless mp3 side at a bargain. Plus, it can also serve to extend your wireless network (whether that is of any value will depend on where you have your current access point(s) within your environment), something I suspect none of the other devices do. It also serves as a wireless print server, although if you are using it to stream audio to your stereo as I do, this may be of limited interest as I suspect you probably don't want to stick your printer next to your entertainment center. The only major challenge is the set up, which at least in a Windows environment is nowhere near as easy as they provide for in the instructions. (There are several helpful comments on the Apple Discussion Boards to help you solve the problems, though.) But after it is all configured and running, it works like a dream.
That Should Have Read ...
by dahlen - 9/22/06 7:24 AM In reply to: Airport Express by dahlenI cannot praise Airport Express ENOUGH. Sorry for the confusion.
You can use A/E with other Audio than Itunes
by grdaven - 9/22/06 9:36 PM In reply to: iTunes integrated solution: Apple Airport Express w/AirTunes by computerupRogue Ameba now sells Airfoil for Windows, Great little app that lets you stream any audio to Airport Express also allows multiple speakers in different rooms. Been using it on my Mac for a couple of years. Only $25.00. Used to only be OS X now also for Windows.
www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/
Wireless-to-Stereo
by jhelkins - 9/22/06 3:54 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Another solution, one that I have researched and done, is simple: a plain old FM Transmitter. You can get one for about $135 on ebay. After all, the wireless units you've talked about are, in fact, radio transmitters, though the operate in the 900 Mhz range, I believe.
With a plain old FM-band wireless transmitter, you simply use your PC's software to select and play your music. You plug the FM transmitter into the speaker outlet of your computer. Then, you can listen up to 400' away (farther if you're willing to pay a little more and be careful about FCC regulations) on ANY kind of device -- like a WalkMan. I listen to new jazz releases coming from a WinAmp coming from a streaming radio station in Florida while I'm mowing the lawn or doing household chores. Also, various public radio stations carrying shows I can't get on my local NPR station.
The brand is "Ramsey", for what I have, though there are others.
I too am thinking of doing this. But I have a solution.
by Pyper70 - 9/22/06 4:18 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have my PC in another room and I wanted to play videos and music as well. Although not going wireless seems more efficient to me. I dont see clarity with wi-fi or BT. You may get the signal but I like listening to bass and depth in my music. I am purchasing an iZaK. Its similar to an external hard drive. it comes in 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100GB sizes. In my living room I have a surround sound Bose with a 1000watt Yamaha receiver. Its a dated unit but it does its job. Next to the reciever I am putting a touch screen monitor that will be plugged into the reciever as well as into the iZaK. The monitor takes care of the tv on screen selection. It also comes with a remote control so you can do it from your seat if you want. Simply connect the iZaK back into your USB port and reload your media. It uses standard s-video and RCA jacks on the back. Im not sure if it has an optical connection. I live in greece but the similar product for use in the states on NTSC systems is the TiVx brand. I know you have a limit on price, But all in all my setup will run about $425.
I only use BT and Wi-Fi for internet and small data transmission. My wallet is not ready yet for a full Blue tooth stereo system
wireless in home
by blade_ladder - 9/22/06 5:04 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use separate computers in a wireless network for music. M-audio for example has a good sound card. The computers can be very inexpensive and small boxes are avaialbe. Use quiet power supplies. I use a laptop to run these computers so I can control sound with out seperate monitors. This works in each room I have speakers and an amplifier . I ripped the CDs using WMA lossless and use WM11 or foobar for playback.
I use one of the computers for DVDs with TT 2.4 and 7.1 sound via spidf to my preamp. This one has a good video card (Nvidia 6600GT) which goes to my plasma set. The 1100 ripped CD's reside in a computer in seprate room.
The reviews for Squeezebox seem very good and that may well be an alternate solution.
Joel
Go buy a Squeezebox
by stripeyjoe - 9/22/06 5:16 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
As others have said, you would be kicking yourself if you didn't buy a squeezebox. Check it out at www.slimdevices.com or look for a used one on ebay. I bought a version 1 a few years ago and it's been nothing but joy. I ripped all my cds onto my computer using iTunes and the slimserver software simply 'looks' at the itunes folder (or any other folder you want) and serves up the music. You can even set it up so you can log into your computer from work and use a little software 'softsqueeze' to stream music from your home to your work PC, how cool is that!!
Go buy one!
Joe
Squeeze Box is great
by deserttaxguy - 9/22/06 8:09 AM In reply to: Go buy a Squeezebox by stripeyjoeI hope somebody mentions that the Squeezebox is capable of streaming internet stations directly, without going through your computer. I think everybody should invest the small dollars required to get a wireless router, then you too can enjoy the many benefits of being "un-tethered". Once you have a wireless access point established, the benefits you enjoy are exponential.
I also hope the lack of mention of Squeeze box in the main artical wasnt due to some commercial bias by CNet.
Nearly all the solutions they put forth are for DRM restricted devices. Squeezbox is the most open, and is supported by a large, well informed open source community of developers and enthusiasts. Not the same for I-Tunes or Roku.
I'm Confused...
by psychofiend - 9/22/06 5:20 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The article here clearly states
"...this page is not about buying things. This page is about hacking a do-it-yourself wireless networked music player for less than half the cost of a retail model..."
And then proceeds to list a bunch of retail models, and provide zero information about hacking a do-it-yourself solution.
What gives? Is there more coming later?
Me too
by zoinks - 9/25/06 6:41 AM In reply to: I'm Confused... by psychofiendThere's that, and this in the original question, which is violated:
"I know there are a few devices on the market that send a signal from a USB device to another device plugged into the receiver; however, I want to avoid these types of devices."
So let's just ask a question and answer it with advertisements.
Thanks, very helpful indeed.
Answer: Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge
by jsorhaug - 9/22/06 5:41 AM In reply to: 9/22/06 Solution for sending MP3s through wireless network to stereo by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
George:
You should most definitely check out the $99 Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge -- see CNET review:
http://cnet.search.com/search?chkpt=astg.cnet.fd.search.cnet&q=wireless-G+Music&tag=srch
This device does exactly what you're asking for. As you can see from the reviews of the device, many people reports installation and user problems. It's a fairly simple device that connects to your Stereo and links into your wireless or wired network. All it does is acts as a "redirector" of your PC's speaker sound to your stereo, so whatever you play on your PC using whichever application (Winamp and the like), can be heard through your stereo by simply activating a piece of software on your PC.
Once it's been installed and you've figured out how to use it (which is key), it works great and does exactly what you've asked for above!
Jan
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
