Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real computer to boot! Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC or cheap Mac route? Thanks in advance. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
RE: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Have you looked at something like the Linksys wireless G music bridge? basically the software CD installs a C-Media sound driver which sends the audio to a configured music bridge device that connects to a line in on your receiver. you would need to configure it with the supplied software to access any of the music bridge devices you acquire. they cost about $100 depending on where you buy them. it looks like a good idea, and I am considering this device myself. just a thought, /David -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Steve Matzura Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 3:23 AM To: pc-audio Subject: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real computer to boot! Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC or cheap Mac route? Thanks in advance. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Why not just get a netbook? If you get one with a wireless adaptor you would only need run a stereo y jack from it to your entertainment center. -- By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends. -- robert Doc Wright http://www.wrightplaceinc.net msn godfeare...@hotmail.com - Original Message - From: Steve Matzura To: pc-audio Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 4:22 AM Subject: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real computer to boot! Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC or cheap Mac route? Thanks in advance. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4055 (20090506) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Steve, I went through this very thing, trying to find a good but fairly accessible way to stream media to my fairly high end home entertainment setup in our living room and never found anything I was truly pleased with. Last year I decided to go the way of a pc with XP installed on it and it was the best decision I could have made. It doesn't even have to be media center. I have an Ethernet connection now in the living room, but for quite a while I simply used 802.11g and it worked fine. I had access to all of my music, and being a NetFlix subscriber, I am also able to stream movies from the NetFlix site. This is all done on a refurbished machine that I picked up for around $250. I simply installed an old SoundBlaster Live card I had lying around to give me digital out for audio Since my wife and daughter needed good video for the Netflix movies, I bought a video card from NewEgg with DVI output to go to our hd TV so video looks great. You have to match the output of the video card to whatever your TV accepts like DVI, HDMI, or Component if you care about video. I use either Winamp or Itunes for streaming my music from a network drive and it sounds terrific. To me, this is the best setup because it is easy, in expensive, and perfectly accessible. RA On 5/6/2009 6:22 AM, Steve Matzura wrote: I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real computer to boot! Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC or cheap Mac route? Thanks in advance. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Why not get a netbook? You could just plug a cable from that into your audio center. Netbooks cost anywhere from 300 to 400 dollars. I highly recommend the asus lineup. I might add here that if you need to do simple line in recording, the microphone jack works good with that, surprisingly. I personally own the asus 900 ha, but its getting a bit old;if your looking for battery life (I'm guessing your not, but anyway) there's a new 1000 he out there that has a wapping 9.5 hours battery life, comes with wireless and bluetooth and costs 330 bucks. hth contact details: email: tcwoo...@shaw.ca and others msn: the_conman...@hotmail.com skype: the_conman283 system details: Hp pavillion dv5220CA notebook pc AMD Turion(tm) 64 Mobile Technology ML-37 2.0 GHZ, 1024 mb DDR ram, Fujitsu 100 gb 4500 RPM Hard Drive, connecsant AC-link audio - Original Message - From: "Steve Matzura" To: "pc-audio" Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 4:22 AM Subject: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real computer to boot! Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC or cheap Mac route? Thanks in advance. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Hi, I did a very simular thing. Instead of getting a netbook though, I purchased a Asus Eee Box. It's simular to the Eee P C , but it's a very compact desktop. I have it hooked to my stereo and it has both wireless N and gigibit lan. The onboard sound is great for speech. I use a creative xmod for music, and it seems to do the job quite well. I leave it on 24/7 , it only uses a very little amount of power compared to my full sized p c's. hth Mike, kq6...@gmail.com Constantine wrote: Why not get a netbook? You could just plug a cable from that into your audio center. Netbooks cost anywhere from 300 to 400 dollars. I highly recommend the asus lineup. I might add here that if you need to do simple line in recording, the microphone jack works good with that, surprisingly. I personally own the asus 900 ha, but its getting a bit old;if your looking for battery life (I'm guessing your not, but anyway) there's a new 1000 he out there that has a wapping 9.5 hours battery life, comes with wireless and bluetooth and costs 330 bucks. hth contact details: email: tcwoo...@shaw.ca and others msn: the_conman...@hotmail.com skype: the_conman283 system details: Hp pavillion dv5220CA notebook pc AMD Turion(tm) 64 Mobile Technology ML-37 2.0 GHZ, 1024 mb DDR ram, Fujitsu 100 gb 4500 RPM Hard Drive, connecsant AC-link audio - Original Message - From: "Steve Matzura" To: "pc-audio" Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 4:22 AM Subject: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real computer to boot! Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC or cheap Mac route? Thanks in advance. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
On Wed, 6 May 2009 07:52:55 -0700, you wrote: >Have you looked at something like the Linksys wireless G music bridge? No, but that's only because I've not heard of it before just now. >basically the software CD installs a C-Media sound driver which sends the >audio to a configured music bridge device that connects to a line in on your >receiver. That's the kind of thing I'm after, all right. >you would need to configure it with the supplied software to access any of >the music bridge devices you acquire. So, it hangs out on the network, and the software on some PC somewhere finds it and set it up, then you use it to access stuff, or you use the computer to send stuff to it? I'd much prefer the former, which is what makes the netbook so atractive. Are these Music Bridge things wireless (I hope)? To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Yeah Rick, sounds like this would be the best thing to do, and I already have the machine to do it with, no problem at all. My receiver is too old for digital input, though. Its manufacture was stopped in 1993, although the companion CD player does have an optical output (one of those funny square connectors, not SPDIF or anything like that). This is probably how it'll go, but the music bridge thing might be right for the bedroom environment, where things have to be smaller, or maybe the netbook, which is pretty small. On Wed, 06 May 2009 12:05:12 -0400, you wrote: >Steve, > >I went through this very thing, trying to find a good but fairly >accessible way to stream media to my fairly high end home entertainment >setup in our living room and never found anything I was truly pleased >with. > >Last year I decided to go the way of a pc with XP installed on it and it >was the best decision I could have made. It doesn't even have to be >media center. I have an Ethernet connection now in the living room, but >for quite a while I simply used 802.11g and it worked fine. I had >access to all of my music, and being a NetFlix subscriber, I am also >able to stream movies from the NetFlix site. > >This is all done on a refurbished machine that I picked up for around >$250. I simply installed an old SoundBlaster Live card I had lying >around to give me digital out for audio > >Since my wife and daughter needed good video for the Netflix movies, I >bought a video card from NewEgg with DVI output to go to our hd TV so >video looks great. You have to match the output of the video card to >whatever your TV accepts like DVI, HDMI, or Component if you care about >video. > >I use either Winamp or Itunes for streaming my music from a network >drive and it sounds terrific. > >To me, this is the best setup because it is easy, in expensive, and >perfectly accessible. > >RA > > >On 5/6/2009 6:22 AM, Steve Matzura wrote: >> I'm always after a better solution to my same old problem of streaming >> Internet audio to a non-Internet device, such as my living-room >> entertainment center, or my bedside radio. I'm so disgusted with the >> FM transmitter thing because of all the metal studs in my walls, I'm >> once again looking at something I can use with my wireless router, put >> it anywhere, and plug it up to an audio device as described above. A >> Media Center PC might be a good alternative, but are they under $500 >> yet? The $500 price point is based on the price of a rather >> interesting piece of gear from Logitech that will do the job and even >> allow direct access to one's own media library, but of course it's >> hopelessly inaccessible by a totally blind person. The Media Center >> PC, however, could be made accessible simply by installing a >> screenreader on it, even if it's Narrator or one of the free ones out >> there--we're not doing rocket science projects on it, we're just >> picking music and playing it, so it won't matter how good the >> screenreader is or isn't. Like I said, even Narrator'll do for this >> purpose! And for your five portraits of Mr. Franklin, you get a real >> computer to boot! >> >> Has anybody had any experience with any of these streaming products >> like the Logitech one? Or is it your considered opinion to go the PC >> or cheap Mac route? >> >> Thanks in advance. >> >> To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org >> > >To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
On Wed, 6 May 2009 06:59:03 -0600, you wrote: >Why not just get a netbook? If you get one with a wireless adaptor you would >only need run a stereo y jack from it to your entertainment center. That's a definite possibility, they're so cheap! Anybody know how good the sound card in them is? Some are very noisy and crackly. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
RE: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
this is wireless, however it does have a Ethernet port for configuration. it does have digital out as well as analog stereo via a mini plug or 2 stereo RCA plugs. the software can be used with a screen reader and there is a tray icon for toggling the sound from the linksys device or your sound card. however that isn't necessary. you would use the software to connect to the music bridge, or bridges that are "hangin' out" on your network. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Steve Matzura Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 1:06 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device On Wed, 6 May 2009 07:52:55 -0700, you wrote: >Have you looked at something like the Linksys wireless G music bridge? No, but that's only because I've not heard of it before just now. >basically the software CD installs a C-Media sound driver which sends the >audio to a configured music bridge device that connects to a line in on your >receiver. That's the kind of thing I'm after, all right. >you would need to configure it with the supplied software to access any of >the music bridge devices you acquire. So, it hangs out on the network, and the software on some PC somewhere finds it and set it up, then you use it to access stuff, or you use the computer to send stuff to it? I'd much prefer the former, which is what makes the netbook so atractive. Are these Music Bridge things wireless (I hope)? To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Soundcard in mine rocks. I like it. contact details: email: tcwoo...@shaw.ca and others msn: the_conman...@hotmail.com skype: the_conman283 system details: Hp pavillion dv5220CA notebook pc AMD Turion(tm) 64 Mobile Technology ML-37 2.0 GHZ, 1024 mb DDR ram, Fujitsu 100 gb 4500 RPM Hard Drive, connecsant AC-link audio - Original Message - From: "Steve Matzura" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 2:47 PM Subject: Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device On Wed, 6 May 2009 06:59:03 -0600, you wrote: Why not just get a netbook? If you get one with a wireless adaptor you would only need run a stereo y jack from it to your entertainment center. That's a definite possibility, they're so cheap! Anybody know how good the sound card in them is? Some are very noisy and crackly. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
So how does a blind user go about selecting music from the Linksys device? I'm sure there is probably a remote that comes with it but the trouble I ran into with a similar device called the Roqu SoundBridge, was that selecting folders or tunes was all done via a display while controlling it with a remote. Not accessible at all other than memorizing some keystrokes to try and get to a play list or folder of music. You could do stuff from the pc side and the software was somewhat usable, but that was not much help if you are sitting in somewhere else, a few rooms away. There used to be a device called the CD3O that actually used TTS to announce the songs and I had heard that the device was actually quite accessible, but I don't know if that company is even in business any longer. RA On 5/7/2009 4:40 PM, David Edick wrote: this is wireless, however it does have a Ethernet port for configuration. it does have digital out as well as analog stereo via a mini plug or 2 stereo RCA plugs. the software can be used with a screen reader and there is a tray icon for toggling the sound from the linksys device or your sound card. however that isn't necessary. you would use the software to connect to the music bridge, or bridges that are "hangin' out" on your network. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Steve Matzura Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 1:06 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device On Wed, 6 May 2009 07:52:55 -0700, you wrote: Have you looked at something like the Linksys wireless G music bridge? No, but that's only because I've not heard of it before just now. basically the software CD installs a C-Media sound driver which sends the audio to a configured music bridge device that connects to a line in on your receiver. That's the kind of thing I'm after, all right. you would need to configure it with the supplied software to access any of the music bridge devices you acquire. So, it hangs out on the network, and the software on some PC somewhere finds it and set it up, then you use it to access stuff, or you use the computer to send stuff to it? I'd much prefer the former, which is what makes the netbook so atractive. Are these Music Bridge things wireless (I hope)? To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Streaming Audio to a Non-Networked Device
Most of the NetBooks I have read about including the one I own seem to have a RealTek chip set. I haven't tried hooking mine up to a stereo system, but the output sounds decent through headphones and the microphone actually sounds quite good for what it is. I have the Asus 904HA. RA On 5/7/2009 4:47 PM, Steve Matzura wrote: On Wed, 6 May 2009 06:59:03 -0600, you wrote: Why not just get a netbook? If you get one with a wireless adaptor you would only need run a stereo y jack from it to your entertainment center. That's a definite possibility, they're so cheap! Anybody know how good the sound card in them is? Some are very noisy and crackly. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org