HELP!!! wireless PC-Stereo conection

[Olive]

So I've been using MP3s a lot more lately, especially for listening to mixes and the like, and also a little for internet radio. But my stereo and my computer are awkardly positioned to run cables from one to another. So I was thinkign that wireless might be a good solution.

Has anyone got any experience with that? What sort of set up would work? I don't have a lot of cash either, so that might make it difficult..

The situation is that the PC is in one room, about 4.5 meters from the stereo (component), but with a 10cm brick wall in between. So obviously I'd need somethign to get through that.

So what do you think?

 

[Aeolius]

how about THIS ?

 

[Nareau]

Well, you can always do wireless speakers. But they require batteries or outlets, so they're not always the best option. They also tend to be much more expensive than they're worth.

In my house, I do one of two things--I either run a wireless network, and use my old laptop (with its headphone jack) plugged into my old stereo (with its RCA aux inputs) over the 802.11g connection to play mp3's from my desktop. Or, more recently, I drilled big holes in my floor down into the crawlspace so I can run audio and data cabling from one room to the other.

Spider

 

[Greyhawk_DM]

Try this out.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2603620

Just plug it into the line out on your soundcard and set the fm frequency. Tune your receiver to the same frequency and viola...
Play mp3's from your computer to your stereo. I could pick up the signal in my car sitting in the driveway of my house.

Later...

EDIT: Here is a link to the less expensive one that I was using...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2569450

 

[reanjr]

Note: all prices in USD

Easiest, cheapest way is to just get an FM transmitter and hook that up to the audio out on the PC. You then tune into the station on the stereo and you're all set. This only costs about $10-15.

You could also get wireless speakers, but I assume you probably already have a system that you are happy with. If not, wireless speakers work on the same principal, but cost significantly more. You'd probably be looking at $50+ (depending on the quality of speakers you want.

There are WiFi access points designed for just this use. Basically, it's a mini computer with wireless internet with a couple of stereo outs. You connect to it over the local network and program it to play whatever from the computer. It's all very simple, but expensive. I think you'd be looking at $180+ for this solution, though it is the best one for ease of use and quality.

You could also set up a dedicated PC to and some fileshares. A dedicated PC solution could be as cheap as $150 if you look (pricewatch.com) and do not need to control the track list from it. On the other hand, you can make a pimpin solution by adding the input (keyboard, mouse) and monitor, for possibly a $300-350 solution.

XBox has an expansion that allows it to act pretty much as a Media Center PC, for like $80. With the cost of an XBox being $150, this one's a pretty good solution as well, at $230 plus the use of a television. You'll also have an XBox. Even if you already have an XBox, you can now play system link games, which is pretty cool.

You could also work up a custom solution for about $100 if you are an electronics/embedded programming guru.

I would probably suggest finding one of those WiFi access points designed to do exactly what it is you want to do. Other than that, the PC and XBox solutions are probably the most cost/effort effective if you consider that they are both added value solutions. The FM transmitter, though, is great for its ease of implementation and cost, though depending on your stereo system, there might be a slight loss of fidelity.

 

[reanjr]

how about THIS ?

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't you have to use Apple's software to use this? Not saying it's a bad idea, I'm just curious. I know I would personally hate to have to use Apple's i(insert marketable software name here) to listen to my music.

 

[Olive]

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't you have to use Apple's software to use this? Not saying it's a bad idea, I'm just curious. I know I would personally hate to have to use Apple's i(insert marketable software name here) to listen to my music.

I think you do, but I quite like iTunes anyway, so that's alright.

But there must be other systems on the market using a similar system. Hmmm. Maybe I'll got to the computer shop tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to just use a FM Transmitter, cos they always seem to work a little wierd, but a friend has one, so I might borrow his and have a play.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[LcKedovan]

Try this out.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2603620

Just plug it into the line out on your soundcard and set the fm frequency. Tune your receiver to the same frequency and viola...
Play mp3's from your computer to your stereo. I could pick up the signal in my car sitting in the driveway of my house.

Later...

EDIT: Here is a link to the less expensive one that I was using...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2569450

Sweet! Belkin makes one... I was just going to start looking around for one of these for my PC since I finally have it up and running after our move. Thanks Greyhawk_DM just what I will need!

-W.