Does anyone use a laptop as a jukebox?

[Tombolino]

Im thinking of buying a laptop with hefty hard drive space and hook it up to my home stereo and have all my music in the laptop and play it off the laptop, say on I Tunes

But I want to be able to use whatever remote control is necessary to change the songs. Im not sure of the receiver remote could do that or I need a laptop with a remote that will be able to work with I Tunes or whatever software I use in the laptop to play the music.

At first I looked at Mac laptops but $$$$. Some people have said, "just get an I Pod", but the problem with that is that you are limited to having to handle the info and the maneuvering from the I Pod little screen.

What do you all use and suggest?

 

[Grimis]

I've read about these in a mag... I think this would work

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006OCZLM/sr=8-5/qid=1147411452/ref=pd_bbs_5/102-2467212-6420154?_encoding=UTF8http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006OCZLM/sr=8-5/qid=1147411452/ref=pd_bbs_5/102-2467212-6420154?%5Fencoding=UTF8

 

[Pianoman84d]

A more elegant solution would be a squeezebox. (www.slimdevices.com)

Its on my wishlist. Right now, I use my laptop with an Apple Airport Express and that works pretty well. You are right that a remote would be nice though. The Squeezebox will be the upgrade eventually.

 

[Tombolino]

to Pianoman

Hey Pianoman

What does the Airport Express allow you to do?

Is there a way to have your laptop wireless to the stereo?

 

[gellor]

Hey Pianoman

What does the Airport Express allow you to do?

Is there a way to have your laptop wireless to the stereo?

Airport Express is sold by apple. Its integrated with the latest version of iTunes. You tell iTunes that there are remote speakers and it will find it. The downside is that you have to control everything from your computer. The upside is that you don't have to install anything more into your entertainment center.

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

 

[Pianoman84d]

Yup,
The Airport Express wirelessly connects to your stereo. (I recommend using an optical cable). It connects to your current wireless network and then you can stream music from iTunes. PM me if you want info on the best connections for the optical out (you need a converter).

 

[Tombolino]

Does Airport Express work on Windows/PC?

If no, is there a non Mac verions of it?

 

[agarwalro]

I have an iPod and the Griffin iTrip. Works just fine for my simple needs .

 

[Pianoman84d]

Does Airport Express work on Windows/PC?

If no, is there a non Mac verions of it?

Works with both Windows and Mac.

 

[cowboy2006]

Also, with Airfoil, you're supposed to be able to send any audio to Airport Express:

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/

I have not used it and can't comment on any drawbacks.

 

[cowboy2006]

One of these plugs should improve the Airport Express audio:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=TA968LL/A

Also, if you're using a Mac, Griffin Technologies makes some great products to remotely control iTunes or your iPod:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/airclickusb/

 

[Fierce Mice]

I decided to try the RCA Lyra. It's a USB-based 900MHz transmitter / receiver that seems to be fairly well received. They're apparently being discontinued, so you can find them very inexpensively (Google or message me for info on 2 sites I know that have it for roughly the same price). One downside I've heard is it requires MusicMatch for plug-n-play compatability, but apparently other systems (iTunes for example) can be made to work with this.

I ordered a transmitter/receiver with 2 extra receivers (to use in the workshop and backyard) and spent a total of ~$35 shipped. I don't expect miracles, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. At the very least, I hope to use it as a stopgap until I decide what technology to go with for this type of service down the road.

 

[Sheep]

I just use my computers digital coax out (soundstorm).

SheepStar

 

[Ostrolphant]

Apparently Harman/Kardon has an iPod dock on some of their recievers and displays the iPos screen info on the lcd of on your tv. A bit of a more expensive solution but an alternative.

 

[ExtraCheese]

I do this. Old laptop under the TV with a cheap external USB sounblaster and laptop has svideo out.
I use a wireless USB to control the interface, or I use remotePC software, to connect into it and control it through my current laptop.

in this day and age an xbox 360 would be good too. I think you can stream audio and video? Not sure on that though

 

[vierling]

Wireless Computer to sound system

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewCategory&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=11

Check the SMCWAA-B and the SMCWAA-G

 

[WorldLeader]

$1099 -- Front Row, GarageBand, Remote, iLife, The best OS in teh world, never crashes, looks great, Runs XP, Core Duo, Wireless 802.11g, Bluetooth, Magsafe, built in iSight camera, and won't slow down over time! All standard.


Why not?

/salesman voice off