I'm Stumped - Building a networked Home AV System

[elmwood]

I am currently trying to piece together a system that combines standard AV features but also pulls networked (ethernet) music off a PC/music server. I would also like two zones and a decent interface that recognizes the source and allows for easy navigation/viewing of MP3 files. From an AV receiver standpoint the Denon 4606 seems to be the closest single source solution to accomplishing this but the interface and remote seem to still be poorly developed. Alternatively customized solutions i.e. Control4 (nice interface) prove to be expensive and require lots of additional equipment. Not sure what to do but wait. Any suggestions?

 

[silversurfer]

check out www.sonos.com

 

[abboudc]

Slimdevices makes the Transporter and Squeezebox, which may fit your needs. You could also try the Roku Soundbridge.

A cheap laptop or Xbox360 along with Connect360 also make a nice media server. Personally, since i already have a WiFi laptop, i just bought an Airport Express and control the system via my laptop.

 

[Snap]

Control 4 is not as expensive as you think. And it can be retro fit pretty easy. If you have a control 4 dealer in the area you should ask about it. There is some tricks to making a good system that saves some money.

Drop down a few on the HT reciever, if you want a system like you are saying, go down and put the money into the other zones. Just my .02 cents.

 

[sholling]

I'd do an ultra quiet media PC and feed the receiver lossless .flacs or .apes via a spare optical input. It's going to sound a heck of a lot better than MP3s.

 

[WorldLeader]

Airport Express is the way to go if you want a flexible setup. Not only does it stream everything you can play on iTunes (including purchased music, which the Squeezebox and Soundbridge can't) it also can be a wireless hotspot and has a USB port for wireless printing, and you can do all this at the same time. I currently have it set up so my iMac in the kitchen can stream music to the study, and print there as well. You don't need a Mac to use it either. Buy a couple and stream around your house!

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

Check it out

 

[Algogo support]

Yours sincerely

yes, I understand your current emotions, but the question is very professional for me, any way, I hope you can get the good idea from others and at last get perfect advice.
Yours sincerely
www.algogo.com One-stop Electronics store

 

[abboudc]

including purchased music, which the Squeezebox and Soundbridge can't

It's easy enough to rip songs to remove the DRM. I have an AE (in fact 2), but still remove the DRM from all the songs i purchase, just so i can burn mp3 cd's for my car. The Airport Express is probably the cheapest option, however it does have some downside, such as limiting you to using iTunes as your jukebox.