For Lowlander: Wireless audio or PC to PC audio

[julzcompufreek]

Hi Lowlander, This info is for you,

A while ago you asked in this forum if it was possible to broadcast audio from your laptop pc to another computer that was hooked up to your stereo.

Well I think I have found something better, its called the "Apple AirPort Express".

What it does is broadcasts your audio from your pc (via 802.11g wireless conection) to a little white device that plugs into a power outlet. The device has a audio out socket which you could plug you stereo into (also has a USB and Network plug).

However, I'm not sure if it will be able to work without iTunes, but I'm sure there will be a way around it.

Checkout the website below,

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


Also, with the USB connection you can also plug in a USB printer or with the network connection, you could make a wireless network very easily.

[Lowlander]

Thanks

This is what I was looking for. The possible problems might be that other apps (MM, WMP and real are my concern) can't communicate with it and that it might not be able to work on my non-apple existing network. Also the price is quit high. The last thing might be sound quality. On first glance I didn't see anything mentioned about that.

I hope other manufacturers will start selling the same type of equipment as this is a very convenient solution (no additional hardware on the transmitting PC). And propriety free, as that is my problem with Apple stuff.

[Lowlander]

Original post: http://www.songs-db.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2382

[Lowlander]

Another thing I came accross: http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable ... 025526.php. It's very pricey and sends your audio out to it's receiver. As it seems to use 2.4ghz it might end up interferring with ur wireless b/g networking.

Still looking for something at a decent price as the only function is to send audio and receive audio in stereo.

[Aannddyy]

Lowlander, u mentioned that u were looking at a software solution to ur prob. I think u stated the following -
1. The music files u want to play r on ur laptop
2. The laptop is connected to a wireless network
3. Another PC is connected to the Stereo u wish to output to and also to the network.

If u have MM running on the PC next to the stereo, why not add the file locations of ur laptop music files to it's MM library. Then when u want to play the laptop music files on ur Stereo u could use Remote Assistance or PC Anywhere type of software to control the PC from ur laptop.

[Lowlander]

That is what I have been doing till now. All PC's do have the same music collection. But my interest is for video as well and remote desktop or similar programs are quit heavy and prone to failure. As such I was looking for a different solution. The apple solution is great, except that it's for iTunes and I want something for any program and the price is high for just audio transfer.

[Guest]

What about Andromeda http://www.turnstyle.com/andromeda/? The only thing you need at the client end is a browser.

[Lowlander]

Well it looks nice, but it only supports audio and I think only mp3. So I'd still prefer another solution that can either stream the audio from a specific program (any) or all audio (what would be output to local speakers otherwise).

[thehammer]

Here are a couple hardward solutions for you.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... pfp=SEARCH

http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... pfp=BROWSE

Hope these help!

[Lowlander]

This is also not what I'm looking for as this is pull technology. It pulls the files to the location (I already have a PC dedicated to doing this for me). I'm looking for push technology that allows me to push the sound to another location form any program.

For those using Microsoft Windows Media Center, MS has developed Windows Media Center Extenders which will do the same as the above mentioned products. Linksys is currently the only manufacturer selling such a machine.

[thehammer]

Provided you have both video and audio out on your PC, you could set one or more of these up. Not sure about signal quality, but very affordable.


http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c ... id=15-2572

[julzcompufreek]

Hey Lowlander, I may have found another solution.

This Device is called the
"USB PLL FM Transmitter - LineX"

This is an external FM transmitter that uses USB interface to transmit the audio from your PC to the unit and then via FM transmitting, from the unit to a stereo within 45 metres.

This unit runs off USB Bus-power, so it doesn't require any external power sources or batteries.

This is a very affordable solution at around only AU $60.

This unit is seen by windows as a pair of USB speakers, so the computer sends the audio to the unit and it is then converted into an analogue signal which is how the unit transmits it.

here is a site (I havnt been able to find a review of it yet, but i'm sure you can)

http://www.broadcastwarehouse.com/p/BW/ ... er?pid=135


I hope this helps

[Lowlander]

This is nice as it uses USB power for transmission. I think it's somewhat pricey for an FM transmitter. Besides you need to check with local law if your allowed to use a transmitter in the FM band. And of course if there is some unused channels locally.

[emilles]

Thanks

This is what I was looking for. The possible problems might be that other apps (MM, WMP and real are my concern) can't communicate with it and that it might not be able to work on my non-apple existing network. Also the price is quit high. The last thing might be sound quality. On first glance I didn't see anything mentioned about that.

I hope other manufacturers will start selling the same type of equipment as this is a very convenient solution (no additional hardware on the transmitting PC). And propriety free, as that is my problem with Apple stuff.

1) Output from MediaMonkey to an AirPort Express has been solved:
http://emilles.dyndns.org/software/out_apx.html.

2) Since WPA2 was added, APXs integrate fairly well with other wireless hardware

3) Sound quality is quite good (IMHO) -- a lossless format is used to stream audio to it

4) I guess that leaves only price -- check eBay for some deals on used ones