Do you have your music collection on your PC?

Thunder22 · #1 07-14-2005, 04:08 PM

I just put a music system together in my house that some of you might be interested in trying.

I used to work for a big music company, so i have about 800 CD's that are a pain in the butt to store in the house - a nice rack is expensive to buy especially if you want the cd's close to the main stereo which is in my living room so i can't buy some el cheapo cd rack, where do you put it, etc etc etc... Up until now I haven't really gotten into the mp3/ipod craze, don't know why either, i'm a pretty big gadget guy, but anyway, i finally decided to rip all of my CD's to my computer (converted to 192bit mp3's) and then I can store the cd's in a big box in the closet. The problem i ran into was how to play the cd's on my stereo/entertainment system in the living room when the computer is on the 3rd floor, and not have to buy a 60GB ipod and hook it into the stereo via a crappy apple stereo/rca cable or an fm adapter that will play through the tuner on the amp.

So here's how i did it:

outpost.com has 200GB hard drives for $69 (bought 2, 1 for primary storage, 1 as a backup for when the primary blows up)

bought 2 USB2.0 external hard disk enclosures from newegg.com for $29 each to house the drives and allow them to be connected to my computer via USB2 (almost every computer in the last 2 years has USB2 built in)

Bought a Linksys Media Adapter ($51) from newegg.com- this is the cool piece of equipment. This adapter connects to your computer (either via a network rj45 cable or wirless!) and then connects to your stereo and TV via RCA stereo jacks and/or S-Video. If you already have a linksys or some other wireless router you can connect the adapter via wireless, which lets you have the computer and stereo as far apart in your house/condo/apt as the signal will let you (you can also use a network cable if they're close by one another). The software that comes with this adapter allows the adapter to read the mp3 files off of your computer and and then play them out through the stereo. It can also read your digital pictures off of your computer and display them on your TV as a slide show or single pics.

The entire setup is going to cost less than $250, my cd collection will be conveniently at hand as will my digital pictures while the actual CD's are tucked away in a closet and not taking up space in my living room. Considering that the cost of a nice CD rack (i.e. one that you can put in your living room etc) for 800 cd's is probably going to cost more, and your entire collection of CD's is now readily accessable and playable on your stereo, this is a nice alternative.

SuperGreg · #2 07-14-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

I just put a music system together in my house that some of you might be interested in trying..

Pretty slick idea you have there

ncx · #3 07-14-2005, 04:44 PM

Great write up, and I'm glad to see that you understand the value in having these files accessible at any time. I have a similar setup. I use 2 120 gig drives for the main files and 2 USB 2.0 external drives for the backups. The server and MP3's are available to every room via gigabit Ethernet or 802.11g. The server also has an audio feed to my audio closet where my whole-house audio amp is. So I can set up a playlist on the server and hear it in all rooms and the deck and garage. It is definitely my favorite part of my house... the music all over the place.

Another cool feature is integrating it with HAL automation and voice control. I can pick up the phone and say "play Ozzy on the deck", and immediately it starts playing. It will also wake you up with your favorite MP3s's or they can be triggered by events. The software is dirt cheap and allows total integration with your MP3 collection. Have you messed around with that yet?

Again, good summary and I am sure it will help some folks who have been considering a total MP3 system for their home.

Thunder22 · #4 07-14-2005, 05:29 PM

My townhouse has audio wiring to every room in the house for recessed speakers, but I haven't installed the speakers in the ceilings of the 2nd and 3rd floors yet. It's also wired for remote control infra red relay so i can be in the loft on the 3rd floor and point the remote at the relay panel on the wall (every room has a relay panel by the light switch) and it will operate the components in the living room on the 1st floor.

I haven't gone beyond what i've described here so far, I'm still in "holy crap i just bought a newly built brand new house and need furniture, some light fixtures and paint and and and " mode... it's overwhelming some times.

Juanted · #5 07-14-2005, 05:57 PM

Nice setup, Gresch...!

OR... if you're a Mac user:

1. Spend $99 on an Airport Express, and set it up. (It takes about 5 - 10 minutes.)
2. Hook up your stereo (or speakers) into the Airport Express hub.
3. Turn on Party Shuffle on your iTunes (or set up a playlist with your favorite party music).
4. Voila'! Spend 30 minutes explaining to your friends how you are wirelessly transmitting music from your laptop to your stereo. Watch as they drool, and say "wow...."

Juan

Brumann · #6 09-09-2005, 04:35 PM

I was just getting ready to write the same thing, but bit my tongue for a second to see if anyone else had mentioned it.... I love it... I use it all the time... EveryoneI show it to think's it is really cool too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaefer

Nice setup, Gresch...!

OR... if you're a Mac user:

1. Spend $99 on an Airport Express, and set it up. (It takes about 5 - 10 minutes.)
2. Hook up your stereo (or speakers) into the Airport Express hub.
3. Turn on Party Shuffle on your iTunes (or set up a playlist with your favorite party music).
4. Voila'! Spend 30 minutes explaining to your friends how you are wirelessly transmitting music from your laptop to your stereo. Watch as they drool, and say "wow...."

Juan

ncx · #7 07-14-2005, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

My townhouse has audio wiring to every room in the house for recessed speakers, but I haven't installed the speakers in the ceilings of the 2nd and 3rd floors yet. It's also wired for remote control infra red relay so i can be in the loft on the 3rd floor and point the remote at the relay panel on the wall (every room has a relay panel by the light switch) and it will operate the components in the living room on the 1st floor.

I haven't gone beyond what i've described here so far, I'm still in "holy crap i just bought a newly built brand new house and need furniture, some light fixtures and paint and and and " mode... it's overwhelming some times.

Sweeet! you are set... so many things you can do. I know what you mean about furniture and paint. Two years in this house and I still have rooms untouched.

5Xwen · #8 07-15-2005, 12:34 PM

I agree that the airport express and various media adaptors (like Linksys) are cool devices, however, the wireless concection degrades an already compressed MP3 file. An easy solution is to simply plug you iPod (or other MP3 device) into your preamp with stereo RCA cables. Works great.

x5user · #9 07-14-2005, 06:04 PM

Mac user since 1991

I am using PC too

Thunder22 · #10 07-14-2005, 07:33 PM

kaefer - nice alternative! my problem is that all of my music is still on cd so i have to rip it (i'm a firm believer in copyrite law, not that others aren't). if i had it all on my pc already i'ld be into this setup (linksys media adapter) for $51 and be done! Ripping all of that music is going to take awhile, i'm not looking forward to it, but it's the better alternative than having 800 cd's in my living room...

have a good weekend everyone, i'm off to Ocean City MD....