Setting up new entertainment/stereo/computer system.

[kerpow]

At the moment I have a really old stereo system with the TV, VCR and DVD running their audio through it. Whilst hardly providing cutting edge audio I can play CD's and DVD's quite happily but want to be able to play all the music on my computers aswell.

I have a desktop that I want to repalce with a Mac laptop and have that along with my wifes Compaq laptop setup fully wireless to my broadband connection. But is there any way I can get a stereo or amplifier that could replace my existing stereo and access the stuff on the laptops wirelessly?

Or, could I get a device that acts as a wireless fileserver that my TV and computers can access.

I don't really care how I do but I just want to be able to store my music and video files in one central location and access it from my computers and TV/Stereo.

[Mad_Bishop]

there are wired file-servers that companies have made to look like stereo componants. I'm sure now that wireless has caught on so well, that there are wireless ones available. I don'
t have tiome to look for you, but try googling something along that lines...

[Foosinho]

Wireless is, IMO, overrated.

With that business out of the way ( :) ), let's move on to better defining your problem. Then we can find the best solution.

First, let me get this straight. You want to be able to listen to MP3 files on both your home stereo system, and your two laptops, right? How about video files? Would you also like to, say, download a video off of the web and be able to watch it on either the laptops or your TV? Or is it just audio?

What is your budget? How much work are you willing to do if the best solution is "roll your own"? I have an idea or two for you, but they may be too powerful, and too much work to set up. Depends on your needs/wants.

[Foosinho]

Oops, missed that last line of yours. If you feel like biting off a big chunk, I might suggest converting your desktop machine into a MythTV box in your equipment rack. There are some other alternatives too, but I know MythTV - in addition to being a PVR - can handle music and video libraries.

Don't know if that's overkill or not. You could also convert that desktop to a simple file server, and use a wireless access point to let your laptops map those drives. You could use a sound card for audio-out to your stereo system, and a converter to convert the video to a TV signal for video files or audio visualization.

[microbrew]

If you have an X-Box, you can modify it to play MP3s and etc. The advantage is that you can use the remote with it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/20040511/index.html

Set up your old desktop PC to share the files in question is the simplest solution (iTunes has built in file sharing ability) . Then to make it a bit more complicated: put the old PC, without the monitor, behind or right next to the stereo system. You then use your laptop with VNC or some other remote desktop software to wirelessly remotely control the server computer.

[Foosinho]

Actually, with a little bit of work and a small cash outlay, you can set up your old PC not only to act as the fileserver, but make it controllable by a normal IR remote control. And set up a mouse-free interface viewable on the television.

[kerpow]

Thanks, some good ideas.

I'm trying to avoid having to use a desktop computer. I'm actually moving back to the UK and so I have to get rid of my desktop as it would obviously be impractical to transport it. My immediate need is to backup all the music and video from my nearly full 60gb drive onto a portable media. This could be burning DVD's but then I'll be in exactly the same position when I get my Mac laptop, music spread across different computers and difficult to play over a normal stereo. Though if I have to get another desktop to do this it would be an afordable option, either Windows Media Edition (which I have very little confidence in - another Microsoft flash in the pan product line) or a modded Linux version like you mentioned Foosinho.

The only networked storage that I can find is the Iomega 120gb (http://www.iomega.com/na/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=12196655&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=63237&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=63191&bmUID=1084973091372) which has a ethernet port that I could plug into a wireless router (most wireless routers have a few RJ-45 ports, right?]. Though at $300 for 120gb its rather pricey when you look at gb/$. There is a 250gb version but at $420 I would have quite a struggle persuading my wife that we need this :)

Mad_Bishop, I hadn't searched for wired stereo's as I didn't know they existed. Do you mean something like this Pinnacle model (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=715163&Sku=P121-8054). That would be perfect, plugs right into any stereo and TV, RJ-45 plus expansion for 802.11. It just has one small drawback, probably too large (and too fragile) to transport by air. I could buy it in England but then I would have no way to back up my desktops hard drive before I sell it.

I know I'm asking for a lot so I may have to sacrifice some of my requirements.

[phats_away]

goto buy.com and look for a external
you can get 120 for like 150-160

[Mad_Bishop]

Well, I wasn't specifically talking about that particular model, as it might have too many features for you (although I can testify to Pinnicle's quality, we use the DC1000 everyday at work for MPEG2 capture). It would be really nice if you had a ton of DivX on your machine, and even better paired with a DC1000*

DC1000's used to be about $1000 US. Not sure if they still run that high.

[Foosinho]

If necessary, you can pull the hard drive on your existing computer and take it with you. That way you don't have to take the old unit with you, and you can still access all that data if you get a new PC. Or, burn all your MP3/video data to CDs/DVDs.

BTW, I would definitely opt to hard-wire this device (whatever it is) to your wireless router. In general, if something doesn't need to move on a regular basis, you should probably hard-wire it to the network. And yes, you can get a wireless router that also has 4 or so ports on the back. Be sure to get wireless-G - it's much faster than B.

[kerpow]

If necessary, you can pull the hard drive on your existing computer and take it with you. That way you don't have to take the old unit with you, and you can still access all that data if you get a new PC. Or, burn all your MP3/video data to CDs/DVDs.

BTW, I would definitely opt to hard-wire this device (whatever it is) to your wireless router. In general, if something doesn't need to move on a regular basis, you should probably hard-wire it to the network. And yes, you can get a wireless router that also has 4 or so ports on the back. Be sure to get wireless-G - it's much faster than B.

Yeah, I could pull the 60gb out of my desktop but would have to replace it with something approaching the same size to get more than chump change when I come to sell it. How much should I ask for an AMD 1.5ghz, 512 RAM, 60gb HDD, cheap video and sound, 2 NIC's, CD-R, DVD, 17" monitor? Could I get $200?

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Ximeta 160GB (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=580825&sku=X131-1003). $250, RJ-45 into a wireless router. Why weren't you impressed by wi-fi? 802.11g should be fine for sharing music and a few video clips


Then I'll buy a mediocre amp and surround sound speakers, just plug the Mac laptop directly into the amp to play music and run the S-Video into the TV to watch mpeg/AVI or just normal DVD's.

[TheWakeUpBomb]

If necessary, you can pull the hard drive on your existing computer and take it with you. That way you don't have to take the old unit with you, and you can still access all that data if you get a new PC. Or, burn all your MP3/video data to CDs/DVDs.Foos, quick question. I'm currently considering pulling my HD out of my current home desktop because of what I've determined is a malfuntioning processor or motherboard.

What I want to do is drop it into another computer I recently picked up from a friend (a decent Pentium 3), and then use the existing HD in that machine for data (after a format). Anything I should watch out for when making this switch? Caveats? Thanks.

[Foosinho]

There is a good chance that Windows (I assume that's your OS) won't like the new machine much, especially because the peripherals will have all changed. I usually use the old drive as a data drive when I do this. You may have to use your OS install CD to repair windows when you do this, which might keep all your old apps and settings.

Then again, the system may be similar enough that you can do it with very little fuss. Difficult to say.

[Mad_Bishop]

I'd say you're better off using your current HD as a data drive and keeping the other one as the system disc.

[TheWakeUpBomb]

Got it. Thanks.

[MikeLastort2]

I think I'm finally going to build an HTPC (Home Theater PC).

This site has some great info

http://www.htpcnews.com/

[prk166]

I've been using RCA's Lyra wireless [http://www.rca.com/product/viewmodellist/browseproduct/0,,CI700245,00.html] for 6 months now. I love it. It's not as good quality as having a hard hook up for a stereo. But if that's an issue then you shouldn't be playing MP3s. It doesn't use the wireless standards, 801b and g, out there so it's a lot cheaper, $70. It works well and even comes with a remote. The only problem with the remote is that without a screen on the receiver, you're blindly skippin' through your playlist.

[Premium Hamatachi redded]

i don't understand why anyone needs wireless network at home. gotta love rj-45 cables. "what you see is what you get". haven't you heard the phrase before? why would you need expensive invisible 11 or 54 mbps unstable connection when you can easily set up faster and inexpensive 100/1000 mbps visible and almost stable connection? i have wireless on my laptop but i use it away from home only where i have no other choice (i do still carry both crossover and regular cables) but never at home. stupid wireless. is plugging a ethernet cable to a patch panel such a heavy duty? what? you walk around your house with your pc? learn to stay at the same place. think of people who still don't have pcs. thank god you have one and stop messing the floor with your dirty feet.

[kerpow]

i don't understand why anyone needs wireless network at home. gotta love rj-45 cables. "what you see is what you get". haven't you heard the phrase before? why would you need expensive invisible 11 or 54 mbps unstable connection when you can easily set up faster and inexpensive 100/1000 mbps visible and almost stable connection? i have wireless on my laptop but i use it away from home only where i have no other choice (i do still carry both crossover and regular cables) but never at home. stupid wireless. is plugging a ethernet cable to a patch panel such a heavy duty? what? you walk around your house with your pc? learn to stay at the same place. think of people who still don't have pcs. thank god you have one and stop messing the floor with your dirty feet.

Each to their own mate. At the moment I have my cable modem coming in to my dining room to my server. My wife has to use a 40 foot rj-45 cable to connect her laptop because she uses it in the tv room.

Yes, I could never move a latop but that kind of defeats the point of having one.

[kerpow]

http://www.wired.com/news/gizmos/0,1452,63680,00.html?tw=rss.GAD