Category: Geeks r Us
Hey all, I'm quite interested in listening to my computer's media or internet radio via my home stereo. Has anyone successfully done this? If so, how? What devices have you used?
The live365 store has many options, but I'm very new to this idea. DLink medaLounge, squeezebox, sony has an option, and there is something called sound bridge.
http://www.live365.com/shop/
What is your experiences? Any technology out there, where I can still control it via my computer? I'm not bothered about my computer being on, but it would be cool to here my winamp radio via my stereo, or extend the functionality of my live365 subscription.
Thanks all, I look forward to all your techy thoughts.
First of all, you have to make sure your stereo has an input. If it does, you'll have a mode button with your radio, CD and whatever called aux. Or if it's a receiver you have plenty.
Then you need to decide if you want to go with a wired connection or wireless.
If you want a wired connection, and you don't mind having all your computer's sounds going through your stereo, you can just buy a patch cable and plug it in where you'd plug in your speakers or headphones, then link the other end to your stereo, select the input and go for it.
If you want wired but don't want your speech and windows sounds to go through, buy a USB sound card, most electronics stores carry some kind that'll do, and set your Winamp to play out that and your windows sounds to your default card, then connect your stereo the same way to the USB card.
If you want to go wireless, someone else will have to help you because I don't know anything about any of those options.
Hmmm, well the wireless sounded more apeeling, but I'm open to ideas.
I definitely have the aux on my stereo.
Now, I thought one had to be quite careful connecting a stereo directly to a laptop? Could such a set up damage my laptop?
Maybe I need to go into a electronics store and actually look at these squeezboxes or DLink options.
No, you can't do any damage to either your laptop or stereo. The wires carry a very very small charge, just enough for the audio. The laptop doesn't put out very much anyway so it's all good.
The wireless options are theoretically a lot more convenient, although most of them come with their own software and I don't know how accessible any of it is. Plus they'll be more expensive than 30 bucks for a USB card and a few feet of standard cable, but whatever you're comfortable with. I know a lot of sighted people swear by their wireless media stuff. I'd definitely go to an electronics place and talk to them about it. Especially if you can return the product if it doesn't work. Make sure to ask, and get it written on the receipt if you can so that it's a sure thing, some companies will try to pull a fast one on you and screw you out of your money for some electronic stuff.
the closes I come to that is listening to The link over the net on my computer if I want to here past shows.