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Computer/Stereo Audio In Every Room?

Posted by Cliff on from the can-it-be-done? dept.

CmdrPorno asks: "I've been looking for a way to listen to MP3's without physically connecting a computer to my stereo. Ideally, I would be able to listen anywhere in my house. The popular FM modulators, such as the Arkon, seem like an ideal solution, with only one problem: the Web site states the modulator will only transmit four to six feet. Is there any way to tweak one of these modulators to transmit a greater distance, or does the device I'm describing already exist?"

11 comments

  1. Smarthome.com by emerson · · Score: 3

    You'll want to check out some of the various 'home automation' sites, like smarthome.com. They have all sorts of ways to pipe audio (and video) around your house using existing AC or phone wiring, or wireless. FM is a really brute-force nasty way to send audio, and the frequency response is terrible; on top of the already less-than-adequate fidelity of MP3's, I think you'd be unhappy with the results.

    Here's a starter at smarthome, the Leapfrog Home Network System, which uses phone lines for A/V transmission.

    Have fun!
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  2. Recoton 900 Mhz Audio by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
    You could try the Recoton wireless devices. "Transmit Audio & Video Signals Up To 150 Feet Through Walls & Floors With Recoton's Wireless Technology."

    Radio Shack has had these things for years. They look pretty cool, but I haven't actually tried them. They have video and infrared (i.e. remote-control) transmitters too.

  3. X-10 Stuff by FoxIVX · · Score: 1

    X-10, www.x-10.com, has something called mp3-anywhere, which is just a hack for winamp, an RF remote, and a 2.4 Ghz reciever. I'm sure they have other stuff that you could also modify to give you sound in every room.. Or, just start opening up walls and adding speaker wire throughout the house.. Dont you with you had drop-ceilings now?

    1. Re:X-10 Stuff by jagapen · · Score: 2

      I bought an MP3 Anywhere kit, and told a friend about it and he bought one. Neither of us can get the thing to work without wicked interference. The MouseRemote can be a bit finicky, and its receiver picks up spurious mouse movements all the time.

      Basically, with the just-barely-adequate quality of their goods and their sleazy public image (I've seen phone psychic ads with more class!), I'm resolved to do no further business with X-10.

  4. Q regarding transmission through phone lines. by Talonius · · Score: 1

    I've seen quite a few of these systems that transmit through the phone lines, including the ethernet stuff.

    Does any of this stuff noticeably affect each other and/or the phone quality? I.e. if I run DSL, a 10MB ethernet, AND A/V distribution, I'm probably going to push the limit, eh?

    Amazing what you can do with CAT 3. :p

    -B

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    My reality check bounced.
    1. Re:Q regarding transmission through phone lines. by Talonius · · Score: 1

      Uh.
      Not CAT3.

      This is what happens when you post while having a diabetic reaction. (Approximate blood sugar, 29. ;p)

      Please turn flames on; I've got the flame retardant suit on. :)

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      My reality check bounced.
  5. Cable quality? by bridgette · · Score: 2

    If I just want to run the line out from my soundcard into an input on my stereo, would the singnal degrade too much over ~20 feet of standard stereo cable (1/8" -> RCA connectors) ? Would I need to amplify my soundcard signal before sending it to the stero on the other side of the room?

    And no, I don't want to set up a "stereo server" over there just so I can transmit mp3s to my reciever over ethernet. But if you know of a good reciever that comes with a nic ....

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    - bridgette
    1. Re:Cable quality? by dufke · · Score: 1

      would the singnal degrade too much over ~20 feet of standard stereo cable

      Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by 'too much'. I have such an arrangment with a CD changer, and I notice no difference... but then I'm no audiophile...

      As long as the connectors are clean (the greatest risk to the signal is oxidation in the connectors) it should be no problem.
      -

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      Comment submitted. There will be a delay before you understand what you posted.
    2. Re:Cable quality? by emerson · · Score: 2

      No, 20' of good-quality cable (read: NOT $1.99 Radio Shack RCA cables; drop the $15 for a good Hosa 20' cable from your local pro audio store) will not show any degradation in quality. Pro shielded audio snakes get as long as a quarter mile without noticable degradation, for running mic inputs and the like up to sound boards in stadium settings. So, 20' is not going to cause any problem unless your cable is crappy.


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  6. hacked dumb terminals? by Helix150 · · Score: 1

    this would be more expensive, but you might think of buying a bunch of those Web Appliances that you can hack and plug with a hard drive, net card and Linux. It would be expensive but you could have basic computer functions in almost every room. Put them together with an X-10 (lighting control) system and you're on your way to an automated home...

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    --IronHelix
    1. Re:hacked dumb terminals? by setecastronomy · · Score: 1

      This is what I want to do eventually, when I get my i-Opener (great piece of hardware, by the way) up to full functionality. However, there's a slight problem: no serial port. Has anyone figured out how to hook up the FireCracker module to an i-Opener?

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      --- Remove all references to mud-dwelling quadrupeds to email me.