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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?"

4 of 11 comments (clear)

  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. 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 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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  3. 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.