Hardware Streaming MP3 Components?

woogie asks: "I have finally broken down and ripped all my CDs, and I have a mod_mp3 server with a bunch of different streams based on genres that can deliver those mp3s to anywhere in my house. Anywhere, that is, except my stereo system. Anyone know of decent audio hardware that will read a Shoutcast stream? Sure, I can plug my laptop line out into my tuner's inputs, but I'd really like a device I can just stack on top of my tuner that will accept Shoutcast streams. The only device I've seen that allows this is the Audiotron which appears to want to read your mp3s from an SMB share, but can be configured to read Shoutcast streams if you use special Windows based software to configure it. It would work, but seems a bit pricey given that it targets my needs as an afterthought. There is some promising hacking going on with the Rio Receiver here and here, but getting one to read a Shoutcast stream might be beyond my abilities. Am I missing anything else out there? A simple device that I could just cycle through different preconfigured streams with a remote would suffice."

Comments

Just build it...

[OneFix]

Anything you're gonna buy will be way more expensive than just making your own. The system could be built on a reasonable budget for under $100. On PriceWatch a 600MHz P3 (Celermine) CPU + MicroATX MotherBoard combo can be had for $79, and then the case should be easy enough to find.

That system already has built-in sound. And even if you needed to use a PCI card, an Ensoniq card can be had for $10. You're talking less than $200 for a complete system that isn't just 1 function...

I'm sure if you looked around you could find something like an old 266Mhz CPU+MB combo for pocket change...

You could even install an IRDA Drive into the front and use a universal remote to controll the thing :)

Fundamental problem.

[billcopc]

There is one major problem in this idea. Home and car stereo devices 'push' the audio in a raw format, passing them on to the receiver/mixer which then routes things to the amps. Shoutcast is a pull-technology; you request a stream, and the mp3 server sends it to you in encoded form. Thus, your stereo is sitting stupid, waiting for sound to come on the wires, while your shoutcast server is also sitting stupid, waiting for someone to request a stream.

For things to work, your stereo unit would need to send a request to the mp3 server for anything to happen; on the other hand, your mp3 server could push the audio to a dumb receiver which is constantly 'listening'.

Essentially, you would need to sit at a computer and fire up XMMS, then play it out to your stereo. I'm assuming you want the stereo to handle things on its own, via remote control. In such case, you might want to find one of those BookPC-type-things, paint it black or silver and give it an IRMan. You'll need at least one 'smart' component in the loop, might as well make it another low-profile computer.

some links for you...

[fist_187]

you can get the x10 remote here at X10's website.

the winamp plugin (ampapod) is here at winamp's site.

i have used the ampapod plugin for several years now with no problems. if you want to use this plugin, DO NOT install X10's software. and if you use it with win98se or higher, you must "disable in this hardware profile" the "serial mouse" when it comes up in device manager. if windows picks up the serial port mouse functionality, the ampapod software won't be able to access it. (win98 and below don't automatically detect it, and thus you dont have to worry about it).

if you need help/advice, feel free to email me at:
fist_187[at]hotmail