Setup for Playing Digital Music Files?

Question

I recently converted all my CDs over to mp3 and wma files. I'd like to have the ability to play them over my WiFi home network, but we don't have a "base" computer hooked up to it full-time. Is there a cost effective way to play these files from my USB hard drive connected to a Cisco Router/Media Server? I'd like to be able to play them on multiple stereo systems via RCA cables.

Answer 1

Well, you have to have some piece of hardware or software that has MP3 decoder/player functionality. You don't need a "base" computer (not sure what you mean by that), just any computer on the network that can run an MP3 player. If you want a pure hardware solution, there are a few, but they are kind of pricey, about $300.

One I know of is the Squeezebox, from Slim Devices.

If you have a Series 2 TiVo, you can play your music collection through the Tivo's Home Media Player.

As far as getting sound from the PC to the stereo (short of wiring the two together, I've been very happy with the RCA Lyra RD900W Wireless. Its a pair of USB audio devices that use a 900 Mhz wireless connection to transmit digital audio from your PC to your stereo. Check on Amazon or Ebay. It may be discontinued now, but you can still find it for around $35.