Media PC Question

BFCTom · 15 Dec 2006 at 16:29

Hi,

We have speakers throughout our house and each of these can be turned to TV, CD or Radio sound. Anyway, the input thing for these speakers requires just the basic left and right (red and white) cables going into it.

I'm wanting to have a PC going into this so I can play MP3s through these speakers instead of just being restricted to CDs.

The question I put to you guys is, what kind of money am I looking at to make a really simple media PC? It's sole use will be to play MP3s, I mean I could either store them on it or stream them over the network from my current PC in my room.

I guess some SFF case or something will be the route to go down?

All it would really need is a soundcard that has the correct outputs.

I'm a bit out of the hardware scene at the minute so any help and reccomendations will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers dudes.

steve258 · 15 Dec 2006 at 16:55

Well there are connectors converting normal 3.5mm audio jack into composite red / white output so you don't need a special sound card for it, just about any audio device can be used.

squiffy · 15 Dec 2006 at 16:58

Do you have a spare PC lying around? A Pentium 1ghz will be more than fast enough.

BFCTom · 15 Dec 2006 at 18:51

Yeah I've got a few bits and pieces I could probably chuck together. I was just thought a small case would be more appropriate to go in with the sky box etc.

I've got a spare Shuttle actually, so I could use that.

They aren't the standard 3.5mm jacks they are bigger similar to the ones in the back of a scart connecter. Guess I would need a sound card for that? Or I could use the converter like suggested.

breamy1990 · 15 Dec 2006 at 19:29

Tommy D said:
Yeah I've got a few bits and pieces I could probably chuck together. I was just thought a small case would be more appropriate to go in with the sky box etc.

I've got a spare Shuttle actually, so I could use that.

They aren't the standard 3.5mm jacks they are bigger similar to the ones in the back of a scart connecter. Guess I would need a sound card for that? Or I could use the converter like suggested.

a convertor would do you as said

but if your wanting top notch sound go with a addin sound card for better quality sound and covertor cable

which is 3.5mm to rca

lloydsj · 15 Dec 2006 at 20:21

I agree with all the comments above... but just wondered if you have thought about a mp3 streamer which is specifically designed to stream music from your pc to a hi-fi with the advantage of having a hi-fi like interface rather than needing to hava a pc, monitor, keyboard, mouse etc? im sure it will have the correct connections too. This will be ideal if you are sure its just music you want.

Slimdevices do one which i think gets good reviews.

Just a thought anyway.

Nutbusta · 15 Dec 2006 at 20:38

I’d recommend a Media Centre and can be done quite easily on £300-400. I recon mine cost about that and I spent £80 on the case. A lot less if you are prepared to do some research and buy second hand.

Might be overkill for MP3 but it's great having a remote controlled PVR with OSG and funky GUI.

You’re more than welcome to email me for thought/advice

squiffy · 15 Dec 2006 at 20:41

lloydsj said:
I agree with all the comments above... but just wondered if you have thought about a mp3 streamer which is specifically designed to stream music from your pc to a hi-fi with the advantage of having a hi-fi like interface rather than needing to hava a pc, monitor, keyboard, mouse etc? im sure it will have the correct connections too. This will be ideal if you are sure its just music you want.

Slimdevices do one which i think gets good reviews.

Just a thought anyway.

yeah I have a Squeezebox, and it's great. But you still need a server. For non local playback of music SB is ideal, but for local you can just use a monitor/keyboard/mouse. Still even a SB next to the server is easier.