Jukebox and whole house audio

[chilidawg]

I’ve done some reading in this forum, and it’s been a huge inspiration to me.  I'm starting my own project.  

I want to set up a jukebox, but integrate it into a new whole-house audio system.  I’d like the following things:
-   Jukebox to control my library of mp3s, preferably with a touch screen.
-   Also control the jukebox remotely, with my iphone/ipod touch/ipad.
-   Play the same songs from the jukebox in other rooms.
-   Lastly, it would be great to also play AM/FM as well – also a plus to stream that to other rooms with my mp3’s, but not critical.
With all that, the simplest solution I’ve come up with is a pc with itunes and the itunes Jukebox plugin.  I already have an iphone, and that platform seems the easiest to use for remote control of the jukebox, with the Remote app.  Iphone/ipod touch seems like a good platform if I decide to automate other things in the house too.

To play the same music in other rooms, I could use apple airport express.  There seem to be plenty of other options for wifi transmission from the pc to speakers in other rooms too.

Lastly, I could find a nice stereo receiver from the 70’s to gut and put a nice radio station display and set of dials for the jukebox, below the touchscreen.

My questions are on the following:
-   Any system like this that does all the above better than itunes with the plugin?
-   Are there other “frontends” to use over top itunes rather than the jukebox plugin?
-   Any easy way to also put AM/FM through the house remotely controlled with an ipod touch?
-   In terms of sound quality, I could just throw a set of Logitech S220 desktop speakers in it.  I have a set now with the subwoofer, and they aren’t half bad.  Another option is to put some real speakers into the receiver if I’m going to use it for the AM/FM stuff anyway.  I assume a cheap set of old speakers will sound better than a cheap desktop 2.1 speaker set?  My only concern is I always seem to get poor sound quality converting from a 1/8th stereo to RCA inputs.
-   Assuming I have 200gb of music, and would like the leave the jukebox on or in sleep mode all the time, what kind of pc can I get away with, also leaning toward low power consumption?

Thanks!!

[egosbar]

ive just started using touchjams mate

got remote feature for itouch or phone or any device that connects to the internet wirless

it has a radio feature and is probably the best juke software ive used and ive used a lot

the skinning is a little confusing but i just finished mine , bob might put it up on his site i think

bob is the owner and hes great to deal with , listens to all suggestions and is committed to making it even better

it is 50 bucks but it is the best imo

ego

[chilidawg]

Wow, that's pretty cool.  I'll try out the demo and see how it works!

[Donkbaca]

Easiest way I have found to add whole house audio is the sony S-air system.  It uses 2.4ghz to transmit from an antenna that plugs into a USB port to speakers you plug into wall outlets.  The speakers can be turned on or off individuall via power button on the speakers.  The setup for the s-air antenna is pretty simple, it plugs in, there is some software to install and basically your computer recognizes it as a audio device/speaker, so whatever sounds are playing on your computer get broadcast out.  There is also a little receiver box with RCA out, so you can hook that up to a receiver or other audio source in another room. 

What I have set up is this:  Music on a NAS; itunes folder pointing to the NAS; S-air transimtter hooked up to PC in my office and receiver hooked up to my surround sound in the living room.  I use my iphone to control itunes, the computer broadcasts my music, I can either listen to the music in my living room, or if I want to go outside, or listen to music in another room, I just plug in one of my speakers in the room I am in and control my music through the itunes remote on my iphone.

Its pretty no hassle and dirt cheap.  Sony is ditching this tech in favor of using a system that broadcasts over wifi.  These being 2.4ghz, there could be some interference with other 2.4ghz devices, but I don't have a problem.  I have a 2500 sq ft house, and my office is in one corner, and I get the music all around my house and property with no problems/interference. 

I got my stuff off of ebay for 70 bucks, that included 2 speakers, the receiver and the transmitter.  You can pick up additional speakers for about 40 bucks a pop on e-bay.  I would look into that if you want to go cheap and easy.  If there was some way I could get my itunes remote to control Pandora on my PC, that would be balls awesome.  Anyhow.  Something to think about.  Just do a search for Sony Altus on e-bay

[smalltownguy]

Easiest way I have found to add whole house audio is the sony S-air system.  It uses 2.4ghz to transmit from an antenna that plugs into a USB port to speakers you plug into wall outlets.  The speakers can be turned on or off individuall via power button on the speakers.  The setup for the s-air antenna is pretty simple, it plugs in, there is some software to install and basically your computer recognizes it as a audio device/speaker, so whatever sounds are playing on your computer get broadcast out.  There is also a little receiver box with RCA out, so you can hook that up to a receiver or other audio source in another room. 

What I have set up is this:  Music on a NAS; itunes folder pointing to the NAS; S-air transimtter hooked up to PC in my office and receiver hooked up to my surround sound in the living room.  I use my iphone to control itunes, the computer broadcasts my music, I can either listen to the music in my living room, or if I want to go outside, or listen to music in another room, I just plug in one of my speakers in the room I am in and control my music through the itunes remote on my iphone.

Its pretty no hassle and dirt cheap.  Sony is ditching this tech in favor of using a system that broadcasts over wifi.  These being 2.4ghz, there could be some interference with other 2.4ghz devices, but I don't have a problem.  I have a 2500 sq ft house, and my office is in one corner, and I get the music all around my house and property with no problems/interference. 

I got my stuff off of ebay for 70 bucks, that included 2 speakers, the receiver and the transmitter.  You can pick up additional speakers for about 40 bucks a pop on e-bay.  I would look into that if you want to go cheap and easy.  If there was some way I could get my itunes remote to control Pandora on my PC, that would be balls awesome.  Anyhow.  Something to think about.  Just do a search for Sony Altus on e-bay

Why not use LogMeIn on youe iPhone to control Pandora on your PC?