Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Forum => Topic started by: chilidawg on October 05, 2011, 08:35:05 pm
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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!!
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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
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Wow, that's pretty cool. I'll try out the demo and see how it works!
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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
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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?