Want to stream music from PC to Stereo over wifi

[GreasyTacoAficionado]

Hello,
I'd like to stream music from my PC to my stereo wirelessly over wifi. So far I've managed to not buy a single apple product, but it's getting harder to avoid it. Apple's airport express looks like a good solution at $50, except that it requires using iTunes, which I'd like to avoid. Any recommendations for a networked digitial audio receiver that's compatible with windows media player Playto feature? Also, it needs to have analog stereo ouput, my stereo is just a little bookself system with 3.5mm input.

So far I've found these, not sure if they do analog stereo output though.

Netgear NeoTV Streaming Player (NTV200) $80
Problem: it has S/PDIF digital connector, but no analog audio.
http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-NeoTV-...8877099&sr=8-1


WD TV Live $100
I'm not sure if this one has analog audio output or not.
Confusingly the WD TV Live has wifi built in, but the WD TV Live Plus does not.
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita...8879346&sr=1-2


WD TV Live Plus $85
Confusingly the WD TV Live has wifi built in, but the WD TV Live Plus does not.
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita...8881097&sr=8-1

[CrowdAds]

[dgb52]

I use my Archos 43 to stream music from my networked hard drive

What is your budget? the 43 is around 200.00 or you can get a 32 which is around 130.00
http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_43it/index.html?country=us⟨=en

you can also stream movies and netflix also

[GreasyTacoAficionado]

Thanks, not quite what I'm looking for though. My budget is $50-$80.
I wish there was a Microsoft equivalent of Apples airport express.

[dfkt]

The WD TV Live models have analog RCA and optical S/PDIF outputs. I have the non-Wi-Fi version, connected to my router.

[GreasyTacoAficionado]

Hmmm, also looking at the Roku2 HD. Costs $60, has wifi, has stereo analog output.
I think it's between this and the Apple Airport express.
Roku site


Apple's airport express $50

[GreasyTacoAficionado]

I'm still not sure if I can use a roku without a TV.

[dgb52]

Originally Posted by GreasyTacoAficionado

I'm still not sure if I can use a roku without a TV.

Won't you need a tv to see what you are doing on the roku?

[GreasyTacoAficionado]

Yes it looks like a TV is needed. I asked Roku on Twitter
Q: Can I use a Roku2 without a TV? I just want to stream music from a PC to a Roku2 connected to a book shelf stereo?"

A: technically, yes. but you need a display to navigate in the channel. Some mobile apps for Roku can compensate for this & try plex.

This is not the answer I wanted. I was hoping that I could just use Windows Media Player PlayTo feature to send music streaming over wifi to the ruku, and then it would just play on the stereo.

I'm dangerously close to buying Apple's Airport Express and using iTunes.....God help me.

[WalkGood]

I’ve heard from friends that squeezebox is one of the best but seems over your budget. I did read about the Cisco-Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge but don’t know how good it is and the reviews sound mixed but hey it's another option to look at.

[diechipmunk]

Orb.

I was, and still and am, in the same boat. I tried out an Orb $69. http://www.orb.com/
It comes with a hockey puck sized receiver connects to your sterio. The Server and controller is downloaded and free. There are controllers for Android devices and PCs.

It works well, when it works, but it the controls are slow and buggy (i.e. the controller hangs a lot).

The big issue I have it that every couple of weeks I have to reinitialize the Orb reciever - remove it from my stereo, usb connect it to my PC to do it. Sometimes I have to uninstall and reinstall the server software. Orb support has been very responsive, although we never solved the issue.

... but it works and it''s $79 (now).

Update: I've just gone through the process of setting it up again this weekend. Big firmware download. It was a much smoother update than previously.

[Olley]

I've been updating my gear lately, and now have found that many device supporting DLNA are available. That includes Home Theater amps, BluRay players, Smart or web-enabled TVs. I suspect standalone boxes like the WD-TV Live won't be needed in 2012, although the one I have is still in use with a dumb TV and older amp. Just about anything claiming "DLNA" in the specs can be PlayTo'ed by Windows Media Player.

[diechipmunk]

FYI, I got a Roku 2 for Christmas. I can't see how you could possibly set it up without a TV. The first step is to attach it to the TV and go through the set up wizard.

[hollie9]

I haven't bought anything yet, not even the TV for my newly remodeled house, and want to use my old receiver which isn't digitized.

Roku looks good for video, but I'd like to play my own music on my computer wirelessly. I do have a very small laptop and was thinking about just running from headphone jack out to receiver? I don't know if I could use itunes to stream from little pc or if I'd have to use media player...anybody know?

I didn't even know you could stream your own music through Roku. Does Roku have software for your pc to do playlists or just set up the stream?

I guess the new receivers are set up to receive wireless streaming from pcs?j

There should be an easy answer, I'll be following this thread.

Hollie

[FreeZ5]

Many of us play through our stereo receivers using the headphone out jack and a cable that splits into 2 RCA-style jacks.

Here's a link to one such cable.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Steve

[hollie9]

Steve, yes I know about those cable and the headphone out jack.

What are you streaming from though, a computer, Roku, or something else?

I think I might have to buy a TV with internet since I can't find one in the size I need without that. I wonder if I'll have to get a new receiver for it to play sound (tinny speakers on those skinny flat panels), or if I'll even need Roku.

Everything has gotten so complicated with TVs running quasi computer software along with TIVO doing the same....hard to know what to do.

Hollie

[FreeZ5]

Originally Posted by hollie9

Steve, yes I know about those cable and the headphone out jack.

What are you streaming from though, a computer, Roku, or something else?

I think I might have to buy a TV with internet since I can't find one in the size I need without that. I wonder if I'll have to get a new receiver for it to play sound (tinny speakers on those skinny flat panels), or if I'll even need Roku.

Everything has gotten so complicated with TVs running quasi computer software along with TIVO doing the same....hard to know what to do.

Hollie

I just plug an mp3 player into the receiver.

I have one of those fancy new TV sets (a Sony). The Internet connection is a pain if you control it through the TV set, might be OK thru an app on a tablet, but I don't have a tablet. I don't find the sound on mine that bad (but don't use it as a music source), but can connect it easily into my 1992 era receiver using the afore-mentioned cable. Yes, there's a headphone out jack on the TV.

Just because the crazy new electronics are available doesn't mean you have to buy/use them.

Steve