Streaming Internet radio to home stereo

A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
requirement. Video (TV) is of no interest. I've come up with two different
approaches:

1. Standalone Internet radio connecting to 802.11g network, either:
a. Wired Internet radio with a Wi-Fi-Ethernet bridge/gaming adapter
e.g., Slim Devices Squeezebox with Linksys WRT54G as client bridge,
about $130 used.
b. Wireless Internet radio that supports 802.11g with WPA.
Haven't been able to find anything (affordable at least).

2. Media Adapter with PC as server, either:
a. Wired Media Adapter with a Wi-Fi-Ethernet bridge/gaming adapter
e.g., Hauppauge MediaMVP with Linksys WRT54G as client bridge,
about $100 used.
b. Wireless Media Adapter that supports 802.11g with WPA.
Haven't been able to find anything affordable.

2.a seems to be the lowest cost solution.
Have I missed anything less expensive?

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>

On 1/30/2006 11:41 AM, John Navas wrote:
> A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
> connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
> long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
> I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
> 802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
> requirement. Video (TV) is of no interest. I've come up with two different
> approaches:
>
> 1. Standalone Internet radio connecting to 802.11g network, either:
> a. Wired Internet radio with a Wi-Fi-Ethernet bridge/gaming adapter
> e.g., Slim Devices Squeezebox with Linksys WRT54G as client bridge,
> about $130 used.
> b. Wireless Internet radio that supports 802.11g with WPA.
> Haven't been able to find anything (affordable at least).
>
> 2. Media Adapter with PC as server, either:
> a. Wired Media Adapter with a Wi-Fi-Ethernet bridge/gaming adapter
> e.g., Hauppauge MediaMVP with Linksys WRT54G as client bridge,
> about $100 used.
> b. Wireless Media Adapter that supports 802.11g with WPA.
> Haven't been able to find anything affordable.
>
> 2.a seems to be the lowest cost solution.
> Have I missed anything less expensive?
>

I use 3 Squeeze Box 2's with Slim Server running on a headless 17W linux
computer (Kurobox HG). I am very happy with the WPA-PSK G network
performance streaming my FLAC files. Also Squeeze Network (don't need
slim server running) is kick a@s. If you care about audio quality, go
with Squeeze Box! Also SB has a bridge ethernet port so you can kook up
you Tivo or ReplayTV.

Dan

[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <HJsDf.200$(E-Mail Removed)> on Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:16:12 -0600, Dan
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On 1/30/2006 11:41 AM, John Navas wrote:
>> A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
>> connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
>> long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
>> I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
>> 802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
>> requirement. Video (TV) is of no interest. I've come up with two different
>> approaches:
>>
>> 1. Standalone Internet radio connecting to 802.11g network, either:
>> a. Wired Internet radio with a Wi-Fi-Ethernet bridge/gaming adapter
>> e.g., Slim Devices Squeezebox with Linksys WRT54G as client bridge,
>> about $130 used.
>> b. Wireless Internet radio that supports 802.11g with WPA.
>> Haven't been able to find anything (affordable at least).
>>
>> 2. Media Adapter with PC as server, either:
>> a. Wired Media Adapter with a Wi-Fi-Ethernet bridge/gaming adapter
>> e.g., Hauppauge MediaMVP with Linksys WRT54G as client bridge,
>> about $100 used.
>> b. Wireless Media Adapter that supports 802.11g with WPA.
>> Haven't been able to find anything affordable.
>>
>> 2.a seems to be the lowest cost solution.
>> Have I missed anything less expensive?
>
>I use 3 Squeeze Box 2's with Slim Server running on a headless 17W linux
>computer (Kurobox HG). I am very happy with the WPA-PSK G network
>performance streaming my FLAC files. Also Squeeze Network (don't need
>slim server running) is kick a@s. If you care about audio quality, go
>with Squeeze Box! Also SB has a bridge ethernet port so you can kook up
>you Tivo or ReplayTV.

Thanks for the feedback. Squeezebox 2 (or 3) looks to be just right for my
needs, but at about $200+ is more money than I want to spend, which is why I'm
thinking of rolling my own with used original wired Squeezebox and
802.11g-Ethernet bridge, or even cheaper used Hauppauge MediaMVP.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>

John Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
>connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
>long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
>I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
>802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
>requirement.

>Have I missed anything less expensive?

Yes. Forget about using 802.11g for digitized audio and just use a
one way wireless link for "broadcasting" the audio from the PC sound
card. The easiest is to plug an FM transmitter into the line output
jack of the sound card. The other end is an FM tuner set to an empty
channel. Something like this.
http://www.usr.com/products/device/p...sp?sku=USR6003
http://www.arkon.com/fmtransmitter.php

I've also been tinkering with Bluetooth 2.0 for broadcasting stereo.
It works well to a compatible headset, but I can't find a cheap
dedicated receiver with conventional phono connectors that would fit
into a hi-fi. These are a bit expensive, but methinks worth
considering:
http://www.xterasys.com/bsr202.htm
http://www.abocom.com.tw/product_detail.php?id=310
http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000770069176/ (cute)
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3124
There are others...
The nice part is that this method will allow a currently overprice
Bluetooth stereo headset to play the music without involving the
hi-fi.

Incidentally, Bluetooth 1.2 Class 2 will also work.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article
<idsDf.572539$(E-Mail Removed)>, John
Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
> connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
> long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
> I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
> 802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
> requirement. Video (TV) is of no interest. I've come up with two different
> approaches:

snip

> Have I missed anything less expensive?

itunes & apple airport express.

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:41:34 GMT, in alt.internet.wireless , John
Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
>connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
>long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.

(snip possibilities using 802.11)

>Have I missed anything less expensive?

Depends on how long the existing lead is.

You can buy short-range FM transmitters which let you rebroadcast
stuff from a PC on the FM band (they plug into either the USB or line
out socket). I have a feeling they're technically illegal in most
countries [FM is a regulated band], but that doesn't stop many
companies selling them as in-car units to let you listen to your MP3
player through the car stereo. Range /is/ short however - tens of feet
at best.

Mark McIntyre
--

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[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <300120061337154350%(E-Mail Removed)> on Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:37:15
-0800, nospam <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>In article
><idsDf.572539$(E-Mail Removed)>, John
>Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
>> connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
>> long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
>> I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
>> 802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
>> requirement. Video (TV) is of no interest. I've come up with two different
>> approaches:
>
>snip
>
>> Have I missed anything less expensive?
>
>itunes & apple airport express.

Excellent alternative that I hadn't considered -- thanks!

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>

[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <(E-Mail Removed)> on Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:44:25
-0800, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>John Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
>>connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
>>long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
>>I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
>>802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
>>requirement.
>
>>Have I missed anything less expensive?
>
>Yes. Forget about using 802.11g for digitized audio and just use a
>one way wireless link for "broadcasting" the audio from the PC sound
>card. The easiest is to plug an FM transmitter into the line output
>jack of the sound card. The other end is an FM tuner set to an empty
>channel.

I considered this, but rejected it due to (a) not wanting to have junk hanging
off a laptop computer and (b) degraded audio/cost -- good FM transmitters
aren't cheap.

>Something like this.
> http://www.usr.com/products/device/p...sp?sku=USR6003

900 MHz native -- only works on FM when you use both transmitter and receiver,
further degrading audio and using a 2nd wireless link, plus too much junk.

> http://www.arkon.com/fmtransmitter.php

SF150-c: Cheap, but limited range and mediocre audio.

>I've also been tinkering with Bluetooth 2.0 for broadcasting stereo.
>It works well to a compatible headset, but I can't find a cheap
>dedicated receiver with conventional phono connectors that would fit
>into a hi-fi.

Jensen WBT310 is about $75.

>These are a bit expensive, but methinks worth
>considering:
> http://www.xterasys.com/bsr202.htm
> http://www.abocom.com.tw/product_detail.php?id=310
> http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000770069176/ (cute)
> http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3124
> There are others...

http://www.air2u.com.tw/htm/p_hifi_mcr02.htm

>The nice part is that this method will allow a currently overprice
>Bluetooth stereo headset to play the music without involving the
>hi-fi.
>
>Incidentally, Bluetooth 1.2 Class 2 will also work.

Thanks -- I hadn't really considered Bluetooth, but I'll now check it out,
although I'm concerned about possible interference with the existing 802.11g
wireless, as well as sufficient range.

[p.s. Sorry about the email -- hit the wrong button.]
--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>

[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <drn28l$mc1$(E-Mail Removed)> on Tue, 31 Jan 2006 19:24:54 +1100, "Pierre"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:41:34 GMT, in alt.internet.wireless , John
>> Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>>> A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
>>> connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with a
>>> long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
>>> I'm looking for a low-cost solution to eliminate the cable using an existing
>>> 802.11g Wi-Fi WPA-PSK network. 802.11g (not 802.11b) with WPA-PSK is a
>>> requirement. Video (TV) is of no interest. ...

>There is a raft of small audio/video transmitter/receiver units on 2.4 Ghz
>that are cheap and very good quality. Fed from a good soundcard and the
>quality is superb.

That won't interfere with the 802.11g network? I specified 802.11g in order
to avoid interference by using the 802.11g network itself, with the added
advantages of (a) not needing any extra hardware on the laptop PC and (b) no
audio degradation (as in the case of FM modulation or digital with extra D-A
and A-D conversions). Thanks to "nospam" I'll probably use an Apple Airport
Express (slick product) with iTunes (slick software), which costs the same or
less.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>

"Mark McIntyre" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:41:34 GMT, in alt.internet.wireless , John
> Navas <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >A friend currently plays Shoutcast radio music from a broadband Internet
> >connection on a home audio system by means of a PC (running Winamp) with
a
> >long cable connected from the PC audio out jack to the home audio system.
>
> (snip possibilities using 802.11)
>
> >Have I missed anything less expensive?
>
> Depends on how long the existing lead is.
>
> You can buy short-range FM transmitters which let you rebroadcast
> stuff from a PC on the FM band (they plug into either the USB or line
> out socket). I have a feeling they're technically illegal in most
> countries [FM is a regulated band], but that doesn't stop many
> companies selling them as in-car units to let you listen to your MP3
> player through the car stereo. Range /is/ short however - tens of feet
> at best.
>
> Mark McIntyre
> --
>
There is a raft of small audio/video transmitter/receiver units on 2.4 Ghz
that are cheap and very good quality. Fed from a good soundcard and the
quality is superb.

Peter

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