Completely new to wifi streaming - Please help!!!

[deanchri]

I've just completed a massive housebuilding project and feel like I've been totally isolated from the outside world for 5 years whilst doing it. I've built in the cables into the building framwork to allow me to have a nice neat surround sound system inc lcd tv, receiver, bluray and speakers. However to complete my world I'd like to burn all of my cd's onto my laptop (Or hard drive?) and then be able to stream the music through my surround sound system.

Forgive my complete ignorance here , I'm certainly no expert. I've read some of the the threads about squeezebox duet and this seems to do the job for me in terms of the positive reviews and the cost.

Please - tell me where do I start? Is I tunes the best software for burning the cd's, what is the method of achieving the best sound quality and if I plump for the squeezbox does it only work with certain hard drives?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Im no expert (good to get that out of the way at the start!) but as you dont sound like a techie type of person I would stick with iTunes, copy all of your cds onto laptop or harddrive in Apple Lossless and then start to think about your wireless system.

Squeezebox's use Squeezecenter to beam the music to the duet which is plugged into your amp via rca cables (or cd player/dac via optical output). It automatically seeks out your itunes library and is very seamless. Not to mention allowing for Napster use and a whole load of other benefits (last.fm etc). so if you have your hi fi set up sitting and waiting to be exploited it is certainly a good option. You dont need the controller either and could use an iphone or touch to control the duet.

I dont have any personal experience with Airport Express but by all means it is very easy to set up and use. Works very similarly to Squeezebox and is a good alternative.

A more expensive option is a Sonos system but I have no experience with that either!

A cheap and very good option is the Airport Express or Squeezebox duet. Cant go wrong with the latter, can vouch for that.

 

[PJPro]

If everything is going to be in fixed locations, is it too late to consider a wired network? In terms of speed, reliability and security it is far superior to wireless.

I have a gigabit wired network from my PC (media server) upstairs to my home cinema downstairs. Both are static and benefit from the stability of the wired network. I also have a netbook which uses wireless but is only used for browsing the web.

 

[Ant8519]

Where to start?

To be frank your budget dictates heavily what to buy.

In terms of sound quality the squeezebox should marry happily with your surround sound system.

I have a squeezebox duet and I really love it, but if you are planning to run it from a nas drive it can be a bit of work setting up, if you stream from a pc then it is pretty straightforward. That said there is a newer version coming called the touch which is apparently far better in this regards, does not need a computer to run it and can stream from any usb attached hard drive storage and from the specs seems to be the one to choose. It is released in december.

I stream wirelessly via a bog standard BT router and this has proved 100% reliable for the past year or more. If you have a wireless router you probbaly will find it fine.

The key is how to rip your cd's, what programs to use, what format, etc.

I would advise going to the squeezebox forum (forums.slimdevices.com/) and asking their advice.

Be prepared for some reading....

For reference I ripped everything to flac for archiving but in practice I can hear no difference between flac and 256kbs mp3. I use a freeware called ripstation micro as it is idiot proof and reliable.

Hope this helps, Ant

 

[deanchri]

Only just picked up the replies folks - been busy on the house project again

Thanks for the sound advice especially the 'idiot proof' stuff

Thanks again, very helpful!