[mythtv-users] OT: audio solution for bathroom to play collection from desktop (FE)

[Brad DerManouelian]

On Dec 8, 2008, at 7:49 AM, Jeff Walther wrote:

> Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 15:53:25 -0500
> From: "Bobby Gill" <bobbygill at rogers.com>
>
>> I have never bought an mp3 player (ipod, zune, etc.) and still use  
>> CDs (car
>> has player that plays mp3 cds and they're 50 for $9, so never  
>> bothered).
> Now
>> the fam are buggin' the hell outta me to get an audio solution that  
>> plays
>> from my desktop (I use MPD) to the bathroom. For example one  
>> bathroom opens
>> into the bedroom with the box, distance is maybe ~15 feet straight.
>
>> Basically something simple that could play the collection on the  
>> box from
>> the bathroom preferrably with a remote control (for the device I  
>> suppose).
>
> I'm not sure what all your requirements are from your description.
> Consider something like the Roku SoundBridge (there are other similar
> devices from other companies).  It is a device which connects to your
> network (wireless included, but wired also available) at one end and  
> to a
> pair of powered speakers (e.g. a decent pair of PC speakers) at the  
> other
> end.  Then it serves music from a variety of programs on a PC on your
> network.  Programs include iTunes, Windows Media Connect, Roku's  
> Firefly
> (Unix) and others.  <http://www.roku.com/products_servernotes.php>
> <http://www.roku.com/buyroku_onlinecatalog.php>
>
> So, if you put a SoundBridge and a pair of speakers in your  
> bathroom, the
> occupant can play any music stored on your PC-based music server.   
> It can
> also play web-served radio stations.   You mentioned MPD and I am not
> familiar with that.   If it is music server software then you would  
> want
> to find a solution which is compatible with it, unless you're  
> willing to
> switch software.

Logitech has Squeezebox which is popular at a comparable pricepoint.  
SqueezeCenter also has the advantage of being open source with lots of  
community developed/supported add-ons. Not sure what SoundBridge terms  
are. You won't find anything in the $50-$100 price range for a  
complete setup.

-Brad