Send music from pc to home theater system

[Pghpooh]

HI
A dumb question for a cold winter night.

I want to send audio from my computer to my home theater system. Both are in the same room now but I will be moving the pc to another room soon.

I have about a terabyte of music stored on my computer and on two external drives.
I also listen to music via internet radio.

Is there a way to send the audio from the computer to my home theater system and to be able to access the pc remotely and pick and choose the music or internet location I want to listen to?
I have a laptop pc that I could use to assecc the desktop if needed.
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[cheesehead]

The easy way would be to make the files shared over your home network, plug your laptop into your sound system, and play them through your laptop. There are a variety of networked media players which will do more or less the same thing.

 

[heymrdj]

If their in the same room, the cheap solution (what I did) was run a 30ft RCA cable with a stereo RCA to 3.5mm jack on one end to hook to the computers sound card. You can do the same with a laptop. And of course I use a wireless keyboard and mouse with my laptop so I don't have to be anywhere near it. Works perfect on cold nights such as this for me and my gf to snuggle under the blankets and watch some anime or movies.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
The easy way would be to make the files shared over your home network, plug your laptop into your sound system, and play them through your laptop. There are a variety of networked media players which will do more or less the same thing.

e.g. Logitech's Squeezebox
[used to be Slim Devices' Squeezebox but they were bought out by Logitech]

It can connect to a network via ethernet cable or wirelessly. Has a remote control and integrated LED display. $237 at Amazon.com.

 

[corkyg]

If you are near a newstand, the new issue (January 2009) of Maximum PC has a very relevant "How To" article on page 74. "Connect Your PC to Your Surround Sound Audio System." It is three pages with illustrations, and includes 4 different scenarios.

 

[Pghpooh]

HI
I apologize for being so slow replying here. We have a sick grand daughter with ear infections here and she takes up our time.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Thanks for the suggestions. I tend to over complicate things and the ideas posted here are much easier and inexpensive.
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[MalVeauX]

Originally posted by: Pghpooh
HI
A dumb question for a cold winter night.

I want to send audio from my computer to my home theater system. Both are in the same room now but I will be moving the pc to another room soon.

I have about a terabyte of music stored on my computer and on two external drives.
I also listen to music via internet radio.

Is there a way to send the audio from the computer to my home theater system and to be able to access the pc remotely and pick and choose the music or internet location I want to listen to?
I have a laptop pc that I could use to assecc the desktop if needed.
Thanks
Pghpooh

Heya,

Keep your laptop with the home theater. You can use it as the audio source. Just output to the system. You can get any of the cables needed to go from minijack to RCA/whatever, and splitters and everything from a local Radio Shack for a few dollars. The big expense merely comes from having a good wireless device. A universal HT/MC remote could do the job for audio. But, check out the Logitech diNovo mini. It's fully rechargable lithium ion, with a neat thumb pad and a little keyboard and audio volume controls, etc. Sleek looking. Very tiny. And will cover the keyboard/mouse needed for the laptop via USB bluetooth wirelessly (not infra red which needs LOS, and SUCKS) up to 30 feet or so. It's fantastic.

Very best,