Why can't my computer and stereo system talk to one another?

Sorry for the scarcity of posts. I been a little distracted by vacation and, more to the point, I’m in the middle of moving… weirdly time consuming.

Very excited about my new place but have discovered that there is a simple item that I cannot seem to buy that would make it nicer still.

I, like many people, stopped using my CDs about 5 years ago. I scanned my hundreds of CDs into my hard drive and have been an MP3 listener ever since. Probably like many others, my computer (either desktop or laptop) is not located near my TV/stereo equipment (geek that I am, even I don’t keep a computer in the living room) so what I’d really like is an easy way to play music from my laptop through my stereo system. I imagine this mythical computer/stereo interface would be wireless – or maybe it broadcasts via an fm frequency… but however it might work, I’m confident that there is demand.

So when I walked into Best Buy the other day and asked the stereo people if something like this existed they stared at me blankly as though I’d suggested I needed a stereo system that might work on Mars. I find it interesting that there isn’t a solution to this problem that a Best Buy sales guy doesn’t know that answer too. Is it more complicated than I think?

Most likely the stereo companies and computer companies simple don’t talk that much… it’s too bad, because I’m sure there is a good sized market for this.

Okay, more serious posts to come tomorrow.

20 thoughts on “Why can't my computer and stereo system talk to one another?”

  5. Jeremy Vernon

    You could spend $380 on a network aware media player, or $300 on a squeezebox. Or you could drop $250 on a high capacity MP3 player (say, a Zune 120 GB) and get a docking unit with outputs to your stereo. Problem solved, and you can have your music with you when you travel.Ultimately, the high performance (high cost) route to go is to ditch the stereo system entirely and have a home theatre PC running the show. Lots of disc space, PVR, DivX, internet connectivity, throw a Blu Ray drive in there and a decent vid card and you're good to go.I can build you one if you want to buy the parts.

  6. peter

    Mythical system? Get a Mac. Airport express has provided this capability for several years. Simple and it works.

  7. WesternGrit

    Airport Express – without a doubt. Then, move all your MP3s over to iTunes, and enjoy!The other options:- Get a “dual/multi room” capable receiver with iPod capability (you'll need two sets of speakers with this)(you may already have both of these). The iPod “enabled” receivers are common (so they will read the tracks on the player, and display in screen). OR burn your MP3s to CDs, then use in your conventional CD player (must be able to read MP3s – if you don't have this, you can grab one for $99, or less)- Use an “RF Universal Remote” (from Monster or Logitech). These are a little pricey ($300+), but well worth it (you can basically command your components from anywhere in the house – even through walls and between floors), and you can control multiple components. With this you can command your songs, use FFD, RWD, etc., and all the volume, and other features (all functions of your full stereo system).COSTS:- RF Remote, your existing stereo, and burning MP3s to CDroms (basically the cost of the remote). Well worth it – you can hit ONE BUTTON to watch movies, one button for “music”, one button for TV, etc. (maybe $400, all told, plus blank CDs)- Airport Express (you don't need a MAC – my home network has 1 Linux machine, 2 Win PCs, 1 Win notebook, and one MacBook) – Roughly $99. It also works as a router, and if you get the $199 one, it has more ports AND can also act as a Printer server, to network any USB printer. With the Airport option it would still be advisable to get the RF remote – so you can control you music from any room in the house. – Another option: A wireless system called “X10” which you can use on your existing home electrical wiring. X10, with the appropriate remote can actually control anything in your home (including drapes, TVs, lighting, etc.). You can program is all from your computer. Units individually priced from around $20, and up (per module). You need to purchase a remote, and the modules. The advantage of this is completely wireless, cheap, fancy (awe your friends), and you can control your stereo from anywhere. Still would want an iPod capable receiver. I use X10 in the homes I've built – for home theater systems (It is cost effective, AND portable). Google it, if you're interested.

  8. jaygoldman

    Another comment in favour of Airport Express. We've got three spread out throughout the house with sets of relatively cheap but good sounding Logitech speakers (with subwoofers) hanging off them. Simply pick a room (or rooms) from the iTunes menu and music plays everywhere.

  9. Peter Goring

    For $20 you should be able to buy a set of cables that connect your MP3 to your amp. Plug one end into your earphone jack, the other 2 go into the inputs that you pull your CD player cables out of – or use an auxillary jack if you've got one. Low tech works every time. if you're synching your MP3 to your computer this should work

  11. Jay Currie

    Oh, fine, stereo…but what about TV???I suspect we are about two years away from a batch of little boxes which will wirelessly hook up to the family server – with its 5 TB – and let you run anything anywhere.

  12. diathesis

    Another vote for the Squeezebox, although certainly the Airport Express and Sonos are viable options. AirPort is a very apple-centric solution, although that works for some. Sonos is probably the slickest option, but the cost is a big deterrent. Squeezebox is a nice choice if you're not afraid of running your own server to put squeezecenter on.

  13. diathesis

    TV's definitely “another story” for now. There are interesting options creeping up (e.g. AppleTV+Boxee) but it's still very much anyone's game. I'm hoping to see some really solid options soon so I can do for video what I've done for audio already, and replace cable TV with RSS+Torrent, with or without a commercial option (e.g. Apple TV) thrown into the mix. 'Course, it'll be a while before the commercial options are open to Canada …

  15. Tom Purves

    Because home electronics makers are batshit stupid?Why every single hometheatre amplifier doesn't have a wifi card built in and a simple web-based admin screen, as easy to use (and cheap to engineer) as any wifi router has had for 10 years now, is absolutely beyond me. Instead, no wireless connectivity, unfathomable remotes and cryptic blinking lights and buttons.utter stupidity.It's like the question about why the auto industry has yet to clue in to the existence of the ipod (helo where have you guys been this decade?) and far too many of them can't figure out to put in a $0.50 aux-in jack on your car stereo. but i digress/rantt.for your problem, I have often looked at complicated and expensive solutions (and best buy actually does sell a wireless “rocket fish” rear speaker kit for home theatres) while I have found that a “really long wire” from computer to stereo in another room actually works really well, really reliably (no wireless interference or dropped signals), and costs about $12 at active surplus on queen st..

  17. Stephane Dubord

    Because you went to Best Buy for a technical question. That's why they call it a “Big Box” store. If it isn't in a Big Box behind him, the clerk won't have a clue what you're talking about. It's like going to McDonald's and asking for a culinary delicacy.Try a specialty stereo shop, and I can almost guarantee they'll have a plethora of options for you, as you've been able to read here.Another option I haven't seen listed but “can” work: an FM transmitter. Plugged in on our headphone jack, it can broadcast your sound on an FM frequency that your receiver can then tune in. Pro: Cheap and easy to set up. Con: Rarely works very well, with finicky reception.

  18. Stephane Dubord

    Because you went to Best Buy for a technical question. That's why they call it a “Big Box” store. If it isn't in a Big Box behind him, the clerk won't have a clue what you're talking about. It's like going to McDonald's and asking for a culinary delicacy.Try a specialty stereo shop, and I can almost guarantee they'll have a plethora of options for you, as you've been able to read here.Another option I haven't seen listed but “can” work: an FM transmitter. Plugged in on our headphone jack, it can broadcast your sound on an FM frequency that your receiver can then tune in. Pro: Cheap and easy to set up. Con: Rarely works very well, with finicky reception.

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