Re: MP3 audio solutions - 2 ideas

["Andy Laurence" <andylaurence@xxxxxxx>]

> 1 - www.slimdevices.com are about to launch an ethernet MP3 player -
plug=20
> into a cat5 outlet on your PC network and access all the MP3s from=20
there -=20
> it has 2xRCA outlets to go to an amplifier - voila - MP3 music in=20
your room=20
> - cost is however $279 dollars plus shipping plus duty plus VAT

Sounds a bit expensive!

> 2 - from computer exchange I have seen used 486s for around =A360=20
incl monitor=20
> - how about putting 4 soundcards into a couple of these -=20
networking them to=20
> the main PC server - and then piping the sound from the sound card=20
to a room=20
> - ie output from each sound card is dedicated to a particluar room -
cheap=20
> (=A310 per sound card ?) - but how do you control the output in
each=20
room ?

=A360 for a 486 sounds way OTT.  I can pick up early Pentiums for=20
around =A330 a pop (base unit only) - you don't need a=20
monitor/keyboard/mouse for MP3.  I'd be tempted to buy a PC for each=20
room though, as line level losses over 40m would be substantial.=20=20
Also, good luck playing 4 MP3 streams on one 486!  You really need a=20
P90 for MP3, although it's been done on 486 machines.

> Over to you clever boys now !!!!!!!

Quite simple to do.  Win98SE, WinAmp and an IR receiver will do.  LCD=20
display if you want to go further.  All the same, shouldn't be more=20
than =A370 odd if you can weild a soldering iron.

> PS Has anyone thought of building a forum for this group - I=20
subscribe to=20
> www.thedvdforums.com and they have some great forum software - IMHO=20
better=20
> than a mail list - any thoughts ?

I wouldn't subscribe - don't have time to go searching websites.=20=20
Besides, I can E-Mail from work without anyone noticing, but websites=20
are a bit more tricky.

Andy