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I'm wanting to get wireless music set up in my house, Using an aging Dell desktop, itunes and airport express (bought a while ago and shamefully still in its box!), and probably my android mobile as a remote. In time I'd like to re-rip my cds lossless for home use but keep compressed files for use on the phone. I have an ipod touch but want to bin that for a bigger tablet as I seem to do most surfing on the sofa (thinking advent vega, thanks stoner).
My Qs:
1. I have a way-old pc (10yrs?)...could I buy a whopper hd for it and run it 24/7 as a NAS using itunes?
2. The Dell pc has a built-in soundcard which is a bit hummy, can I add a better one in, or one with "digi-out" for use with a cheap hifi DAC?
3. Will the airport express run digi-out into my existing DAC for the living room hifi?
4. I can just import/copy compressed music files into my android device but have only lossless imported onto itunes?
5. Does anyone have success with android itunes remote apps? I tried one briefly last night but couldn't get it working.
*bumps*
no success with itunes remotes for Android, but the XBMC one is fantastic.
You let XMBC index all your stuff, then you can browse the library with album art, full metadata etc on the mobile. Really good little app.
I use it for all my movies, TV etc as well as it's hooked up to my telly.
1. Personally I would get a new PC for a nas rather than an old one a) more energy efficient b)potential hardwear failure. I picked up a windows home server (Acer h340) for £199. Bargain
2. Yes you can, my personal choice is ESI Juli@ or you can use something like a Hiface to get a high quality digital out.
3. Yes
4. Yes use media Monkey
5. Works a treat with an iphone, not sure about an android.
Acer easy store @ £199 btw and 640gb
Have you thought about just getting an apple tv for £99?
Thanks eric - I already have an airport express, will look at apple tv - not really wanting to get into films/tv on it though, I have a freeview recorder & dvds, tend to only watch films once.
3. Will the airport express run digi-out into my existing DAC for the living room hifi?
Yes.
4. I can just import/copy compressed music files into my android device but have only lossless imported onto itunes?
Some versions of android have support for lossless formats, or you can download a different music player that does (poweramp for example supports flac). However, surely you won't get much music on your phone? I have all my music on the computer and use itunes to stream lossless files to an airport express.
5. Does anyone have success with android itunes remote apps? I tried one briefly last night but couldn't get it working.
I've used one called TunesRemote+ which seems to work ok, but to be honest the ipod touch/iphone/ipad itunes remote is miles better.
acer revo
ubuntu
amarok
+ amarok remote
also acts as home file server
I can just import/copy compressed music files into my android device but have only lossless imported onto itunes?
Slightly OT but iTunes will store both a compressed and non-compressed version of the same tracks at the same time. That's what I've got, then using a smart-list (select by bitrate) you can synch (in my case an iPod) with the compressed guff leaving the uncompressed stuff available for streaming around the house.
That's my plan breatheasy - then use a playlist or whatever for playing at home.