Wireless music player/airport express question

[lewie]

A friend is considering getting one of these could anyone give any advice.
It would primarily be used to play mp3 files from a centrino enabled laptop to a hifi.
Any tips,advice or recomendation would be appreciated.
Wa considering this http://www.savastore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10274612&pid=204&rstrat=3166&MSCSProfile=E88FF544888F07618470FCBD217785830DC476AD0B75F1825FD00AFCB992D64D89F652C2CF050B0070FCD5D409AD0B7B95549A63600A5B765B75077E484BC907035FF541BE16B1B657BC96D4BA01B1DF6E8A3BAB342DF4406E1B442BD8759BE63165CC84573BF3093170A1B0D6C9885AE9F79D762F0340B11D4FD6870B095D389A1CD172A9303AD3

[yee_har]

You/they know that thing (hauppauge MVP) is not wireless itself yes?
I made mine wireless by adding a Belkin Wireless Ethernet Bridge but thats another £45-£55.
Here (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/yee_har/DCP02743.jpg)

Also, unless Savastore are actually flogging the RCA/Phono version shown they will get a Scart enabled one.
No big deal other than you'll probably then need a Scart>Phonos adapter to get a neat solution for direct connection to the hi-fi.

Oh yeah - make sure the box has a yellow dot on it - somewhere near the model number or bar-code IIRC. This indicates that it has got "the fix" and will not suffer from the overheating that some earlier ones did.

[andrew1810]

For the hifi you want to be looking at the following as they have built in screens:

1) Netgear MP101 - bigger than the others but the cheapest, bundled software is terrible, use TwonkyVision instead. internet radio is a pay-for service. Sometimes takes a while to boot up (fails to get IP). only supports MP3's (about £70)

2) Terratec Noxon - Small, large backlit screen and free internet radio without even needing the PC switched on. Only supports MP3's and only has a 3.5mm out so will need a 3.5mm to RCA cable or an adaptor (its not suitable for headphones). Mine has booted up first time every time and have had no problems yet. Again use twonkyvision. Only wifi, no network port (about £100)

3) Philips Streamium SL50i (as post above) - roughly the same price as the terratec but has RCA outs and network port. Free internet radio (requires PC to be on) but again only supports MP3's. Very small unit, but I found the screen too small and the lack of a backlight was a problem from anything over a couple of meters away. Again, supplied software is poor, uses loads of system resources, but works with Twonkyvision (about £100)

4) Creative Soundblaster Wireless - not tested this one yet, but screen is only on the remote which could be awkward (about £150)

5) Roku Soundbridge M1000 - I sold these before, but dropped them from the range, the screen is prone to failing and it lacks the features of the Squeezebox2 which is only £20 more!! Also, unable to search which is a problem with 000's of tracks (about £180)

6) Slimdevices Squeezebox2 - Best of the lot by miles, absolutely stunning product. Very reliable, supports all formats, internet radio, computer control if wanted (over a webpage so works on any pc on the network), visualisations on screen and a digital out for improved quality (people have chosen this over very expensive CD players!!)
Also doubles up as a wireless bridge if needed (e.g. plug the PS2 or X-box into it to add wifi!)
Software is excellent and reliable and can display album covers etc. on the PC (about £200)

If you have any questions, just ask, I sell these devices.

Andrew

If you want one able to stream video, I have a streamium Sl300i for sale over at avforums for £90+p&p

[campdave]

I connect a FM transmitter to my PC and just tune my radio downstairs to the frequency. Less choice as I can't flick through the mp3s on my pc, but I just queue what I want to listen to beforehand.

[lewie]

I connect a FM transmitter to my PC and just tune my radio downstairs to the frequency. Less choice as I can't flick through the mp3s on my pc, but I just queue what I want to listen to beforehand.
Tell me more! :thumbs:

Would it be possible to use an Apple airport express to stream the MP3's from the laptop?
Could it also be used to obtain a wirless internet connection.Athough he has no Ipod. :shrug:

[campdave]

Tell me more! :thumbs:

Would it be possible to use an Apple airport express to stream the MP3's from the laptop?
Could it also be used to obtain a wirless internet connection.Athough he has no Ipod. :shrug:

without knowing what an apple airport express is, I couldn't comment. But connecting the FM transmitter to the audio out of your laptop would enable you to pick the signal up on any radio capable of receiving fm signals within range.

As it is converting the signal to a radio signal, it couldn't be used for sharing a wireless connection