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Connect to computer without Itunes?

M

mclimbin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 24, 2009
6
0
Does anyone out there have an idea how I could connect to a computer to play music over the computer's speakers without using Itunes?

I'm a teacher and I often use music in the classroom. I have a nice classroom this semester with a great PC and stereo system connected to the computer. I'd like to be able to easily plug my iPhone into the computer and play a song now and then, but I don't want to have to use iTunes on the computer (mostly because I'm a part time teacher and lots of others share the room and computer with me. Of course we have different accounts and log ons, but still).

Is there such a thing as a cable that is a mini stereo 3.5 mm to USB cable, so that music could be input to the computer? I used to do this easily with my Palm TX.

Any ideas?
 
I guess I should have mentioned that I don't have access to the back of the computer. It's in a cabinet and is locked down. I could ask the IT guys to come give me access when I need it, but they generally frown on us messing around in there.

That is why I was asking about a usb cable, as there is a usb port in the front.

Yeah, the simplest would be to plug the speakers into the iPhone. However, if the speaker cable is not accessible, it becomes less simple.
 
do you have access to the speakers? some speakers have a AUX in on the speaker itself...so you might want to peak around the speakers you have and see.
 
No, I actually don't have access to the speakers. The computer (and a document camera) are connected through the wall to a projector and the speakers.

The only port I can get to is a USB.
 
mclimbin said:
No, I actually don't have access to the speakers. The computer (and a document camera) are connected through the wall to a projector and the speakers.

The only port I can get to is a USB.
Click to expand...

Then you'll need some software on the computer to control the iPhone, either iTunes or some other alternative, since there's no software on the iPhone that sends playback commands to a computer.
 
that's a pretty BIG missing piece of information

you will need software or...

My only other idea would be to get one of those external usb sound cards with a 3.5mm cable

http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cable_details.cfm?sku=USBG-X2X&cats=121&catid=121,136,134

USBG-X2X11.jpg


but I have never tried it out before
 
Thanks Lolli. That is the kind of thing I was looking for.

As far as software, does anyone know of any non-itunes software that will let me play through a usb?

I'm assuming itunes won't work, as I can't sync my music to multiple computers, right?
 
mclimbin said:
I'm assuming itunes won't work, as I can't sync my music to multiple computers, right?
Click to expand...

If you sync your music, itunes won't work to do this, but if you manually manage your music, you can connect your iphone to a computer through the usb port, and use itunes to play the music on the iphone, even if it isn't the computer you sync with.
 
mclimbin said:
=

1)As far as software, does anyone know of any non-itunes software that will let me play through a usb?

2)I'm assuming itunes won't work, as I can't sync my music to multiple computers, right?
Click to expand...

1) NO! ( this has been answered already, why do you continue to keep asking)

2) Correct, the iphones do not work like a regular MP3 player, you NEED iTunes to use your iPhone
 
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