Home Stereo

[Willie5566]

I am looking for advice on the best/most affordable way to play music (iPad and/or iPhone) through my stereo. Here is what I am looking for-

I currently play music by connecting an RCA chord to my headphone jack. The problem I have is a lack of control of the music from across the room. So I am thinking of buying an Apple Remote. Simple enough. Where I am stuck is I would like to view my iPhone/iPad menu on my tv so I can see my playlist and songs from across the room.

What is the best way to be able to view my music on my tv? Is this the best way to listen and control music or is there another way you recommend?

 

[Panch0]

Apple TV will give you that on-screen display you are after. It will also act as an AirPlay receiver, so you can stream music either directly from your iDevice or from your iTunes library using the (free) Apple Remote App.
Oh, and it comes with an Apple Remote...

 

[Sol]

You could get an Airport Express, sync it with your Mac via Cat-5 cable or Wi-Fi and use the Remote App of your iPod and iPad to control it. The Airport Express has a combination line out and optical out port for connecting to the stereo. I think you can also stream from the iPod and iPad to the Airport Express using the Airplay function in iOS 4.

As for on-screen menus, the Apple TV will let you do that although it only outputs audio through its HDMI and Optical ports so check to see what is available on the amplifier you would use it with.

 

[Willie5566]

You could get an Airport Express, sync it with your Mac via Cat-5 cable or Wi-Fi and use the Remote App of your iPod and iPad to control it. The Airport Express has a combination line out and optical out port for connecting to the stereo. I think you can also stream from the iPod and iPad to the Airport Express using the Airplay function in iOS 4.

As for on-screen menus, the Apple TV will let you do that although it only outputs audio through its HDMI and Optical ports so check to see what is available on the amplifier you would use it with.

Option 1 might be my best/only option. I don't think my stereo has optical or HDMI ports. It's 7+ years old. I will have to double check when I am home this weekend.

Thanks for the tips. I may have more questions later.

 

[Hammie]

Option 1 might be my best/only option. I don't think my stereo has optical or HDMI ports. It's 7+ years old. I will have to double check when I am home this weekend.

Thanks for the tips. I may have more questions later.

I'm sure it has optical. That has been around since the late 80's, early 90's at least.

I think the first option is the easiest and most cost effective option. However, there are a few receivers that support AirPlay directly. This may get you into this century. The new ones with have all the current technology like HDMI, HD Audio codecs (for Blu-Ray movies), etc. However, that option may cost you around $1000. Not sure what your budget would be.

So, to summarize, your options are:

1.) Airport Express and mini-Toslink to Toslink cable -- $200
2.) AppleTV, HDMI cable, and new receiver which supports HDMI, $1000-1500
3.) Receiver which supports AirPlay -- $1000ish

Depending on your ultimate goal, option 2 and three could be combined and you could have the best of both worlds.

 

[waw74]

granted it adds more cost, but for $25 you can buy a box that will convert from digital to analog if you don't have the inputs. details here

also, my old stereo, which i just replaced, was at least 10 years old, and it had optical inputs, so you may be in luck.

also, just one thing to keep in mind, to choose music from the TV's onscreen menu, your computer must be on. you can play music from the ipod app on your iphone/pad, and send the audio to the TV, and the track info will show up, but without a computer powered up and on your network, you will only be able to basically use your stereo as speakers for your iphone.

 

[Willie5566]

I'm sure it has optical. That has been around since the late 80's, early 90's at least.

I think the first option is the easiest and most cost effective option. However, there are a few receivers that support AirPlay directly. This may get you into this century. The new ones with have all the current technology like HDMI, HD Audio codecs (for Blu-Ray movies), etc. However, that option may cost you around $1000. Not sure what your budget would be.

So, to summarize, your options are:

1.) Airport Express and mini-Toslink to Toslink cable -- $200
2.) AppleTV, HDMI cable, and new receiver which supports HDMI, $1000-1500
3.) Receiver which supports AirPlay -- $1000ish

Depending on your ultimate goal, option 2 and three could be combined and you could have the best of both worlds.

Yea $1000+ is not in the budget right now but it sounds like my receiver probably has optical so that means Airport Express and Apple TV are still viable options for me.

----------

also, just one thing to keep in mind, to choose music from the TV's onscreen menu, your computer must be on. you can play music from the ipod app on your iphone/pad, and send the audio to the TV, and the track info will show up, but without a computer powered up and on your network, you will only be able to basically use your stereo as speakers for your iphone.

 

[Uofmtiger]

The main difference, related to music, between the ATV2 and the AE is the fact that the AE is bit perfect for 44.1khz files and the ATV2 converts those files to 48khz on the fly (and is not bit perfect for typical audio files).

 

[waw74]

1.) Airport Express and mini-Toslink to Toslink cable -- $200
2.) AppleTV, HDMI cable, and new receiver which supports HDMI, $1000-1500
3.) Receiver which supports AirPlay -- $1000ish

not sure where you're getting your prices.

TV or airport express- $99
toslink cable <$10 (delivery included, $2 without)

i just got a denon avr-1912 with 6 HDMI in, 7.1 surround, and airplay for $550
there is a pioneer model with similar features in the same price range.

granted those prices don't include speakers, but you can use your existing, or get a decent 5.1 set for <$200

 

[nebo1ss]

You could get an Airport Express, sync it with your Mac via Cat-5 cable or Wi-Fi and use the Remote App of your iPod and iPad to control it. The Airport Express has a combination line out and optical out port for connecting to the stereo. I think you can also stream from the iPod and iPad to the Airport Express using the Airplay function in iOS 4.

As for on-screen menus, the Apple TV will let you do that although it only outputs audio through its HDMI and Optical ports so check to see what is available on the amplifier you would use it with.

I am totally confused by this post. When you talk about syncing an airport express with the MAC you make it sound like the express has an operating system and a disk drive. Surely, what you really mean is use airplay from the mac to access the express and play music.

 

[cube]

ATV1 has a hard disk that you can fill with music via WiFi iTunes sync. You can control it via the Remote app, no need for a TV or monitor (except for initial setup).

That's why I bought it when it was discontinued.

 

[steve knight]

the express is the way to go. thats what I do for my wife. trying to find a good receiver without a lot of crap that supports hdmi. so the express is the way to go and it works great. pump sound from your computer or iphone and use the remote to view and change it. we have two airport expresses for music and a apple tv just for that job.
But most of the time we use the mini to stream the music.