Dirt Cheap Multi Room Audio

[nsweet]

Hello,

I was curious what options there are for streaming audio via my LAN to several different PCs in my home.

I don't need anything fancy, I have 3 different PCs with Logitech Z-5500's and would like to stream audio to, and ideally be able to control the setup from my Blackberry Curve 8120 (has bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and I have a USB bluetooth adapter I use on the PCs) or my laptop (however this is definitely optional, the most important thing to me is having the same audio coming from all 3 sets of Z-5500s).

Are there any inexpensive solutions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[QueBert]

Winamp Remote? it's free and can stream audio, sounds like what you want to do. As for controlling it with your BB, I am sure somebody makes a BB program that allows you to control a PC. The BB software might cost a few bucks, but Winamp remote is free and good if you ask me.

 

[nsweet]

Thanks for the input. Do you know if Winamp Remote can sync the audio? I tried running an icecast server, and the audio was barely out of sync (I assume due to network latency/buffering). No matter what I tried I could not get them to play in sync enough to not be able to notice.

 

[nsweet]

Well, I downloaded and installed Winamp Remote, and after about an hour of trying to figure out how to use it to sync (as in play the exact same song, with the same timing) audio to my different PCs on my network.

Am I missing something?

Anyone else have any other reccomendations?

 

[jhh979s]

You could try TVersity. Its what I use to stream audio/video to my PS3. Not sure if that's what you are looking for though

 

[nakedfrog]

I've used VLC to do this in the past, I had one instance open on the host PC serving it, and then another on the same PC, and the other PC I was playing the stream on.

 

[ericwillson]

A multizone control system is essentially a switch box that allows you to send a selected source (CD, FM radio, tape, etc.) to a specific room in your home. The control system can be a device that sends a line-level signal to an amplifier in the remote room(s), or it can have built-in amplifiers that send speaker level signals to the selected rooms(s). All of these types of systems allow you to listen to different sources simultaneously in different zones and are available in many configurations from four to as many as eight or more zones.

Know More About Multiroom Audio System

 

[vshah]

try using UDP streaming, i recall that it cut down on the latency when i was trying this.

 

[rickysteve]

hi guys,

Multiroom audio system is a smart home technology now. Some companies provide a range from simple to complex, including multiple satellite systems with dish sharing options and multiple feeds.

 

[Ghouler]

Actually "dirt cheap multiroom audio" as per subject line - that could be the xdock (for ipod) or xmod (for PC, Mac, or mp3 player) with up to 4 wireless receivers. 50-100 bucks for the transmitter part (xdock or xmod) and about 50 bucks for every receiver. This is high frequency wireless transmission not your FM receivers so the audio quality should be okay.

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