what is the best way to stream my itunes through my home entertainment system?

Question

I have my iTunes on my Mac in one room, and want to control throughout the house. House is wired with speakers in every room. it would be great to have controls as well throughout to be able to choose the music. Ideally would also like to have Rhapsody or other music service accessible

Answer 1

If you want to be able to control your iTunes and other music to your speakers you might want to try the soundbridge 1001, it will let you stream to your stero reciever wirelessly or via cat 5 cable and control from the soundbridge unit. However it can NOT play music purchased from the iTunes store. If you want to be able to use music from the iTunes store you need to get a Airport express (w/ air tunes) from apple. The airport express is wireless or throught cat 5 as well and can also be used as a print server if you so desire (i use it for both) If you get an airport and want to stream like rhapsody to your speakers you can get a program called airfoil that will stream i believe any music source to your airport express. The only downside is you must control the music selection from the computer, but it will play anywhere in your house. It looks like from the airfoil program page shows that you can stream rhapsody or any other music sources to the airport express. The music quality is excilent from the airport express, and as for the soundbridge, its ok. Also if you have a reciever or amp for each set of speakers you could hook an airport up to each one and then choose which one to play through or just select certain ones (multipul or all) to play at the same time. Also if you go visit a bestbuy w/ a magnolia home theator center in it they can be a great help for answering spacific questions. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I have also been considering a similar set-up. Have you looked at the Mac Mini? I think if you will have the computer at the entertainment system, then this is the best bet. for connections, the Mac Mini has a DVI out for video and optical for audio size: 6" x 6" x 2" slient: no fan remote control you would need to buy a tv tuner reasonably priced (<$800)

Answer 3

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