Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Connecting Laptop Computer to reciever...

Is there a way that I can connect a laptop computer loaded with iTunes music to my reciever? My plan is to take a laptop computer and connect it to my reciever so I can listen to music via the computer. The computer also has a wireless card so I was thinking that it would be pretty cool for me to send all my music from my office computer to my laptop via a wireless network. Would I just connect it the same way I would connect an ipod via the mini sterio jack? I think this is a pretty cool idea. I could add all the music I want via the wirless connection. I think this would be even better then a ipd because to update an ipod you have to unpug it and so on. I could just tuck this laptop on the shelf and it would never have to be moved.

Thanks for any help.

This is all I would need correct? http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=112&sku=29771

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=801&sku=45427

Is there any reason this wouldnt work? Otherwise, im off to the store to pick up a few cables.

Actually. this is all I would need. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=4117672&type=product&id=1051384698297

correct?

That should work... The only problem is that the location of your laptop is limited because it is attached through your cables.

A nice option that my household uses is the the Airport Express. Its nice because you can leave your laptop anywhere in the house. It's a bit more expensive ($100) and a pain to set up. But once its set up, it gives you the flexibility to leave your laptop wherever you want.

jinhan
I was on my way out to buy an Airport Express for my new iMac.
You say it is a pain to set up.
How so?

It sounds like you're ok with the laptop being a relatively permanent part of the stereo system? Do you have another regular use for the laptop? If not, then I think your plan should work just fine. The reason I ask is that another option would be to get a dedicated mp3/aac/wma/whatever player that attaches to your stereo and streams the music from your networked PC. I just ordered the Squeezebox network music player. It’s not in yet, but when I get it, I’ll post my thoughts.

http://www.slimdevices.com/

No I dont use this laptop for anything right now. It is just sitting around. Its only about 2 years old at that. Plus I can keep it on my componet rack with the lid closed when not in use. Its a silver laptop so it will match with me componets nicely.

Sorry, I should have clarified. Pain was too strong a word. My experience was adding the Airport Express to an already existing wireless network. My brother-in-law actually did the installation, and had difficulty with it. However, he said that setting up the Airport Express by itself was a snap.

In additon, compared to just plugging your laptop (easy), setting up the Airport Express requires some work (less easy). Get it, you'll like it, especially if you are Mac user.

And remember.. you'll be using amplified speaker outs from your laptop, not line outs. (This IS correct for most recent laptops, is it not?)

Bren R.