2. pc-audio
  3. 1147876638

PC/Squeezebox v Mac Mini

O.K. I've got two options for a music server setup. Since I'll be using the DAC in my Rotel tuner, my goal is simply to get the music data cleanly from the HD to the Rotel, and to control the music jukebox in the living room (where the stereo equipment is) with a nice GUI ("graphical user interface" or "menu" for non computer geeks).

Option 1: PC/Squeezebox - Purchase a Slim Devices Squeezebox 3 for my living room (where the audio equipment is) and an additional HD for my existing PC in my den. Communicate wirelessly between the two and connect the SB to the Rotel via toslink (optical cable).

This option is about $400. From what I've read, sound quality should be excellent, but computer in the den will always need to be on and the door of the desk it is in will always need to be open. GUI (menus) on the SB may be small on the couch (18 feet away).

Option 2: Mac Mini - Purchase a Mac Mini and place in the living room with the Rotel. Connect the mini to the rotel with a "mini optical-to-toslink" cable, and to the Plasma display via DVI.

This option is about $700 (with cable). Better GUI for music selection plus DVD and photo capability. There is some question as to the quality of the digital out (which I'm not sure if that is a legitimate question or not). "Always on" should not be a problem as the box will not be in a closed environment, and should be quiet in the living room). The question here is really sound quality and price.

Option 3: Other devices. Are there other network wireless devices with toslink out that have a GUI that can control the player in the living room?

Any opinions and/or experience using the above equipment would be appreciated.
baylorgator

Showing 4 responses by baylorgator

baylorgator OP
4 posts
 
Drubin - Mac Mini is the computer/server, so the only interlink would be the optical cable to the Rotel. That's really a big part of the question: is the optical output on the mini through the mini/toslink cable 100% "lossless"?

Others -- can you see the squeezebox display 20 feet away?
baylorgator OP
4 posts
 
The new intel based mac mini comes with a remote and has its own interface called front row. It basically looks and feels like the ipod menu system and allows you to chose DVD, Music, Video, or Pictures, and then control each with simple up, down, right and left on your remote.

(Since all my audio and HT components are run by my harmony remote, I'd prefer not to have to use an extra remote like a PDA. The harmony will handle the mac or squeezebox flawlessly.
baylorgator OP
4 posts
 
Eric:

Herman answered the remote question. As for the fan, it does have one (note the vent holes on the back), but it is virtually silent, so most people think it doesn't. Either way, there is no ambient noise produced by the mini, so it becomes a moot point. As for the networking/door issue, my computer is stored in a computer desk which has no ventilation; when I use the computer I must open the door of the desk in order to vent the fan exhaust. It's not a networking issue, it's a "keep the chip cool" issue. If there was some cheap easy way to put the computer in the closet and run both monitors wirelessly with two GUIs (one for the media center and one for the computer), I'd do it, but frankly, it's cheaper and easier to buy a second computer at that point.

The bottom line is that if the squeezebox had a video out option so that I could control it from the TV (i.e. see it across the room), I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Is there anything that does this?
baylorgator OP
4 posts
 
I agree that I shouldn't need another computer in the system. And I agree that it shouldn't cost big bucks to pass a digital signal from my computer to my receiver. However, until I find a device that has a video out to the TV so I can select songs, artists, etc. through a menu that can be read legibly from 20+ feet away, I'm not sure that there are other options. That really continues to be the main question of the post. Is there a basic wireless device that will pass the digital signal to my tuner and have a GUI (menu interface) that can be read across the room?
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