Outdoor audio help

[panteragstk]

I'm a big believer in good support. I have no issues paying more for a product if I know I will get fantastic support. One of the main reasons I stayed with sage for so long.

[Skirge01]

Here's the latest plan:

I'll be picking up a cheap receiver for video playback purposes outside. I'll run ethernet to the patio, so I can connect to the network reliably. I'm going to pick up a speaker switch like this, so that I can hook up the receiver and Sonos Amp to it and select which source will play back on each set of speakers. This should give me the best of both worlds with audio, video, and volume control. I'll also build a tiny PC for outside (any suggestions on that? ... please don't bother mentioning extenders).

Anyone see a potential issue with this?

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I'll also build a tiny PC for outside (any suggestions on that?

I'm trying one of these. Hopefully by Thursday or Friday I will have it up and running with SageTV Client in place of HD200 extender. Since it is an i3 mobile processor I should have plenty of capability for more than just playback if needed.

[Fuzzy]

You could always, instead, pick up a used sage extender, and use it for both video and squeeze services... but then, you're using Sonos instead.. :-)

[routerunner]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

You could always, instead, pick up a used sage extender, and use it for both video and squeeze services... but then, you're using Sonos instead.. :-)

And if you don't have a used sage extender you can still buy a MediaMVP for a fraction of the price and use the coax digital audio output, also you'll be able to control the MediaMVP in Squeezeslave mode via any Hauppauge/SageTV remote (from v2.2.0) and adjust the Amp volume via the HD300's programmable buttons...

[Skirge01]

I'll need to check out more of those Zotac computers, as they do seem like they'd be a good fit. I'll admit I'm a little concerned about failure, though... just as I am with an extender. The Zotac looks to be a closed system in which I can't replace parts (one of the reasons I dropped DTV's DVR). However, some of the other Zotac models do look like they would allow changes to hardware.

At least with a Zotac, it won't become a paperweight if/when I drop SageTV.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I'll need to check out more of those Zotac computers, as they do seem like they'd be a good fit. I'll admit I'm a little concerned about failure, though... just as I am with an extender. The Zotac looks to be a closed system in which I can't replace parts (one of the reasons I dropped DTV's DVR). However, some of the other Zotac models do look like they would allow changes to hardware.

At least with a Zotac, it won't become a paperweight if/when I drop SageTV.

If you're worried about that then you could just build a mini itx system for around the same price that would actually be more powerful. It wouldn't be as small, but you could easily replace parts.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

If you're worried about that then you could just build a mini itx system for around the same price that would actually be more powerful. It wouldn't be as small, but you could easily replace parts.

I thought about the following for alot less:

Case:$49.99
MB:$79.99
CPU:$134.99
Memory:don't need have some on hand that will work.
SDD:have one that will work.
Total:$264.97

Lots cheaper but I was worried about heat and I was hoping the prebuilt Zotac's would have that taken care of and silently. Will see shortly if I wasted my money or not. Also the case above has some bad reviews on noise and I couldn't really find any others that said they were silent

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

If you're worried about that then you could just build a mini itx system for around the same price that would actually be more powerful. It wouldn't be as small, but you could easily replace parts.

Agreed. I've been looking through some of the ASRock offerings, as well as checking out empty Mini-ITX cases.

BTW, regarding the patio speakers, I think I may only wind up with two. I picked up some outdoor speakers already, but I didn't look at the dimensions when ordering. I think the two I have may be more than enough to fill the yard, let alone the patio.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

I thought about the following for alot less:

Case:$49.99
MB:$79.99
CPU:$134.99
Memory:$22.99

Total:$287.99

Lots cheaper but I was worried about heat and I was hoping the prebuilt Zotac's would have that taken care of and silently. Will see shortly if I wasted my money or not. Also the case above has some bad reviews on noise and I couldn't really find any others that said they were silent

Thanks for listing all that out. I looked at the mobo and noticed that Newegg stated it didn't have integrated graphics. Then, I looked up the Intel H61 chipset and saw that it actually does. I was wondering how you were going to fit a graphics card in that case!

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Thanks for listing all that out. I looked at the mobo and noticed that Newegg stated it didn't have integrated graphics. Then, I looked up the Intel H61 chipset and saw that it actually does. I was wondering how you were going to fit a graphics card in that case!

You know I never even considered that. It has a VGA, DVI and HDMI ports on it so I assumed with the correct CPU it wouldn't be a problem. The 2120T is suppose to have integrated graphics built in so if I went this direction I would HOPE that it would work. It also looks like Newegg may let me down on the Zotac. It is listed as "in stock" but it is still in packaging and when that happens after 24 hours it means they need to get it from a 3rd party warehouse. If this is true it is probably coming from a Zotac warehouse and THEY list it as backordered. The other company I tried to order it from (SeaBoom) said they had 3 instock but after I ordered it they said it wouldn't ship until 6/27/2012 so definately a 3rd party warehouse there.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

You know I never even considered that. It has a VGA, DVI and HDMI ports on it so I assumed with the correct CPU it wouldn't be a problem. The 2120T is suppose to have integrated graphics built in so if I went this direction I would HOPE that it would work.

Yeah, that's exactly what the Intel site shows for the H61 chipset... that the GPU is part of the CPU. I'm sure you're fine. Sorry for the potential scare there.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

BTW, regarding the patio speakers, I think I may only wind up with two. I picked up some outdoor speakers already, but I didn't look at the dimensions when ordering. I think the two I have may be more than enough to fill the yard, let alone the patio.

What speakers did you go with?

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

What speakers did you go with?

These. I based the decision on the coverage area mentioned in the specs.

[panteragstk]

The sensitivity on those is pretty good. Should be able to play nice and loud depending on the wattage. Be sure to keep that dial on 8ohms though since they can be used in a 70v system.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

The sensitivity on those is pretty good. Should be able to play nice and loud depending on the wattage. Be sure to keep that dial on 8ohms though since they can be used in a 70v system.

Hopefully the 55w per channel of the Sonos Amp will be sufficient. Also, the 70v knob is an option on that model. I didn't opt for it, so my speakers have no knob to change the setting. But, thanks for mentioning it, just in case.

[seaverd]

After you get the speakers installed please post back with a review. I have been considering these speakers myself.

Thanks,

Dan

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by seaverd

After you get the speakers installed please post back with a review. I have been considering these speakers myself.

Thanks,

Dan

Don't hold your breath, as we're still getting quotes for the patio, but I'll be sure to come back and report on how it turned out. However, I may try hooking them up ahead of time to see if I still need/want a second pair of speakers outside. It'll be much easier to run the wire as the work is going on.