"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/17/2013 at 16:49 • Filed to: stereolopnik
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/17/2013 at 16:49 • Filed to: stereolopnik | 0
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I'm still rocking my 30 year old Kenwood receiver, and I've decided it's time to move up to something more modern. I need to 1) connect my PS3, Dish and Wii for sound and 2) stream my iTunes from my desktop. I've found a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that will certainly do No. 1, and it also has AirTunes support built in. But I'm still not sure I'll have everything I need to complete No. 2.
In order to stream my iTunes from my desktop computer, it looks like I'll still need to have the AV receiver connected to the internet, either through built-in wifi (which it does not have) or an ethernet connection (which would suck). The Pioneer has built-in AirTunes compatibility, but it seems that I still need an internet connection, or have an AirPort base station (which I don't have). I thought I would be able to avoid buying an AppleTV box, but that may not be the case.
Anybody got some info on this?
Jayhawk Jake
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 16:54 |
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I have an Onkyo, it's got built in wifi and I can stream from my phone. I suspect you can stream itunes from the desktop but I don't know how. If I remember to later I'll figure it out.
Tony Montana
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 16:54 |
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You are entirely correct about all of this. Most receiver manufacturers will make a little wifi module that plugs into the back somewhere, although if Pioneer doesn't, you're stuck with either an ethernet cord, or the AirPort base or AppleTV.
Ethernet cords honestly aren't that bad, unless you have quite a distance that it needs to run for.
The AppleTV might give you a bit of additional functionality, but if you don't plan on using any of that functionality it's a bit much all to stream iTunes.
I guess the question is, how far would the ethernet cable have to go?
Mattbob
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 16:54 |
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Is there anything wrong with the old reciever other than not having HDMI and apple connectivity?
FireSpittingV12
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 16:55 |
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Go for a Yamaha. I've got two and they work well, and they have that optical audio input.
Ferrero1911
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 16:59 |
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I have my receiver hooked up to a cable box and an Apple TV. Both are hooked up via HDMI and this gives you the added advantage of being able to watch youtube etc through the Apple TV (although maybe PS3 already does that?). The Apple TV can be hooked up to the internet wirelessly. I think you leave more options open for hooking your receiver up to the internet if you use something external. Especially if you like to keep your devices for a long time.
If you have a new enough computer that in can airplay then you're all set with the one you linked to. Seems like that one could be a good choice because even if the airplay is not supported in the future you have lots of HDMI ports to hook up something else.
Victorious Secret
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 16:59 |
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You shall need to purchase either a WiFi adapter which Pioneer sells or an AppleTV/Roku/et al which will let you push content. I will add, AirPlay works on other devices as well as you can see, so you don't exactly need the Apple TV to make use of the content pushing.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Acce…
It is 130, you can shark around for cheaper ones but you will need that adapter.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Mattbob
12/17/2013 at 17:00 |
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Upgrading to HDMI is 100% worth it.
jmgadget
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:00 |
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You are on the right path. AirPlay for #2 is going to be the hang up though. You are going to either need the internet connection or going to setup the AirPort.
Good receiver regardless. I am a Yamaha fan though personally.
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ttyymmnn
> Tony Montana
12/17/2013 at 17:03 |
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Running a cable is not practical. And I really don't need all the additional features that AppleTV includes—I can watch YouTube and Netflix through the PS3. And I don't want to have the phone as a go-between. Since I don't have an AirPort base station, I guess I'll have to find a wifi receiver. Pioneer makes a wifi add on, but it's $130, more than the cost of AppleTV. The Onkyo I looked at had a dongle that was about $40, I think.
It looks like a trip to the Apple Store may be in order to figure out just wgat us necessary to configure my iTunes for streaming.
Thanks for the reply.
beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:05 |
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I'd run a 50m long ethernet cable that snakes dangerously throughout the house
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ttyymmnn
> beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
12/17/2013 at 17:09 |
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Well, it would have to be about 15 feet long, but it would have to run through the living room, so that's not an option. Your suggestion sounds like fun, though.
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ttyymmnn
> Victorious Secret
12/17/2013 at 17:11 |
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I can find a similar receiver with built in wifi for less of a price difference than the cost of the adapter. And that's one less box and set of wires. However, if I have to buy connectivity, I might as well go with the AppleTV and enjoy the compatibility.
StoneCold
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:12 |
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For the love of God, don't get Pioneer without extending the warranty. Google "Pioneer VSX powering off". It's a massive problem that's been around since 2011 in all of the VSX series. My VSX-523k is having the issue, warranty was up in March with only 100-150 hours use TOTAL.
JGrabowMSt
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:12 |
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You can AirPlay through a RaspBerry Pi. I used to have a networked Onkyo at work, and that was a lot of fun, lots of web streams available. I don't use AirPlay myself though, I'd rather do bluetooth streaming, or just set up a media server through the blu ray player...
You could get a Buffalo AirStation to solve the lack of built in wifi. I have one, and I got it used for $40. Great unit, never had issues with it. I have several at work as well that let me skip long wire runs.
AV Receivers are all about preference really. If you shop by price range, well, you get what you pay for. Cheap receivers are always cheap. If you had the money, I'd just look at what Marantz has to offer.
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ttyymmnn
> Ferrero1911
12/17/2013 at 17:15 |
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I was hoping to avoid buying the AppleTV, but I'm so invested in the Apple infrastructure now that it makes sense to go ahead and get it. Yes, the PS3 handles YouTube and Netflix. So does the Wii, for that matter, but the video quality is terrible. One concern, though, is that the ATV will eat one of my HDMI ports, and the Pioneer has fewer than the Onkyo I looked at.
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ttyymmnn
> JGrabowMSt
12/17/2013 at 17:18 |
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Interesting you mention Marantz. C|NET did a review of the Pioneer I'm looking at, and they suggested the Marantz NR1403 as a comparable unit. I'll check it out. My brother used to have a Marantz receiver back in the quadrophonic days. It was beautiful, and I wish it was still in the family.
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ttyymmnn
> JGrabowMSt
12/17/2013 at 17:18 |
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Also, I've been reading headlines about Raspberry Pi for ages, but have no idea what it is or what it does.
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ttyymmnn
> StoneCold
12/17/2013 at 17:19 |
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Good to know. Thanks.
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JGrabowMSt
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:25 |
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RaspBerry Pi is a little computer, runs an OS off an SD card. Unless you're very computer savvy and enjoy spending lots of time figuring out why it doesn't work, it might not be for you.
I do suggest the Buffalo Air Station though, they connect to your wifi and give you wired ports. The one I have has two wired ports, there are other models with 4. They have a pretty simple to work with web configuration, and if you have trouble, Buffalo support is good, or I can help you out if you need.
Marantz is a bit high end, but their equipment is some of the best that is still affordable for mere mortals. Lots of network features available in some as well. I don't have a system set up right now, wont get around to that until next year maybe, but I do setups/installations through where I work (computer shop + AV setups).
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ttyymmnn
> JGrabowMSt
12/17/2013 at 17:28 |
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This is the Onkyo I was looking at.
It is starting to look more and more like I should save a bit on the receiver and not get one with wifi, and then add AppleTV. That might be a little more money, but the setup should be much easier. I don't mind figuring things out, but I'd rather not have more hassle than necessary. I'll check out the Buffalo first, though. Thanks for the suggestion.
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ttyymmnn
> Jayhawk Jake
12/17/2013 at 17:34 |
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Which Onkyo do you have? Do you know off hand?
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Jayhawk Jake
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:35 |
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TX NR515 I believe
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JGrabowMSt
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 17:42 |
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Well, the Pioneer has built in AirTunes compatibility. Your question should be, what steps do I need to go through in order to set that up? Does the receiver show up as an AirPlay device, or does it require more hardware? The answer to those questions solve the rest of your problems.
Let's look at the Pioneer website:
Since this receiver is networked, it also supports Apple’s AirPlay ® wireless music streaming technology allowing you to wirelessly stream music from your iPhone, iPod ® or iTunes ® directly to the receiver.
So that seems to answer that bit about the AirPlay streaming. You connect the Pioneer to your network. A buffalo AirStation can fix that for you cheaply and quickly.
Now, it also has 5 HDMI and two RCA inputs. This means that your Wii, PS3 and Dish can all plug in definitely.
No Apple TV, no AirPort base station. So, if your budget fits the Pioneer and you're looking to have it now, then you're okay. Cutting back having the same features on multiple devices is a great thing when possible. I originally looked to replace my blu ray player with my PS3, but the PS3 was just too loud for watching movies, where the blu ray player barely makes any noise at all. A big deal for me. Does the Apple TV really do something new that the other devices can't already cover?
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ttyymmnn
> Jayhawk Jake
12/17/2013 at 18:04 |
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I'm looking at the Onkyo TX NR525. So I'm sure they are very similar.
Textured Soy Protein
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 18:10 |
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Well, you didn't say how much you want to spend, but here are a bunch of receivers that have both AirPlay, and either built-in wifi or can add a wifi adapter.
Joyrider
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 18:13 |
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You are correct. There may be some super high end receivers that will allow you do to this but just bite the bullet and get the Apple TV. Its going to be the best solution from a simplicity and economical stand point.
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ttyymmnn
> Joyrider
12/17/2013 at 18:32 |
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That's the conclusion I'm coming to. Thanks.
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ttyymmnn
> Textured Soy Protein
12/17/2013 at 18:33 |
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Yes. I was led to believe that this particular Pioneer had the wife built in, but I don't think it does. I think I'm just going to bite on the AppleTV.
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Textured Soy Protein
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 18:38 |
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Sony STR-DN840 - has built-in wifi and AirPlay
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Jayhawk Jake
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 19:20 |
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It's probably the new model of mine, I bought mine last year. I love the thing
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ttyymmnn
> Jayhawk Jake
12/17/2013 at 19:36 |
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That's a good endorsement. These things are all so damned big, though. And ugly. Marantz makes a rather attractive receiver, but it's way short on features.
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Jayhawk Jake
> ttyymmnn
12/17/2013 at 19:58 |
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It's big, but it blends well