I hate complexity and want to simplify my life when I set up my stereo in my new house. What I’d liek to do is rip all my CDs to an iPod and hook it up to my receiver. Is there an easy way to connect a small video monitor to an iPod (without using a computer) and use an iPod remote to flip through my music from across the room?
apple makes an adapter which can connect your device to a television screen, assuming yours is one of the supported models mentioned in the link.
One very simple idea, with an FM transmitter or simply a long cord you could use the iPod itself from your couch and play it through your stereo.
problem with those fm transmitters is that you’re losing audio fidelity, and if you live in an urban area it can be tough to find an open frequency.
Yet another possibility is a Squeezebox. You say you have an iPod, so you’ve got iTunes. Whether on a Windows PC or a Mac, the Squeezebox can use the iTunes collection, and they run on either WiFi or a wired Ethernet connection. The device has its own display and remote control.
Audio fidelity is limted only by the MP3 files themselves. (If you’re starting out fresh, rip your CDs to MP3, even if you have a Mac - there are some licensing issues involved and it’s easier to feed a Squeezebox with MP3 rather than Apple’s AAC format.) They’re price-competitive to the special Apple A/V cable and dock if you don’t mind picking up a used one on eBay.
I just went down to the Apple store to check these out. They let you look at content on the TV but not the menus. I want to sit across the room and scroll through my stuff. It shouldn’t be this hard.
This looks pretty cool.
It is a cool gizmo. I’ve got one now, but I neglected to say that I’m thinking of upgrading it to an AppleTV as soon as I have an “extra” $225 laying around.