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Hey folks. My parent's shelf stereo system is dying and I've decided to replace it as a Christmas gift to the family. Initially i wanted to just replace the stereo but I haven't been able to find anything like it.
Their needs are basic. Radio and CDs for the family/dining room. nothing else.
All the options i checked just wouldn't work. I thought about buying a home theater in a box setup but those don't have radio, are too expensive and my folks don't need all the extra connectivity (T.V. etc...)
My mom jokingly suggested that the best thing for them was a jukebox but that got me thinking. Why not? I thought about it and decided that i could build an htpc/jukebox and rip their entire music collection to hard drive. Not only that but since its going to be networked i'l be able to access my personal music library located on the desktop im currently using as will my sister with her laptop.
Basically all i need help with is to make sure my components are all good. My plan is to recycle an old motherboard and athlon 64 cpu that i pulled out of a rig i decommissioned last year. I also have an old 17" crt screen that i can use until i find a deal on a cheap lcd.
Case:Apevia X-Master
Networking:D-Link WDA-1320
Hard Drive:WD 160GB
CD:Lite-On
Speakers will be Logitech Z-2300 and the case comes with a power supply.
What do you guys think? This is old tech and im debating whether or not i should spend an extra $120 for a new motherboard and processor. That would allow me to have everything on SATA rather than IDE which is nice and it will run cooler and draw less power which again is nice. Also with the old board i cant trust the onboard sound whereas the new boards with the the HD Realtek audio sound fabulous and honestly i don't even know if the old board still works and i don't have a spare power supply to test it.
One last thing. Software. I need to know what kind of software is available for a project like this. I would prefer the system be a linux machine but i have XP available as well so I'l just take whichever software is most highly recomended. Is there any software around that emulates a jukebox style or am i stuck using WMP/itunes etc?
Their needs are basic. Radio and CDs for the family/dining room. nothing else.
All the options i checked just wouldn't work. I thought about buying a home theater in a box setup but those don't have radio, are too expensive and my folks don't need all the extra connectivity (T.V. etc...)
My mom jokingly suggested that the best thing for them was a jukebox but that got me thinking. Why not? I thought about it and decided that i could build an htpc/jukebox and rip their entire music collection to hard drive. Not only that but since its going to be networked i'l be able to access my personal music library located on the desktop im currently using as will my sister with her laptop.
Basically all i need help with is to make sure my components are all good. My plan is to recycle an old motherboard and athlon 64 cpu that i pulled out of a rig i decommissioned last year. I also have an old 17" crt screen that i can use until i find a deal on a cheap lcd.
Case:Apevia X-Master
Networking:D-Link WDA-1320
Hard Drive:WD 160GB
CD:Lite-On
Speakers will be Logitech Z-2300 and the case comes with a power supply.
What do you guys think? This is old tech and im debating whether or not i should spend an extra $120 for a new motherboard and processor. That would allow me to have everything on SATA rather than IDE which is nice and it will run cooler and draw less power which again is nice. Also with the old board i cant trust the onboard sound whereas the new boards with the the HD Realtek audio sound fabulous and honestly i don't even know if the old board still works and i don't have a spare power supply to test it.
One last thing. Software. I need to know what kind of software is available for a project like this. I would prefer the system be a linux machine but i have XP available as well so I'l just take whichever software is most highly recomended. Is there any software around that emulates a jukebox style or am i stuck using WMP/itunes etc?