Ok, Guys & Gals, I propose the iTunes Digital Media Server™ (hehe, so I can't trademark it). Depending on funds and hardware availability, I may or may not try to build one of these.
The point of this device is to be able to serve Internet radio and MP3s (I'd only go for high-Q MP3s, but it's up to you). The primary point is that you'd integrate this directly with a standard audio system in a rack.
Requirements_______________________________
1. Macintosh (I'd guess a 604 processor or faster)
2. Big hard drive or two (I'd think that you'd want 50GB+, but you could do it with much less if necessary)
3. CD-ROM drive
4. Internet access for Internet Radio and LAN access for serving of MP3s to other computers. 10Mbit Ethernet ought to do the trick of playing a file on the server and playing one remotely from the drive of the server. Of course AirPort could make sense in many circumstances, but I'd prefer wirebased ethernet if available.
5. TV output capability (via box of some sort) for onscreen control and viewing of graphics if you have a powerful enough machine to make it worth it.
6. Remote Control System (this is the toughest to get working exactly as you might like). The Keyspan Digital Media Remote ought to work ok for this though. You could get the remote and have a more intelligent remote (see
http://www.remotecentral.com/ ) learn the commands.
7. Timbuktu Pro software for control of the system remotely (could just use keyboard and mouse)
8. Decent minijack-to-RCA output for receiver or pre-amp connection or USB/FireWire more professional grade output.
9. Case. I'd think that you'd want to modify the case to at least incorporate the IR sensor directly into the unit.
10. APC Line-R or Back-UPS Pro/Smart-UPS (come on, you don't want to screw this up after getting it all set!). Make sure to have Ethernet Surge Protection and all other paths in (it only takes one).
If you want to get really fancy, you could have an audio system with whole house capability. We could do a ton of different things here to make it work however we'd want!
There are a great deal of things that could be done here. I think that if you get the right used system that this could be very cheap, or you could go all out and make this a beast. What do you all think?
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Ok, here's an example (could be cheaper or more expensive):
• Starting with a new
$730 iMac DV 400MHz 64MB/10GB. The system will be run off of the 10GB Drive
• Adding 256MB of RAM to move up to 320MB RAM using one
$149 Guru 256MB RAM module.
• Include a
$375 80GB Maxtor FireWire Hard Drive for media storage.
• Hook up a
$139 i•TView DV to display the video on the TV screen. This product will support "resolutions from 640x480 to 1024x768 at frequencies up to 152Hz and all iMac DV resolutions and frequencies". (you pick the video cable you want. I'd go with S-Video from Tributaries or Straight Wire).
• Install
$140 Timbuktu Pro for Mac (2-pack) to control the machine remotely.
• Use Keyspan's Media Remote Control $79 for remote operation (perhaps there's somethine better).
• Use an
$80 APC Line-R 600 Line Conditioner to keep voltage regulated, etc. And use APC's PNET4 at the Ethernet switch for Ethernet surge protection. In addition to all of this, we will assume that all equipment in the system is protected from power problems.
• Use a Straight Wire MiniJack to Male RCA cable (perhaps could use some other USB device) for ~$40
• As for the case, that's still up in the air in my mind, but a
PowerMac 6100 case might fit properly, but probably the best bet would be to add a 17" brushed metal plate in the front with holes where they are needed.
I hope you like this potential iTunes Digital Media Server™ (hehe). What do you all think. Build a better one than this!
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Computer Equipment:
http://www.schalliol.com/computer.html
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