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Apple TV vs. Mini vs, Sonos

I've been reading these forums for a couple weeks trying to figure out the best way to organize a large CD collection (2000 CD's) and to access it wirelessly on two systems. Having a friendly interface for the other family members is important.

At first I was leaning toward a Sonos solution with a NAS attached. Then, I replaced my old IMac with a new one and really like the Front Row feature. I also have an Apple Wi-Fi using Airpport Extreme (the older 801b/g version). Having Front Row available to manage my iTunes library via the video seems like a better solution than Sonos.

He're my questions:

I read that Apple TV won't support web radio. I usually tune in a channel and open it with ITunes, drag it to a Playlist and name it. Whenever I want to listen to it, it's in a playlist. Front Row accesses these easily on the new IMac. I assume they work the same way with Apple TV. Also works for stations accessed through Live365.com, which gives you 10,000 stations to choose from.

I'm not clear why Apple TV has the built in hard drive. Does your ITunes content have to be on the Apple TV drive or can you access your library stored at another location wirelessly, such as a NAS, via Front Row and the Apple TV?

It seems to me that the simplest solution is to use a NAS to store my collection and add an Apple TV to each system, accessing the library via Wi-Fi and connecting the audio via Toslink to a DAC and the video via composite video. Is there a flaw in my thinking? Is there an advantage to using a mini? There's no place in either installation for another screen.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
bbopman
bbopman OP
53 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'm a little confused. 4est says that Apple TV doesn't support Airtunes and that I should use Airport Express. Doesn't sound like what I'm looking for since it sounds like I'd have to control everything from the computer two floors away rather than using the Front Row remote.

On the other hand, Thymanst (and others elsewhere in this forum) say they are using Apple TV to stream wirelessly.

Can someone explain?

Thanks again.
rbstehno
1,406 posts
 
you can use front row with your apple tv. if all you want is music, just use an airport express or if you want more control, use a used mac mini at each location that shares your common itunes library.

if you use airport express units and want to control the mac running itunes, just use leopard's screen sharing pgm or use an iphone or itouch with remote buddy.
thymanst
35 posts
 
I've never tried to stream a internet radio station - just my CD collection that resides on my mac mini (if the internet radio station is a playlist it might work)- The mac mini must be on and itunes open so that Apple TV can stream from it (any computer in the house that has itunes can stream to AppleTV (pc or mac) AppleTV has optical out to my Home theater receiver - I've also been backing up my movies onto hard drive and can stream them to AppleTV also thru Itunes (i use handbrake)
johnmcelfresh
97 posts
 
With regard to Apple TV - one reason I went with Sonos (tried a Mac Mini as a music streamer with Airport Express) is because I thought it was ridiculous to turn on a 61" plasma monitor (or any TV) to play music. Why generate the noise, heat and waste the energy.

Sonos' interface and portable controller is so convenient. I even take mine outdoors in summer to control the music in the back yard - no line-of-sight required, since it's Wi-Fi.
rbstehno
1,406 posts
 
you don't need a display with a mac mini and airport express. you can use an iphone or itouch to remote control a mini running itunes. sonos doesn't give you the flexibility that a mini/airport express gives you and sonos cost more.
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