"Broadcast" Media From PC To Stereo and TV

Wirelessly Transmit Streaming Media
Through Your House—On the Cheap!

Problem: Your PC is in one room and the entertainment center in another. Your aging stereo receiver isn't Internet-ready and your budget doesn't include a replacement any time soon. For the same reason, purchasing a dedicated hardware component is out of the question, even if there is room in the entertainment center for another box.

And yet you would really like to be able to stream Internet radio, rockumentaries, and other media sources from your PC to your entertainment center.

Solution: Several companies offer an inexpensive transmitter/receiver package that can "broadcast" both video and a stereo audio signal between rooms. These are easy to install and generally work very well—easily pushing the signal through walls. Although there are several from which to choose, one such system is the AVS-5811 from RF Link (pictured), which is under $120. Savvy eBayers might pay much less.

Such transmitter/receiver sets deliver the A/V signals using radio frequencies (RF differs from infrared, the latter requiring an unobstructed line of site and offering limited distance). The RF Link AVS-5811 operates in the 5.8 GHz range, where wireless phones and microwave ovens won't cause interference. It also has four channels from which to select in the event that something else in your home causes interference. (Whichever channel you use, make sure that both the transmitter and receiver are set to the same one.) And although a clear line-of-site is not required, the RF Link AVS-5811 boasts a 300 foot transmission distance in such installations.

Audio: You'll need to purchase of some inexpensive adapters to hook up the transmitter to your PC. The red and white audio leads require a single female stereo RCA-to-male 1/8" mini-plug adapter, about $2. Connect the male end to the audio out jack on your PC's sound card, usually located at the rear of the PC chasis and color-coded light green on recent-vintage computers. Match up the red and white female RCA leads of the adapter with the corresponding male cables on the RF transmitter.

Now connect the red and white male RCA leads from the RF receiver to an unused set of RCA inputs on the back of your stereo receiver (except those marked Turntable). The inputs marked Tape 2 Record would be a good choice.

To listen to Internet radio, first access the audio source on your PC. You'll want to control the final volume level from your stereo receiver, not your PC, so set the PC volume to be sufficiently loud. Now select the Tape 2 Monitor input source (often labeled "Mode") on your stereo receiver. You should now be hearing your Internet audio source and, if this is all you want to do, you're all set. See the summary below.

Video: Transmitting video from your PC to TV is a bit more involved. First, it's best if your TV is of recent vintage and includes auxiliary inputs either on the front or rear of the set. These provide a better quality picture. If your TV is not so-equipped, purchase a simple RCA-to-coax adapter for a few dollars. It is to be connected between the yellow video cable of the RF receiver and the coax antenna input on the TV. (The picture quality may or may not be to your liking in this scenario.)

Continued...
On the PC side of this setup, we're going to assume your PC video subsystem doesn't presently offer an S-video output on the rear of the computer chasis (if it does, skip to the next paragraph). If this assumption is true, the least expensive way to convert your PC video is to replace the present video subsystem with an adapter card that includes an S-video port. There are many, but a quick Internet search turned up a PNY GeForce FX 5200 256MB VGA card for under $50.

A few more dollars gets you a male S-video to female RCA adapter, which you'll need to connect the RF transmitter's yellow cable to the PC's S-video output. On the RF receiver side, simply plug its yellow composite video cable into the matching colored RCA receptacle on your TV. Here you will most likely have to select a video input mode on the TV, similar to when you watch a DVD or VHS video tape.

Summary: None of this is rocket science, with the possible exception of replacing your PC video subsystem. Get a knowledgeable friend to help. Beyond this portion of the project, your local electronics retailer (Radio Shack, Best Buy, et al.) can help you. Cables To Go is also an excellent source for online chat help as well as for purchasing most of the requisite adapters.

Streaming media aside, we should also mention that RF transmitter/receiver sets such as the RF Link AVS-5811 can be used for other applications when not being used to transmit streaming media. A common example is in the simultaneous viewing of video programs on a second TV/monitor without use of any wires. Another is the ability to relay any indoor audio source to a set of self-amplified speakers positioned outdoors.

Use PC To Stream Concerts & Films To Your TV

Regular Floydians know that we are avid fans of concert videos and documentaries about aspects of the music industry. Sometimes you can even find great offerings in on-demand streaming video format, as was the case with the fabulous PBS series, Ken Burns' Jazz, and Festival Express we recently viewed (again) from Netflix. (I also note that you can stream the excellent Tom Dowd and the Language of Music from Netflix until July 1.)

Listening to All Things Considered on National Public Radio during my commute home yesterday, I heard a piece about streaming video programs from various Internet sites to one's home TV. Content sources include the aforementioned Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and a cool new site I just discovered named The Auteurs. In the report, the better half of a home theater-owning couple described their electronic components in a cursory manner, then expounded on the trevails they experienced while attempting to view City of God.

My feeling was that many listeners wouldn't even try streaming video after hearing Yuki Noguchi's story. I also believe that many potential viewers mistakenly think that a specialized electronics device is required to view streaming video. This simply isn't so. In fact, all you need are the following:

• Television with some type of auxiliary input connection (see illustration below)
• Reliable broadband Internet connection
• Personal computer, preferably located within 25' of your TV
• Ethernet cable connecting the computer to the Internet
• Method of payment (Netflix, Amazon, The Auteurs only; Hulu is free)

Do not try to use a wireless Internet connection for the data transmission rate will be insufficient. Next, the illustration(click to enlarge) lists several types of computer-to-TV connections, in order of video signal quality. Check which type of connection(s) your TV provides, then match it up with your the video output on your computer.

With the exception of HDMI to HDMI, all of the connection types require a separate audio connection between your computer and your TV. This is also very easy to do, using your computer's headphone jack as the output source. You'll need a common 1/8" stereo mini plug–to–RCA adapter cable to do this hookup. Optionally, connect the RCA plugs to your stereo system for better sound quality—important when watching concert videos!

If a cable adapter and/or video extension cable is required, J & R Music World, Cables To Go and Cyberguys are all excellent places to shop online, or try locally at Best Buy, Fry's Electronics or Radio Shack. In many cases, you may even be able to use a low-cost RF transmitter/receiver set to "broadcast" the program from your computer to your TV location if they're separated by more than 25 feet. There are even ways to relay the video signal from your computer to the vicinity of the TV by way of a CAT5e Ethernet cable, so don't hesitate to explain what you need to a knowledgeable salesperson at one of the aforementioned retailers.

And here's a troubleshooting tip—if at first you don't succeed, try, try again! After rechecking cable connections, we find that rebooting the computer will often solve a problem with a poor data stream. Especially for those with a DSL hookup, sometimes you just have to try another time due to user congestion. The NPR story aside, however, making the connection and enjoying streaming video programs really is as simple as spelled out here!

Led Zeppelin: "Roadwork" Visits The Grande

Probably one of the best books about rock 'n' roll you'll ever see. — Pete Townshend

Shortly after WKNR's owner, Nellie Knorr, passed away, I got one of those "blue sky" phone calls from "Uncle" Russ Gibb (the latter being chronicled elsewhere in this blog). Among the topics of discussion was Russ' mentioning to me of Tom Wright's terrific photojournal, Roadwork—Rock & Roll Turned Inside Out.

Wright was the official photographer of The Who's first couple of U.S. tours, that group having debuted their Tommy rock opera at Russ' Grande Ballroom in Detroit. When one early tour came to an abrupt end, Tom returned to the Grande to take a turn as its manager. Later, he was instrumental in constructing the buildings for Richard Songer and Russ' Goose Lake International Music Festival (for which I serendipitously served on the film crew). Later, Wright toured with and photographed other rock groups, including Rod Stewart & the Faces.

One very amusing story came out of Wright's stint at the Grande, involving the "The New Yardbirds" (you may know them as Led Zeppelin). Surf over to this National Public Radio site, where you can also hear an interview with Wright. The story I allude to is further down the page and is entitled, Chapter 17: The Grande.