LAN streaming

esuhl

A while back I tried to plug my laptop into my hi-fi so I could play music tracks stored on my desktop PC (over a wireless network). I can't remember what happened exactly, but it didn't work. I guess that's what those wireless streaming devices are for...

Does anyone know of any software I can install to stream audio/video files from one PC to another?

Many thanks in advance!

Redmikee

There is no reason why this shouldn't work with the setup you have.
Can you browse files on the desktop computer from your laptop? if so then they can be played in exactly the same way if they were on your laptop.
Is the networking set up correctly? has the desktop music folder been shared?

Mike

jghal

Agree with Redmikee here

I am in the process of transferring all my audio Cds to mp3 on my desktop. But before going to the bother I made sure that I could do exactly what you want to do.

Success...absolutely no problems

gaming_guy

you could install itunes on the desktop and laptop and locate the music folder on the desktop and stream it using itunes

if these are protected wma files bought and downloaded legaly these will not stream over itunes

sandroad

You could install Winamp and setup a ShoutCast broadcast for the pc's on your local Network. There are full tutorials on the Winamp site and its pretty easy.

DrBenway

slimserver and softsqueeze will do the trick (both free software).

it has internet radio feeds as well including bbc listen again stuff through a
contributed plugin called alien bbc. you can also set it up so you can listen
to your music collection from anywhere you connect to the internet.

see https://www.slimdevices.com.

wolfman

No need for iTunes or Winamp (although Winamp preferably!), or to "stream" as such.

You just need to setup filesharing correctly, and should be able to open any music file from the other computer. That's the exact setup I have here between my Xbox 360, Xbox, and PC.

magic_pants

I agree with wolfman. You just need to setup filesharing and you don't need any complex streaming software.

Alternatively....I had the same issue a while ago and simply installed VNC (freeware) on my desktop and stored all my tunes on that machine on iTunes. Run up VNC on the Laptop and play all my tunes that way. (https://www.realvnc.com)

Then....I got myself a Media Centre Receiver capable amp (Denon) and now I just stream it all wirelessly via Windows Media Centre...works a treat!

trythat

You need to connect either the line out or headphone socket from the laptop, to the aux of the HI-fi.

Then make sure filesharing is on, and you can access the files from the computer that contain the music. I use Winamp and just drag the songs or podcast, onto Winamp and off you go.

Works a treat, and considering its via a wireless connection it pretty good.
Video is another matter are we talking ripped dvd's? I modded my xbox to do this via cat5 cable and it worked well, but over wireless even G you might get some drop outs.

What I've also tried it playing ripped dvd's and hidef downloads from my laptop directly into my TV, it does have a VGA socket and that worked well, a dvd player is still easier though but for hidef it good.