I am interested in a unit to play mp3 files through my home reciever. However, I do not want to simply hook up the minijack on the back of my computer to the RCA inputs on my reciever.

I have seen a couple of items that would work:

PDHercules Digital Recordable Jukebox II (PD-430-01) - $500

Kenwood Entré - $1500

And with the upcoming release of the HP Media Center PC, I am even more confused with what might be the best choice.

In a nutshell, I want to store and play mp3s without using my computer.

ANY Ideas?

Thanks guys.

Most new dvd players (from low end apex players costing $59 bux all the way on up) nowadays can play mp3s on a cd. since each cd can hold well over 100 mp3s on average, that should be plenty of space. that should do it unless i'm misunderstanding the question.

(i suppose, though, that requires a tiny bit of computer use but seems to save a lot more money).


--HN

Thanks.

But I am looking for a way of taking the 30 gigs of mp3s that I have and access them through my receiver the same way I would with a cd player, tape player or record payer.

Hey ! Ive been looking for the EXACT SAME solution, please, any help is appreciated ! thanks

Hey The Recipient, i think i found something that might help , (at least for me), the only thing holding me back is the price (used to be $999, bow $299) and the fact that it only has a 20 gig hard drive ( my collection is almost at 50 gigs ) ...although i wonder if its hackable ....ill keep lookin and ill keep you posted.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=PRICEGRABBER#

I saw somewhere (either in here or the computer section) that the apex DVD players can be hacked to use a hard drive instead of a dvd drive. From what I can remember it was basically just transfer your mp3s to a new drive, pull the old dvd drive, plug in the new hard drive and you have an mp3 server with an on screen display, remote, digital out, etc.

THANKS!! Searching now, apex players are about 50 bucks, and a 100 gig hard drive can be found for about 100 bucks online...good time to buy!

k, heres the link if anyone is interested in
-buying an apex dvd player for 50 bucks
-buying a 40 gig(or whatever size) hard drive for about 60 bucks
-replacing dvd drive with the hard drive
-being able to read/play your mp3 collection through your tv/ht

sounds like the way to go!
Thanks Icculus


http://www.nerd-out.com/darrenk/

www.nerd-out.com has the info you're looking for about turning an Apex into a MP3 jukebox.

Basically you hook up the drive to your PC, load the drive with MP3's, open the Apex up, remove the IDE DVDROM drive, put in the hard drive, close it back up, and presto.

Some players do not work this way, do not buy a player until you have found the directions. Also, I believe a firmware update might be necessary, it's been awhile since I've read the info myself.