Cd Storage options

[rcchap]

I have approximately 5K CD's without cases. Currently I am storing them in Case Logic books. Most of the time when I get new CD's I have to completly reorganize to get them to fit into the proper section (mostly organized by artist).
Does anyone know of a storage option that would work better.
I envision an old fashioned rolodex flip card holder, not the round type but the flat desk top type. Instead of holding contact cards it would hold cd sleeves that contain a cd and liner notes. New ones could be added in between existing CD's etc.
If anyone knows of anything like this or another option I would greatly appreciate you letting me know.
Thank you.
Chris

[Andrew Pratt]

5000 CD's :E ;x(

[rcchap]

Well...That's both mine and my wife's CD's together.

[aud19]

Still! :E I'm with Andrew ;x(

At that point you may want to consider adding them to a music server (IMO overpriced) or a better option a HTPC with LARGE hard drives some of which could be utilized as a music server. Most audio programs allow you to pick high quality (losless) compression settings, have graphic interfaces and allow you to sort by genre, artist, create playlists etc.

Then store the discs in a box :lol:

Jason

[Lex]

Whoopee, now that's some CDs. Let's see, 3.1 300 disc changers per thousand would be 31 300 disc changers. So that makes a menu driven system a little expensive. Filed in a rolodex would b e cool Have you looked at Slappa.com linked below?

I'd at least check them out.




4 X 5 = 20 boxes to hold most of your collection CDs. That's not a unified solution, but maybe could help some.

I just noticed a 360 disc case. So, 15 of those would give room to spare.

Lex

[rcchap]

I new that this would mushroom out of control. Now I need a new computer for a HTPC or at least for music. It looks like there are quite a few options for wireless audio from pc to stereo. I realize that the sound quality will be inferior to listening to a cd and I won't be able to rip my sacd's but for general listening while shooting pool or hanging out in the backyard it will be fine.

Does anyone have experience with any of the wireless audio divices out there?

I was looking at Apples Airport express but it will only work with their compression formats and MP3. I would like to listen to Some internet radio and be able to listen to other file formats (wma etc.) also.

I am somewhat illiterate when it comes to wireless. It would be nice to be able to use a remote and view my song library via my TV or LCD panel on the remote. I know these products are out there and if anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.
My wife isn't going to be happy when I tell her that we need a new computer. She just doesn't understand or maybe I'm just crazy.

Chris

[rotel&energy]

airport express & slappa

"I was looking at Apples Airport express but it will only work with their compression formats and MP3. I would like to listen to Some internet radio and be able to listen to other file formats (wma etc.) also."

Chris - I have an Apple and am very familiar w/ iTunes, iPod, etc. I believe iTunes will accept a lot of different formats, including WMA (it will convert it to AAC). Also, if you can play it in iTunes, it will play through the Airport Express, including internet radio. A lot of times, Apple doesn't give you the whole message. They only tell you the main details. As it turns out, their products support a lot more 'things' than what they usually advertise. http://www.macworld.com/2004/06/feat...sicsuperguide/ - this article should give you an idea of all the file formats you can use on iTunes (LAME and Ogg-Vorbis to name two).

Slappa - I just bought that exact model that Lex has in his post. Slappa really has quality stuff. I used to keep all my CDs in Case Logic, but I'm switching over to Slappa b/c of look, feel and quality. Also, they sell Wallmatz that you can hang and store CD's in. I have two Wallmatz b/c I liked the idea of a collage of CD booklet art work. It is a unique way to display your music. Granted, you'd need a whole room of wallmatz for all your discs, but you could combine it w/ something else.

[aud19]

I wouldn't use wireless for the audio. Wireless networking for the PC sure but not the audio. Even then, if you can run a network cable to your main media/HT room all the better for speed/reliability though wireless networking is pretty good now.

Other than that, put the PC in your equipment rack like any other piece of HT gear and connect it to your display and audio system. There's nice cases like these:

from http://www.ahanix.com (and other companies) available in silver/black finishes. Then you can use it as a PVR, scaling DVD player, media (music) server, game system and computer in your HT.

As for good sound quality out of your PC you may be surprised. Connecting a Benchmark Dac1 (see this thread) or using a good quality card like the Lynx Two (see this thread) can offer stellar sound quality from a PC. Especially when using lossless compression formats for storing your music.

Jason

[rotel&energy]

airport express review

Chris,

iPod Lounge reviewed the airport express. These guys know what they're talking about when it comes to iTunes, iPods on both macs and pcs. It's worth a read if you are interested in it. I think it is a great idea. Now, if only i had the hard drive space to rip all my CDs!!!

http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=4459_0_6_0_M

note: the page took a long time to load on my work PC.

[rcchap]

Thanks Guys!
It is such a pleasure to have this forum as a resource. Everyone is great.
I love the idea of the HTPC in the A/V rack. Jason, that case is very cool. I checked out a thread by Andrew about his HTPC and it sounds like the way to go. The Lynx two card looks good. I believe that I will start pricing a system out.
I am just unclear about the video running through the pc. I understand that there are cards with component and S-video connections.
I currently have digital cable. Can it be run through the PC?
Is there software out there to use your PC similar to tivo?
and last question why do some say that dvd's look better on a pc than they do on a dvd player? Did I just waste $ on my 2200?

I guess what I'm looking for is a basic explanation of how video works via the pc and how it could be superior.

well...one more..while watching a dvd via pc will you be able to listen to it in DTS?

[aud19]

If anything video through the PC is the best part about it. Does your display have a DVI input? Using DVI first, or component if you don't have a DVI input, is the best way to go. The reason you can get such good video performance out of a HTPC is it's ability to scale the image to your displays exact native resolution (EDIT: All in the digital domain as well with no A/D, D/A conversions) for cheaper than buying a scaler and a HTPC can do many more things than a scaler. Plus the never ending tweaks you can do to improve the picture or different software you can swap out at the click of the mouse to add to or change functionality. It's very flexible and for reasonable money.

There are various ways of running your digital cable STB through the PC for scaling and PVR (Yes there's software for Tivo-like PVR usage) use and hopefully some upcoming ways to record HD via firewire input as well. Though there's some methods of recording HD via firewire now, it's a bit of a "hack" and only a temporary solution. Hopefully in the not to distant future there'll be PC cards available that work with "cable cards" in the same fashion as integrated HDTV's as well. I heard rumours a while back that ATI was already in talks with Rogers and Shaw cable here in Canada regarding that but I haven't heard anything since.

As for your 2200, keep it around at the very least as a DVD-A SACD transport. DVD-A is hard to come by on HTPC's and SACD is totally nonexistant. Creative is the only soundcard manufacturer at this time with hardware support for DVD-A playback but unfortunately (IMO) their cards leave a lot to be desired. Their biggest downfall being that they don't offer bi-perfect audio output :evil: (Edit: they're supposed to release new cards this fall solving this problem and with improved sound quality as well. Supposed.)

You should be able to output a DD or DTS signal via the digital coax or optical outputs of pretty much any soundcard as long as they have digital outputs and you use software that supports the surround formats. (I like Power DVD )

This is getting a "little" ops: off topic, you may want to start a post in the Tower of Power area if you have any further questions

Jason

[Lex]

With a little luck, we may have a few Slappa products to give away in a contest soon. That would be pretty cool, so keep your fingers crossed!

Lex

[Andrew Pratt]

RCChap you might want to start a new thread in the PC area if that's really the direction you're going to take. The HTPC route offers a lot of flexibility and options that you really don't have with any other single box available but they do require a fair bit of time to get set up...at least if you want it to do it all I ended up selling mine as I just didn't have the time to invest in it with all that was going on at the time but I've still got a few pieces left over that you might be interested in.

[aud19]

OOOH goody a contest! :P

Jason