Our outdoor music solution

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Here is what I did for our outdoor music solution. It allows us to sit out by the pool and play any of our MP3’s and radio stations (from ANYWHERE) using our iPhone or Android phone/tablets. We can even control the volume, make playlists “on the go” or play pre-made playlists.

We had an old computer sitting around that wasn’t used anymore – older P4 with 1.5 GB of RAM – PERFECT!

1. I downloaded and installed Ubuntu Linux. Don’t worry, it looks and feels a lot like Windows, but it’s FREE! You can get it at http://www.ubuntu.com
a. If you want to install it on a computer that you also want to keep running Windows on, it will create a “Dual Boot” and allow you to run whichever Operating System you want at any given time.
b. If you can spare a computer and dedicate it to your outdoor music, then this is PERFECT!

2. After getting Ubuntu installed, I then installed XBMC. The easiest instructions are here: http://www.noobslab.com/2013/01/install-xbmc-120-frodo-in-ubuntu.html
a. The instructions are on the bottom of the page in red.
b. You can also set XBMC to load automatically when Ubuntu starts. That’s how I do it and I don’t even need a monitor attached to the computer, plus I can turn off the computer with the XBMC app.

3. After transferring all of our MP3's to the Ubuntu machine, I then connected the audio out to my little $55, 75-watt amplifier, ran speaker wires across the attic to Yamaha outdoor speakers.
a. http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-2x75W-St...qid=1371833736&sr=8-5&keywords=pyle+amplifier
b. http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-AW1...33807&sr=8-2&keywords=yamaha+outdoor+speakers

4. Additional useful resources:
a. Adding streaming radio stations to XBMC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlzmfNDDaOs
b. XBMC: http://xbmc.org

 

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I almost forgot. If we have music on our iphone and not the computer, we can use AirPlay to play it on our phone and it will be broadcast through the computer.

 

[cramar]

Nice little set up there, great use of an "old" PC and you can't beat XBMC.

I have a similarly powerful PC and it sits central to the house as a file server, only major distinction is I use Windows XP so if anyone is interested in a similar set up as yours, but leary of linux (not that they should be) Windows will work no problem, just a bigger install footprint.

How are you controlling your media playback? Cellphone or something?

I use a Squeezebox version 3 with built in wireless, Squeezebox is an awesome brand and the wireless is plenty strong enough to run lossless flac's.
My initial speakers were underpowered though, outdoor audio just bleeds away the bass if the speakers are cheap (which mine were). I had to haul out my old 1990's monster speakers but they sound much better, bass is there now.
How are those Yamaha's, how is the bass?

 

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There is an official XBMC app that's really easy to use as well as other "unofficial" apps for most modern phones.

The bass is OK, but I would prefer more.

That's very true about XBMC, it can be used on windows as well!!!

 

[RobbieH]

You can also download and install XBMCbuntu, so you have everything you need in one package.

But, I use a Windows app called Subsonic. You run it on the "server" and can control it via several different apps or via a webpage. To play from the "server" you use it in jukebox mode. Or you can stream from it to your devices, even over 3G/4G/LTE.

 

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I tried XBMCbuntu but didn't have any luck installing it.

 

[RobbieH]

Interesting, I built a media server for my father and had no trouble with it. Nature of FOSS I guess.

 

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I'd say it was probably more of my fault. I was swapping out old video cards and trying both the Intel and AMD releases but couldn't get a good match. The case I had was an old Dell that was too thin for a standard video card. Then I figured I could put that processor into a different motherboard that had a old Celeron in it. I already had that box set-up with Ubuntu and XBMC so I figure I'd just leave it all alone.

 

[cramar]

I still have my original Xbox 1 soft modded with the first version of XBMC, runs on my 720p plasma, still runs like a champ many many years later.
Just recently modded an apple TV1 with an upgraded video card and now streaming 1080p from my file server via XBMC frodo and Crystalbuntu.

Great piece of software.

 

[Shane1]

I've been looking at options to get music out by the pool and this seems to be a pretty good way to do it. I have a few questions though.
What type of cable/connector is the audio input on the amp?
I have a netbook thats just sitting around, it has an earphone jack for audio out. Would this work in conjunction with that type of amp?

 

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I use that same port on my sound card, for computer speakers or an earphone, with RCA connectors on the other end.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000LMFS7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1372160669&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

 

[kodiak1120]

FYI, a similar setup can be achieved using a Raspberry Pi (appx $35) if you don't have an old computer lying around. I used a Raspberry Pi to control my pool light from my smartphone: i-created-an-app-to-control-pool-equipment-with-smartphone-t61606.html

 

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FYI, a similar setup can be achieved using a Raspberry Pi (appx $35) if you don't have an old computer lying around. I used a Raspberry Pi to control my pool light from my smartphone: i-created-an-app-to-control-pool-equipment-with-smartphone-t61606.html

I like that and think I'll have to start playing around with the Raspberry Pi. As I was researching the Pi, I found this: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/83-14629

 

[Vettechick99]

Fantastic idea. Thanks!

 

[poolmstr]

This is a great idea! Great way to incorporate the use of your smart phone to control the music playing from anywhere.

 

[AlanE]

I second that. Low cost solution too. I can already smell the solder burning my hands... eh, it's worth it.