Hi - I don't know much about this, but basically I am looking for something that will play my Itunes library - in apple losseless and connect to a Beovision Avant without the need for any adaqptors, hopefully I would want to be able to see Album Covers and have an easy user interface, I can then get my Lintronic box to control it.

Is there anything out there that would do this quite cheaply or should I just invest in a newer iPod with greater capacity - my old one is only 30mb and operated through an Onkyo box with OSD and via the Lintronic. I just wanted to find out if anyone else has found a better way of doing this.

Why not AppleTV?

/Edde

Main problem with that is that I can't plug it into my Avant easily and also I'd want the older one that stores the tracks on the hard drive within it. The other thing I looked at was a PS3 but I understand that the remote on that is wireless so I couldn't use a BEO4 controlled by the lintronic box. At the moment I can control the iPod from any tv that is on the ML system.

There are adapters for the PS3 that can handle all the IR controls except for the on/off. Also, it is very easy to upgrade the hard drive in the PS3.

You might also want to consider some of the current blu-ray players on the market. I have a Samsung BD-D6700 that has an external hard drive connected to the USB port. It allows you to navigate the hard drive and control playback via the remote. It also has Netflix, Hulu, and Vuze.

I like the first gen Apple TV because the Avant can control it via its PUC. Even if the Avant hasn't been updated to have Apple Remote in the PUC, the Apple TV can learn the remote codes of another device that IS in the PUC.

PS3 sounds quite attractive and I'm wondering if that can be controlled by the PUC as I seem to remember seeing Playstation on it as well as Apple? Do you know if it displays Album COvers - it would also be quite neat as I could use it instead of DVD1 and sell that to help with the cost

ajames:

Is there anything out there that would do this quite cheaply or should I just invest in a newer iPod with greater capacity

If you have limited cash, and you are trying to decide what will give you the "best bang for the buck", I would of thought expanding your "on the go" music collection with an iPod upgrade was the way to go ?

If you do get a new iPod you will still be able to use the Onkyo via the Linctronic ?

Hi - yes a new iPod will still work with the Onkyo, but the graphics are quite limited and the newer stuff includes Album covers - on the other hand the graphics are only used to navigate and a screen saver comes on in any case after a minute

I think the PS3 sounds like a good idea - I hadly ever take my iPod out with me so portability is not that great an issue. It would be good if there was something that could also receive internet radio

ajames:

I think the PS3 sounds like a good idea

and you already have a PS3 ? or will you need to buy one ?

I'd have to buy one - but my iPod is 7 years old and on it's last legs

ajames:

I'd have to buy one - but my iPod is 7 years old and on it's last legs

touch choices :-(

the PS3 also gets you bluray but the Avant will not be able to take advantage of the resolution

PS3 also gets you games if that is important

if I was in your situation I would be looking at a second hand old generation MacMini or a second hand old generation Apple TV but that is because I would get more of those simple because I am not a gamer 

my sons have their game equipment connected - but hardly ever use it 

whereas our MacMini is used every second day

Thanks, yes, I think maybe a an old Mac TV box would do it as I'm not that bothered about Games unless my nephew is visiting. And then wait until there is somehing available that gives music and internet radio etc (Can't afford a BS and BM5)

ajames:

Main problem with that is that I can't plug it into my Avant easily and also I'd want the older one that stores the tracks on the hard drive within it. The other thing I looked at was a PS3 but I understand that the remote on that is wireless so I couldn't use a BEO4 controlled by the lintronic box. At the moment I can control the iPod from any tv that is on the ML system.

LINK shows how to connect apple tv ....

Or - even better -  this one

Be sure to get aTV / Firecore

Ralf

ajames:

And then wait until there is somehing available that gives music and internet radio etc (Can't afford a BS and BM5)

The Apple TV 1 has internet radio capability.  

Hi - quick update to say thanks for the replies and I bought Apple TV 1 which arrived on Friday - I've ordered an HDMI to Composite converter as I couldn't get the hack to work.

Apple TV works fantastically well with the Avant, does everything I want and can be hidden away - it's brilliant and I'm very happy with it - so thanks again to everyone for the advice.

ajames:

Apple TV works fantastically well with the Avant, does everything I want and can be hidden away - it's brilliant and I'm very happy with it

good to hear that

here's wishing you many happy listening and viewing hours