2012-05-03, 01:01
The great thing about xbmc is the ability to customise most facets of the program.
I appreciate that the program is not designed to be a full house media centre but there is no reason that I can see why it shouldn't be (for audio at least)
The complexity of try to play the same music in sync in multiple rooms over multiple pcs appears on the face of it as/more difficult.
The main issue that I have read about and experienced in relation to running xbmc in sand-boxed environments is related to video support rather than audio.
In terms of cost & performance;
I picked up a sound card with 4 stereo outputs for €30 and currently can play from one Xbmc to all rooms. (sound levels are listenable and fine for bedroom/bathrooms etc. but 8 channel inline amp to be purchased = approx €60)
Also working with multiple instances of vlc playing over outputs to separate rooms.
Using virtual audio cable ($25-50) I can switch the same songs to two or more rooms; currently over vnc :-(
I admit that using cling or vlc might be a more practical idea but I do love xmbcs' ability to manage my media and ability to link up with additional laptops etc.
http://4thline.org/projects/cling/mediarenderer/
I appreciate that the program is not designed to be a full house media centre but there is no reason that I can see why it shouldn't be (for audio at least)
The complexity of try to play the same music in sync in multiple rooms over multiple pcs appears on the face of it as/more difficult.
The main issue that I have read about and experienced in relation to running xbmc in sand-boxed environments is related to video support rather than audio.
In terms of cost & performance;
I picked up a sound card with 4 stereo outputs for €30 and currently can play from one Xbmc to all rooms. (sound levels are listenable and fine for bedroom/bathrooms etc. but 8 channel inline amp to be purchased = approx €60)
Also working with multiple instances of vlc playing over outputs to separate rooms.
Using virtual audio cable ($25-50) I can switch the same songs to two or more rooms; currently over vnc :-(
I admit that using cling or vlc might be a more practical idea but I do love xmbcs' ability to manage my media and ability to link up with additional laptops etc.
http://4thline.org/projects/cling/mediarenderer/
