Looking for MP3 Player for Living Room

[Mehdi]

This is what I've ordered for living room in the new place:
* Samsung LCD LE40A556
* Philips DVP5990 DVD-Player => does dvd/divx/mp3 with external usb to which I'll connect hd so I don't have to burn cds.

I want to be able to play mp3s in my livingroom. The philips dvd player does it, but I don't want the TV to be on when I'm just playing mp3. AFAIK the tv has to be on if you want sound to come out of it.

So what I've been thinking of:
* get separate speakers. No 5.1: don't want wires all over the place. Soundbars look cool, but I'm not giving that much money. All 2.1 solutions are too expensive?
* get separate hifi system. but then I'm buying a cd player, fm radio, etc that I'll never use. And most of them seem to only handle mp3s on cds, external usb only works with mp3 players, not hdd.
* network streamer. Too expensive and I don't want my pc to be on all day long.
* mp3 player + speaker combo with remote control. one of the best option seems to be ipod + logitech speaker system. But too expensive imo. Creative zen is half the price of an ipod, but they don't sell quality speakers with remote control for it?


What would you guys do? This stuff seems so simple, there must be some cheap solution to all of this.
* plays mp3, playlist support
* remote control
* at least 4gb, better: supports external hdd

Tnx!

[Cleave]

I would definitely go ipod. You will appreciate the software and simplicity. It's simply the best. I own a 30gig classic ipod and a new 8 gig nano. My kids each have a nano (last years model) and a shufle.

Itunes is easy to use, make playlists, etc... There's tons of free stuff like podcasts on strength, working out, etc...and pickup I have acouple of playlists that I've created for lifting and the treadmill.

There is also a lot of accessories for the ipod as far as speakers and controllers and such.

The whole speaker thing kind of depends on your TV setup. I have an LCD wall mounted over the fire place. The room has hardwood floors, etc....difficult to add speakers. We also have a big screen in the basement that serves as our main movie and sports TV where we have a 5.1 kick ass system, powered sub, etc...

Do you want the speaker system to work with the TV too? Or would you be happy with something small off to the side just for the ipod?

This Klipsch system meant for a PC is sweet and would work well with a table top TV

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details ... a-2-1.aspx

Buy it on ebay for about $100 and get a cheap dock and remote for your ipod for about $15.

[Mehdi]

I don't really care about the speakers working with the tv, I'm happy with the standard speakers from the tv itself. I just want to be able to play mp3s without having the tv on.

Klipsch + ipod => ok ipod 8gb is 110€/140$ over here. Creative zen plus is only 70€/90$. I didn't thought about buying a cheap dock + remote though, completely forget about checking ebay for those cheap accessories, only looked at official vendors. Will check that, tnx.

[Nje]

I have a Kipsch iFi system which is essentially a Klipsch 2.1 surround system with docking for the iPod and a RF remote control - I like it, but I think it may be more expesnive than the Promedia 2.1. Cant remember exactly what I paid for mine but was in the region 200£.

[Rob_M.]

If you want to use a remote, then an iPod is the easiest solution (not to say best.) A lot of docking stations for other brands/universal use just a 3.5mm jack, rather than actually having any sort of interface.

JBl make some good docks, with remotes, but they're not cheap.

[Jim Slade]

I use a creative zen hooked up to big Rotel amp with speakers and a sub for my second system. It works fine and wasn't expensive as everything apart from the creative zen was secondhand. The creative just plugs in through the headphone jack into one of the inputs on the amp.

[chicken]

I got an i-pod classic with portable Bose docking station off the missus for xmas, fantastic sound for a small unit, however rather expensive.

[FilthyMcNasty]

I have a Noxon internet radio, if you want some tunes for the background you can choose from genres included like jazz, chillout, lounge. it's expensive for what it is but it works very well. It has a docking station for iPod too. Buy some Logitech external speakers and your all set.

[Mehdi]

I eventually went with an itouch + logitech docking station. 250€ bleh.