Hi,

I would like to rip my whole CD collection (500+) and put them all in WMA or MP3 format on a hard drive that I could access from my stereo system. I don't need wireless, and I even do not need ethernet.

I'm thinking of buying the mediagate MG35, because I can put a hard drive in it and simply plug it on my stereo. Unfortunately, I hate to have to turn the TV on to see the menus...

Also, from what I've read in the MG-35 manual, there does not seem to be a way able to play a single "album" from it...

In fact, all I need is some kind of hard drive enabled MP3/WMA/Ogg Vorbis/Whatever player that I could plug in my stereo system. I want it easy to operate, I want to be able to manage my music by artist/album, and I don't want to have to always have turn the TV on to operate it.

Other than the MG-35, what other (cheap) options do I have ? The MG-35 seems a bit flaky, is it ?

Thanks

To be honest, it sounds like you need a DAP (digital audio player) like a Creative Zen or (O.K. I'll say it...) iPod.

30GB, 60GB, 80GB hard drives; designed to play MP3s; play by artist or album; etc.
And they have 'phone out and line out for connection to stereo systems.

I leave the Mediagate to handle video.

The ipod lacks a remote and an AC adapter. I don't want to always have to turn on the tv to see the menus/what's playing, but sometimes it could be useful.

How about something like the olive symphony or Cambridge 640h music servers? Cd width in style but with built in hardrives that you rip to.

Unfortunately, I'm looking for something in the price range of the MG-35... I already spent a lot of money on those CD's....

How about Modix HD-3510.

It should do what you want at your price range. It also has a built in LCD screen which allows you to browse the content of the hard drive.