I'm still waiting on parts for my new media server, but I'm trying to plan as much as I can before everything arrives. I have around 1000 CDs that I plan to rip to APE (or some lossless compression scheme). These will be for use in my high-end HT. In addition, I'd like to have MP3s for use in several other stations around the house. The reason I want MP3s as well is because there are several components available that I can plug into a small stereo system to stream MP3s from a server, but I haven't seen one that understands APE.
My question is whether products like WinAmp or MediaCenter are scriptable enough that I can build the MP3s after I rip the APE files, or do I need to rip twice? If either of these products are not, is there a product that is?
Also, does anyone know of any products, other than another PC, that can play APEs? I have a couple of rooms with receivers or small stereos. With my network, it would be great to make all my CDs available everywhere without having to have two copies of everything.
The ultimate would be if I could centralize everything with multiple zones, but unfortunately the previous owner of the house only had the foresight to add a network. Running speaker wire everywhere would be too expensive, and my wife would never go for ripping anymore holes in the walls.
My question is whether products like WinAmp or MediaCenter are scriptable enough that I can build the MP3s after I rip the APE files, or do I need to rip twice? If either of these products are not, is there a product that is?
Also, does anyone know of any products, other than another PC, that can play APEs? I have a couple of rooms with receivers or small stereos. With my network, it would be great to make all my CDs available everywhere without having to have two copies of everything.
The ultimate would be if I could centralize everything with multiple zones, but unfortunately the previous owner of the house only had the foresight to add a network. Running speaker wire everywhere would be too expensive, and my wife would never go for ripping anymore holes in the walls.