Bathroom PC

**Rise** · 09-29-2011, 06:23 AM

So I'm sick and tired of listening to talk radio all the time in the morning when I get ready for work. I'd really love to be able to listen to shoutcast or pandora instead of 95% commercial/talk but I'm worried about the conditions of a bathroom if I put a PC in there with the steam and heat and what not.

Question 1: I have a walk in closet in the bathroom so I could put the PC in the far corner of it and just wire up some speakers through the wall to the rest of the bathroom, but do I need to be careful what type of speakers/wire I get?
Question 2: Does anything exist already to do this for me without building my own?
Question 3: Are there water proof battery remotes that can control the radio functions?
Question 4: Recommended parts for such a build? Is it possible to go headless and manage from another pc in the house to keep the build cost down?

TYIA

**zanzabar** · 09-29-2011, 11:42 AM

u could get a pandora device or one of the android players from samsung or archose, that would be the easiest IMO. u could also get one of the mini pcs with an ion or e350

**ExodusC** · 09-29-2011, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Rise

Question 1: I have a walk in closet in the bathroom so I could put the PC in the far corner of it and just wire up some speakers through the wall to the rest of the bathroom, but do I need to be careful what type of speakers/wire I get?
Question 2: Does anything exist already to do this for me without building my own?
Question 3: Are there water proof battery remotes that can control the radio functions?
Question 4: Recommended parts for such a build? Is it possible to go headless and manage from another pc in the house to keep the build cost down?

Honestly, I can't really answer questions 1, 2, or 3, but assuming the box has a connection to your home's network (I obviously imagine it will), you can install a VNC server on the box, and manage it from another computer. It's easy once you get it all set up. You can configure the VNC server to start on boot, so if you need to reboot you can even do it from another computer (I did this on an old Windows Server 2003 box I had).

**Dr_Swizz** · 09-30-2011, 04:10 AM

Interesting project!

I think you should consider buying a cheap netbook + a SSD & then install lightweigt Linux distribution. This way you will get a system that is fast enough for yourt needs and relatively resistant to heat & humidity, but if the system should die after some time you will not have lost much money.
You will be able to manage the OS & audio streaming remotely (either using a GUI or command line) + a remote control, game pad or keyboard to control the audio software.

**Rise** · 09-30-2011, 11:02 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys... I'll price some options out and see what makes the most sense.

**vohu manah** · 09-30-2011, 12:10 PM

When I lived in Sweden, I used to take my ikea laptop table in to the bathroom and place it next to the hot tub, and spend an hour listening to music and chatting with my Asus Eee pc 1000H ^^ I miss my Asus...

**Bobsama** · 09-30-2011, 12:33 PM

#1: Optimally, you'd have the computer and speaker amp left outside of the bathroom. You need to use outdoor speakers. Standard copper biwire is fine for cables. You'll need a receiver and an IR bauble for the remote. Perhaps an additional blaster if you're feeling adventurous. It won't be that easy but you can jury-rig it (and keep the expensive electronics out of the bathroom). Alternatively, some amps have IR-in ports. I personally don't know how to make them work.

#2: Unknown. I'm sure there are solutions but finding waterproof/resistant components would be tough.

#3: Perhaps you could rig together your own solution. Find a remote with those flat buttons (I believe Antec makes one; the buttons are just domes on the face)

#4: AMD E-350 or Atom 525 with 2GB RAM. You could do headless. I'd recommend that, if you're playing your own library, to store that media elsewhere. As for chassis, honestly, just about anything will work.

If your closet stays reasonably dry while you shower, it should be a-okay for usage. The alternative is a Logitech Squeezebox or similar--would probably be cheaper too. http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speake...s/devices/5847

Those things are pretty slick too. Then for $300 is a Squeezebox Touch.

**BlueAqua** · 10-03-2011, 03:04 PM

I have a Logitech Squeezebox Radio in my bathroom. They're about $100 and stream everything over my wireless network. I listen to Pandora almost exclusively now on that. Much better than putting in a whole pc, in my experience and opinion.