Stream Spotify audio in the livingroom with iPhone as remote

[Bjochems]

Since Spotify is released in the Netherlands i've been thinking about an solution to intergrate this service into the livingroom.
I've now found a way to do this in which I can use my iPhone (iPod / iPad should also work) as remote for controlling and selecting the songs I want to play while the music stream is being send to my AV Receiver.

Step 1: Install Spotify on your home automation server (or another pc)

Windows: http://www.spotify.com/nl/download/windows/
MAC: http://www.spotify.com/nl/download/mac/

Step 2: Connect audio from your PC to your receiver (skip this step if you already connected the sound from your pc to your audio system)

The easiest way would be to connect an audio cable from your sound card directly to your audio system. Be happy if this works for you.

For me this wasn't possible because the distance was too long. I've tried some cables but I couldn't filter some annoying noise for 100%.
I solved this by using the Airport Express from Apple. With this device you can stream audio from iTunes over your network.

For more info: store.apple.com/nl/product/MB321Z/A/Air ... TE0NzI5ODg

Just connect the airport to your router/switch and connect a digital toslink cable from the Airport directly to your receiver. (analogue signal also possible).
Now you need to setup Spotify so it sends the audio stream to the airport. For this you have to install a program called Airfoil ($ 25).

Windows: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/windows/download.php
MAC: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/mac/download.php

When installed, Airfoil will find your Airport, now select Spotify to be the program to stream the audio to the Airport.

Connect Airfoil to Spotify

airfoil.jpg (64.97 KiB) Viewed 4458 times

Step 3: Install Remoteless for iPhone

Download Remoteless from the Apple store (EUR 2,99). With this app you can control Spotify with your iPhone

http://remoteless.no/

Besides this app you also need to install a application so the Remoteless app can communicatie with Spotify.

remoteless.no/SpotifyRemotelessHelperIn ... taller.exe

remoteless for iPhone

remoteless.jpg (79.8 KiB) Viewed 4458 times

Step 4: Enjoy the music!
Have fun with more then 7 millions songs in your handpalm!

Receiver

receiver.jpg (158.29 KiB) Viewed 4458 times

ps: Spotify is free for 20 hours per month, you can also get a premium account which also gives you a bitrate up to 320 kbps
ps 2: I know this setup is kind of fuzzy with all different programs but it works and you can have a lot of fun with it

[I-1]

This is a very nice setup ...
The only downside is that you can not switch from airport express speakers ... from your iPhone.
You need to do this from your PC ...

But great setup ... I also set this up and tested it and it is indeed working great!

[tricksel]

Also, Do note that Remoteless is currently only available as a beta for the Mac! However, nice setup! Airfoil really makes setting up this kind of things a blast!