How to Play Music on Your Computer Outside

Adding external speakers to your computer allows you to increase the volume of the music.

There are several reasons why you might want to listen to music outside on your computer. For example, you may be having a picnic, tanning, swimming or just enjoying a sunny day. Whatever the reason, there are a few different ways in which you can listen to music outside on your computer, including playing CDs, MP3s or listening to Internet radio.

Things You'll Need

• Laptop computer
• Compact disc
• External speakers
• Stereo system
• Y-adapted cable
• MP3 music files
• Wireless Internet connection

Instructions

1. Take your laptop outside and set it on a bench, table or another surface where it won't get damaged. Place it out of the sun so that it doesn't overheat. Hook up a pair of external speakers to your laptop, if desired. While all laptops come with built-in speakers, external speakers produce a louder volume. Plug the speaker cord into the headphone port. The sound card plays all sounds through the external speakers.

2. Connect your laptop to a stereo system, if desired, through a window or a garage. Lower the volume on your computer's sound card by adjusting the "Speakers" icon on your computer's task or menu bar. Lower the volume on your stereo system. Connect the laptop and stereo with a shielded Y-adapter cable, which can be found at any electronics retailer. Plug the 1/8-inch stereo plug into your laptop's speaker or headphone jack. Connect the opposite end of the Y-adapter cable into the "Aux" or "Jack" inputs on your stereo. The plugs on the cord and the inputs on your stereo are color coded and match up. Set your stereo to the "Aux" input or tape setting, and play a song on your laptop. The music is heard via your stereo. If your sound system is too far from the laptop, purchase a stereo extension cable, and plug it into your laptop and stereo.

3. Insert a compact disc into the CD/DVD drive of the computer. Open up the media player of your choice, such as iTunes or Real Player, and play the CD.

4. Play MP3 music files through your computer. Open up the media player you normally use to store and play your MP3 music files, and play any of the songs you have in your digital song library.

5. Use a wireless Internet connection to listen to Internet Radio. Find a useable wireless signal using your computer's Internet access program. Log-on to a website that offers streaming Internet radio, such as Yahoo! Music Internet Radio, AOL Radio, SHOUTcast or Web Radio.

References

• Earth Times: Listening to Music on a Laptop
• Dummies.com: "Hooking Up Your Stereo to your PC or Laptop"; Mark L. Chambers, et. al.

Resources

• Yahoo! Music Internet Radio
• AOL Music: AOL Radio
• SHOUTcast
• Web Radio