surly wrote: > st2000;334321 Wrote: >> But, Surly, you are missing the point. The Squeezecenter "server" does >> not contain any software to play back music. That's the job of the >> clients. When you start up something like SoftSqueeze on your media >> center you are starting a completely different program which is a >> client >> of the SqueezeCenter server. >> >> Squeezecenter and SoftSqueeze could be running on different computers >> for all they care. > > I'm totally aware of that! I just wanted to simplifi here.
Hi Surly, I don't mean to sound argumentative. I like the idea of a display. I'm just exploring the possibilities here. And it sounds like you've done quite a bit of homework on the subject. Just to be clear, you are looking for a product from SlimDevices similar in style and function to the bose controller box in the center of the following picture, right?: http://www.bose.com/images/home_entertainment/products/p_lsv30_l_b.jpg > It would be necessary to have softsqueeze running on that > PC/Server/Mediacenter. I heard that the new Softsqueeze (Squeezeplay) > will eventually have an option to be integrated in the MCE Frontend. > This sounds good because then Squeezeplay would be remote controllable > with my mediacenter remote. > > But It would still be necessary to power up the TV because until now > MCE is not controllable without a Monitor/TV running (or via Webpad). > > I like the Interface of the Squeezebox for music listening purposes, > and I like a Mediacenter for all Video/TV related things so why not > combine the two. Yes, but trying to get two money inspired companies to combine products will be tough. If it does happen, you might start asking in the slimdevices developers list who is doing it and how they are going about it. Express your interest in some sort of local display (LCD or VFD) to augment the computer monitor or (as you are suggesting) to replace it. FYI, I did find a SqueezeCenter plugin for MythTV. It's still "green" but the screen shot looks promising: http://sourceforge.net/dbimage.php?id=167473 > st2000;334321 Wrote: >> I doubt this will turn out to be a plug-n-play effort unless someone has >> >> already done it. And I don't recall anything about anyone using a >> remote control with SoftSqueeze. However, SoftSqueeze is an open >> source >> effort and you could get the software and have a go at contributing >> some >> code: >> http://svn.slimdevices.com/7.3/trunk/softsqueeze/README?view=markup > > It's already possible to remote Control Softsqueeze via Win Slim or > Moose if you map the keyboard commands to your remote. But without a > display that shows me the output of Softsqueeze/Squeezeplay im trapped > in the dark. > > Also many Mediacenter Cases have a Display of some sort already but > none has the funktionality of a Squeezebox. So if > Softsqueeze/Squeezeplay control and MCE control would be merged into > one Produkt that would be a winner for many. You still want that fancy graphics display rather then an ordinary character display? No doubt the A/D converters in an SB cost something. But I was always under the opinion the VFD was the costliest line item on the BOM of any box that SlimDevices ever produced. That said, I'd have to say the retail price of, say, an independent USB cabled display using the same VFD as a recent vintage SB (so it would be directly compatible) would cost at least $200. That's a little expensive for me. > st2000;334321 Wrote: >> The older SlimDevices used character VFDs (2x40) and the new ones use >> graphic. If I were going to write new code for SqueezeCenter I would >> stick to characters. They are cheaper, used more extensively and are >> simpler to control. > > Yeah but with the dual purpose in mind i would prefer graphics, in the > mediacenter use it would be possible to display channel logos for > example. Have you considered a duel head system and a small LCD monitor that you just leave on all the time? True, it's more complex. But the economies of scale can bring down the price well below what I think the graphics VFD version would cost (I think you can find a monitor for <$99 and a 2nd graphics card for <$40). > st2000;334321 Wrote: >> I don't think this is the best solution, but it occurs to me that this >> SqueezeCenter client: >> http://ex-parrot.com/~pdw/slimp3slave/index.html >> >> ...is about as simple as it gets. Get it, re-write the code to send >> the >> display characters out the USB (to some sort of USB enabled display >> (Matrix Orbital probably makes one)) instead of using CURSES to display >> >> them on the computer screen. > > I would love to contribute to the community by writing a programm that > brings Softsqueeze/Squeezeplay output to a Display, but honestly i > don't have the programming ability nor time to do something like that. I hear you. > st2000;334321 Wrote: >> As for the remote, this client uses the keyboard. If you get a wireless >> >> keyboard there will be no need to bother with drivers and what not. >> The >> only tricky part would be to make sure this client had focus (i.e. >> takes >> over the screen (which you are leaving off)) of the media center when >> you invoke it. > > As written above remote controlling is not the most important part > because this is partially already possible it's the display part that's > more difficult. > > I started this thread mostly because i wanted to know if there is any > demand in the community for a product like this, not to start a DIY > projekt myself. > > Greetz surly > > > ps. so does anybody know the exact measurements of the SBClassic VFD > Unit? The links to the specifications are integrated into the SqueezeCenter web server. At least they were an one time (Help->Technical->Data Sheet...): http://downloads.slimdevices.com/datasheets/CU40025SCPB-U1J.pdf I thought the display was a bit small. I have an old IEE VFD which is a little larger, has the same number of characters (2x40) and can be read from further away that I use: http://www.mvpmc.org/images/mvp_vfd_large_2.avi Both are to wide to fit into any PC case opening that I have seen. Certainly not a disk drive bay. ...later _______________________________________________ discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
