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Messages - jetrich

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16
Users / Re: Need help getting updates.
« on: February 01, 2008, 10:35:57 pm »
When I installed my 0704 system it wouldn't update either. Rather than reinstall the whole deal I looked in one of the files (updates.xml perhaps) and found the address for the update packages, downloaded them manually and installed them. It was a temporary fix as I expected the 0710 release to happen at the end of November, alas it has been delayed.

I do suspect that this circumvention of the "proper" method has rendered my system somewhat crippled and updates won't occur in the future.

Jason

17
Users / Re: Just venting general frustration.
« on: February 01, 2008, 08:24:22 pm »
I wonder too if they are willing/able to supply him with the Power DVD key Dan referenced here:
http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=3217.msg16189#msg16189

Just curious.

Jason

18
Why does an MD need multiple audio player SW instances running? Are you using a single MD to route different audio streams each to multiple rooms?

That is what I envision.

That's different from my preferred architecture, so my comments will be relevant for the other way, which is probably closer to the basic LMCE media distribution architecture, for future reference.

But outside the gamut of simplicity regarding amount of required energy sucking computers with additional latency in startup times for audio output.

I believe the SlimServer can already do that. If you want to use Xine to play the audio stream to the MD soundcard, you need to add to the Xine wrapper code that starts up the SlimServer and requests from it. Or make a DCE wrapper for the SoftSqueeze that offers that control and requesting.

...
Actually my original thought was to use Squeezbox units for each desired music input to the multi-zone amplifier. I decided that it would be cleaner if this could be integrated into LMCE somehow.
(...)
The new NuVo system named Essentia is EnergyStar compliant, so one would suppose this would be a better option than having multiple MDs (12 or more) to control said zones. Especially by the time you add televisions, monitors, remotes, etc. to each zone.

I prefer to have the audio kept digital as close to the speaker as possible. A multi-zone amp would send long speaker wires into each zone, which is the weak link in the audio quality chain (even with very expensive speaker wire, more than 5-10m will be worse than inexpensive DACs). Even relatively (to speaker wire) cheap soundcards/DACs are better. The cheapest MD in each room can pump audio from ethernet probably for $50. Or a series of 5m USB cables on hubs, or maybe an optical USB extender. Those ways still require an amp in each room, but preserve the digital quality.
(...)
My preferred energy management is to put each device on a home automation controller, maybe as simple as a $5 X10 power controller module. I'd like to wrap the LMCE device that controls them with logic that ensures they're powered on in time to receive the command. And also powers them off when a presence server says there's no one near to hear them.

I think that perhaps this is picking nits...or maybe I'm off my rocker. I could see the demand for such a system in an installation which required the highest possible audiophile quality sound in each room, but for most installations this won't be required or desired. In fact most people (that I've talked to anyway) would rather have an unobtrusive system that blends away, not have televisions, amplifiers, etc. in each room. A simple keypad is much cleaner.

The systems do use digital amplification to reduce power usage and increased sound quality.
For more information see the page for the Essentia system.
http://www.nuvotechnologies.com/essentia.htm

Would it also not be a good thing to have the option to build YOUR system the way YOU want to build it? Perhaps using LMCE "build it with X10 sensors, extra amplifiers, etc.", or NuVo, or Russound, or http://www.zonaudio.com/home/, or Niles, or http://www.htd.com/.... I don't see why having the option is a bad thing. Unless of course there is a "my plan is better than your plan" issue.

Jason

19
Why does an MD need multiple audio player SW instances running? Are you using a single MD to route different audio streams each to multiple rooms?

That is what I envision.

Quote
Seems to me that what's needed is the Core running multiple audio servers, streaming audio data packets to whichever MD requests each stream.

That would be great _IF_ I wanted to have MDs for each zone, but I don't. Not sure if that is the intention of the other posters however.

Quote
I believe the SlimServer can already do that. If you want to use Xine to play the audio stream to the MD soundcard, you need to add to the Xine wrapper code that starts up the SlimServer and requests from it. Or make a DCE wrapper for the SoftSqueeze that offers that control and requesting.

If only I knew how to do that, perhaps that would get us somewhere...as long as the MD could play three or more sources at the same time without three different hardware MDs.

Actually my original thought was to use Squeezbox units for each desired music input to the multi-zone amplifier. I decided that it would be cleaner if this could be integrated into LMCE somehow.

My particular systems would have only a keypad in the zones where video is unnecessary. This way there is not a requirement to have more hardware than is required, yet still retaining the master control, from rooms or zones with MDs, with information about what content is playing in those rooms or zones which do not contain a true MD. Thus, one could redirect content and maintain zone status, etc. from a MD outside the keypad system while also having the ability to change content from a keypad (uber-thin-client). My intention would be to have the capability to replace the music server, which is Windows only, with LMCE core or MD.

The new NuVo system named Essentia is EnergyStar compliant, so one would suppose this would be a better option than having multiple MDs (12 or more) to control said zones. Especially by the time you add televisions, monitors, remotes, etc. to each zone.

Hope that was clear as mud. I'll read this again tomorrow and see if I made any sense to myself.

Jason

20
Dan,
I sent you a PM with the location.

21
I've mentioned before that this type of function would be spectacular.

My business will be offering NuVo branded audio solutions for install. One of the devices offered by NuVo is the M3 Music Server. Said server has three discrete stereo audio outputs (RCA plugs) that send audio to the main amplifier for output to any of the zones which might like to listen to that particular stream. This server also communicates metadata about each audio track to the amplifier for display on compatible TouchPads in each zone.

I would love to see a system in which the LMCE core could communicate bidirectionally with the NuVo amplifier over RS232 essentially taking the place of the M3 Music Server. The serial protocol is available and rather well documented. I just need to learn more about Ruby before I attempt to begin coding the GSD to at least try and implement these functions. Oh, and of course there would need to be a practical way of outputting the streams from one Core/MD. All signs point to a tremendously difficult time of syncronizing the M3 Music Server with any OS other than Windows.

It would be great to be able to use these TouchPads as a method of controlling the audio streams outside the LMCE system. With the bidirectional control the TouchPads become, in a sense, Media Directors in their own right. Very low power MDs.

I realize that this is more geared to my desires, but I truly believe that NuVo offers a good system and I would love to offer this type of system to my clients. Several other manufacturers do produce good systems that could be implemented as well. My experience, however, lies with the NuVo systems and their capabilities.

There is documentation stating that the NuVo systems (Concerto) were made to function with the older version of PlutoHome. I have contacted Pluto about either obtaining the code for this functionality or at least getting it re-implemented into the current version of the software. I have yet to receive a response however.

All-in-all, I think the implementation of such a system would be a valuable addition to LMCE. I just wish I knew more about programming so I could help out. Perhaps someday...

22
Users / Re: Fiire Chief
« on: January 25, 2008, 03:24:45 pm »
Quote
So what's your opinion of the OK button?

I think it is awkward to press especially without moving the cursor on the screen.

Quote
Would it be better to use one of the larger, more central buttons? Or is there another way to select what the pointer is hovering over other than the OK button? Or is the small button something you get used to. As you've said, the placement of the buttons is awkward, but the OK button is a pretty important one.

I think it would be better if we could use the button in the center of the arrow cluster. The OK button is the only button for confirmation of setting selection that I have noticed. This excludes MythTV which does allow the use of the button in the center of the arrow cluster. My wife and I have become _much_ more proficient in pressing the OK button without the arrow jumping all over the screen. My wife has struggled more with this issue.

Quote
Don't forget also that it's not just us. The remote must be used easily by others in the family, including the wife and visitors.

I realize this and it is because of this fact that I purchased the Fiire remote. Plans are underway to market these systems and I wanted to see how well people could catch on to the function of the remote. My wife just _loves_ being the guinea pig sometimes.  ;) Of course my kids don't EVER get to touch the remote. Perhaps when they get older, but my oldest is only (almost) six years old.

23
Users / Re: Fiire Chief
« on: January 25, 2008, 03:30:53 am »
I've been using the Fiire remote for about 3 months now and have gotten used the sensitivity of the remote. However, I tend to think that I would enjoy a web tablet a bit more. The placement of the buttons is a bit awkward, but overall the remote is definitely a nice addition. Web tablets are just so much more expensive...

Jason

24
Developers / Re: Help us build more Phone Line providers into 0710!
« on: January 15, 2008, 11:05:46 pm »
Out of curiosity...

Has there been a suggestion as to the segregation of the numerous providers in LMCE? Are these going to be separated by locale, or simply a _very_ _long_ list to choose from?

Jason

25
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Integrated Recipes Module
« on: January 12, 2008, 11:25:38 pm »
I tried to install gourmet on my kubuntu 7.04 pc (not LMCE) and it really didn't run very well, and I'm not sure I like the interface. It is still in beta, but doesn't seem to be developing very quickly.

I then installed krecipes http://krecipes.sourceforge.net/on the same machine and am much more pleased with it. Not to mention the fact that it is in the repositories unlike gourmet. Krecipes also has more database options (mysql and postgres) so we wouldn't be as limited.

i think that this software may be a better bet. I suppose the trick would be getting somebody ('cause I don't know how to program yet) to modify the interface or program a new one. Perhaps a UI that works well with a touch screen???  ;)

Jason

26
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Integrated Recipes Module
« on: January 12, 2008, 03:35:51 am »
Very much still interested. I was talking with my wife about it just the other day, but I'm still not a programmer. I suppose one could just list gourmet as an external application under computing??? I guess it might be worth a shot. Think I'll try that.

...Hell, are there any automated devices that will actually process the food into meals with a minimum of human intervention? Like a breadmaker, but more complicated, and controllable by a PC?

Hey, if you can install Linux on a toaster I suppose you _could_ install linux on a bread machine and make it some sort of freak hybrid appliance...  ;D

Jason

27
Developers / Re: Help us build more Phone Line providers into 0710!
« on: January 10, 2008, 10:51:15 pm »
Posted ViaTalk US-Central (Chicago server) http://mantis.linuxmce.org/view.php?id=3801

I was going to do the other three servers (west, east, and beta), but couldn't find the addresses anywhere. Had to pull the Chicago server address from my Linksys adapter.  :)

28
Developers / Re: Help us build more Phone Line providers into 0710!
« on: January 10, 2008, 10:33:57 pm »
Andrew,

like this http://mantis.linuxmce.com/view.php?id=3798?

rgds
Oliver

Line 112 of your script still has sipgate still instead of 1und1. I looked at Zaerc's and your scripts to make sure I caught everything. Just happened to noticed you missed that one. I've never submitted anything in Mantis and am new to this whole deal so I apologize if I stepped on any toes.

Jason

30
Users / Re: Your own pictures as screensavers
« on: January 10, 2008, 02:59:52 pm »
My wife has been asking for this for some time. I'll try and do this as soon as possible to let you know how it goes. Much thanks.

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