Topic: Whole House Audio Project - Volunteers? (Read 6635 times)

skavan · « **on:** March 06, 2004, 12:26:19 am »

Hi all,

After spending some time working with MCE, XLobby, Mainlobby, myHTPC and MC I have come to the conclusion that I need to build my own Whole House Audio system using MC10 as the engine and the MCE 2004 interface (using the MCE SDK).

The goal is simple. Any music, available anywhere in the house at any time.
Walk into a room, hit a button on the remote, browse the music collection on a wall mounted plasma/lcd and music begins....or set the audio for three different rooms to be the same source.

The project is not that hard - but will require a bit of work - so I;m putting out a call to arms for others to join in and do this together. I've begun the process with a VB wrapper of MC10 and simultaneously a Web Style. If you are interested in contributing to the project (we'll make it open source) - reply to this thread and I'll collect names! Skills that would be useful - GUI design, JScript, VB, DHTML.

C'mon -- yell out and I'll push what I've done so far into sforge or somethig and we can all get cracking....here's a preview:

and here's the idea (so far) -- comments (good and bad) are welcome:

Mastiff · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2004, 01:41:14 am »

Why reinvent the wheel? I do that now with NetRemote (exept for the zone sync, but that's possible with the right hardware). www.netremote.org

skavan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2004, 10:38:34 pm »

Good suggestion...I've been playing with it for the last several hours -- but I'm not sure it has the control required - it seems reasonably fixed in its interaction with MC. If I'm wrong please jump back in...and I guess I must be since not a single volunteer has shown up!

the links I left don't seem to be working...

Hopefully these ones will:

and

Mastiff · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2004, 02:18:58 am »

You can get it to do just about anything you want wit different CCFs and commands, wit direct MC control and via Girder. Look at the NR forum.

skavan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2004, 02:22:27 am »

I looked and looked.
Here's a simple question - if it can be done we're in business - if not -- then NetRemote doesn't do it for me:

Is the MC browser a static, fixed format?
In every skin I looked at it seems that the way one selects Albums/Genres etc... is via a tree structure that is fixed in formatting and function.

Is this the case? Or am I missing something - and if I am - plse point me in the right direction.

JimH · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2004, 08:04:02 am »

I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but if you change the structure in MC, it should also change in Netremote.

skavan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2004, 09:33:59 am »

What I mean is that EVERY ccf I have looked at uses the identical visual component to access the media database.

Specifically, it is a tree structure that expands - mirroring the structure of the MEdia Library (and PLaylists) in MC. It looks like this:

This tree seems to be a fixed view (you can change the font size and that it). There seems to be lot of flexibility on other buttons, backgrounds etc... but this bit seems to be a static feature.

It does not seem possible to create an alternate visual representation of the media library. For examples - primary library choices in a left pane and its children in a separate pane on the right. SOmething like this, for example:

If I'm wrong - I'd love someone to show me the details -- as netremote is strong in many other regards.

s.

JimH · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2004, 09:40:54 am »

Did you try the forum at netremote.org?

skavan · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2004, 09:49:07 am »

I have now...!

roognation · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2004, 03:07:59 am »

FYI: You may want to check out the www.prismiq.com all-media hardware...there is also the hardware from http://www.zonaudio.com/home/home.php which is just for audio.

I am interested in getting MC control via ethernet for some of the touchpanels/controllers I am using from www.amx.com Of course, I need to spend a little time researching this before I open my big mouth.

Mike

Mastiff · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2004, 01:50:14 pm »

You're wrong. Try to download the user uploaded file called mc 800x600 3, the second file from the top.

jwilson56 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2004, 06:15:40 pm »

I have a 5 zone (with sync also) built with MC 10 and Netremote. I also use Homeseer and the hsGirder plugin which allows two way communication from Homeseer to Netremote. From Homeseer I control the Slink-e interface. I use a Xitech HI-FI Pro and M-Audio Delta 410 sound card.

I frequent the NR and Homeseer message boards.

John

Livin · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2004, 10:53:21 pm »

I use Netremote also but I'd really like to see a view in NR that is like the Theater Mode in MC10.
It would be great to have MC10 generate the "pages" and just feed them preformed into NR. This would take much of the stress off of the NR interface.

cncb · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2004, 08:03:06 am »

What are the advantages of NetRemote? Why wouldn't you just run MC on the remote computer as a client of Media Server and use Theater View? It seems that the only thing missing would be to sync up multiple clients.

milknkukis · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2004, 09:00:35 am »

Can someone give me a clue how to get zone sync working? i only have two zones at the moment, but at present i'm using physical switches to sync the zones.
I have plans to expand but want to sort this first as i find it a big limitation.
cheers
mark
Also, instead of using a remote control and a lcd, why not just get a cheap touch screen lcd off ebay? ok, they aren't very big, but i think they would be great for a kitchen! My remotes always tend to dissappear on a daily basis....

Mastiff · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2004, 06:27:13 pm »

This solution has been posted in this forum before: Have an extra sound card with SPDIF out. Use a splitter and send that output to all the other sound cards that are connected to specific zones. Then you can use Girder and an IR remote or NetRemote/Girder to turn on and off the digital input of those zone specific cards.

milknkukis · « **Reply #16 on:** June 12, 2004, 05:09:42 am »

Thanks Mastiff, I'll look into it.
What's the most sound cards anyone has fitted in one pc? At present i use on board sound and a sb live and that took a while due to irq probs. The thought of doing it all again is not something i would relish....
cheers
mark

Mastiff · « **Reply #17 on:** June 12, 2004, 11:06:50 am »

Then you must have done something wrong... I have had six sound cards in one computer without any problems. Right now I have five (onboard, one generic USB, one Abit, one SB Live! 5.1 and one Audigy 2). What you should do is to have a look at the kX drivers for SB Live! and Audigy. They will let you adress each mini-jack as a separate sound card. Have a look at my webpage and you might get some ideas. As for IRQ's - as long as you're not using Win9x, that shouldn't be a problem. If youre using Win9x, that's the problem! I have successfully done the multi sound card thing with Win2K Win2k Advanced Server, Win XP and Win 2003 Server. Win9X really is totally and utterly worthless for anything else than old children's games that doesn't work under 2k/XP. And you can quote me on that!

Cocophone · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2004, 10:08:48 am »

Someone that posts on netremote.org uses a M-Audio Delta 410 sound card. It has multiple outputs.

I'm starting a "slush" fund at home to save up for one.

==Cocophone==

Mastiff · « **Reply #19 on:** June 13, 2004, 10:12:06 am »

It's a very good card, but if you're not sending audio to high end devices (I use some boom boxes and cheap receivers in bathrooms and my son's room) or will be sending out SPIDF (which I use for living room, HT and master bedroom) it's unnecessary expensive. Then you may as well go with cheap Live! 5.1 or even low end Audigy.

Cocophone · « **Reply #20 on:** June 13, 2004, 12:21:15 pm »

Mastiff,

I saw this card online for about $115.

I was thinking it would be about the same cost as buying multiple soundcards.

I was just going to send it to typical homeowner stereo receivers.

Also, I thought it might be easier to setup one soundcard instead of several soundcard working together in the computer.

==Cocophone==

Mastiff · « **Reply #21 on:** June 13, 2004, 02:57:24 pm »

OK, than it's about half the price as I'm used to. In that case you might as well go for it.

jleerigby · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2004, 03:14:41 am »

I paid £152 for a M-Audio Delta Dio 24/96. This compares to an Audigy2 that costs around £46. Here's a thread where I share my views of each card:

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=19447;start=msg134783#msg134783

In summary, when both cards are used with exactly the same settings (no DSP) there is no noticable difference in sound quality (to me anyway). Is this because I'm playing low bit rate MP3s and/or using a rubbish AMP & speakers? Not really. I tested with an original CD and I have a decent AMP (Denon AVR3802) with good quality Bower & Wilkins (600 series 3) speakers.

I even compared the Audigy2 playing a 160 kbps MP3 to the Delta Dio playing the same track from the original CD and I still couldn't tell the difference. However, when I switched on the DSP stuff that comes with the Audigy2 drivers (parametric equaliser with custom settings) and I made a few slight tweaks to the treble and bass sliders (another nice feature of the Audigy2) then the Audigy2 sounded much nicer than the M-Audio. I also like the fact that I can adjust Bass & Treble on the fly using my remote - very handy.

So I have a nearly new M-Audio Delta DIO 24/96 in perfect condition for sale if anyone is interested. But if I were you I'd go get an Audigy2 for a lot less money.

jleerigby · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2004, 03:15:57 am »

I paid £152 for a M-Audio Delta Dio 24/96. This compares to an Audigy2 that costs around £46. Here's a thread where I share my views of each card:

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=19447;start=msg134783#msg134783

In summary, when both cards are used with exactly the same settings (no DSP) there is no noticable difference in sound quality (to me anyway). Is this because I'm playing low bit rate MP3s and/or using a rubbish AMP & speakers? Not really. I tested with an original CD and I have a decent AMP (Denon AVR3802) with good quality Bower & Wilkins (600 series 3) speakers.

I even compared the Audigy2 playing a 160 kbps MP3 to the Delta Dio playing the same track from the original CD and I still couldn't tell the difference. However, when I switched on the DSP stuff that comes with the Audigy2 drivers (parametric equaliser with custom settings) and I made a few slight tweaks to the treble and bass sliders (another nice feature of the Audigy2) then the Audigy2 sounded much nicer than the M-Audio. I also like the fact that I can adjust Bass & Treble on the fly using my remote - very handy.

So I have a nearly new M-Audio Delta DIO 24/96 in perfect condition for sale if anyone is interested. But if I were you I'd go get an Audigy2 for a lot less money.

milknkukis · « **Reply #24 on:** June 14, 2004, 03:45:40 am »

Wierd! I'm using xp as well, i had to install the sb live card in three different pci slots before i could get both it and the onboard sound working at the same time. I will look into those drivers though, they might be useful.
Has anyone tried installing two cards of the same type? If you ever read the creative forum you would believe it is close to impossible to have multiple cards working, but one suggestion i have heard is to use different drivers. I quite like my sb live and at the price you really can't argue! (serious quality isn't going to be an issue for quite a long time yet, buying decent amp and speakers is near the bottom of a very long list of things to spend money on. i have been using creative 5200(?)'s for ages)
Thanks for the offer of the delta card JLee, but its a bit out of my league!
thanks for all the advice,
cheers
mark
PS. saw the red hot chilli peppers last night, not bad!

Mastiff · « **Reply #25 on:** June 14, 2004, 05:26:52 am »

Again the same answer: kX drivers. I have actually tried with four Live! 5.1 cards in the same computer, just for fun. I got them working perfectly and removed them again.

The reason why they can't do it at Creative is that they are rubbish at writing drivers! Period. Heck, even the lowly C-Media audio device (like many onboard solutions and Zoltrix cards) can be installed together and will work without a hitch. And can this be a motherboard or BIOS issue? Maybe your mobo is very bad at sharing IRQs?

milknkukis · « **Reply #26 on:** June 14, 2004, 05:41:33 am »

Cool, just wanted to know if it worked before i bought another card! As for the mobo, well maybe i was just unlucky!
Now i can go and drill some holes in our house, the gf will love that.

I will definately try out those drivers, sounds like just what i need.
cheers
mark

Mastiff · « **Reply #27 on:** June 14, 2004, 05:44:00 am »

Oh yes, drilling holes to cables is always popular... But my wife stopped complaining when I got better at running hidden cables all over the place.

milknkukis · « **Reply #28 on:** June 14, 2004, 05:54:45 am »

Cables aren't the problem here, its guessing what the wall is made of! I live in a flat from about 1880, the walls can be any thickness with anything stuffed in the middle. When it goes wrong, you are left with a big hole! I think i might go crawling around under the floor and wire it that way.... much fun

Mastiff · « **Reply #29 on:** June 14, 2004, 11:46:51 am »

Probably as much fun as I had...I went up in the attic, and that place is full of isolation and mice droppings...

dwightk · « **Reply #30 on:** October 06, 2004, 12:58:41 pm »

What happened with the original idea, a Microsoft Media Center UI for multizone audio using JRiver Mediacenter as the jukebox?

Is anyone interested in this?

I would be willing to help develop this if anyone is working on this.

Dwight Krossa

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Whole House Audio Project - Volunteers? (Read 6635 times)

jleerigby

jleerigby