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[JimH]

We still need to solve a couple of problems, but even so, it has already become my primary audio player at home.

We're planning to take a few orders about May 15 for shipment on June 1.  We'll offer an introductory discount.  I'd like to get the price down to $295, but it's tough to do.

Here's the description:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Id

I don't think beta members are our primary target for this.  Many are able to build their own.  But I'm interested in your take on this, including any typos or errors that you see.

Thanks,

Jim

[mwillems]

We still need to solve a couple of problems, but even so, its become my primary audio player at home.

We're aiming at taking a few orders around May 15 for shipment on June 1.  We'll offer in introductory discount.  I'd like to get the price down to $295, but it's tight.

Here's the description:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Id

I don't think the beta members are our primary target since many are more than capable of building their own equivalent.  But I'm interested in your take on this, including any typos or errors.

Thanks,

Jim

I think that's a really good pitch, and will appeal to many folks.  I think it'll be a nice device that answers a "felt need."  I do have two questions about the "portable media player" section.  

1) When I read "portable media player" I think of something like an Ipod or a Sansa Clip, i.e. something battery-powered with a headphone jack.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_media_player.  The Id won't have a battery, right?  If not, some folks might come to the wrong conclusion about the device.  It might not be an issue in practice, but I wanted to mention it as it's the first place my brain went.  It might be worth clarifying in the ad copy, or using something a little vaguer for the heading like "Take your media with you," or "Portable media server."

2) You mention hooking the Id directly to an amp; does the stereo jack put out a high-impedance line-level output, or a low-impedance amplified output (i.e. suitable for headphones)?  Most 1/8 inch jacks are only one or the other (although I've seen some that can be switched). There can be problems from hooking up a low-impedance headphone output to the input of an amp.  Obviously lots of folks hook up the outputs of laptops to amps everyday, and it's not usually an issue, but depending on the specifics, double amplification can cause some amps to act flaky due to the impedance mismatch.  Not sure it's necessarily a problem for the Id (I don't have a NUC nearby to measure the output impedance), but it may be worth taking a measurement to confirm it's not a super low impedance output (which might create support issues down the road).

That's just what I thought of reading through the copy; I'm looking forward to seeing the roll out!

[MrC]

The one thing I'm thinking, there is going to be some name confusion, due to the Wiki font used.  The ID looks like and LD or a 1D.  Even though you describe it later as Imaginary device, some will call it "LD".  Maybe setting the font for that word on the Wiki page will avoid such confusion and ambiguity.

[fitbrit]

1) I prefer the 'Synapse' name.
2) $295 would be a great price for the hardware/software combo.
3) Is the device capable of running Theater View in its current form? Or is it designed only for remote control from a tablet or other instance of MC?

[Hendrik]

3) Is the device capable of running Theater View in its current form? Or is it designed only for remote control from a tablet or other instance of MC?

It runs MC Linux, so no theater view (yet).
Whenever Linux gets support for that, there is no reason it couldn't learn to do this.

[JimH]

1) I prefer the 'Synapse' name.

I had been going back and forth.  I ended up asking Matt when he visited.  "Id", he said.  Id it is.  Or Ld.  Or 1d.

2) $295 would be a great price for the hardware/software combo.

We may make it.  

3) Is the device capable of running Theater View in its current form? Or is it designed only for remote control from a tablet or other instance of MC?

What Hendrik said.  Video and images, too.  The device is able to update itself.

[MrC]

Id: the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains a human's basic, instinctual drives.... It is the source of our bodily needs, wants, desires, and impulses...

Nothing can possibly go worng.

[JimH]

It's such a perfect nmae.

[fitbrit]

It runs MC Linux, so no theater view (yet).
Whenever Linux gets support for that, there is no reason it couldn't learn to do this.

Thanks, Hendrik. I haven't been keeping up with Linux development, so I didn't know.

I'm tempted to buy one and swap out the SSD from the ID into my own NUC, which has lower specs, and would be a great music only device. Then I could run PC MC on the ID hardware. And Linux on mine.

Hmmmm... Maybe JRiver could sell SSDs with the software on them for people who want to choose their own hardware (within limits of what is compatible of course).

[MrC]

It's such a perfect nmae.

Id agree.

[fitbrit]

I had been going back and forth.  I ended up asking Matt when he visited.  "Id", he said.  Id it is.  Or Ld.  Or 1d.We may make it.  What Hendrik said.  Video and images, too.  The device is able to update itself.

You invoke Matt's name. Id it is.
And I will love the name.

[fitbrit]

Id: the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains a human's basic, Instinctual drives.... It is the source of our bodily needs, wants, desires, and impulses...

Nothing can possibly go worng.

There you go.

[JimH]

Id agree.

LOLOL

[cncb]

Wasn't your previous player also called the Id making this the Id2?

[astromo]

I think WiDi is a typo.

Given that WiFi is another way brilliant (even if disputed) Oz invention, it seems right that one of the Antipodean contingent would spot this.

[glynor]

I think WiDi is a typo.

Given that WiFi is another way brilliant (even if disputed) Oz invention, it seems right that one of the Antipodean contingent would spot this.

WiDi is a thing.

I think Intel has largely given up on it though.  Never got adopted, and didn't work very well from what I read.

[glynor]

1) When I read "portable media player" I think of something like an Ipod or a Sansa Clip, i.e. something battery-powered with a headphone jack.

+1

That needs a change.

[jmone]

I don't think beta members are our primary target for this.  Many are able to build their own.  But I'm interested in your take on this, including any typos or errors that you see.

You could offer an ID Software only (I'm happy to test as I have that NUC but would revert back to my Win install as I use it as a TheaterView front end + Video Playback so need the Win version)

[JimH]

WiDi is a thing.

I think Intel has largely given up on it though.  Never got adopted, and didn't work very well from what I read.

I don't think it's been around long enough to declare it dead.  Here's an article:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/tablet-pc-samsung-windows-slate,3079-13.html

[JimH]

When I read "portable media player" I think of something like an Ipod or a Sansa Clip, i.e. something battery-powered with a headphone jack.  

+1

That needs a change.

What is it called then?  A mini HTPC?  Id Mini?  Id To Go?

It is a portable media player (in search of an outlet).

[JimH]

Wasn't your previous player also called the Id making this the Id2?

So few people know about it that I think it's safe to use the name.  We'll call the original Id Classic.

[JimH]

You could offer an ID Software only ...

We may eventually do that.  Or ship an SSD with it installed, as was suggested by fitbrit.  I think that should come after we have the whole package working smoothly.

[astromo]

WiDi is a thing.

I think Intel has largely given up on it though.  Never got adopted, and didn't work very well from what I read.

Thanks for that. Now I know.

[glynor]

It is a portable media player (in search of an outlet).

That, itself, isn't bad.

I just think adding an unqualified "portable" (which has a meaning, the iPod "category"), will confuse people.  It is obviously not a Portable (capital P), because it has no battery.  But it is somewhat portable (little "p" -- I get what you were trying to say).

[glynor]

It is a portable media player (in search of an outlet).

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

It is concise, removes the ambiguity and possible confusion, and its kinda cute.  Add that.

[glynor]

What's the situation on drivers for DACs?

The current copy on the Wiki says:

The Id can stand alone and play to any audio amplifier or DAC.

I'm thinking:

The Id can stand alone and play to any audio amplifier or home theater receiver.  It also works with a variety of high-quality USB DACs.

If you have a qualified DAC list, at least a handful that have been tested, you link the "USB DACs" text to a separate [[Id Compatible DACs]] Wiki article with the list.

[InflatableMouse]

It is a portable media player (in search of an outlet).

I wonder why you want to call it portable? Because it is conveniently small and fits in a bag? Or is there some other reason I'm missing?

The Id can stand alone and play to any audio amplifier or DAC.

MediaCenter on Linux currently doesn't play nice with my DAC. It doesn't do DSD or DoP. Some people have reported problems with their DAC's, too. A statement like this might be a little bold. I like Glynor's suggestion.

[InflatableMouse]

Btw, I already own a NUC (latest gen with Haswell i5/HD5000) which is my HTPC with Windows 8.1.

I think I have plenty of space to run dual boot. If you like someone to help beta test give me a ping. I own an external DAC too, a Teac UD-501 with support for 2xDSD and DoP.

[JimH]

I wonder why you want to call it portable? Because it is conveniently small and fits in a bag?

Yes, and it can stand alone.  It has MC, a drive, and audio out.  You can attach a mouse and a keyboard to it.  You can connect it to a display.  It's a complete computer, dedicated to media.

[cncb]

So few people know about it that I think it's safe to use the name.  We'll call the original Id Classic.

So, like Coke only the new one is actually better.

[rpalmer68]

So, like Coke only the new one is actually better.

I sure hope so, I have the original ID and it only saw the light of day a few times, just wasn't reliable enough unfortunately.

[jmone]

Heads up on Intel dropping the n2820 for a n2830 - http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2014/04/24/intel-n2820/1

Those in the market for a low-power Bay Trail NUC are warned: Intel has confirmed that it is holding inventory of the earlier N2820 models, and will deplete said inventory before shipping the upgraded revision to its customers. Coupled with retailers' own stock, it could be a while before the upgraded NUC kits actually start filtering into customers' hands.

[jmone]

mmmmm I see someone a Chicken has been playing with my sig    

[JimH]

You must always pay close attention.

[jmone]

   I need google glass!

[MrC]

The first posting I've seen about Id on the old SlimDevices forums:

    http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?101632-JRiver-Id-New-Media-Player

[Hilton]

Hi Bob,

Do you remember this fix for copy/paste?
I know it isn't needed yet with the Id because it's not meant to have other apps running, but you cant do any copy/paste unless this fix is installed.
With this in place I've been able to do proper library management now with copy paste for album art from the web.
----------------
Linux has 3 distinct copy/paste buffer systems.
We are starting with the least complex, the same method xterm uses (cut buffers).
To synchronize the primary and clipboard clipboards you can use a little utility autocutsel.
sudo apt-get install autocutsel
then run the synchronizer commands from a terminal or put them in your X startup scripts.
autocutsel -fork &
autocutsel -selection PRIMARY -fork &

I wish I'd know about this a while ago since I prefer using xterm over the various ones that come with kde, etc.
The problem was the lack of ability to copy / paste between xterm and other apps (at least the way my system is configured).


http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=85544.msg584427#msg584427

[Hendrik]

We should probably try to make copy/paste work in the Linux version without an external utility like this, put it on the long list of things that need doing.

[Hilton]

Bob my Id lost its license key today. Was working after I first did the last upgrade and booted from text to GUI, but going back to txt mode 3 this morning I couldn't connect in the car, and also when I fired it up inside tonight. Switched back to GUI tonight and it said license expired. Booted back to txt and still no go. Have just reset with 77. See how I go.

[Hilton]

77 fixed it.

PS. It would be good if you could move the library backups somewhere else and softlink them so they don't get wiped in a reset. Lucky I remembered, and that I can get into the Id to copy the backups before the reset and then put them back!  It also restores all my settings which is a PITA to setup again if you don't have a backup to restore from.