spenlinhauer

I just spent an hour with iTunes. Honestly, its not really designed for a touchscreen style interface. I did look at coverflow, but it doesn't really feel right - and once the collection gets larger I am not sure it's going to perform how I'd like. (like being the operative word here) I did find one iTunes Module that allows for a touch interface, but it was woefully underdeveloped. However I ran across AlbumPlayer which has some of the elements I am looking for, but missing others. I can't evaluate sound quality yet as I am just testing on some computer speakers. Currently I'll settle for an interface and tackle the sound after. I'll most likely be building a custom machine once I figure this out. And I got the aforementioned "discontinued" program to actually run at least for a couple of songs before crashing and while it really needs some work, the core idea still draws me into using it. (Once I hear back from the developer, I'll share more details about this) And I've already started an online C++ programming tutorial...Ahh brings back memories of college, if I could have only passed calculus I would have gotten a minor in programming - so 20 years post I need to do some brushing up! Sepp PS Paul> I respect that you have problems with Windows. Its crazy to think I used and was a Mac Expert until grad school and then I dropped it like a hot potato! I just can't get my head around how frustrating it is to do simple things on a Mac - for something that is supposed to be intuitive. My primary example is that on a Mac you can ONLY resize a window from the lower right corner - on a PC, you can grab ANY edge or corner. AND when I MAXIMIZE a file in the Preview application, it never does... only makes it to 1/2 the size of the display.... There maybe workarounds, but honestly I can't be bothered..... (we can debate this forever and I'm not passing judgement on the users, really just on Apple...) And in the same breath, I have not upgraded from MS Office 2002, because every time I test out the upgrade, It takes me longer to the same things in the new & improved programs.... And the same can be said about adobe..... Software engineers are a weird bunch....

Ok.... I didn't post this earlier because I didn't want to go down that road, but I really really don't like Apple or Apple products. We do actually HAVE a macbook, so this is not an off-the-cuff remark. Ann I can honestly say that using it is not a desirable experience for me or my partner. I also have several friends with iPads, iPhones, etc. Our neighbor just got Apple TV, and I'd go batty trying to use it on a regular basis (although a wireless keyboard would probably be a huge improvement!) Add to this that I also disagree with their general policies and you can see it's really not my goto option.... BUT: BUT, based on your info here, I will honestly take the time to investigate iTunes again, now that I actually have a Touchscreen setup. If it really can be skinned with an interface, then it might be the way to go. (the bold is just to indicate how much of a stretch this is for me!!!! My family might never let me live down!) I do understand that the idea of an interface to several different programs is a big picture idea. My basic thinking is that the GUI would use a variable driven "plug-in" to access the backend, but this is really beyond the current conundrum at this point. And to the idea of "not going back"... the reason I am being so specific about this is that I have been using programs in the office for several years now and none of them are satisfying when I am trying to decide what to listen to. (and yes I end up listening to the same old, same old.) But the times I have loaded and tested more of a browse interface, I am more inclined to listen to less played selections. I'll be sure to keep you posted, because you're feedback will be valuable should I decide to actually develop this further. Thanks, Sepp...

Thanks Chris, I have not spent any time actually USING Sooloos. I have not gone to a store and there have been no salesmen involved (thank god for that)... I have based my decision that it probably is the best from watching youtube videos of the system in action and reading about it. It does seem that they took the right approach to finding music. My big concern is that it is a closed system, requiring their hardware to expand, so it could get very expensive even if I could get the main interface on an ebay auction. As for JRiver, I have to say, so far it really really does not fit my needs. At least the test that I just did with a 19" touchscreen and the Obsidian touchscreen interface (which took me a few minutes to understand how to get to... it has to be selected in the options panel.) was WHOLLY un-satifiying. Simple things like going "back" did not actually take me back to the place I was, but rather to the home view for that screen. There were no transport controls visible while navigating (actually I couldn't actually find a "play NEXT" button to skip the currently playing track and advance to the next play list track. No persistent volume slider, or other controls, something that I feel is a must - not to mention that I could barely see the black on black slider.... And I didn't find that my album cover art loaded as smoothly as in your video. I'll have to play with it some more to see if its the machine or not. I would say that on par, the Obsidian interface feels like it was not developed for actual touch interface, but a modified TV interface. The fact that the options slide around and change locations makes it hard to use any kind of "mind memory" to navigate. When I use my current cd player and even record player, there is some serious mind memory, I can pretty much put the needle on the record without looking. I can certainly push all the buttons on my cd player without looking. I have memorized the remote control in my bedroom, where I can change anything in the dark. (if you have a garmin GPS unit, at least from a couple of years ago, they had the "BACK" button on every page except the home screen at which point it changed to "STOP", which would cancel your current navigation. It was a "what are they thinking" moment, and you realize that "they" couldn't have actually used the products they release!) As for the specifics of what I am looking for, that's a harder call mainly because there aren't many interfaces that I have felt are worth following up on. But you can bet I'll be doing more research, and going to a store to play with Sooloos. One thing that is missing is the ability to have an on-screen keyboard, so the entire system can be well run from a wall mounted touchscreen. The reality is, a 1920x1080 screen is a lot of real estate to design an interface for that can do some really nice things. That's what I want to do. I am thinking that I'll be venturing out into the world of interface development soon.... My thinking is that if I hire a developer for $3,000 to develop a skin for Jriver (or some other program), I could get what I wanted and still be less than a sooloos. I have sent an email to the guy who developed the interface that I like to see if I could take ownership of it and develop it further. Ideally I could create a skin type interface that could be "ported" to sit on top of a couple of different players. This way the interface would truly be independent from the "play back" software. I'm going to try some other software over the next couple of weeks now that I have the touchscreen setup on dedicated computer. Any other suggestions? I welcome any support or comments - you could tell me its not worth it... Sepp

I am not sure which forum to post this in, so I picked software. I am looking to build/get a music server, but every time I test out the software I cringe at the music search interface or GUI. I don't listen to my collection in a list. I browse it. I don't listen when at my desk, I listen when I am "in the house". Currently when I look for music, I am searching through my cds & records. These takes up (2) 18 foot long bookcases. Its a visual, tactile, organic search. The idea that I am going to reduce this search to a 10" tablet or 4" android phone makes me "crazy". I have invested in my music, I can invest in a 24" monitor to "search" a digital collection. But I can't find an interface that is really designed for that. (more below) I don't have a portable music player because everytime I use my friends iPod/PMP, I can't get into it. My brother & dad have a Sonos systems. No love there. I have tried iTunes, Winamp, Foobar, XBMC, JRiver, Banshee, Songbird, XXhighend.. and a couple that arn't supported anymore - one that I really like, but can't get working anymore. I have looked at sooloos and even bid on an ebay auction, and several other "turn key" music servers, but none have really seemed like the interface was going to make me happy. (OK the sooloos might be it, but we lost the auction at $3500. At full retail, I think its far outside our price range). So far Jriver with a "theater" view on the touch screen is the best, but not satisfying by a LONG SHOT. And I am not sure, based on what I have read about the upgrading I am going to want to invest in that. And it is more centered around media and I want a system focused on music. I know I am being picky. But I feel all alone out here. Is no-one else having these issues? I have not read anything that gives me any comfort, which is why I am posting. I want to either find it or maybe pay to have it made. (meaning pay for a "skin interface" to another player, no reason to rebuild the car, when it really only needs a new steering wheel) Lastly, I think that 50% of the joy of my music is picking what I want to hear. Sometimes I want to sit and listen to a "perfect" selection, but really the other 80% of the time, I want to hear my music as I do other things. TO do that I need to interface to my music so I can get on doing the other things. (Other things in house (which is a 1910 brownstone) is already wired to hear the same source in every room, the workshop and outside.) So anyone else out there know where to point me? Or does anyone make custom "skins" and want to discuss details? Sepp

Ok, So I already wrote up a whole two pages about what I have, what I want, how I had intended to get there, and then I just spent an hour reading every comment on the C.A.P.S. article, I am completely and totally Brain Fried! Thank god I have my basic simple, integrated audio output playing some soothing internet radio lounge music on my office PC! So, yes I am an NOOB here, and my current system is ancient, but it is time to go digital. I’ll try to keep this short, but I keep getting “winded”….. My current system is 10-25 years old, with an NAD 7400pe (integrated amp), a Sony ES series CD player, Techniques Turntable, Definitive Tech BP10s and B&W 601s, along with an active crossover, Crown amp powering some home 'grown' 15” subs when I want to feel the music (ok its house music – I used to DJ, and I used to run lights in NYC Night clubs with truly amazing sound systems - so a good thump is needed sometimes.) This all started when I read about the Habey fanless PCs and I thought, $400, use my “spare” touch-screen monitor and I’m good to go. I can add a 1TB mirrored NAS to the network and then be able to access the music from all the computers in the house/office. Ok, so that’s just using the crappy integrated Audio – bad choice, but a start. I could add a USB->DAC later, after research. ( I can say that I don’t see being able to pursue a $600 Lynx card at this stage) But this only goes so far. Option 2, was to build a full blown HTPC, with HD video, surround, the works. I could even use my “old” P4 mobo for the initial build, and invest in a good quiet case with a good audio card. Or even go the S/PDIF ->DAC route. Again use my existing Touch-screen monitor. This case could also house the first couple of 1Tb drives to get me started on my FLAC library and also house a Blu-Ray player for Ripping. Option 3, is to go for the MSI Wind “all-in-one” touch-screen (AE2220), with an integrated S/PDIF TOS link. It is a very new idea. $800 including Win7 and monitor. Or go a bit smaller with, XP and an ATOM processor for $425. It would require an external DAC and NAS for storage. Also not sure about how noisy the unit is, both from a FAN and electrical/power supply/integral wireless standpoint. I have searched for reviews and applications for this, but only found one post and no replies yet. Based on what I have read here, I am wondering if I can find a happy medium between Option 1 & 2. I am interested to hear more about the systems that hubsand outlines as being able to handle video. I looked at the Zotac Site, but there seem to be many similar options. One thing to note is that the touch-screen monitor will require a USB to Com port adaptor, so the reason I like the idea of the Zotac MB is that I can use the dedicated S/PDIF TOS/COAX for the audio without interrupting the USB bus. It also has Raid 1 built in, so I can mirror the HD. Other equipment, on my investigate list are the Nova or the Xonar Essence depending on the particular implementation – actually I am thinking, if the Essence fits on the Zotac board, I might go that route to start and then move it to an office PC once I move the main system over to an external DAC. Any Advice will be absorbed with greedy haste! Hopefully my paralysis will subside and I’ll be able to swipe my CC in a vendors slot sometime soon. Till then I'll keep reading, and reading and reading and reading and reading...... SEPP