RE: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Sheez... If all you want to do is play MP3's on your stereo, consider the much cheaper solution of a 6 gig portable player... Check out www.archos.com 320.00 retail. You dump your MP3's to it via the USB port (it appears as an external hard disk drive)... I'm playing with getting Linux to work with it now. We'll see... -JMS -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Vincent Danen Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 8:19 PM To: Linux Mandrake Expert Mailing List Subject: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed Well, I finally got my hands on a low-end machine (hmmm... that seems backwards). This one is a cast off of my brothers and is a Compaq Deskpro P60 or something with 48MB RAM. Has a 2GB HDD. I'm putting in a 10/100 realtek PCI nic and want to put in a soundblaster. I plan on mounting my machine's MP3 drive via NFS on this little box and hooking it up to my home stereo. Since the home stereo is a Harman Kardon amp with Nuance speakers, I obviously want the best soundcard I can get to take advantage of the system it'll be connecting to. I was thinking of the sb live platinum 5.1. It has that front panel with the infrared remote control and such. It's a little pricy for us Canadians, so I want to make sure it'll do what I hope it will. Has anyone run one of these beasties under Linux? Specifically, I'm hoping there is some way to make the remote control xmms if possible. I want this box to be headless or, if necessary, have it connected to my TV (I have no idea if this is possible... I know you can get video cards to bring the TV *in*, but is there a video card to put the video out to a TV, and if so, what kind?). Considering how much of this stuff is onboard (it is a Compaq), I'm not sure if another videocard will work on it (anyone know?). If nothing else, is there some kind of convertor to take a standard VGA out to a TV in? Maybe that might be the easiest way (although I have no idea if this kind of thing exists). All I want is a way to see what xmms is doing so i can change songs or something (if the remote doesn't work). Maybe there's a better way to do this with a console app, like mpg123... I mean, I can ssh into the box from another machine and get it to start playing, but that's kind of a pain in the butt and I'd rather avoid it if necessary. As you can see, I haven't the first clue about this sort of thing. I absolutely horrible with electronics, and I've followed some mp3-box "how-to's" out there about buying an LCD display you connect to your serial port to display what songs are playing and some really funky ways to control the player with a remote. I'm looking for a relatively cheap way to do it (the platinum would be the most expensive component considering I got this machine free, I don't want to spend much more than the cost of the soundblaster card). Anyone done this or am I asking the impossible? Heck, it might be impossible to get Linux installed on this thing... I haven't even tried that yet (talk about getting way ahead of myself). Anyways, it's a weekend project and I was wondering if someone had an experience with something like this so I'm not beating a dead horse if someone else has a magic recipe or knows of some programs that will do what I want. Thanks muchly in advance. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 1 day 5 hours 23 minutes.
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Sunday 07 January 2001 12:35, you wrote: > You'll be able to play MP3's on the Pentium CPU since it has a math > co-prossecor, but unless you've got a DMA capable hard drive and lots of > RAM the songs will play back real choppy. You need to first load the Speaking from personal experience, MP3's (especially those encoded for >=128 bits) require a lot of oomph in the CPU to play well. They can likely be played well if you have a little faster CPU (say a Pentium >200 mhz). On my Pentium 100, many MP3s sound choppy except the OTR ones that are recorded with lower fidelity (they don't need it, since they are mostly AM recorded old time radio shows -- for that, the P100 is fine). You will get better response using a command line app like mpg123. It is quite easy to tell the difference in audio output using mpg123 vs. xmms or KDE's mp3 player (that one is worse). The graphics introduce too much overhead. You also don't have a lot of memory, so if you run in X, you'll want to use a less memory-hungry desktop/window manager. KDE or GNOME would be way overkill for what you want to do, in my opinion. > In my opinion, you'd be better off using a text-based version of Linux > with a text-based MP3 player. You could then control the player through Agreed as well. > Stef -- David E. Fox Thanks for letting me [EMAIL PROTECTED]change magnetic patterns [EMAIL PROTECTED] on your hard disk. ---
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
> > Men what a project this will cost you double my > usual > > fee. ok ok normal fee , got to admit you cant beat my price and service ;) > Geez man... you're nuts! =) thanx > Well, I'm thinking of a remote keyboard/mouse idea > now... not as nice > as using a small remote, but it'll do the trick. ok > Then I can also use > that machine for a little bit more than mp3 playing, > and it gives me > decent access to it since I don't want it running > any servers so it > will be untouchable via the internet/lan other than > it running the > samba client to mount an already-existing share on > my machine (shared > for my win machine). > 640x480 VGA monitor hiding in the cabinet. =) No > expense. I've > decided to forgo the new video card (they are all > much more pricey > than I want to spend). Saw an article about a site where you say what you whant and what price you whant to pay for it cant find url do its about reverse auction I think. > Well, I don't need the DVD rom since I've got a real > DVD player > already connected... its an all in one package and if the already there dvd bust its nice to have replacement I know my already there 19 " monitor busted add too switch to my already there 17" since my already there 19" will probably be gone for a month or 2. I don't really need two (plus > then I'm buying > the rom and the hardware decoder card so that it > will actually play > decently). Right now, I figure I can spend about > half of the money I > would on the alternatives. I've also decided to go > for a SB16 ($40) > instead of the platinum. I would not, look up awe 64 or oem sounblaster live there is alway ebay www.ebay.com or yahoo auction got to watch price because in american dollar I figure since my CD > player is only > connected to my amp using stereo cabling (not > digital) and it sounds > pretty awesome, I figure I'll do the same for the > mp3 box. This also > saves me about $150. Since the speakers and the amp > have a lot to do > with the sound quality (and this is a $5k stereo > system that sounds > unbelievable... everyone should have Nuance > speakers), ask nuance to lower there price hehehe I figure the > sound should be pretty good from a SB16 to this rig. trust me it wont I remember my neighboor who is a musician coming to my place and saying what card I add when I installed the awe 64 from a sb 16 , thats what he add a sb 16 and I add to give him the exact model because he wanted the same at that time. and I dont think they have the same number of out plug , The live drive has SPDIF IN and SPDIF OUT jacks. It has a headphone jack and a MIC IN jack its 2 for sb16 and 4 for awe gold and up > And it saves me > quite a bit. > > Maybe I'll get a platinum for myself in the future, > and one of those > creative desktop 5.1 theater deals for my own > machine... =) Then I > can put the x-gamer into the win machine and connect > the altec > speakers on there and play diablo2 in style... =) probably be a port of it to linux by then hehehe another option would be to write at creative and ask them if they would be willing to give out prize like platinum card to your website in exchange of testing of the remote under linux and free advertisement ... thats worth a shot ... worst answer is no , best one is do you whant to test dvd , soundcard and other stuff ... __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online! http://photos.yahoo.com/
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Vincent Danen wrote: > Yeah, I was looking at the MP3 live 5.1 card (about half the price of > the platinum since the remote for the platinum won't do me much good > anyways). Do you know what kind of digital outs those cards have? > Are they coax or optical? My DVD player is connected to the sole > optical input on the amp, but I have two coax inputs that I can use. > And thanks for the tip... I'll have to check FS's website... Right > now I'm just gonna put a 640x480 monitor in a covered space beneath > the TV until a better solution presents itself. =) Probly optical, I'm not sure, like I said before I'm still using an SB16 ISA :-D Take a look over at: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/mp35.1/specs.asp You might be able to find the info that your looking for there :-D Two things worth mentioning, Creative only supports drivers for Windows 9.x and NT, and, I also saw a SoundBlaster LIVE Platinum OEM with digital outs over at CompuSmart for 80 bucks... Stef
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Mon Jan 08, 2001 at 05:06:25AM -0800, - - wrote: > Men what a project this will cost you double my usual > fee. Geez man... you're nuts! =) [*Many* links snipped...] > if the remote work with linux thats the biggest > question, the sounblaster live platinum is the best > product. > > otherwise irman is working under linux and you can use > any remote Well, I'm thinking of a remote keyboard/mouse idea now... not as nice as using a small remote, but it'll do the trick. Then I can also use that machine for a little bit more than mp3 playing, and it gives me decent access to it since I don't want it running any servers so it will be untouchable via the internet/lan other than it running the samba client to mount an already-existing share on my machine (shared for my win machine). > for the tv out I dont know, I know it work I just dont > know that this particular machine add a card that did > tv out probably another expense 640x480 VGA monitor hiding in the cabinet. =) No expense. I've decided to forgo the new video card (they are all much more pricey than I want to spend). > since you are installing a network card and you have 2 > gig I know you can install lm 7.2 on it , do you have > a cd-rom ? Yup. 7.2 is on it already now. > frankly if you add a 20 gig or a better machine with > dvd rom I would see the point because if you look at > www.mp3.com there is a lot of mp3 player audio theater Well, I don't need the DVD rom since I've got a real DVD player already connected... I don't really need two (plus then I'm buying the rom and the hardware decoder card so that it will actually play decently). Right now, I figure I can spend about half of the money I would on the alternatives. I've also decided to go for a SB16 ($40) instead of the platinum. I figure since my CD player is only connected to my amp using stereo cabling (not digital) and it sounds pretty awesome, I figure I'll do the same for the mp3 box. This also saves me about $150. Since the speakers and the amp have a lot to do with the sound quality (and this is a $5k stereo system that sounds unbelievable... everyone should have Nuance speakers), I figure the sound should be pretty good from a SB16 to this rig. And it saves me quite a bit. Maybe I'll get a platinum for myself in the future, and one of those creative desktop 5.1 theater deals for my own machine... =) Then I can put the x-gamer into the win machine and connect the altec speakers on there and play diablo2 in style... =) > http://hardware.mp3.com/hardware/individual/3305.html > > wich is the same price as the sounblaster live Which is why I'm going for the SB16... =) -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 10 hours 34 minutes.
Re: Re[2]: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Mon Jan 08, 2001 at 08:53:50AM -0700, Rusty Carruth wrote: > Luk Vermeylen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > if the systempartition is on the hd > > look at the compaq site to download the diagnostics > > Oh, I forgot on my last tirade - you CAN re-install the diag > partition (which I think destroys everything else, but > maybe not) I think it's gone... I'll have to go to compaq's site and nose around I think. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 10 hours 16 minutes.
Re: Re[2]: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Mon Jan 08, 2001 at 08:52:48AM -0700, Rusty Carruth wrote: > > > This is a compaq... I think I need a disk to get into the BIOS (I > > > recall having to do this with a Compaq 386 I had years ago). Hitting > > > ESC or F1 results in a keyboard error (go figure). I didn't see > > > anything on the mobo specs to indicate a jumper to control the video. > > > > > > > Upon booting, when the blinking cursor jumps from the left side of the screen > > to the right, hit and hold F10 for a second or two. Should put you right into > > the bios. > > Which brings up a good point (implicitly, anyway). > > Compaq (which is REALLY GOOD at being 'almost compatible' - which is why > I try REALLY HARD to avoid using compaq for anything!) has, as John says, > their 'bios setup' STORED ON DISK in a special partition. Yeah, well, like I said.. this thing was free. Trust me, I would not willingly pay for a Compaq anything anymore... =) > WIthout that partition, you CANNOT set your bios options! (Well, not entirely > true - you can perhaps find on their web site the (dos) boot disks that have > the bios setup on them, so you can boot from floppy to config your machine, > but its kinda painful). Yes, I've done this before... on an old 386 I had, there were three floppies that were required to make any BIOS changes. It was extremely slow and, like you, said, kinda painful. =) > As John said, the secret decoder is to HOLD F10 down when the cursor jumps to > the right side. Once I've got a few minutes, I'm going to try that. > So, whatever you do - if you have a compaq DO NOT allow fdisk to delete the > stupid bios boot partition (which has some really strange label on it, > as I remember). Well, I installed 7.2 using text mode since it crapped out in graphics mode. It auto-created the partitions, so I have a feeling that if the system partition was on there, it's gone now... =) > (For the amusement of those easily amused - the bios setup programs run > under dos!) Yup... gotta love compaq... =) -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 10 hours 16 minutes.
Re: Re[2]: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
> Oh, I forgot on my last tirade - you CAN re-install the diag > partition (which I think destroys everything else, but > maybe not) The partitions you're talking about exist only on Compaq servers. The workstations have a softbios which requires a single boot disk to access it. Thanks I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. - Douglas Adams
Re[2]: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Luk Vermeylen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > if the systempartition is on the hd > look at the compaq site to download the diagnostics Oh, I forgot on my last tirade - you CAN re-install the diag partition (which I think destroys everything else, but maybe not) rc Rusty Carruth Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Voice: (480) 345-3621 SnailMail: Schlumberger ATE FAX: (480) 345-8793 7855 S. River Parkway, Suite 116 Ham: N7IKQ @ 146.82+,pl 162.2 Tempe, AZ 85284-1825
Re[2]: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
"John J. LeMay Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > ** Reply to message from Vincent Danen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Sun, 7 Jan > 2001 22:38:40 -0700 > > > > > This is a compaq... I think I need a disk to get into the BIOS (I > > recall having to do this with a Compaq 386 I had years ago). Hitting > > ESC or F1 results in a keyboard error (go figure). I didn't see > > anything on the mobo specs to indicate a jumper to control the video. > > > > Upon booting, when the blinking cursor jumps from the left side of the screen > to the right, hit and hold F10 for a second or two. Should put you right into > the bios. Which brings up a good point (implicitly, anyway). Compaq (which is REALLY GOOD at being 'almost compatible' - which is why I try REALLY HARD to avoid using compaq for anything!) has, as John says, their 'bios setup' STORED ON DISK in a special partition. WIthout that partition, you CANNOT set your bios options! (Well, not entirely true - you can perhaps find on their web site the (dos) boot disks that have the bios setup on them, so you can boot from floppy to config your machine, but its kinda painful). As John said, the secret decoder is to HOLD F10 down when the cursor jumps to the right side. So, whatever you do - if you have a compaq DO NOT allow fdisk to delete the stupid bios boot partition (which has some really strange label on it, as I remember). (For the amusement of those easily amused - the bios setup programs run under dos!) rc Rusty Carruth Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Voice: (480) 345-3621 SnailMail: Schlumberger ATE FAX: (480) 345-8793 7855 S. River Parkway, Suite 116 Ham: N7IKQ @ 146.82+,pl 162.2 Tempe, AZ 85284-1825
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Men what a project this will cost you double my usual fee. first the link : - creative : http://www.linuxboxen.com/viewproduct.php4?partid=69 http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/apps/sound/soundcard/README.sblive+mutiple http://opensource.creative.com/ http://americas.creative.com/sound/live-platinum-51/req.html others not classified http://ximp.iscool.net/ http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Screen/5699/ http://www.mp3pump.de/english/index.html http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/9049/ http://www.sdf.se/~dj/ http://www.softlab.ece.ntua.gr/~sivann/mp3ophono/ http://www.mp3pc.co.uk/ http://www.mobilejukebox.com/ http://www.linuxlinks.com/local/mp3/mp3review.shtml http://www.x10.com/mp3_x10/mp3_anywhere.htm http://www.x10.com/mp3_x10/specifications.htm http://hardware.mp3.com/hardware/individual/174.html - remote control : http://www.animax.no/ http://www.evation.com/irman/index.html http://www.dpotter.com/irmp3/info.html http://www.lirc.org/index.html http://www.mindpath.com/Products/fx2000.htm http://www.pcremotecontrol.com/info.html - software : http://www.mp3machine.com/linux/ http://www.evation.com/software/linux.html http://www.linuxcare.com/exec/sw_catalog?category_id=307 - tv : http://www.linuxtv.org/ http://roadrunner.swansea.uk.linux.org/v4l.shtml http://www.multimedia4linux.de/ to help with price search: www.mysimon.com http://www.mysimon.com/isrch/index.jhtml?c=soundcards&pgid=shop&InputKeyword=soundblaster+platinum&key=UC_20010108_040114_0111681667&sort=Price&dir=i&pg=1 canadien site low price http://www.compusmart.com/shop/default.asp?iStockID=792990 if the remote work with linux thats the biggest question, the sounblaster live platinum is the best product. otherwise irman is working under linux and you can use any remote for the tv out I dont know, I know it work I just dont know that this particular machine add a card that did tv out probably another expense since you are installing a network card and you have 2 gig I know you can install lm 7.2 on it , do you have a cd-rom ? frankly if you add a 20 gig or a better machine with dvd rom I would see the point because if you look at www.mp3.com there is a lot of mp3 player audio theater http://hardware.mp3.com/hardware/individual/3305.html wich is the same price as the sounblaster live __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online! http://photos.yahoo.com/
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
if the systempartition is on the hd look at the compaq site to download the diagnostics Op maandag 08 januari 2001 12:37, schreef u: > ** Reply to message from Vincent Danen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Sun, 7 > Jan 2001 22:38:40 -0700 > > > This is a compaq... I think I need a disk to get into the BIOS (I > > recall having to do this with a Compaq 386 I had years ago). Hitting > > ESC or F1 results in a keyboard error (go figure). I didn't see > > anything on the mobo specs to indicate a jumper to control the video. > > Upon booting, when the blinking cursor jumps from the left side of the > screen to the right, hit and hold F10 for a second or two. Should put you > right into the bios. > > John LeMay Jr. > Senior Enterprise Consultant > NJMC, LLC. -- Luk Vermeylen Putse Baan 84 2040 Antwerpen 4 03/295.00.12 [EMAIL PROTECTED] linux counter: #186539
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
** Reply to message from Vincent Danen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Sun, 7 Jan 2001 22:38:40 -0700 > > This is a compaq... I think I need a disk to get into the BIOS (I > recall having to do this with a Compaq 386 I had years ago). Hitting > ESC or F1 results in a keyboard error (go figure). I didn't see > anything on the mobo specs to indicate a jumper to control the video. > Upon booting, when the blinking cursor jumps from the left side of the screen to the right, hit and hold F10 for a second or two. Should put you right into the bios. John LeMay Jr. Senior Enterprise Consultant NJMC, LLC.
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Sun Jan 07, 2001 at 03:12:48PM -0700, Stefan Srdic wrote: > > Really? Maybe I should find an ISA SB16 and use the other PCI slot > > for a video card (assuming I can turn off the onboard video). > > > > Like you said, a little more research... having only two PCI slots > > limits me somewhat. Oh well... I think I should be able to do it > > easily enough, but it'll be interesting... Thanks for the ideas! > > You should be able to disable the onboard video through the BIOS or with > a jumper on the mobo... This is a compaq... I think I need a disk to get into the BIOS (I recall having to do this with a Compaq 386 I had years ago). Hitting ESC or F1 results in a keyboard error (go figure). I didn't see anything on the mobo specs to indicate a jumper to control the video. > If your the lucky owner of a 10/100 switch or bridge you could go with a > 10Mbps ISA NIC, if your only going to be transfering MP3's a 10Mbps ISA > NIC will do. You can also overclock the ISA bus to increase transfer > speed of the NIC too (see the Linux Ethernet-HOWTO -> performance > section) Yeah, I've got a stack of 10MB ISA nics and I'm running a 10/100 3 port switch connected to a four port 10/100 switching router (which is in turn connected to a 10MB hub for my DMZ which is in turn connected to my ADSL modem... big fire hazard over here... hehehe). It's going to be reading the mp3's over an NFS share, so 10MB would probably be enough I imagine. The only thing this box will be doing is playing mp3s. > You could then save the PCI slots for a high-end sound card with digital > outputs and video card. BTW, I though I saw a TV card at Future Shop, it > might be worth looking into with all these holiday sales going on :-D Yeah, I was looking at the MP3 live 5.1 card (about half the price of the platinum since the remote for the platinum won't do me much good anyways). Do you know what kind of digital outs those cards have? Are they coax or optical? My DVD player is connected to the sole optical input on the amp, but I have two coax inputs that I can use. And thanks for the tip... I'll have to check FS's website... Right now I'm just gonna put a 640x480 monitor in a covered space beneath the TV until a better solution presents itself. =) -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 1 day 9 hours 48 minutes.
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Sun Jan 07, 2001 at 11:41:03PM -0500, Ralph wrote: > If your building an mp3 box why don't you just get a player that play's > mp3,cd and dvd all in one?? And hooks up to your current tv and stereo?? > go here they have them http://computergeeks.com/ mine works great!! > hope this helps it might be a little easier also. The only thing with that is I don't need a DVD or CD player... I've got a DVD player on my stereo and a 5CD changer. All I want is an MP3 box, but I want it to connect to my network so I can take advantage of the HDD... They do have a nice DVD/CD/MP3-CD player that is a decent price (about $240CAN), but it doesn't have a built-in HDD or network connection which I kinda want. And that $240 compares to: SB16 PCI ($40) Wireless keyboard/mouse ($75) Can of black spray paint ($5) Total cost: $120 And that's all I need to buy. The P90 I got free, Mandrake 7.2 runs well on it, it only does 640x480 but that's ok, I've got a spare monitor and the 10/100 NIC is spare too. This way I can NFS mount my 14GB dedicated MP3 drive or pop in a CD. And it costs me half of that other unit (nice looking tho!). I did see an MP3 player for the car there that I might get tho... =) -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 1 day 9 hours 44 minutes.
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Vincent Danen wrote: > > Really? Maybe I should find an ISA SB16 and use the other PCI slot > for a video card (assuming I can turn off the onboard video). > > Like you said, a little more research... having only two PCI slots > limits me somewhat. Oh well... I think I should be able to do it > easily enough, but it'll be interesting... Thanks for the ideas! > > -- You should be able to disable the onboard video through the BIOS or with a jumper on the mobo... If your the lucky owner of a 10/100 switch or bridge you could go with a 10Mbps ISA NIC, if your only going to be transfering MP3's a 10Mbps ISA NIC will do. You can also overclock the ISA bus to increase transfer speed of the NIC too (see the Linux Ethernet-HOWTO -> performance section) You could then save the PCI slots for a high-end sound card with digital outputs and video card. BTW, I though I saw a TV card at Future Shop, it might be worth looking into with all these holiday sales going on :-D
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
If your building an mp3 box why don't you just get a player that play's mp3,cd and dvd all in one?? And hooks up to your current tv and stereo?? go here they have them http://computergeeks.com/ mine works great!! hope this helps it might be a little easier also. Ralph Do you have an Epson or Canon Printer? Then come to the source for Epson and Canon compatable inkjet cartridges at the lowest prices!! All 100% guranteed!! http://inkjetexpress-online.com
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Sun Jan 07, 2001 at 01:35:49PM -0700, Stefan Srdic wrote: [...] > > Anyone done this or am I asking the impossible? Heck, it might be > > impossible to get Linux installed on this thing... I haven't even > > tried that yet (talk about getting way ahead of myself). Anyways, > > it's a weekend project and I was wondering if someone had an > > experience with something like this so I'm not beating a dead horse if > > someone else has a magic recipe or knows of some programs that will do > > what I want. > > > > Thanks muchly in advance. > > You'll be able to play MP3's on the Pentium CPU since it has a math > co-prossecor, but unless you've got a DMA capable hard drive and lots of > RAM the songs will play back real choppy. You need to first load the > selected song into memory and then have the CPU read it from there. > Fortunetly you have 48MB of RAM, so creating a RAMdisk or 6-8MB should > not be a problem. I dont know how, but you'll need to write a script or > use a program that accomplishes that. Well, it's a P60 (maybe a P90, not sure), so I'm not too worried. Should be more than enough to play mp3's nicely under Linux. > You can get SVGA (interlaced, multiple refresh rates) to TV (30 > frames/sec interlaced) converters, I have used a few when reparing > computer monitors. There pretty pricey though -> 800 bucks CND+ I would > recomend an ATI All in Wonder to view xmms onto your TV, but its AGP > based architecture... Maybe you should do some research and try to find > an PCI based video card which supports TV out and is also supported > under Linux. Whoah! $800!! That's definately not going to happen. The problem is this machine has only two PCI slots (shared with ISA) and two ISA slots. No AGP. I'd have to find a PCI or ISA video card to do the trick, since one of my PCI slots is taken up with the 10/100 nic and the sblive would take the other. > I'm still using my old SoundBlaster 16 ISA to play music with, it does > 16bit 44,100 KHz stereo which is all you'll need to play MP3's. I think > that you'll notice more sound degregation from bad cabling or audio > connections :-D Really? Maybe I should find an ISA SB16 and use the other PCI slot for a video card (assuming I can turn off the onboard video). > In my opinion, you'd be better off using a text-based version of Linux > with a text-based MP3 player. You could then control the player through > the keyboard. You could even program a few macros into the keypad to > accomplish basic task like play/forward/backward/stop etc... I don't mind text-based. I was thinking of mpg123 anyways, or splay. With the remote keyboard someone else mentioned, it could work, if I can get the video to go the TV (this sounds like it'll be the hardest part, or the most expensive). Like you said, a little more research... having only two PCI slots limits me somewhat. Oh well... I think I should be able to do it easily enough, but it'll be interesting... Thanks for the ideas! -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 1 day 8 hours 22 minutes.
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
On Sun Jan 07, 2001 at 08:13:03PM -0700, Ace Frehley wrote: > Consider a TV out capable video card, "3dfx Voodoo 3000" and remote > control keyboard, NOT a remote control only. Use an MP3 player > (WINAMP) that allows the playlist font sizes to be adjusted and easily > read on your TV screen. As for sound card, ensure you can get one that > has a DIGITAL out, with PCM so your Dolby Digital or DTS stereo can > read the digital data from your sound card. While your at it get a > Hollywood Plus DVD card and DVD disk and watch movies with your setup > as well. Run a SAMBA or METBEUI compatible network and share your > data. Hmmm... didn't even think of the remote mouse/keyboard. That's a good idea. I'll look into that video card... sounds like it might do the trick (if I can somehow disable the onboard video... not sure about that). Not worried about the DVD... I've got a real DVD player hooked up to my stereo already... =) Sounds like you're talking of using Windows instead of Linux tho, and that's something I'd rather not do. But I think it should work with Linux if I do the same sort of thing and if that video card will work. > The audio quality will be on par with CD, plus you'll have the ability > to watch movies in Dolby Digital and DTS. Yeah, I've got an x-gamer sb live in this machine with a pair of altec 4-point speakers and the sound is killer... It'll sound tonnes better on my real stereo tho... =) Thanks for the tips! -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 1 day 8 hours 18 minutes.
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Vincent Danen wrote: > > Well, I finally got my hands on a low-end machine (hmmm... that seems > backwards). This one is a cast off of my brothers and is a Compaq > Deskpro P60 or something with 48MB RAM. Has a 2GB HDD. I'm putting > in a 10/100 realtek PCI nic and want to put in a soundblaster. I plan > on mounting my machine's MP3 drive via NFS on this little box and > hooking it up to my home stereo. Since the home stereo is a Harman > Kardon amp with Nuance speakers, I obviously want the best soundcard I > can get to take advantage of the system it'll be connecting to. > > I was thinking of the sb live platinum 5.1. It has that front panel > with the infrared remote control and such. It's a little pricy for us > Canadians, so I want to make sure it'll do what I hope it will. Has > anyone run one of these beasties under Linux? Specifically, I'm > hoping there is some way to make the remote control xmms if possible. > I want this box to be headless or, if necessary, have it connected to > my TV (I have no idea if this is possible... I know you can get video > cards to bring the TV *in*, but is there a video card to put the video > out to a TV, and if so, what kind?). Considering how much of this > stuff is onboard (it is a Compaq), I'm not sure if another videocard > will work on it (anyone know?). If nothing else, is there some kind > of convertor to take a standard VGA out to a TV in? Maybe that might > be the easiest way (although I have no idea if this kind of thing > exists). All I want is a way to see what xmms is doing so i can > change songs or something (if the remote doesn't work). > > Maybe there's a better way to do this with a console app, like > mpg123... I mean, I can ssh into the box from another machine and get > it to start playing, but that's kind of a pain in the butt and I'd > rather avoid it if necessary. > > As you can see, I haven't the first clue about this sort of thing. I > absolutely horrible with electronics, and I've followed some mp3-box > "how-to's" out there about buying an LCD display you connect to your > serial port to display what songs are playing and some really funky > ways to control the player with a remote. I'm looking for a > relatively cheap way to do it (the platinum would be the most > expensive component considering I got this machine free, I don't want > to spend much more than the cost of the soundblaster card). > > Anyone done this or am I asking the impossible? Heck, it might be > impossible to get Linux installed on this thing... I haven't even > tried that yet (talk about getting way ahead of myself). Anyways, > it's a weekend project and I was wondering if someone had an > experience with something like this so I'm not beating a dead horse if > someone else has a magic recipe or knows of some programs that will do > what I want. > > Thanks muchly in advance. > > -- > [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net > 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD > - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org > - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com > > Current Linux uptime: 1 day 5 hours 23 minutes. You'll be able to play MP3's on the Pentium CPU since it has a math co-prossecor, but unless you've got a DMA capable hard drive and lots of RAM the songs will play back real choppy. You need to first load the selected song into memory and then have the CPU read it from there. Fortunetly you have 48MB of RAM, so creating a RAMdisk or 6-8MB should not be a problem. I dont know how, but you'll need to write a script or use a program that accomplishes that. You can get SVGA (interlaced, multiple refresh rates) to TV (30 frames/sec interlaced) converters, I have used a few when reparing computer monitors. There pretty pricey though -> 800 bucks CND+ I would recomend an ATI All in Wonder to view xmms onto your TV, but its AGP based architecture... Maybe you should do some research and try to find an PCI based video card which supports TV out and is also supported under Linux. I'm still using my old SoundBlaster 16 ISA to play music with, it does 16bit 44,100 KHz stereo which is all you'll need to play MP3's. I think that you'll notice more sound degregation from bad cabling or audio connections :-D In my opinion, you'd be better off using a text-based version of Linux with a text-based MP3 player. You could then control the player through the keyboard. You could even program a few macros into the keypad to accomplish basic task like play/forward/backward/stop etc... Stef
Re: [expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Consider a TV out capable video card, "3dfx Voodoo 3000" and remote control keyboard, NOT a remote control only. Use an MP3 player (WINAMP) that allows the playlist font sizes to be adjusted and easily read on your TV screen. As for sound card, ensure you can get one that has a DIGITAL out, with PCM so your Dolby Digital or DTS stereo can read the digital data from your sound card. While your at it get a Hollywood Plus DVD card and DVD disk and watch movies with your setup as well. Run a SAMBA or METBEUI compatible network and share your data. The audio quality will be on par with CD, plus you'll have the ability to watch movies in Dolby Digital and DTS.
[expert] Making an MP3 box... suggestions needed
Well, I finally got my hands on a low-end machine (hmmm... that seems backwards). This one is a cast off of my brothers and is a Compaq Deskpro P60 or something with 48MB RAM. Has a 2GB HDD. I'm putting in a 10/100 realtek PCI nic and want to put in a soundblaster. I plan on mounting my machine's MP3 drive via NFS on this little box and hooking it up to my home stereo. Since the home stereo is a Harman Kardon amp with Nuance speakers, I obviously want the best soundcard I can get to take advantage of the system it'll be connecting to. I was thinking of the sb live platinum 5.1. It has that front panel with the infrared remote control and such. It's a little pricy for us Canadians, so I want to make sure it'll do what I hope it will. Has anyone run one of these beasties under Linux? Specifically, I'm hoping there is some way to make the remote control xmms if possible. I want this box to be headless or, if necessary, have it connected to my TV (I have no idea if this is possible... I know you can get video cards to bring the TV *in*, but is there a video card to put the video out to a TV, and if so, what kind?). Considering how much of this stuff is onboard (it is a Compaq), I'm not sure if another videocard will work on it (anyone know?). If nothing else, is there some kind of convertor to take a standard VGA out to a TV in? Maybe that might be the easiest way (although I have no idea if this kind of thing exists). All I want is a way to see what xmms is doing so i can change songs or something (if the remote doesn't work). Maybe there's a better way to do this with a console app, like mpg123... I mean, I can ssh into the box from another machine and get it to start playing, but that's kind of a pain in the butt and I'd rather avoid it if necessary. As you can see, I haven't the first clue about this sort of thing. I absolutely horrible with electronics, and I've followed some mp3-box "how-to's" out there about buying an LCD display you connect to your serial port to display what songs are playing and some really funky ways to control the player with a remote. I'm looking for a relatively cheap way to do it (the platinum would be the most expensive component considering I got this machine free, I don't want to spend much more than the cost of the soundblaster card). Anyone done this or am I asking the impossible? Heck, it might be impossible to get Linux installed on this thing... I haven't even tried that yet (talk about getting way ahead of myself). Anyways, it's a weekend project and I was wondering if someone had an experience with something like this so I'm not beating a dead horse if someone else has a magic recipe or knows of some programs that will do what I want. Thanks muchly in advance. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], OpenPGP key available on www.keyserver.net 1024D/FE6F2AFD 88D8 0D23 8D4B 3407 5BD7 66F9 2043 D0E5 FE6F 2AFD - Danen Consulting Serviceswww.danen.net, www.freezer-burn.org - MandrakeSoft, Inc. Security www.linux-mandrake.com Current Linux uptime: 1 day 5 hours 23 minutes.
