bledsoe:

When you say this release is limited to 4 zones, I assume 1 is the host computer.

Hi! A sound card = a zone. Hence, the sound card that windows is using as a default (configurable in Control Panel) = a zone. You will hear windows sounds on that sound card / in that zone if someone is using an application on the computer that generates sound e.g. minimising and maximising windows if sounds are enabled for those actions; sound from videos playing locally etc. I hope this has clarified the issue rather than muddied it more

bledsoe:

Does this have to be installed on a MCE machine?

Nope - not this version anyway. Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Vista (and the Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0)

bledsoe:

Secondly, if a potential "zone" already has a networked computer running there, how about a client app to install on that computer in that zone.  This would eliminate the need for an additional sound card and wire to the speakers.  Your softward would just tell the client what to play as long as the client had network access to the same library on the host computer.  Maybe this is already how it works - sorry if so.

This is precisely how it doesn't work The specific scenario you describe was considered i.e. where a potential zone already has a networked computer. It was decided not to cater for this scenario for the following reason: if you have a networked PC in a location that you want music (a potential zone) then it was thought that the logical thing to do is install a sound card in that PC, map a drive to the "server" and to use your application of choice to play and control music (from the mapped drive) in that zone. (Tell me to re-phrase that if I didn't explain myself properly!)
The software is really designed with a single "server" in mind with cheaper remote units (not necessarily "remote controls") used for control.

That said, a module could be developed to address the scenario you describe if the demand was high enough. Syncing music in Party mode would be challenging...

bledsoe:

I will be doing a lot of searching for possible control solutions. Something like the Fujitsu Stylistic 3400 - check ebay for info - would be ideal...would provide wi-fi access for control, but could be permanently mounted in a wall or such.

They look nice! The browser interface should work on them - and as they're a PC, "a module could be developed...if the demand was high enough" as mentioned above.

B

CaMs:

Im also having the problems chris mentioned

Glad to hear the issues are consistent

CaMs:

If possible can you add all the tag info (title,artist & album) while using the browser?

Your request is on the wish list.

CaMs:

Im ordering a another sound card this week, but has anyone with a KX soundcard test this yet?

It wasn't Alpha tested on any KX soundcards...

CaMs:

It would be great to get this working with KX driver's - so we dont need all these cards in our PCs.

Hmmm. Consider your request added to the "to be considered for the wish list" list. (I must look into that KX thingy again...)

CaMs:

One more thing about the browser, i see its pointing to a default.htm file, can we edit this with our own design(kinda like a skin but using HTML);)

No, not in this version anyway...

CaMs:

...this can be a temp solution on getting it into our MCE GUI to control zones...

...I see where you're coming from.

CaMs:

...thanks again for this well needed APP, looking to the next version already ;)

masbe:

This is precisely how it doesn't work The specific scenario you describe was considered i.e. where a potential zone already has a networked computer. It was decided not to cater for this scenario for the following reason: if you have a networked PC in a location that you want music (a potential zone) then it was thought that the logical thing to do is install a sound card in that PC, map a drive to the "server" and to use your application of choice to play and control music (from the mapped drive) in that zone. (Tell me to re-phrase that if I didn't explain myself properly!)

The software is really designed with a single "server" in mind with cheaper remote units (not necessarily "remote controls") used for control.

That said, a module could be developed to address the scenario you describe if the demand was high enough. Syncing music in Party mode would be challenging...

The reason I asked is this - I wanted to install and run cable from sound card to remote speakers from my server.  I would like to use the entertainment system in the living room connected to my MCE machine as a "zone" though, especially for party mode, without the need to run audio cable from the server to the entertainment system & bother with changing input on the receiver.  I understand the difficulty in this though...just wanted to clarify why I was asking.

I'm looking forward to getting my new sound card in to try this software!

The maudio delta 1010lt is a professional audio card that has 5 separate selectable stereo outputs.  I use to have the old 410??  model that you could do this with too.  This or another professional audio card like those from creative/ EMU might be just the ticket for adding 4 or 5 zones.  Check them out and let us know if any of you have it working. 

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT-main.html

 

Samsonite:

The maudio delta 1010lt is a professional audio card that has 5 separate selectable stereo outputs.  I use to have the old 410??  model that you could do this with too.  This or another professional audio card like those from creative/ EMU might be just the ticket for adding 4 or 5 zones.  Check them out and let us know if any of you have it working. 

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT-main.html

Yeah - I was in touch with M-Audio and their local distributor mentioned the 1010. I was also in touch with Marian - http://www.marian.de/en/products - they do multi-port gear and PCI soundcards that you can link together internally with a ribbon cable (http://www.marian.de/en/products/syncbus) to ensure that all cards are running off the same clock - and hence playing at exactly the same speed (the 1010 should do that anyway if I'm not mistaken).

I didn't mention M-Audio or Marian as a) their products are slightly esoteric and haven't been tested with the app and b) the success rate with bog standard sound cards has been quite high. That said, if anyone can test M-Audio or Marian gear I'd be delighted to hear how you get on (no pun intended!).

B.

Brian, whats up buddy

Any updates for us ;)

also is it possible to get that remote htm file skinnable in the next release?

Hi CaMs!

Been busy (with other stuff)!

Beta 2 will be progressing shortly. The remote.htm will not be skinnable in the next release. Editing parts of the page is being investigated.


B

i understand what bledsoe is saying.  he wants all his server to contain all his files, and he wants to just install 1 server in 1 location (ie. basement).  he then wants to control, from another location, what is playing.

so, say you have the server in the basement, along with your multiroom audio amp, you don't need to run wires back from a computer in the living room to the audio amp to playback the audio.  but you'd like to control what the server will play from the living room, maybe via an xbox 360.  so the files will be output from the server to the audio amp and played in the living room, not streamed to the 360 then played in the living room.  the file will be played from the server.

dirtylarry:

i understand what bledsoe is saying.  he wants all his server to contain all his files, and he wants to just install 1 server in 1 location (ie. basement).  he then wants to control, from another location, what is playing.

so, say you have the server in the basement, along with your multiroom audio amp, you don't need to run wires back from a computer in the living room to the audio amp to playback the audio.  but you'd like to control what the server will play from the living room, maybe via an xbox 360.  so the files will be output from the server to the audio amp and played in the living room, not streamed to the 360 then played in the living room.  the file will be played from the server.

Yep - sounds like the scenario described. Under consideration

Hey Brian,

This looks like a very promising app.  What can I do to get a beta copy to try out?

Thanks,

Gene

GKNY:

What can I do to get a beta copy to try out?

Send an email to mzaudiobeta at purplefoundry.com

Hi all.

Beta 2 (mainly bug fixes) will be along this week. I had intended to post it around now, but my main PC BSOD'd on me (1)

With a bit of luck I'll post it mid-week.

Bye for now!
B

(1) That'll teach me to check that everything is powered down before tripping circuit breakers to do electrical work <sigh>

Brian,

Up until the past 2 weeks I've had an extremely stable MCE/Xbox 360 extender setup running. The PC in the system is only used to serve media to the 360 and now to play audio content through the whole whose audio amp setup. Shortly after the installation of the Mutlizone app I began experiencing issues with the PC going into standy, sleep or hibernate modes which results in the innability to connect the extender to the PC. This continues to happen even though all settings are, and have always been set to, always on. Could be pure coincidence. Any chance the app could cause this?

MrTybalt:

Brian,

Shortly after the installation of the Mutlizone app I began experiencing issues with the PC going into standy, sleep or hibernate modes . . . Any chance the app could cause this?

Unlikely - but I want to be sure so I'll email you directly.

If anyone else has been running Beta1 and has experienced this - let me know.

Thanks!
B

Hey Brian,

any updates??