If it was to be an HTML based UI, that should work.  If MCML is used it would only work on the Vista clients.  MCML is so much richer, that's the only reason I would want to see it used.

---

Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

derelict68:

...What I'd like to see is MCE or VMC be able to control the app over network. Will this / could this be possible?

Definitely possible, and I think I'll incorporate this as a requirement from the off i.e. the MCE or VMC module should be able to control a local or remote installation of the MZAudio server.

B

Chris - Moderator:

...MCML is so much richer, that's the only reason I would want to see it used.

Agreed. I'm beginning to lean towards a HTML based UI. a) it should work on both platforms and b) it's a music application i.e. I expect that once users have their music lined up and playing that they'll be listening to the music rather than peering at the UI.

which way are you leaning this towards, vista integration, or as a "driver" for multiple soundcards?

i'm developing an application for vmc that controls nuvo's concerto via rs232, and i'd like to set up one server that's got music on it to stream to the concerto over 3 different channels to a few different zones.  i'm assuming what you are doing is for profit, so i'd rather not pay for 4 or 5 different licenses to each vista media center pc, rather than paying for the software to stream the sources to 3 audio cards.

media center integration should be universal for a network, ie the core server would obviously have more than one sound card, and each vmc pc should be able to access the content on it, right?

We’ve finally settled into our new house (new construction) and have our speakers all set up.  All speaker wires are patched into our media closet.  Currently I have one receiver with a manual speaker switch from radio shack which transmits the sound to any or all of our 3 different zones.   Of course with this system, we can't multi-zone.  We can't listen to music in the main house when the kids watch a movie.  Your product sounds great.  I will purchase 2 sound cards for my media center PC.  I suppose I then need to purchase 2 additional amplifiers?  Any recommendations on 2 speaker amps for these sound cards?  Looking forward to the release of this product. 

dirtylarry:

which way are you leaning this towards, vista integration, or as a "driver" for multiple soundcards?

The application is being redesigned (core code will be the same) taking feedback from beta testers on board:
    There will be a free application with a Windows only GUI.
    There will be a commercial application with a browser interface - possibly including one optimised for PDAs - and an API for those who want it (e.g. programmers / system builders/integrators etc.)
    Thereafter, there will be a commercial MCE/VMC interface for the application.

I haven't really thought about releasing a "driver" for multiple soundcards. That might be possible...

dirtylarry:

...i'd like to set up one server that's got music on it to stream to the concerto over 3 different channels to a few different zones.

When you say "stream" do you mean audio card output(s) --> concerto input(s)?

dirtylarry:

i'm assuming what you are doing is for profit, so i'd rather not pay for 4 or 5 different licenses to each vista media center pc, rather than paying for the software to stream the sources to 3 audio cards.

Licensing details have to be hammered out, but we hope that one licence will cover the "server" and any number of client devices controlling that server by whatever means e.g. web interface, API, MCE/VMC interface.

dirtylarry:

media center integration should be universal for a network, ie the core server would obviously have more than one sound card, and each vmc pc should be able to access the content on it, right?

Erm, I'm not sure I understand...each VMC PC will be able to access the "content" without the MZAudio application e.g. mapped network drive. Each VMC PC in one home network should be able to control the server by whatever means.

masbe:

    There will be a free application with a Windows only GUI.
    There will be a commercial application with a browser interface - possibly including one optimised for PDAs - and an API for those who want it (e.g. programmers / system builders/integrators etc.)
    Thereafter, there will be a commercial MCE/VMC interface for the application.

thats good to hear, any chance of me getting a new beta, im redoing my backyard and den over next week and could really test this thing out

 

bbseven:

I will purchase 2 sound cards for my media center PC.  I suppose I then need to purchase 2 additional amplifiers?

Yep.

bbseven:

Any recommendations on 2 speaker amps for these sound cards?

I've nothing in particular to say on that except that you should buy amps that will match your speakers (ohm / wattage etc.) and - most importantly - that sound good to you. Your local friendly audio visual supplier should be able to advise you.

CaMs:

thats good to hear, any chance of me getting a new beta, im redoing my backyard and den over next week and could really test this thing out

Probably not as soon as you'd like

Re-design of the application will take a little time. Alpha code expected by the end of this month (May). But if I have anything sooner, I'll get it to you CaMs

B

B

how you looking!!!

CaMs:

B

how you looking!!!

Not bad, I've been away so I'm a little behind schedule. I hope to have an alpha version of the API soon - hopefully days.

B

Brian,

 

Any updates?

Thanks,

 

Ben

Hi Ben.

Finishing touches being put to the free version. API in progress. Then MCE / VMC version.

Also looking into multi-channel hardware (single USB or PCI connection) to see if we can eliminate the need for multiple audio cards.

B

Hi all.

For those of you interested, a TCP Sockets based API has been developed for MZAudio. It works as follows:

Telnet to the MZAudio server IP address on port 999 (user configurable):

> Ready
help
Multi Zone Audio Server
=======================
Commands:
HELp       : Lists commands
STAtus n   : Lists Play States
Get t      : Gets all Tracks
   Get t w id='{70E9C9D9-5983-43FD-9D63-7DE08435AB85}' : Track where ID= ...
   Get t w genere='Pop' : Track where Genre= ...
   Get t w Genre/Author/id/Duration/Track/URL =/Like '..' and/or ..
   Get t w Genre/Author/id/Duration/Track/URL =/Like '..' and/or ..
   Get t F0123456 w... : Returns only these fields
Get p      : Get All Playlists
+VOl       :
-VOl       :
VOL n      :
+PA nnn    : Add device to Party. +PA 0 adds all.
-PA nnn    : Remove device from Party. -PA 0 removed all.
PLAy n {id}: Plays song {id} on device n
PAUse n    : Pause device
UNPause n  : UnPause device
TPAuse     : Toggles Pause, plays next if required

So "play 1 {70E9C9D9-5983-43FD-9D63-7DE08435AB85}" will play that song on sound card 1.

SoundCard 0 is the Virtual Party Soundcard and SoundCards can be added and removed from the Party Line.

You get track IDs from "get t" (get tracks). You can get really complex on the "get t" command e.g. get t where genre like 'pop' and author not Like 'Britney*'

Sample output:
{6F0E1108-330E-47D0-B259-F07087F7CA1F},Foot Tapper
{06391965-D886-4751-8FE9-853A74EE8C5B},My Generation

I only have a fully functional MZAudio Server & API available at the moment. It'll be stripped back to a less functional version for public preview.

If you're any good with a Windows programming language this API will effectively allow you to build your own UI. Track queuing is handled by the client.

Single sound card support has been a request from a number of people, so that's going to be looked into. Bear in mind that a small USB hub and four USB sound "cards" can be very small and will work with MZAudio...

Anyway, back to the single card...if anyone has a preferred 5.1 or 7.1 (PCI or USB) card with analogue outputs that they would like the application to work with, let me know. SoundBlaster X-Fi might be a candidate.

B

Brian,

I was wondering where I can obtain a version of this software to test.  I have approximately 20 different zones in my house and an running a 8-processor server with 4 Delta1010LT cards in the basement.  I haved planned this out over the time as my house was being built; though, had not gotten to the software side of things yet.  Your methodology of design is pretty much as I was considering it.

I was thinking on trying something like commandcubes before they went out of business.  Your design sounds perfect.  I would love to help with development ideas, etc.

Thanks,

Gregory