Do you think there is demand for multizone audio software (or does it already exist)?

masbe

In a word - Yes.  I think it would be a great add on.  We would use it in our house :-).

Another vote for yes!

(and this would be the correct forum)

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Please, please, please move forward with this! I've been after a Multizone music solution that can be installed and maintained by enthusiasts for quite some time.

I've got the money in hand... just waiting for a nice solution.

I love Inteset's concept, I wish it was available as a standalone software solution.

Go for it!

OK

Initially I'm thinking audio to be provided to multiple zones with additional functionality added over time.

Any other suggestions / feature requests / thoughts / comments?

I'd definately be will to give your app a try once you've completed and tested it

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System Specs:
Pentium 4 Processor 3.06GHz
2 GB RAM
GForce 8500 GT 512Mb
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1800
Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer
40 inch Zenith DVI
Vista System Rating 4.5

It's a great idea!

BTW- you might want to check out the KX Project drivers for Soundblaster Live cards. The driver allows seperate addressing of each output jack.

http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/index.php?skip=1

I'm extremely interested in a multzone application that has a MCE plugin.    I believe a guy named Springy who has posted on here is working on a solution as well. 

 

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Jay Brown
2 Vista X86 Ultimate (Family Room and TheaterRoom)
1 Xbox 360 (Work out room)
1 Linksys DMA 2100 (Bedroom)

jbworks:

I believe a guy named Springy who has posted on here is working on a solution as well. 

Here's a link to the thread with Springy's app. He started this a while ago, but as of now it requires running multiple PC's and the MCE support is not really there. This was originally posting about a year ago and no new developements have been made.

I've researched this for some time and as far as I can tell the most robust affordable 3rd party solution to this is done with with the JRiver Media Center v11. The solution relies on multichannel audio cards to offer multizone. I other words you can run 3 zones off a single audio card, and multiple cards are supported. Unfortunately there is no support for JRiver through MCE. I'm not a programmer, but perhaps the easiest solution would be to build an MCE front end for JRiver?

masbe, any developments, solutions, or decisions on the mutlizone app?

MrTybalt:

I've researched this for some time and as far as I can tell the most robust affordable 3rd party solution to this is done with with the JRiver Media Center v11. The solution relies on multichannel audio cards to offer multizone. I other words you can run 3 zones off a single audio card, and multiple cards are supported. Unfortunately there is no support for JRiver through MCE. I'm not a programmer, but perhaps the easiest solution would be to build an MCE front end for JRiver?

JRMC is a great program and is really hard to beat for music playback.  I actually wrote a "front end" for SnapStream Beyond Media using JRMC in the background for multi-zone music playback (which I have since given up on and moved to MCE).  I might take a look for Vista Media Center once I get it and see how difficult it is to write an add-on.  I also am considering media extenders so don't know how that would work (I'm guessing it wouldn't)...

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-Craig

I was waiting on this forever. Finally gave up and went to Sonos. Haven't looked back sense. I wish I could have done it through mce and with the new remotes coming out I may look at it again in the future. But for now the sonos does everything with my music media center couldn't

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If it is new and great I must have it!!!!
If it can't be built I must try :) !!!!

PLUCKYMCE:

I was waiting on this forever. Finally gave up and went to Sonos.

The Sonos is a killer product. I just wish an enterprizing individual would capitalize on M$'s lack of attention to mutlizone audio. Our MCE machines are powerfull enough for multiple HiDef streams, playback and recording, however a simple mutlizone app is missing. We've made the commitment to MCE and it is silly to buy another product to do something our machines and extenders could do without breaking a sweat.

If it were cost effective I would look to the Niveus, Exceptional Innovation, or other multizone playback options. Unfotunately they cost thousands of dollars and typically require a new MCE purchase.

I've considered the Sonos, but it baffles me that someone has not created a Sonos like remote and solution for MCE/Extender mutlizone playback.

I feel your pain Tybalt. I too was wanting mce because I know it is capable and cannot afford the great options nvieus offers. I was hesitant to get the sonos but after getting it I have never looked back. The remote is steller and the interface is a++. It can now play napster, zune and other windows media format purchased tracks as well which is a big up. Plus not having to have the tv on to look at what is playing or select songs is a huge bonus. Maybe with the new remotes we will finally see something long overdue from media center but until then I  more than content with sonos.

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If it is new and great I must have it!!!!
If it can't be built I must try :) !!!!