New Escient Module
vining
Posts: 4,368
Has anyone worked the the new module that's been posted on the Escient site? Supports cover art and appears to be completely re-written.
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I was told back on 9/22/06 that the "final version will be available on our web site towards the end of October."
It's so nice to see they're on top of things.
Don't be surprised when I say it's LONG overdue, let's just hope it's worth it. I personally own an E-40, so I can bring home a processor and 8400 to try out on Monday.
Correction - it appears that their new module doesn't apply to the E-40. Bummer.
The biggest problem is going to be added the new functionality into our existing interface.
First of all, it's nice to see the cover art brought into the Escient module. There is about a second of latency as you scroll from one page of covers to the next. It's not horrible, but I'm not sure how it could be improved unless the images were cached in the AMX system.
They have also improved the means by which you can view things by disc, album, atrtist, genre, etc. That was always a difficult concept for some operators.
The UI graphics are a bit bland, but those who take this seriously usually change them anyway. I don't quite get the black and white diode symbols on the buttons.
I'd like to find a better way to do the variable text buttons. The full width buttons that sometimes have little or no text in them leave a bit to be desired in slickness factor. But, graphic design is not my strength. Maybe someone else can come up with and share something.
Thanks to Escient for putting this out. It will help AMX people to support and keep using Escient products.
Should work with a E-40 upgraded to E2 firmware right?
Kevin D.
In my experience, Escient is not the device you choose for durability and reliability. It's one you choose for low cost. With an unlimited budget, I'd use a ReQuest or Kaleidescape. But you will always have those customers who want to shave a couple hundred bucks (or a couple thousand) for whom the Escient is "good enough."
I am hesitant to download this new module. I spent days re-writing the last one to include cover art and to clear a raft of odd behaviors; that aside, it was a horrible mess of spaghetti code to deal with. Well, I suppose I'll have to eventually, just not at all looking forward to it.
There also seems to be less quirkiness than the in the previous module.
I think they did a good job.