Media Center PC
sonny
Posts: 208
in AMX Hardware
Anyone done a project with a Microsoft Media Center PC? I think most of these come with a remote, so I guess capturing the codes is one way to go. Computer control could be another.
Any other ideas?
Thanks...
Any other ideas?
Thanks...
0
Comments
On a side note, I recently attended a training session in which the instructor was trying to point out the benefit of having a media center in the showroom to instantly demo a variety of videos in 1080p.... the media center only errored out twice in the couple hours we used it.
Jeff
P.S.
Also be aware of the increased pontential of virus infections causing troubles if the media center isn't properly secured.
- Chip
You can try to control media center with MCE.http://www.kindel.com/Default.aspx?tabid=25
You may use girder for controlling _anything_ on a PC, including MCE.
Find it on http://www.promixis.com/
Girder does serial, IR, TCP/IP, mouse and so on, lot of plugins exist
and there is a scripting language for anything that isn't written yet.
It appears for $300.00 you can purchase the server software which acts as a bridge to Media Center using the open protocol that's free to download.
This looks very similar to the Roku server (hardware & software) that allows you to access internet radio stations and iTunes from an AMX TP (and other stuff). The protocol is very similar as well. I wrote a module (an axi.) for the Roku which is pretty cool but not all the bugs worked out and this looks like it would just as straight forward.
I just wonder where the pre-made module is?
Anyway, I am guessing AMX is working on a module. Autonomic not only shows all their images with AMX equipment, but have the partner logo on their page as well. They have a C module on the download page, but advertise it as an "example" not necessarily a finished product.
I have a salesman pitching this to a customer as we speak, so I may be getting a hands-on more soon than late. I sure hope AMX has a module in development ... I've written Escient media server and MAX media server modules from scratch, and I do not relish starting over and doing it yet again with another product. At least this protocol is asynchronous - the synchronous aspects of the Escient protocol drove me to distraction. MAX is only marginally better.
I don't think it is a secret, but they are working with AMX (they have hardware at their office and AMX is working on a module). Chance of them being at CEDIA.
Anway, for those with loads of free-time the SDK for Media Center is out there and free, for those with less time, this seems to be a good option.
Curt
Trikin
Somebody have a idea how AMX can control Front Row of Apple? Front Row it something like MCE.
You could hodge a mouse keyboard PS/2 controller to PS/2 USB adapter. Not an elegant solution but it would work.
This looks like it might make an interesting companion:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/drivers/eyetv.html
From: 'Michael de Nigris (OEM and Integrator accounts at Autonomic Controls)
From: 'Michael de Nigris (OEM and Integrator accounts at Autonomic Controls)
[QOUTE]
Dan,
As a follow up to my last e-mail, we now have a beta version of our Netlinx module and TP4 file for certified AMX dealers and programmers who would like to test it. Requests should be sent to information@autonomichome.com
-Michael.
[/QOUTE]
They demoed it at CEDIA Expo this year. Worked like a charm.
Eric
Any other links for controlling a mac's Front Row from an AMX system? That first link is dead.
Thanks,
-Mark
Mark,
You can telnet to the Mac and issue Applescript using the osascript command:
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Darwin/Reference/Manpages/man1/osascript.1.html
The Mac by default uses SSH for telnet, but that can be disabled.
FrontRow does not really support Applescript, but you can emulate keystrokes:
You can also execute Applescript files that are on the Mac, but there is some latency doing that.
--D
Thank you for the link and info Dave.
Any chance someone out there in the world already wrote the code to do this and has created TP4 panel files to go with it??? ;-)
I wish I had the time to play around with it but alas....
I like how Autonomic Controls has a complete solution for Windows but I hear it cost a "lot" of money. I have loaded the demo of Autonomics and it is very cool and fairly easy to setup and implement into my AMX system, so if someone has something for the Mac or a cheaper solution for windows platform, that would be nice.....
For an inexpensive audio solution you can get a Roku SoundBridge which can access both iTunes and WM Player or just about any UPNP/DLNA server. A SoundBridge is about $150.00
I use it with a Buffalo TeraByte server ($550.00) which has a built in DLNA server. I put that on my network and point my iTunes libary path to it so when I rip new CDs they go to the file on the TeraStation.
With this configuration I just have my TeraStation running 24/7 and I always have access to my music through the SoundBridge. The RoKu SoundBridge is an open protocol and easy to write a module for AMX.
There's also SlimServer which has a module on SourceForge.
Thank you Vining. Yes, I am just looking for a easy, and cheap (free) way to get all my music to show up on my touch panel and play through my system.
SlimServer looks like it might be just what I need and it is free on top of that! I looks like it is now called SqueezeCenter and they even have a MAC version of it!!!!
http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html
I have downloaded the software and I managed to find the AMX module and TP files on SourceForge just like you said I would be able to find there.
So I will give it a try over the weekend and see how it works.
Humm... I take it I also need a Squeeze Box unit to get this to work just like the Roku that you are using???
Thanks again,
-Mark