Techinal Question for a technical person

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

We're getting a new computer system at work, and I've been told I can keep my old computer from here rather than they chuck it out.

 

It's got a lot of memory, so I was wondering how easy it would be to do the following...

 

• Hook up this PC to an amplifier and decent sound system.
• Maybe install a touch-sensitive screen.
• Therefore turning my PC into an MP3 jukebox using some form of jukebox software, much like in a pub.
• Is this sort of software available to buy?
• Is a touch-sensitive screen so expensive to buy that I could still do all this but using a mouse instead?

Thanks in advance!

[SteveP]

Hook up this PC to an amplifier and decent sound system - Very easy, you just need a lead from the headphone out, you can even buy a card that will improve the sound quality

 

Maybe install a touch-sensitive screen - C'est difficle, but possible

 

Therefore turning my PC into an MP3 jukebox using some form of jukebox software, much like in a pub- Very easy if you take the whole touch screen thing away.

 

Is this sort of software available to buy? Windows media Player will do everything, you can even use it to store music videos, oh and it's free too.

 

Is a touch-sensitive screen so expensive to buy that I could still do all this but using a mouse instead? Yup, that's what I would say.

 

Problem with touch sensitive screens are they are not like the LCD screens you get with your pc or laptop, because finger marks and pressure against the screen is a bad idea. If I find anything on touch screen I will let you know.

 

Oh and if you're up for Southampton, I could be easily tempted!

[SteveP]

http://www.dicoll.co.uk/specialoffers.htm starts from about £360 but you may need drivers & other bits of software to make it work smoothly, depends if that fits in with your budget I guess.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Okay, cheers Steve - touch-sensitive thing forgotten already.

 

But I'm thinking of some kind of software - much like on the video jukeboxes in pubs - whereby you can easily pick any song with just a couple of touches of button, as opposed to having to load up tracks in the usual way.

 

Just because a) I'm lazy, and it'd look dead cool when people come over!

 

ie. Just turn on the PC and and then screen comes on with a selection of options like on those video-jukeboxes like "80s", "Indie", "Dance", "Rock" etc., and you just click on the category you want, and then click on the tune.

 

Is that sort of thing available??

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Oh - and Southampton...

 

Waiting on confirmation from Gertcha, and when we know for sure I'll let you know!

 

We'd be doing it by train, but if you were going to drive, we'll meet you there obviously!!

[SteveP]

Hi again,

 

Right Media Player will allow you to search by Genre ie Rock/Pop but youy can edit the pc classification, so if you want it be 'Indie' 'Eighties' 'Hungarian Accoustic' Then you can customise it however you want, all you're doing is labelling data at the end of the day.

 

Check out http://www.playsforsure.com/

 

and

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx

 

I tend to use the MP3 player to set up playlists so the music goes on for hours seemlessley! But you can categorize the music any way you see fit and it doesn't cost a penny. You will need XP for the snazzier Media Player 10, but any of the players can find the track you need.

 

I can find the song I want by searching the track title / artist / album / genre and can usually get to the song I want in 3 clicks and I have over 2000 songs on file.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Nice one, cheers Steve.

 

I'm on the case!

 

Thanks for your help!!

[MK James]

Sorry to bring this thread down a little Steve - which are your favourite sites for downloading tunes, especially obscure stuff?

 

Cost is not an issue.

 

Just been searching, but not impressed by Napster, Itunes or Virgin...I think I might stick to buying. I seem to remember you rated Kazaa, are they still any good?

[SteveP]

I was talking about software and jukebox programs for this one here, not the MP3 download sites.

 

For paysites really it does boil down to the 2 main players iTunes or MSN Music. MSN music is ran by another company who rebadge for virgin, tiscali, HMV and Napster too. iTunes is a seperate entity the only one which allows to download AAC files which are great if you have a Mac.

 

I use MSN music (69p per track), because filesharing is not strictly legal, Kazaa and Kazaa Lite are supposed to be ok for filesharing and I used to use Audio Galaxy but I think that's shut down now. The other thing with MSN Music is it links direct to Media Player so it works nicely with the whole package.

 

There are some specialist download sites, can't put a name or face on them at the moment but they're normally a touch more expensive. I think it's early days and sooner or later we'll see a provider offering 1-2 million tracks and then they'll be in the money and corner the market.

 

Just not a fan of iTunes as it tried to convert about 1600 of my Windows Media tracks to quicktime files and nearly crashed my PC!

[Laz]

Oi Zealster! How are the tracks arranged on your PC? Are they in seperate files?

 

If you want I'll pop round and have a look as I reckon I could write your Jukebox for you. I'd need to do a bit of research, but it should be fairly simple.

[MK James]

 

Steve - you said there'd be a company in the future that offers a ridiculous amount of tracks- I'm surprised that no-one's done this yet. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Anyway I've found a filesharing site (warez) which seems pretty good-I'm more after some old tunes which are virtually impossible to get hold of like single b-sides etc so this will do just fine for now. Thanks.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Hi Laz,

 

Yes, they'd be separate MP3 files. Haven't got the computer yet, but once I do I'll be trying to get all/most of my albums transferred over.

 

It's all I intend to use the PC for.

[gertcha EFM]

What about round and brown ?

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

My personal computer up in my room, mate!

[Laz]

Quote:

Hi Laz,

Yes, they'd be separate MP3 files. Haven't got the computer yet, but once I do I'll be trying to get all/most of my albums transferred over.

It's all I intend to use the PC for.

If you need a lift to get the machine home let me know.

By arranging your MP3 files in directories it wouldn't be difficult to provide a UI that lists the directories. As you click on one, it then moves down into it and lists the next lot until it finds the tracks.

Then the problem is finding out the artist and track names. I'm sure I could find some stuff on the net to do this.

Then clicking the relevant box you just play (or queue) the track.

Actually, you'll probably find someone else has already done this, so it'll be quicker for you to trawl around and find some software to do it already. If you can't let me know.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Nice one, cheers mate!

[CANV EFM]

this sounds like more work than your current system C.Z.!!

i managed to get 35 tracks on my ipod then i got bored

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Yeah, I have these great ideas and never see them through.

 

When I came back from America, I was determined to turn the spare bedroom upstairs into a sports bar. Have five or six screens along the top of the wall showing each of the Sky Sports channels, set up a bar and get football/cricket memorabilia up on the walls.

 

I got as far as finding out how much a set of optics from Ebay would cost me!

[Laz]

Give this

Downloadable Jukebox Software a go!

[SteveP]

Laz, the Media Player will find the album track title, album art, tracklist and genre for you once you put the disc in and start playing, even works with some of the more obscure albums. You just need to be connected to the net for it do this.

 

In fairness iTunes, Real Player & Quicktime probably all do the same as well.