<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
	<title><![CDATA[jwilson56's Now Playing Blog]]></title>
	<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8-jwilson56s-now-playing-blog/</link>
	<description><![CDATA[jwilson56's Now Playing Blog Syndication]]></description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:53:02 +0000</pubDate>
	<webMaster>ct.system@cocoontech.com (CocoonTech.com)</webMaster>
	<generator>IP.Blog</generator>
	<ttl>60</ttl>
	<item>
		<title>Pioneer SC-1222K is a winner</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-403-pioneer-sc-1222k-is-a-winner/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[Well the Pioneer SC-1222K came early so I decided to swap it out. My initial thoughts<br />&#160;<br />Pros:<br />&#160;<br />1)&#160; The receiver runs cool to the touch even after a few hours of cranked up music and movies<br />&#160;<br />2)&#160; The Class D<sup class='bbc'>3</sup> amplifiers are a clear winner for sound quality. My Polk Monitor 70's have never sounded so good. I was always less than impressed with the Onkyo for music. It will be a pleasure to sit and listen to music in my main room again. Class D<sup class='bbc'>3</sup> amplification features a direct signal path, with no EMI filters, feedback loops, or current limiters. (and this all before I even run the Advanced Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system)<br />&#160;<br />3) Can't wait to run the Advanced Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system (MCACC) as I have read that it is superior to the Audyssey<br />&#160;<br />4)&#160; USB update was super easy to do<br />&#160;<br />5) Pandora and iPod support (probably will not use either one as it ties into Now Playing that gives me touchscreen control and Pandora via the Grace Digital Tuner)<br />&#160;<br />6) Lots of power with a total capacity of 600 watts all channels driven (120 W/ch 1kHz, THD .08% @ 8 ohm)<br />&#160;<br />7) The price... at $529 it is a steal at Newegg. Best Buy wants over $800 and Amazon over $1000<br />&#160;<br />Cons:<br />&#160;<br />1) Buttons on the remote are small and not back lit (but I use the Harmony One so no big deal for me)<br />&#160;<br />2) No on screen display for volume and surround mode changes when being changed. This was a nice touch on the Onkyo but one I can live without.<br />&#160;<br />&#160;<br />&#160;<br />&#160;<br />&#160;<br />&#160;]]></description>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-403-pioneer-sc-1222k-is-a-winner/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Onkyo receiver is having sound issues</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-402-onkyo-receiver-is-having-sound-issues/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[Well my Onkyo receiver is having sound issues. It seems that this model is having these issues and usually occurs after the 2 year warrenty is up. The repair bills are said to be in the hundreds. So it looks like I am out of luck.&#160; I decided to purchase a Pioneer SC-1222K after reading how much trouble the new Onkyo and Denon's are. NewEgg is having a great sale on this model. It comes next week.<br />&#160;<br />&#160;<br /><a href='http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117412' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117412</a><br />&#160;]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:37:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-402-onkyo-receiver-is-having-sound-issues/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Now Playing on Droid Razr Maxx</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-401-now-playing-on-droid-razr-maxx/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[My Droid Razr Maxx running Now Playing<br /><br /><br /><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8314830606_d6dd9d4d8f_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-401-now-playing-on-droid-razr-maxx/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Winter project</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-400-winter-project/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[Well this past few weeks I have purchased a new phone. The Droid Razr Maxx is a great phone and the screen is large enough to actually use Now Playing on. I have replaced my ELO touchscreens with the Kindle Fire as well as the Razr.<br /><br />I have decided to get back into gaming. I built a new game PC to play BF3 and MOH Warfighter on and with the old one I decided to build up a dedicated flight sim setup. Here is the work in progress:<br /><br />I am using a 24" ELO touchscreen (sold the 2 15 ELO's) and with programs called Helios and MFDE I am extracing and displaying the cockpit information and control on the ELO. For the monitor I am using a 39" ELO HDTV.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8310483841_bd8b63e866_z.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Dec 2012 17:40:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-400-winter-project/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>New Server for Now Playing</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-381-new-server-for-now-playing/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8-jwilson56s-now-playing-blog/' class='bbc_url' title=''>To see all the entries for my blog click here</a><br />Well I spent all day yesterday upgrading my Now Playing server. The old Dell 4300 has been an awesome PC to say the least and ran 24/7 for all these years with not even a fan going bad. This new server is a lot faster and has 4 cores. Just took awhile remembering all the plugins I had and how they were all setup.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:40:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-381-new-server-for-now-playing/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Skin for Kindle Fire Now Playing</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-379-skin-for-kindle-fire-now-playing/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8-jwilson56s-now-playing-blog/' class='bbc_url' title=''>To see all the entries for my blog click here</a><br />I started working on a new skin for my Kindle Fire (click on image to enlarge)<br />&#160;<br /><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Home page<br /><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6800517528_5f7ab8f6d1_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Cover Page page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6801287826_5d46fb6e0e_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Zone Selector page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6947395021_729538bfb8_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Grace Digital Internet Tuner page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6806502450_34b25e6d44_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Pandora Thumbs Up/Down page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6806502414_bf99889e55_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Current Playlist page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6952615569_d3c2d5f109_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Media Library Browser page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6806502344_6e3619559f_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Browser Jump To page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6952615543_8e0469a146_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br />Kindle Fire skin for Now Playing - Weather Screen page<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6952615635_bf49aeb3b2_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-379-skin-for-kindle-fire-now-playing/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>A blast from the past - Color Organ Project</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-374-a-blast-from-the-past-color-organ-project/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[Well I decided it was time to take a step back from my home automation project and start one that was purely for fun. Back in the 1970's when I was in high school and college I used to design and build color organs. I always enjoyed changing the design to see how responsive I could make them. My last design was a four channel model that incorporated an automatic gain control front end as well as active frequency filters using op-amps. I also used homemade opto-couplers using some LED's and a light activated SCR to drive the triac outputs. It was my best design and was pretty state of the art for the day. The display case was also my largest using six clear 25 watt bulbs I stained for each color channel which were mounted in a four foot by two foot box. When used it would light up the room in a dazzling display of colors.<br /> <br />I decided to get a little nostalgic and build a modern version. I was going to look for my circuit and update it when I ran into a company called Xkitz which sold one that was very close to my design with an updated output circuit to drive 12 volts using MOSFETS. I decided this was easier than bread boarding one. The kit was very well designed with a nice looking printed circuit board. Here is the finished kit:<br /> <br /><!-- bbcodeImage-js (do not remove or edit this tag) -->
<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/gallery/image/448-electronics/' class='bbc_url' title=''><img class='bbc_img' src='http://cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=448&file=small' class='galattach galimageview' title='electronics'  width='240' height='142'  alt='electronics' id='sml_image_view_448' /></a>
<br /><br /> <br />I had planned on using super bright LED's from the beginning but decided in the end to use SMD3528 LED strips in the end. I created a star design pattern with some photocopies of the strip. I also decided to use an old DVD rack that I was no longer using for the housing. I played around with several layout designs and finalized how many of each color I would need for the pattern I had chosen. To simplify creating all the star patterns I used a simple light box to lay the strips down on index cards. This would allow me to create each star as a separate unit which would make soldering all the connections together much easier. I disassembled the case and using my table saw I cut a groove near the front edge for the plexiglass to slide into.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><!-- bbcodeImage-js (do not remove or edit this tag) -->
<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/gallery/image/446-light-box-overlay/' class='bbc_url' title=''><img class='bbc_img' src='http://cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=446&file=small' class='galattach galimageview' title='light Box overlay'  width='240' height='207'  alt='light Box overlay' id='sml_image_view_446' /></a>
<br /><br /> <br />After a lot of soldering connecting all strips together for each star I was ready to glue them down in the DVD rack and then wire all the channels together. I mounted the electronics in the bottom and the control panel on the side of the case. I powered the unit with a laptop power supply purchased off Ebay. I went around to different stores using a small LED flashlight to find the best looking pattern from the drop ceiling lighting plexiglass I was going to use for the front. Here is the finished color organ with all the colors switched to the on position (576 LED's):<br /> <br /> <br /><!-- bbcodeImage-js (do not remove or edit this tag) -->
<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/gallery/image/449-color-organ-finished/' class='bbc_url' title=''><img class='bbc_img' src='http://cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=449&file=small' class='galattach galimageview' title='color organ finished'  width='137' height='240'  alt='color organ finished' id='sml_image_view_449' /></a>
<br /><br /> <br /><!-- bbcodeImage-js (do not remove or edit this tag) -->
<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/gallery/image/450-color-organ-finished-side/' class='bbc_url' title=''><img class='bbc_img' src='http://cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=450&file=small' class='galattach galimageview' title='color organ finished side'  width='146' height='240'  alt='color organ finished side' id='sml_image_view_450' /></a>
<br /><br /> <br /><!-- bbcodeImage-js (do not remove or edit this tag) -->
<a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/gallery/image/451-side-controls/' class='bbc_url' title=''><img class='bbc_img' src='http://cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=451&file=small' class='galattach galimageview' title='side controls'  width='156' height='240'  alt='side controls' id='sml_image_view_451' /></a>
<br /><br /> <br /> <br />I uploaded a short video demonstration playing a few 30 second snippets of songs that show off the capabilities of this color organ.<br /> <br /><iframe id="ytplayer" type="text/html" width="640" height="390"
  src="http://youtube.com/v/KNX-gj2ac7g?version=3"
  frameborder="0"/></iframe>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-374-a-blast-from-the-past-color-organ-project/</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Nowplaying 2012 Showcase</title>
		<link>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-119-nowplaying-2012-showcase/</link>
		<category></category>
		<description><![CDATA[Welcome to my showcase blog. <strong class='bbc'>Click on any image to enlarge it</strong>!!!<br /><a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8-jwilson56s-now-playing-blog/' class='bbc_url' title=''>To see all the entries for my blog click here</a><br /><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>History and block diagram</span></span><br />Real name: John<br />Cocoontech Chat Room Name: JohnW<br />Nowplaying is my home automation and whole house music system.<br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 14px;'>List of equipment</span></span></strong><br />PC's :<br />3.0 Ghz P4 W/ 1.5 GB Ram automation/music Server running XP, JRMC 11, Girder 5, Netremote Media Bridge and Elk M1EZ8<br />750GB total storage for 900+ CD's Ripped with APE lossless audio format.<br />1 - ELO 15" Touchscreen with a dedicated 1.6GHZ system<br />1 - Nokia 770 touch pad: Running RDP into a server<br />1 - Advent Windows Tablet<br />1 - POS Touchscreen PC<br />1 - Droid 2 Global Smartphone: Running RDP into a server<br /><strong class='bbc'>Hardware User Interfaces:</strong><br />GUI Interface "Now Playing" for Netremote on the Touchscreens<br /><strong class='bbc'>Automation Hardware:</strong><br />Elk M1EZ8 with Elk-M1XRF2G wireless receiver and PSC05 X10 interface<br />Ocelot 16 idependant IR zones<br />W800 Receiver<br />Various X10 Modules and Switches<br />Hobby-boards 1-Wire Master Hub<br /><strong class='bbc'>Other Hardware:</strong><br />WinXP Pro running SageTV for timeshifting running a 3800+ X2 w/7600GS for HD playback at 1080p<br />Linksys flashed with Tomato<br />Trendnet 1GB Hubs<br /><strong class='bbc'>A/V Hardware:</strong><br />Onkyo TX-SR707 7.1 Home Theater Receiver<br />5x Technics SA-EX140 200Watt RMS Stereo receivers<br />Shinybow SB-5548 8X8 Matrix Switcher<br />Grace Digital Audio Internet Tuner GDI-IRDT200<br />M-Audio Delta 410 10 Channel Sound Card<br />Xitel PRO HIFI USB Sound Device used for TOS Output<br />Samsung 56" DLP HDTV<br />Polk Monitor 70 Speakers<br />Various speakers for the auxilary zones like the BIC in-wall speakers<br />CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series CP1500AVRLCD UPS 1500VA<br /><strong class='bbc'>Software:</strong><br />Girder 5 w/Elk plugin<br />Netremote 2.0 Pro<br />JRIVER media center database/player software V11<br /><strong class='bbc'>Some Applications:</strong><br />6 independent zone touch screen controlled whole house audio system sourced by 900+ CD's and independent tuners<br />Internet radio stations including Pandora with Grace Digital tuner<br />Announce all caller id and reminders over independent audio distribution system.<br />Announce end of washer and dryer cycles<br />Popup for caller id with monitor wake-up and scrolling caller log<br />Light control popup panels for touch screens<br />Weather details page for touch screens<br />Elk Security Panel control<br />Vitek EH8 with 5 IR cameras for remote monitoring and motion capture<br /><strong class='bbc'>Description:</strong><br />Well here is a short history as to how my whole house audio has evolved in its design. I originally started with the idea of having a single amp and use LPADS in each room. What I came up with was as cheap and offered much more features and felt it was the best solution for the money long term. The problem with using a single receiver to drive multiple speakers are numerous. First you will have to have a way of impedance matching the speakers to your receiver. I seriously looked at devices like the HACS AB8SS but those cost quite a bit more money and you still will have to have some way of adjusting the volume in each room that you have your speakers in. For that you could use a manual or IR controlled LPAD mounted in the wall. Remember that this LPAD has to dissipate the wattage your driving so plan on it getting HOT. In researching LPADS I have read of many horror stories of people having them melt down in the walls. I also would be faced with all the work of mounting them and running the wires. A decent LPAD can run you $50-$100 each for manual control and double that for IR control.<br />I had no doubt that the 220 watt RMS receiver I currently had would drive all the speakers so power was not on issue. My original idea back several years ago would share a single 400 disc CD changer over multiple zones so again using a single receiver would work quite well. Again what had a big impact on my decision was the cost of the LPADS that I would need to purchase.<br />After weighing all those ideas (and trust me I was planning on going that route at first) I decided to take a different approach. First I live in a home that has wet plaster walls and its a real pain to mount anything in the walls so I was not looking forward to LPADS in each room anyways. I also wanted IR control so that I could use a touch screen and Homeseer (now Girder 5) to control it down the road. That meant spending big bucks on the speaker switcher/impedance matcher and all the IR controlled LPADS.<br />What I came up with ended up costing much less and really being much less work. I decided to purchase a Technics 200 watt stereo receivers for each additional room that I wanted to put a 'zone' in. So keeping my home theater system as the main 'zone' I purchased 4 extra receivers. Each receiver is IR controllable from Girder 5 and can be powered off separately. I centrally located all the receivers in a rack.<br />Each zone then has its own volume, power, mute, bass & treble controls. Since the wiring came down to running speaker wires from the 4 aux zones to each of the rooms it was much easier as I had no LPADS to buy or install. Each room has its own 200 watts RMS so there is no chance of a melt down. Once I chose the Technics SA-EX140 200Watt RMS Stereo receivers I looked on Ebay and bought 4 at an average cost of $50 each. That is less than the 4 manual LPADS I would have had to buy. All four receivers are close to my home automation server and are totally out of site. No need to have them visible when you can control them remotely with IR control via the touchscreen interface.<br />Now with separate receivers it opened up a few options. Each zone had its own tuner so that was a bonus. When I first did this I shared a 400 Disc CD changer for all zones. I have since went to a hard drive solution that enabled me to really indulge by having 5 distinct zones. Using the M-Audio 410 PCI Sound Cards that has 10 channels I am able to have a multizone setup with audiophile specifications. I use the built in sound card for my TTS voices and everything works well together. All the receivers are controlled via my 'Now Playing' GUI interface done using Netremote/JRMC/Girder 5/Ocelot. I use the SECU-16IR module for IR control as it has independent IR zones. The IR zones need to be independent due to the fact that I am using the same receiver for all the auxiliary 'zones'.<br />Every day I sit down at my PC in the den and use my Now Playing GUI front end I have access to over 900+ CD's,<br />internet radio stations, and 10 preset FM local stations. My wife can play what she likes in the living room,<br />bedroom or kitchen and I play what I like. With 1500 Watts RMS available I have no worries about heat or clipping<br />the amplifiers and destroying the speakers. I also have to say it all sounds quite nice.<br />I originally used Homeseer but have since migrated to Girder 5 as the home automation solution. I find it more stable and integrates better with Netremote.<br />I also have added an Elk to my setup and use the Elk plugin for Girder 5.<br />The system design has recently been upgraded with a 8X8 matrix switcher that is controlled via RS-232. This means any of my audio sources can be played to any of the six zones as well as a couple wireless headphones throughout the house. Any number of these zones can be hardware synced.<br />I recently upgraded my Sony ES to an Onkyo TX-SR707 receiver for my new LG BD-370 Blu Ray player to get the 7.1 lossless audio formats off Blu Ray discs. I am impressed with it. It has been integrated into the Now Playing project nicely.<br /><strong class='bbc'>Update 2011</strong><br />With the help of Electron I now have a way to grab images from any of of my Vitek cameras. So now I can do quick snapshots in Now Playing.<br />I now have my front porch and patio cameras image snapshots from my Vitek being text messaged to my Droid 2 phone when motion is detected. Hoping I don't get too many false triggers. This unlimited text messaging is paying off.<br /><strong class='bbc'>Block Diagram</strong><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5307/5590350801_d84bb5fc56_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Nowplaying Skin Intro and Mainscreen</span></span></strong><br />I have always loved listening to music and started my record collection (those black vinyl things) when I was fairly young. I jumped into CD's pretty early on and have collected over 900 discs. When I first started down this path I was always frustrated as it seemed that my music library was under utilized. After all having hundreds of CD on racks around the house made finding and selecting a CD time consuming at the very least. Purchasing a 400 CD changer was a step in the right direction. I quickly placed 400 of my favorite CD's into it and with the Sony advanced remote that came with it, I now had some of my library at my finger tips.<br />I then purchased a Slink-e interface that connected the changer to a PC and with the development of larger hard drives (a whopping huge 300MB) I was able to rip the remaining CD library to disc and merge it with the changers application called CDJ which acted like the database and mp3 player.<br />Over the years I have always wanted a touchscreen interface. I started playing with my first design when I purchased an Audrey. It was HTML based and it worked somewhat. This first Nowplaying project interfaced with CDJ to allow remote access and control from my desktop and small touchscreens around the house. What I really wanted was a dedicated client side interface. My next stab at this type of interface was actually written in Labview and looked quite nice for its day.<br />I came across an application called Netremote. It was based off the Pronto system but ran on Windows 32 and Windows Mobile operating systems. I was immediately hooked on it as it was extremely flexible and ran well on slower touchscreens. Editing skins was pretty difficult using a program called Tonto. However Netremote has since matured over the years and now has a very nice GUI designer application. Also the the company merged with the developer of Girder and a tight integration between the two applications developed. Girder has matured and with the latest version it has become a powerful home automation application. I have since migrated from Homeseer to Girder 5 and redesigned Nowplaying to take advantage of all the new features now available.<br />Many of you have seen the screen shots over the years of my Nowplaying skins. I have recently spent time tweaking the latest version and will post some of the newest screen shots here.<br />Now Playing has six independent zones and from this screen you can control the Shinybow Matrix Switcher and choose which source is played in any zone. This includes 5 JRMC zones from the CD library as well as the Grace Internet Radio tuner.<br />This is the Shinybow Matrix Switch control screen where you select which sources go to which receivers. Also the power and volume are controlled from this screen for the receivers as well as for the matrix and Grace tuner.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5590940724_4da37dff98_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />The Mainscreen toggles between the JRMC view and control screen or the Grace Internet Radio tuner control screen as shown in the two screenshots below.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5590351147_f8284b47a5_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6441962165_920812f7f4_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Album Browser</span></span></strong><br />Below is my album browser screen. With Netremote you can create GAC's which originated as 'Grab Album Covers' but has since been greatly embellished. You can think of it as a graphical for-next loop display. With it you can organize objects to view. I have posted these type of screen shots in the past but realized I have never explained their functionality.<br />The screens main section will display information such as 'albums', 'artist/album', 'genres' and 'playlist'. There is a scroll bar on the right to access the entire list. Any 'view scheme' you want to design in JRMC can be sorted and displayed in this 'GAC'. The buttons along the top will go fetch the information asked for from JRMC and display it. The keypad on the left side allows you to quickly jump to the letter/number of the currently displayed list. There is a 'Search' function as well that will display any results in the 'GAC'. There is a small 'icon' that looks like a man near the top left of the 'GAC'. When this is clicked all the CD's from the artist that is currently being playing are displayed in the 'GAC'.<br />With any of the returned information displayed in these 'GAC' you can 'drill' down into the data. For instance if you click on one of the albums listed in the list it will switch to display the individual tracks on that album. The same goes if the list is displaying the 'artists'. It will drill down showing all CD's by that artist. There is a small button that appears above the scroll bar that will let you return to the parent list. At the right of each entry in the list being displayed there is a small &gt; and &gt;+ symbol. Clicking the &gt; symbol will tell JRMC to play that track/album/playlist (and all child content). Clicking the &gt;+ will add that item to the currently playing playlist.<br />As this interface is designed to be used with touchscreens there is an onscreen keyboard that can be brought up to provide the means to enter the search text.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/3527985429_a7693c901b_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />Here is the network configuration showing the client/server relationship of Nowplaying<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3554/3473860691_7a0c8c95a1_z.jpg?zz=1' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Nowplaying Security and Lighting Control</span></span></strong><br />Below is my Security and Lighting control panel. I can control the lights and arm/disarm the Elk security system. Also from this screen I can view the status of several things including:<br />Every light in my house<br />Doors and Windows security status<br />Audio amplifier power status for each zone (true power status through hardware detection) *<br />Motion detector status *<br />Humidity levels<br />Temperatures from 1-wire as well as Elk keypad<br />Garage door status<br />Washing Machine Status *<br />Dryer Status *<br />LED indicator for phone hook status<br />LED indicator if there has been a phone call *<br />* Animated GIF files used<br />Another feature added with high WAF (wife acceptance factor) is my phone on/off hook status done using the Elk. The music gets paused by an incoming call via the CallerID handler but now when the phone gets hung up the music will resume.<br />Also there is a phone line in use icon to see if the phone is being used.<br />Well at the request of my wife I wrote an Elk routine that makes it possible to pause the music in all zones by picking up the phone and hitting the flash button once. When the phone is hung up the music will resume.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5590976520_bd5b8c3568_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Weather</span></span></strong><br />Nowplaying displays the current weather conditions at the top right of the most screens. It also has a more detailed weather screen that also displays the 5 day forecast and moonphases.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4252675356_2e465f6671_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />You can also display several animated radar images by selecting the buttons along the left and right sides.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3482263917_ef5eef4961_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Tuner Control</span></span></strong><br />Well one advantage to using inexpensive receivers for the multiple zones is that each one has its own tuner. So I have all 6 receivers programmed to 10 presets that can be selected from Nowplaying.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3485242671_d73b040359_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Caller ID Database Updater</span></span></strong><br />Here is my new Caller ID Database Updater. When a new call comes in that is not in the database I can use this popup screen to add it with a new name, number and text to speech announcement.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3486082874_5a9be3d37e_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Nowplaying Hardware</span></span></strong><br />I decided to take a couple pictures of my hardware setup for Now Playing. This picture shows my 2 PC's as well as my Vitek DVR. The far left one is for my HTPC running SAGETV. The right one is my new Now Playing server running Girder 5, JRMC and hosting over 1000 CD's ripped using APE lossless format. Below them are the receivers used for the five auxiliary zones. My main Onkyo receiver is located in my home theater stand to have HDMI pass through for the Bluray audio formats. Also to the right of the Dell is my Cyberpower UPS.<br />Above the receivers are the Grace Digital Audio Tuner and Shinybox 8X8 Matrix Switcher<br />Also shown is the Elk, Edgeport USB and the Netcaller ID boxes.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6968070519_7069b924cb_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />The backside shows my Ocelot, SECU-16, SECU-16I and SECU-16IR along with my 1 wire interface<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3486108468_f4ced59efa_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />This box hooks up to me SECU-16 and has 6 opto-coupled inputs that will monitor the power status for all six receivers for my whole house audio system. Instead of using current sensors I decided a few months back to use some very cheap wall-warts I found and plug each into the switched outlet of each receiver. This came out to be a cheap as well as functionally neat way of handling it. Also in the box are 4 10AMP mini relays that will be used for such things as my Ocelot watchdog that will monitor my servers.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3486108524_1f1f713531_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />The finished box mounted. The small switch on top is a watchdog override.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3486123534_f445131c40_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />I have finished building up my ELO 15" touchscreen case that will go on a new bookcase we purchased for the living room. It was design to sit on the shelf and resemble a fish tank and will be running the Serene Screen-saver when not being used with Now Playing 2009.<br />There is a button on the Now Playing skin that will tell Girder to place the PC used for the ELO into standby using the 'psshutdown.exe' command. I could have done it all locally only but I also wanted to be able to suspend via Girder with scheduled events or an email to Girder. I have the ELO touchscreen system setup to Wake on Mouse so a simple touch to the ELO screen will wake it up.<br />Here are a couple snapshots before I moved it to the bookcase. The frame is made with wood and for the finish I used a 'hammered look' spray paint.<br />It has passed the WAF test.....<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3485286347_579ebf0084_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />Fish tank without the smell or mess...hehehe<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3486101590_29ae07da3d_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/4235545126_a96277b891_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Nowplaying Google Calendar</span></span></strong><br />I have been working on getting Google Calendar as part of Nowplaying. The first step was to get a 'view' of my calendar in a popup panel. The next phase will be to add events. For now I found a cool application called GCALDaemon that will let you sync Rainlendar to your Google Calendar. Anything I add to Rainlender will automatically show up on Google Calendar and the Nowplaying view.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3523006672_f0f805c9c5_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'><span class='bbc_underline'><span style='font-size: 18px;'>Interactive Weather Radar</span></span></strong><br />Thanks to some posts on the forum and Jonathan on the CQC forum for figuring out the flash object link I spent 15 minutes and added it to Nowplaying. Works very well.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3616713416_c29003c5b0_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />I finished installing WinXP Pro Sp3 on the "All in one touchscreen computer. Used POS systems" I received from Dumetre and have to say I am quite impressed with its performance. It runs my Now Playing skin very snappy. Below is a picture of it with the Now Playing skin running. I used Flash 10.1 and the Interactive Radar works fine. This is all before I have tweaked XP.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4523910335_6f8a17b23b_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />So now I have Now Playing running from my Advent PC as well as my Nokia 770<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3668867748_b396f51f8e_z.jpg?zz=1' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />New toys for Now Playing project<br />I have upgraded my home theater system with a LG BD-370 Blu Ray player and an Onkyo TX-SR707 receiver. I also have upgraded my network to GiGe as well as adding a second Silcondust HDHR for my SageTV server.<br />I have to say I am quite impressed with the new Audyssey PLIIz Front High or DSX Wide sound fields as well as the Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master audio on the BD discs. Of coarse some of the new movies have quite impressive picture quality. That can range from 'oh geez that looks a bit better than DVD' to 'WOW that looks incredible'. All depends on the movie.<br />As for the Onkyo all I can say I am in love with this receiver. The quality of its Burr-Brown audio DACs are apparent as well as the video quality of the Faroudja DCDi Cinema chipset to upscale to 1080p.<br />Some more info:<br /><a href='http://www.highdefjunkies.com/showthread.php?t=2604' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.highdefju...read.php?t=2604</a><br /><a href='http://stereos.about.com/b/2009/05/28/update-audyssey-dsx-demonstration-is-51-channels-enough-i-dont-think-so.htm' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://stereos.about.com/b/2009/05/28/upda...nt-think-so.htm</a><br /><a href='http://www.audyssey.com/technology/dsx.html' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.audyssey....nology/dsx.html</a><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4231979230_3d2b6b6e95_o.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />Upgraded speakers for HT<br />I recently upgraded some of my speakers for my home theater setup. I added some Polk Audio OMW3's to use for the Audyssey DSX Wide sound field as well as replacing my aging rear surrounds. Nice sound quality from a fairly small speaker. I also upgraded my aging center channel speaker with a Polk Audio CS10 Black Center Speaker and Polk Monitor 70's Series II for the front speakers.<br />Playing a Bluray concert like David Gilmour: Remember That Night - Live At The Royal Albert Hall is just plain awesome with the Audyssey DSX Wide sound field in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4686394214_dcec7e057b_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />Well I did some research as to what was a decent RDP app for my Droid 2 Global. I finally decided to give this one a try.<br /><a href='http://www.xtralogic.com/rdpclient.shtml' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.xtralogic...rdpclient.shtml</a><br />I then went into Netremote Designer and re-sized my Nokia 770 skin to the Droids 854X480 resolution and told it to automatically resize all the graphics. I was eager to test this out on my Droid. I have to say I am more than pleased with the result. The Now Playing skin AS-IS runs great. I can now create a more custom Android style skin to use. Still playing with some ideas on paper for a Portrait version. But for now this works.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5298563443_44f21070ee_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />I have mounted my Advent PC in the kitchen.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5690662922_959a79bb20_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br />Here is one of my Now Playing Droid skin screen shots<br /><strong class='bbc'>Homepage</strong><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5335485109_a39788e7e7_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><a href='http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-315-now-playing-droid-skin/' class='bbc_url' title=''>To see all the Droid skin screen shots click here</a><br />I have mounted my Advent PC in the kitchen and created a skin to fit its own resolution. I am really happy how well it goes in and out of sleep mode. Netremote runs very well on it and overall I am impressed with this little PC.<br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5690662922_959a79bb20_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><strong class='bbc'>UPnP for Grace Tuner support</strong><br />I have now converted everything over to UPnP calls for the Grace Digital Tuner. So no more IR to control it. Wow what a difference it makes. So much faster and more reliable. It took some head scratching to figure out the commands for the menu actions but in the end they are pretty easy when you figure out which of the commands you need (which then gives you more information for the next command) and in what order.<br />I now have all the Presets, Power On/Off, Power Status, Skip Pandora Track, and Thumbs Up and Down working now with UPnP calls and of coarse the Metadata for title, artist, album and URL link for album cover.<br />I have finished updating all my skins for Pandora. This one runs on my Advent in my kitchen.<br /><br /><span rel='lightbox'><span rel='lightbox'><img class='bbc_img' src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6441962165_920812f7f4_b.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br />I spent today working on a way to mute my Grace Digital Internet Tuner when a phone call comes in. It seems that the tuner's hardware design will only let you use the UPnP 'volume' and 'mute' commands with the headphone jack. The TOSlink or RCA high quality outputs are not effected. Since the tuner connects into the Shinybow 8X8 Matrix switcher it was not as easy as muting a receiver as it could be switched to any of the six zones. So I decided to change the Shinybow plugin to create a pseudo 'mute'. When a call comes in, any of the Matrix switcher inputs that are set to the Grace Tuner are change to input eight which is not used. When the phone is hung up the reverse happens and whatever input is set to input eight is switched back to the Grace Tuner's input. The other five sources that come from JRMC are handled through a win.SendMessage command being sent to JRMC to pause the track being played.<br /><br />On a side note I finally tracked down a problem with my TTS sound. This new ASUS MB comes with an EPU-4 application that is suppose to reduce power consumption. The problem was it also killed the sound after a period of no console activity. I deactivated it and so far things are working great.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:19:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/8/entry-119-nowplaying-2012-showcase/</guid>
	</item>
</channel>
</rss>