23" Gateway All-in-1 Touch PC, Splashtop & D2 Pad Android Tablet = My Juke

[mike boss]

@ Peja


Again many thanks ! I cant wait to make this project a reality.
BTW your project sounds kick azz!
I agree that some things about UT's Juke look perhaps "dated" , but overall for a free program it really is aweomse. When I used it on my other PC I liked to keep it on the album page, so you see all your CD covers. I never really stayed on the page with the visulizations.

One of the biggest things (from a design point) is some of the cosmetics.
I spent a great deal of time looking for fonts and symbol based fonts so I could give a more polished look. Uncle T's lets you enter your text, then your text color, and background color.
What I try to do is select a background color that matches the background, giving the effect that the button floats if you will on the page.

Anyway I need to come up with a concept and direction, once I start messing around it will become more clear what I can/cant do.

[mike boss]

Still a long, long, long journey ahead to wrap up the skin.
I installed Uncle T's on my vista PC today, but it's not working.
Tomorrow I'll need to install it on one of my XP PC's.

Anyway I've worked on a background. I'm not  thrilled with it, but it will give me the white bottom I want.
I think it could look good when all is done.
I'm still on the guest for some cool fonts.

[mike boss]

Skin is still a W.I.P , perhaps today more time will be spent working on it. (Depends what the wife has planned for me !  )
I can get this PC for $60 :
 http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computers-Dell-Mini-Comouter-2-80Ghz-2GB-RAM-DVD-Keyboard-Mice-W0QQAdIdZ474193590

I have a bunch of PC's here....I'm sure some of you would laugh if I sent you a picture of my closet (others live in the same reality), however sometimes I just like to start fresh....well USED fresh ! Anyway the above PC, more compact $60.

Locally I'm trying to find a tablet, want to do this on a budget as said, but part of me would like a nice 10" bad boy.
Tablets are pretty new, I guess I wouldn't find a 4x3 aspect ratio tablet would I ?

Locally we have an outlet type store, Factorydirect.ca, they have  tons of options for Android tablets under $60, however stock quantity is always the issue.

There is the huge part of me that just wants to get the stuff now and work on getting it working as I go, IE - not have all the answers.
For example I have no clue which VPN product to use, but I'm sure I'd figure it out.


EDIT - Ended up just ordering the 9" tablet. Let the motivation to complete the project begin ! I'll pick up a 32GN MicroSD at a later time, taking full advantage of the tablet.

EDIT - I can get the first tablet (9") for $115 shipped to my local store. I know very little about these things. Anybody have any advice on it. I ask because I'll only get a store credit should I have issues.

[mike boss]

Soooo.............I went with this, $115 shipped for local pick up.
I can pick it up on my way home from work.
I think this will be sufficient, and I'll upgrade the memory later.
Really above the jukebox project and perhaps the odd surfing of the net, and occasional video from VEVO I don't think I'll use it much.
I'm hoping you guys wont say I made a mistake on it !
I don't know much about tablets, but all I  really want is that I can find a good VPN program and this controls the jukebox !
I'm excited to Rock n' Roll !

D2pad 9" 4Gb 1.0Ghz Android 4.1 Tablet (Black)
$115 shipped to local store for pick up

Detail Specifications:
D2pad 9" 4Gb 1.0Ghz Android 4.1 Tablet - Black.

General Features:
-9" capacitive LCD touchscreen.
-800 x 480 WVGA resolution.
-Android OS 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
-1.0 GHz processor.
-512 MB DDR3 RAM.
-4 GB flash memory.
-Built-in 0.3 MP front-facing camera.
-microSD/microSDHC card slot (supports up to 32 GB).
-USB 2.0 interface.
-Integrated IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN.
-Built-in speaker and microphone.
-G-sensor function provides orientation sensing.
-Built-in rechargeable Lithium battery.
-Ports: Microphone, 3.5 mm earphone jack, Reset hole, Mini USB port, Power DC input MicroSD card slot, Speaker.
-Power Specifications: DC 5V
-Unit Dimensions: 9.33 x 5.55 x 0.48-inches (H x W x D, approximate).
-Weight: 1.7 lbs (332 g).



-- EDIT --  I tried posting the link, but every time it shows me as logged in, and purchase history was available. I had to remove the link and just post the specs.

[mike boss]

I've worked a little more on the skin.
I'm starting to like it, not LOVE it, but like it.
I'm working within the limitations, be it transparency issues, the inability to replace buttons, etc.

I love this program, I think for free it's AMAZING.
I wish it were widescreen, but it is what it is.
Sadly I don't have the skill set to create my own software so I'll live with the issues I can't resolve.

Anyway here is a sample.

[mike boss]

Hoping that my tablet comes in this week.
My wife reminds me that I'll have less and less time for projects when the baby comes.
She doesn't even know about the tablet purchase and "Jukebox dream!."

Soon the man cave will be man, wife, and child (late July).
I'm reminded  that I need to finish all projects prior to baby time.
Two arcade games reside outside that I need to wrap up, custom made sign needs to be painted, and now this ! I look at it and say, "Don't kids sleep a ton?"
Having a kid is a great reason to stay home, home is where the heart PROJECT is !

Anyway I'll be here asking for help guys as this project goes forward !
Tablet should be in this week.
The search for apps will begin then.
Skin is still a W.I.P .

[mike boss]

I get my tablet Thursday ! Sweet !

[mike boss]

Got the tablet, neat.
Been such a busy week I've done so little with it.
Hoping to take the weekend to dig a lil deeper.
If anyone has any suggestions for Android please let me know.

Thanks

[mike boss]

Going to give Team Viewer a go.
Watched an in depth video on You Tube, looks good and easy enough.
The tablet itself is not bad, I've been playing with it tonight.
Not super Hi-Res or anything, but for $100 seems not bad (to me).

[mike boss]

Ok, so here is where I'm at, thought I'd post the progress (all be it minimal).
Installed Team Viewer on my tablet and on my Vista PC.
Simple as heck to use, works easily !

Now a few things I noticed :

• PC resolution is 1440 x 900 ( tablet 800 x 480 WVGA resolution)
  - Hard to see stuff on the PC with the resolution set as it is.
  - Hoping that when I text with the XP PC @ 1024 x 768 the issue isn't so bad.
  I cant just point to an area on my screen, I need to use my finger to drag the mouse cursor.

I have an old PC with Uncle T's installed, I need to find this, dig it out, install Team Viewer on it and give it a go.
I have the old ELO touch screen drivers installed on the old XP PC. I'm hoping that with Uncle T's being a touchscreen friendly program that I can simply touch the desired area on screen. I also noticed that when using the tablet and Vista PC I tired to access and play a video, the video on the tablet played very slow and choppy. Don't know if that issue can be resolved. Not going to sweat that !

Key things I want to look for :

Resolution issues, displaying 1024 x 768 on the 800 x 480 screen.
Improved results when streaming.
Ability to touch desired area on screen.

[drventure]

Any chance of setting your PC to display 800x480? if it's headless, so what, the only thing that'll be showing the screen is the tablet, and it can't show any higher res, so why bother with a higher res on the PC?

[mike boss]

Any chance of setting your PC to display 800x480? if it's headless, so what, the only thing that'll be showing the screen is the tablet, and it can't show any higher res, so why bother with a higher res on the PC?

Right now I'm just testing things and messing around.
I wanted to get a feel for things, and see how things will look, etc.
In reality I have no desire to stream from my Vista PC to tablet, or control it really.
I was just anxious to mess around seeing as I had downloaded Team Viewer.
When I do dig out the XP PC I will try to lower the resolution.

Thumbs up for Team Viewer BTW - really simple !

[mike boss]

With prepearation for our first child taking over our lives I've had very little time for the project.
However I'm happy to report that by the end of this weekend I'd suspect my childs room to be completed, and after my 4 year anniversary next weekend I "SHOULD" get me time.

For now the idea still lives on. Tablet is good, resolution...MEH! But speed, etc, I'm happy.
PC still needs to be pulled out of storage and a new clean skin still needs to be completed.

The hope now is that the tablet can control the PC easily and that some of the touch functions work as they would on a touch screen. As I said when testing with my Vista PC I had to use my finger to drag the mouse pointer.

I'll be sure to post progress and pics as I go.

Any and all ideas/advice/thoughts on the project all welcome.

I love the input

Thanks all

[philharris]

Am pretty late to this discussion, but have you thought about XBMC? You could set it up like this:

PC runs xbmc, is wired to speaker system and holds audio.
Tablet runs xbmc remote, allowing you to control xbmc on the pc with a coverflow style interface. Tablet also then runs xbmc as well, so it can also act as a playback device.

You can also set up xbmc as an airplay target, so you can also send it stuff from apple devices (if you have any).

[mike boss]

@ philharris

That is a good idea, XBMC, I had not thought of that.
My last dealings with XBMC were good, however XBMC was showing content in my library that wasn't actually on my network. Really bothered me.... but I'll gladly try agian.

I want something that looks slick and polished and will easily allow me to create a playlist.
One of the things I loved so much with Uncle T's (and I'm sure  rings true of various software) was that you dont need to go from folder to folder, right click, add to list, etc etc.

I'm not to much in the know when it comes to XBMC and how it deals with music. However I have used the XBMC remote apps on my iPhone (the only Apple device I own).

I'll have to give it a look tonight and see what I can find for my Android tablet.

Thanks

[mike boss]

@ philharris

Thanks for the steer to XBMC.
I've just installed it on my tablet, booth XBMC and the remote.
Steaming from my PC via XBMC does lag, that I'm guessing is a product of a slow tablet ? (specs above)

I still need to test the remote aspect with XBMC which is on my laptop.

EDIT - having a hell of a time getting the XBMC remote app for android to work. I know I had issues with my iPhone that were easily  fixed with a trip to Google. For some reason the iPhone apps aren't working at this time, nor can I get the Android app to work.

[mike boss]

OK................XBMC is up and running on my tablet, as is the XBMC remote.

XBMC itself for music is very cool, looks good, plays smooth, no complaints.
I don't know how to add songs to a playlist, but I'm sure it can be done, more so my user issue when it comes to that.
For videos its SLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW !
However my intention was never to stream videos onto the tablet.

XBMC remote is finally working. Works well, simple, easy.
I'd like to format my laptop and add the new build of XBMC onto the laptop, really get a feel for it.

All in all I like the look and feel and I'm happy it was suggested.
Good be a nice feature on the tablet.

As said before I'd like to still toy with Uncle T's, just gotta find the time.
I'm proud to report I'm going to be a dad soon (4 LONG years of trying!).......... and as of late baby stuff has consumed me.
But.........perhaps this weekend I'll get "Me" time.

[mike boss]

Still messing around, working on this project.
Getting the tablet set up how I like it, apps that provide a cool multimedia experience.
It did dawn on me, XBMC remote app is great, but for that I have NO CHOICE but to hook up the PC to the TV/Audio system.
Easy for my laptop as I have a spare HDMI connection for that very purpose.

To beat a dead horse...............I still haven't pulled out the XP PC to do my testing. I'm telling myself I will this weekend.

I also need to install an app that will allow me to control my HD PVR............cool !

[Peja]

Don't have any advice for you but just wanted to tell you congratulations on being a dad soon!!  That's awesome!!

Peja

[mike boss]

Thanks Peja !

I'm looking forward to it, it's been a heck of a journey for my wife and I.
For now I'm working on my time management, trying to find time for EVERYTHING!
Weekends are just go, go, go !

I have one arcade machine %90 done to wrap up, one complete resto to complete, and the juke. The PC part of which I still have not pulled from storage.

I'll say what I always say, "I hope to find time this weekend!"

As always I'll post the progress.

[mike boss]

As I posted in the above thread started by TheShaner :

I haven't played around much in the past few weeks, not even searching the app store for a suitable app.
XBMC remote app is great if I hook up my laptop (or any PC) to the TV.
It's cook to use this 10" tablet to control stuff, but it doesn't provide the graphic experience I want on the tablet itself.
Running XBMC on the tablet itself does however, but not being Bluetooth enabled I cant send the audio to my AV system so that sucks !
I'll keep you in the loop as I make progress. Id love to get the PC pulled out this weekend and do some testing.

[mike boss]

So as the long weekend nears an end here in Canada I had four projects to do.
Two for me (Mike projects, non wife approved projects) and two house projects (wife approved).
Proud to say I did 1 and 1!

House project one was fix up outside ----- DONE !
Me project one was work on the juke project.

Happy to say I pulled the PC out of storage, got the ol' music hard drive out of retirement and installed Teamviewer on the XP PC.
So now for testing and results.

Uncle T's is set to 1024 x 768, Tablet is 800 x 480 WVGA resolution.
- so first things first, you need to scroll to navigate the screen. The images look good, nice and clear, but you need to navigate to see everything.

Response time
- sadly the biggest disappointment is that you simply cant touch anywhere on the screen and have it respond as a touchscreen. You need to drag the mouse cursor to the desired area and click, so you don't get that full touchscreen experience. Not only that it's a lil on the slow side. It lags transitioning from page to page.

I'll keep trying, looking for alternatives and solutions, but that is where it's at for now.

[mike boss]

I wish a program for the Android existed that functioned as Uncle T's does.
I think it's so user friendly.
I'm not giving up......... I'll find a solution.

[mike boss]

I've done minimal testing, haven't had the time.
I'd like to get around to this on the weekend.
I can't believe I can't find a nice suitable jukebox for android.
I'll need to snap a video of Uncle T's in use, it really is amazing.

[mike boss]

Plan is get some testing done on the weekend.
See if perhaps I can somehow maximize the performance of the tablet.
I'm also going to look at "Style Jukebox."
Couldnt find a ton of info on it, and from what I see 2000 songs is the max.
But I'd like to look more as this could be a great option.

If anyone has tried it let me know.

Thanks.

[mike boss]

I sent off an email to the people @ Style Jukebox to clarify some questions I had.
I'm still waiting on a response and looking for other solutions.

[mike boss]

So far I have not found any solution I've liked.
I can't get a return email from the people @ Style Jukebox and the app won't let me download it from Google Play.
(that could be a tablet issue as it wont let me sign into my account)

Nothing is giving me the graphically pleasing look I'm going for, it seems a paid option might have to be the way to go.

[mike boss]

Dreaming....................Android App

[Barry Barcrest]

I know some of my users use splashtop to access E-Touch on their tablets. You certainly don't have that drag click issue with that and it's free so maybe that could be worth looking at.

[mike boss]

Sweet, I'll look.
As of now I have found no suitable solution.
The project is dead ! SIGHH.................

[Barry Barcrest]

Sweet, I'll look.
As of now I have found no suitable solution.
The project is dead ! SIGHH.................

Why is project dead? All you need is splashtop 2 installed on the PC and the tablet and you are good to go. Obviously the PC needs to be hooked into some sore of speaker set up. I know quite a few of my users are doing this, using uncle T's jukebox shouldn't be any different.

[mike boss]

Sweet, I'll look.
As of now I have found no suitable solution.
The project is dead ! SIGHH.................

Why is project dead? All you need is splashtop 2 installed on the PC and the tablet and you are good to go. Obviously the PC needs to be hooked into some sore of speaker set up. I know quite a few of my users are doing this, using uncle T's jukebox shouldn't be any different.

I think perhaps I'm too specific in what I'm looking for. In both the look and feel.
I really want a solid top shelf looking GUI on the tablet end, that does not seem to be available from what I've found.
For example, using "LogMeIn" for example I can see the remote desktop which looks good, but resolution wise I'm limited. So one issue is my full-screen is not displaying, sadly with the tablet being lower end I'm kinda stuck at that. Example two, the screen shows up and looks good, I simply cant tap anywhere on the screen and get the response I would on the actual PC with touchscreen. I thought I would, but it isn't working as such.

Other programs I've found only support the music stored on the tablet itself, they might look good, but again not what I'm looking for.

I know you've responded in the other thread with Touchjams for $9.95 .
I think I'm going to download the trial and give it a shot.

If I sacrifice the look on the Android end to get the functionality I'm OK with that.
To state it again the idea is a dedicated PC running only the Jukebox software of choice, music stored on the PC and elsewhere on the home network.
PC hooked up thru VGA to my 55" TV and wired into my existing AV set up then controlled with the tablet.

I should have snapped a video and perhaps will of the tablet working in connection with the PC.

As I said I have some ELO touchscreen monitors I had purchased years ago for this project, but never got around to using them. With space an issue I don't think I will. I'm also going to look into adding an MK808 Google TV to my existing set up, being a Google device I know it's Android. Perhaps I'll find some cool options for controlling/playing music.

[drventure]

Do you have/use any Juke software now via remote control (iether on the tv or something else?)

The reason I ask is that I've used JRiver via it's "tv interface", and I've also used TIVO's juke interface (both the native and third party addons).

But +nobody+ else, in the family or guests ever did.

Having a touchscreen right there in a dedicated Juke cabinet, though... EVERYONE wants to play with that. Add tracks to the playlist, browse, check out album covers etc. I think it's the whole touchscreen thing.

I don't know, though, maybe the "android touchscreen tablet feel" would overcome that?

Maybe I'm just becoming an old luddite 

[mike boss]

Things are so hectic I never had a change to respond yet.
I (as of now) use nothing other than the odd time I'll use the sharing via my BuRay player or XBOX 360. Only issue with that is my main PC has a very limited collection of music on it.

I have a separate PC with "ALL" my music. It's this PC I'd love to control/access via my tablet.

The search still continues !

[mike boss]

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!

So again this project takes a new shape, new fuel on the fire, new ideas, new concepts.
Buying a very basic tablet (which I did) seems to have limited me quite a bit. I've seen some cool programs, however my resolution is not supported.
This tablet will simply be used for Android MAME at a later time.

Still the hunt continues to get my music collection accessible and in the man cave and useable in a "cool" way.
I purchased a copy of Touchjams on sale for $9.95 and started the process of custom skinning it.
Hopped on eBay and ordered a Bluetooth audio transmitter and a Bluetooth receiver to go with it.
Still have to clean up an old PC (in storage), fix the tags on my MP3 collection, and move all the music & videos over to the PC.
I've decided I'm going to go the simple route of having the PC, touch screen monitor, and blue tooth pair.

I have some space on my bar/candy station where I can house the monitor. Behind that area in the man cave is a closet, I can store the PC in the closet using the bluetooth to send the audio to my existing equipment.

IF............. BIG IF ..............I want to "beef" things up in the near future I can ask my father in law to assist in building a frame the monitor, perhaps using some RGB LED strips in the case, or even add some RGB LED strips around the man cave using a device that will make them strobe to the music.

Locally I've been able to track down a LCD touch screen so all seems to be coming together.
Touchjams can be controlled via my tablet, all be it the interface is nothing fancy....but it works.

[mike boss]

So as I mentioned above this project is back in the "GO" section of the "To Do" list.
PC is not yet configured, but ready and waiting on a clean fresh install of Touch Jams (and new skin created by ME!) . Parts on order from eBay and 27" HP touch screen monitor has been tracked down. It's about an hour away from me. As the add reads its from an HP PC that was broken and as per "Geek Squad" needs new HDD. I asked the seller, who is selling this for a friend,why they would pay "Geek Squad" to figure out what is wrong yet not fix it ? He said the sellers wife objected to the repair. He said I can test the monitor (which is all I really want).
Price is $200 firm.

The price for the monitor IMHO is good, and the PC is just a bonus which I'm sure I can fix.
The add is some respects seems to good to be true.

My plan is install the required drivers on my laptop, take my laptop with me and test the monitor. I made the buyer aware of such and he was fine. I'm a lil on the fence with this, but I think it's worth it.

Thoughts ?

[mike boss]

Noticed I kinda hi-jacked another thread. (My Bad!!)
So again........................... I'm back.
Like many of you I have too many projects, too many ideas, and too little time.
Android Arcade Project - NOT DONE ! Started (kinda), but not done !
Dual Core PC project with Fix It Felix Jr - not done !
I could go on, but I wont!

So this Jukebox.... something I have wanted for quite some time now.
Where do I stand with this ? Whats new, etc ?

Well I had tracked down a 27" HP TouchSmart PC. I had asked family to pick it up for me, but they were scared. Yep - SCARED ! Locally there was an incident as of late with a man who was killed selling his truck on Kijiji. (I'm in Toronto, Canada)
So needless to say the HP TouchSmart never got purchased and again the project went to bed.

However the hunt for a well priced touchscreen monitor had never stopped. I'm always looking on Kijiji and Craigslist looking for options. The last couple days I've found a couple of good options.
A Gateway ZX 6800 with 23" Touchscreen monitor for $200 is available and close to home which is great.
Another seller (whom I have not yet contacted) has another touchscreen PC for $200. The monitor size is unknown, but this one is complete (where as the Gateway doesn't have the keyboard and mouse).

The Gateway is available and I'd be able to pick that up on Friday. The other I'll need to contact tonight and decide. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO perhaps I'll get myself a birthday present (December 21st) this weekend and get this project finished.

I have my Bluetooth pair ready to go and TouchJams configured and skinned to my liking. It really does come down to the PC.

[yotsuya]

I've got an old AMD computer, a ELO 15" I picked up on eBay that is plenty big, and DW Jukebox running with SimpleTouchFE as the main skin. Works great. Good luck.

[mike boss]

@ yotsuya

Whatever works man, whatever works !!! It's all good.
I got in touch with the seller of the 23" All-in-1, no warranty but said they would fix any problem that comes up.
(what that means I'll need to ask when I go see the unit)

Got a response from the other seller, $200 all-in-1, however monitor is only 16".
The 16" PC is complete with keyboard and mouse, but the smaller monitor is a turn off.

I know for $20 I can get a wireless keyboard/mouse combo that works on USB and just uses that lil small dongle.

[mike boss]

Progress, progress, progress !

23" TouchScreen all in 1 PC - $200 ...........going to look tonight !
$10 wireless keyboard & mouse combo tracked down (pick up pending PC).

PC is not Bluetooth, but I have the adapter to resolve that issue.
The HDD is big enuff that it should be able to hold my entire collection, none the less the PC is Wi-Fi so I can always point TouchJams towards the PC.

Bob (@ TouchJams) made a change to have 1 click add to playlist which is awesome.
I'll post some info tonight.

Sooooooooooooooooo many projects that I have to do, if this PC works out (and I hope it does) I'll bump this to the top. Really it is as simple as adding TouchJams and moving the music over.

Ohhhhhhhhh man...............I hope, I hope.
I've bought a ton of used PC's in the past, never had an issue, I'm hoping this is the same.
I just looked, it's super EZ to get the program to start upon start up. And I had PM'd Bob (from TouchJams) about TRYING to help out and improve on the look of the web aplication.

So we will see where this all goes.