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

[mike boss]

Back at this today, doing a lil trial run.
If I disconnect my Belkin router I can log into and use Splashtop without any issue.
So I assume somehow the router is blocking the connection.
I'm not very tech savvy, but I will try to fix this issue.

[mike boss]

Busy weekend with the baby left NO time for projects.
I've not been able to try and figure out the issue with the Belkin router.
I played around a lil more with Splashtop, trying to get a feel for how it works.
I still say my tablet isn't the best, and there is some slight delay.
Changing settings to where no audio is sent to the tablet did indeed help.
I have to get some pics up...I'll try tonight.

Here in Toronto we got hit with ANOTHER storm (I'm so over this weather). I was unable to get the PC as planned. I've contacted the seller to let him know I am %100 serious.................HOPING this weekend I'll have the time I need.

[mike boss]

This is what I'm working with.
Gives me the look I want and what I think really is "WOW factor!"
As I said I need to get the PC this week.
Bluetooth stuff has all been tested and for the most part is pretty awesome.
I'd like it if the Bluetooth stuff stayed paired, so upon power up I didn't need to do anything.
However I think I'll need to pair it at every power up. (But I'll look for a fix)

[mike boss]

Got he PC!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 
Not going to get a chance to  work on it tonight (or Friday for that matter)........but none the less I got it !

Also picked up a wireless keyboard and mouse !

[Typefighter01]

Got he PC!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

Score 

[mike boss]

I have big dreams for this!
I'd love to get some form of custom case built (even if only a bezel of sorts), adding LED lights, etc.
BUT ................................... I will not even consider that for now.
For now I just want to get the stuff working as is.

Tonight (if I can) I'd like to move over all my music and install Touch Jams, MP3 Gain, and MP3 Tag.
That would be a great start !

The wife has ladies night tonight, so it's me and Sophia (my daughter)........Saturday is UFC, and Sunday the big game. But I'll TRY to make SOME time.

[mike boss]

Saturday............ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Saturday...............Good Ol Saturday.
I'm up and I've just cleaned off the computer, wiping down all the nasty fingerprints and trying to get it as minty fresh as I can.
I've unwrapped the new wireless mouse & keyboard and I'd like to get started!

First things first a lil breakfast with the wife, and if all goes well I'll be able to post an update later.

If I could get the PC cleaned up by removing programs I don't use, making sure minimal items are running at start up I'd be happy.
If I could get the software installed and the music moved I'd be thrilled.

Wish me luck all!

[mike boss]

Actually got a few hours to mess around with the PC today.
I got SOME of my music collection moved over and most of the software required installed.
Tomorrow I'll move over the rest of the music and I'm waiting on Bob to send me a link to TJ.
(my link expired)

Really happy with this so far !

[mike boss]

So I got the PC all set up and ready to go. All the software I needed for my music has been installed.
I'll need to do a custom skin again as this monitor is 1920 x 1080, the skin I had done prior is only 1440 x 900.
So that will be next on the agenda. That onto itself is 4 hours of work I'd say. All be it I want to model my new skin after the one I had created prior. So that will make it somewhat an easier task.

Music has all been moved over and because TJ works differently than Uncle T's (what I was using prior) I'll need to work on tagging my collection. I also need to fix some of the album art. If I had compiled a folder of music prior, say "January 2014 Favorite Songs." With Uncle T's the songs would list as they were in the folder. Where as with Touch Jams the individual tags are used. Kind of messy in some respects, but again I'm working to fix this.
 
I think cleaning up the music collection will be one of the longer tasks. I have soooo many MIXTAPES, and I think I'll remove these from the jukebox.

One of the real pains is my Bluetooth adapter. It wasn't working when I installed it originally. Later it automatically downloaded drivers and was awesome. However the last few starts of the PC it says the adapter wont start. For $4 I ordered a couple various models off eBay tonight that I'll try when they come in.
This is so important for the way I plan on using the PC.

[mike boss]

I ordered 3 more USB Bluetooth adapters.
Why 3 ? The first two times I never looked to see if the item would work with Windows 7.
The thrid time I decided to look! (DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

That could be why I have the issue now ? I went back to eBay to look @ my purchase history. The seller doesn't list the item any longer. So I was unable to see the specs.......all be it I think I do have  the packaging at home.
I'll need to look tonight, could be it does work with Windows 7 and is simply faulty.
I figure the $5 I spent total on the 3 isn't a bad investment anyway. I can pair them with other equipment in the house.

[mike boss]

So little time, so little time.
I'm working right now on tagging my music.
Right now it goes all over the place ! (based on tags)
For example when I got married the wife and I made a CD that we gave out to all our guests.
Every year we pop that in and slow dance.
Because of the tags the songs will go everywhere, Chris Brown to the C's, Jagged Edge to the J's.
I'd like it if the music stayed in the folder, I find it cleaner looking.
For example I have one 50 Cent CD, and the cover appears 3 times, one song in two of the folders (all be it it is one folder, one album). This is going to take time, but I will fix it.

I am %100 working on a new skin, 1920 x 1080, will be much like the old skin I did, but better, cleaner!

Lastly I'm still trying to resolve my Bluetooth issues. I looked when I got in lastnight. The adapter is for use with Windows 7. It worked, then just stopped. When I went to install the drivers again (as device wont start, as per warning) it said device is working. Tonight I want to remove it and try again.
I do have three on order, but for testing I'd love to have it working.

Lastly, more playing around with Splashtop...that however seems to be flawless and working well.

This will be really cool when I get the music all tagged, and all the CD covers downloaded.
I'm looking forward to calling it done.................it's close ! I can taste it.
I get about an hour to myself each night and that is when I work on it.
Tonight I'll do more tagging.

EDIT - OPINION QUESTION

The way Touch Jams works and displays the music is by pulling the MP3 tags. Prior I used Uncle T's which did not do this. Which means if I made a compilation album (for example) the contents of that folder would display as saved. Did not matter if it were different artists, the folder would display as is. With Touch Jams however this is not the case. I guess it makes sense for a casual user, they wont know what song is where. And they are better served by knowing "Drakes The Language" is going to display under D for Drake, VS "Feb 2014" favorites. Why I don't like this is that you'll see the cover art all over the place, one mixtap or compilation could have 14 thumbs with one song per. What do you guys think makes more sense ?

[yotsuya]

EDIT - OPINION QUESTION

The way Touch Jams works and displays the music is by pulling the MP3 tags. Prior I used Uncle T's which did not do this. Which means if I made a compilation album (for example) the contents of that folder would display as saved. Did not matter if it were different artists, the folder would display as is. With Touch Jams however this is not the case. I guess it makes sense for a casual user, they wont know what song is where. And they are better served by knowing "Drakes The Language" is going to display under D for Drake, VS "Feb 2014" favorites. Why I don't like this is that you'll see the cover art all over the place, one mixtap or compilation could have 14 thumbs with one song per. What do you guys think makes more sense ?

I like to do mine via singles view, like a traditional juke. It's been my experience at parties that it's easier for people to look for certain artists they want to hear rather than certain albums. My $0.02.

[mike boss]

Bob @ Touch Jams is awesome.
His support is awesome!
He added one touch play, a feature I love in the new touch jams.
Also added some coding to make it easy to edit fonts..........new skin coming soon !!!!!!
Anyway after rebuilding the library some of my tagging issues are resolved.
I still need to spend a good chunk of time getting all the artwork (CD covers) for my folders.
And some tagging issues need work still. But I'll get there.

The biggest pain is this Bluetooth. Tested it with my Vista PC + Samsung phone last nite and it worked.
But with the Windows 7 PC I still the the ! - and it wont send the audio.
As I said three more units are on the way... this is really buggin me !

[mike boss]

It's amazing the results you get when you know what you are doing ! LOL
A rebuild of my music library cleaned up many of the things I had fixed prior.
Now I'm going over my 30,000 + songs and making sure they are tagged ok.
In some instances I've added songs to existing albums, say a remix for example.
These would not display the way I wanted them to in TJ. So I've fixed that ! I'm almost done.
I just need to look over a few things, things like multi disc CD's. For example my Depeche Mode remixes CD.
It is three discs, so it appears 3 times in TJ. I'd like all 3o + songs to appear under one listing. I tagged it as all the same CD and need to review to make sure all songs are showing. It's the same issue with some Foo Fighters stuff I have. Again, these are all little things. But they take time.
I suspect I'll be done that by Friday.

Still no luck with the Bluetooth, pulling that out tonight and removing the software. I'll wait the two weeks for my new goodies to arrive. I plan on adding Simple Touch FE and some POP CAP Games to this PC also.
Really as much touch friendly content as I can........so I have the two weeks to spare.

[Generic Eric]

It's amazing the results you get when you know what you are doing ! LOL
A rebuild of my music library cleaned up many of the things I had fixed prior.
Now I'm going over my 30,000 + songs and making sure they are tagged ok.
In some instances I've added songs to existing albums, say a remix for example.
These would not display the way I wanted them to in TJ. So I've fixed that ! I'm almost done.
I just need to look over a few things, things like multi disc CD's. For example my Depeche Mode remixes CD.
It is three discs, so it appears 3 times in TJ. I'd like all 3o + songs to appear under one listing. I tagged it as all the same CD and need to review to make sure all songs are showing. It's the same issue with some Foo Fighters stuff I have. Again, these are all little things. But they take time.
I suspect I'll be done that by Friday.

Still no luck with the Bluetooth, pulling that out tonight and removing the software. I'll wait the two weeks for my new goodies to arrive. I plan on adding Simple Touch FE and some POP CAP Games to this PC also.
Really as much touch friendly content as I can........so I have the two weeks to spare.

What are you using to edit the mp3 tags?  I had been wanting to try tuneup, so I went to the website to find they are out of business as 31JAN14. 

[mike boss]

Jukebox project :

Jukebox : Touch Jams (love it !)
Splashtop : used to control TJ via my tablet
MP3 Tag : tag my music
MP3 Gain : used to normalize my collection

[mike boss]

I've been working like crazy trying to fix/tag my 30,000 + song collection.
With the baby and wife wanting "quality time" (WTF is with wives and the DEMAND for quality time?) I get about an hour a day of computer time.
I was not really familiar with MP3 tags prior, I knew that in my iPod music did not display as I had named it. But I never really put much thought into it.
It wasn't until I started using Touch Jams (which I love) and noticed that a few songs in a folder would be in displayed in a separate thumb/CD.
None the less I figured out what I had to do and I've started all my tagging. Most of my library is fixed up, but I have quite a few albums coming up as UNKNOWN (artist) & UNKNOWN (album). I'll need to go fix this, then make sure compilations (VARIOUS ARTISTS) are displaying correct also.
It really does take a sh*t load of time...........but I gotta do it !

I started and %90 completed a new skin for Touch Jams.
It's very much like the old skin I did, "Little Black Box."
I'll make it available to Bob as soon as I complete it.
For some reason I was not able to scale the old skin I had done, so I had to do this from scratch.
I need to make a few tweaks, modify the background, and fix some buttons.

I'm still having issues with the Bluetooth, but a new adapter is on it's way !

[mike boss]

By this evening I should be %100 done tagging my collection.
I'm actually just rebuilding the library now and I'll look for issues when done.
From there it will be a simple issue of getting any missing CD artwork.
P.I.T.A to tag all this music...........the collection is so large (30,000 + songs).

Bluetooth issue remains unresolved and I'm simply walking away. Waiting on the new hardware to arrive.
I HOPE it works as intended, prior I had the hardware working in such a way where you would turn on the receiver and the connection the PC would automatically be made. That is what I want to make sure happens with the new devices.

The layout needs me to work on a logo for Touch Jams, darken the background (to make button edges less visible), and fix the control buttons at the bottom.
A faint red outline shows up, I need to clean this up. The good thing is I believe I know the exact files that require modification.

Don't know that I'll get it done tonight, but I'm happy with the progress. Once I check it off as done I'll move onto the Front End (Simple Touch) and games.

[Drnick]

Glad to see you are getting there with the tagging.  Probably no use to you now but I used media monkey to do mine,  With Albums full of remixes and the like I would set the album artist to the actual artist and the artist to Various Artists. (Or maybe it was the other way round). In the jukebox it would then show as 1 album and not 13 different albums.  I would then delete all existing cover art and assign the album cover to all tracks in the album. (Most Compilation albums ended up with the artists albums cover instead of the compilation album cover.  As For multi CD's I used the CD# Tag for the CD Number then I would rename the tracks using Artist, Track Name, CD#,Track.  Finally I would use autotag to change the track numbers so Track 01 on CD 1 become 101, Track 1 on CD 2 became Track 201 etc.  It then displays and plays correctly.  Tagging that many tracks is a real PITA but it's a job that has to be done. I was not happy until everything was being displayed correctly. 

 
'

[mike boss]

Getting everything tagged was a real pain.
When I used Uncle T's jukebox it worked very different.
If I put 10 remixes of "TKO" (for example) and I numbered them, named them, etc...they would display as per what I named them. With Touch Jams that was not the case.

So if I were to add a couple remixes to an album it would appear somewhere elese. I didn't like it!
I'm glad to say I completed the tagging today. Touch Jams (as per what Bob told me) doesn't care about the track number.

What I had to do was make sure that ARTIST and ALBUM ARTIST all matched. So for example Chris Brown, I have a folder "Chris Brown" with all his music. "Fan of a Fan" a mixtape with Chris Brown & Tyga would display under V - various artists. I had to fix it to read Chris Brown and display with the rest of his music.

Mixtapes I changed to VARIOUS ARTISTS (because they were mixed by DJ's) and I was ok with them displaying in the V. Most of the mixtapes I actually moved off the juke anyway.

None the less this is done, I have only one album showing up as UNKNOWM. The album tags would change, I'll just rip the CD again. All my VARIOUS music is also displaying correct. These were my two issues.

Tonight I tweak the skin and play more with Splashtop, getting a feel for it.
I also want to send Bob the tweaked logos I did.

[mike boss]

I took some videos to showcase my setup.
However when I plug in my phone it doesn't show up, I can't get the videos off it.

[yotsuya]

[mike boss]

LOL! I feel like that WAY TOO MUCH!

[yotsuya]

LOL! I feel like that WAY TOO MUCH!

I sense your pain, bro. 

[mike boss]

LOL! I feel like that WAY TOO MUCH!

I sense your pain, bro. 

If this new Bluetooth adapter works I'll be really happy.
This is the biggest problem right now. This is really the only way I can get the music to my AV equipment. I don't want to run any wires as the basement is finished.

Bluetooth seems to make the most sense ! I won't sweat it .......it should work.
The other Bluetooth testing I did works flawless.

I'm @ the in-laws now..... but if I can (before my shows) I'll get the skin done tonight.

[mike boss]

I got all the backgrounds changed yesterday. The new background is the same one I used in my previous skin, "Little Black Box."

I also sent off a revised logo I did to Bob (the guy behind Touch Jams). I'd like to get his thoughts.
If he likes them ,  I'll use the one he likes best on the skin.

Over and above that I need to just change the fonts and some of the font colors.

I was playing around for a bit with the juke on Splashtop......really cool. I like the pinch to zoom, for when the button is small. Works really well.

Hoping to find some time tonight to complete things.

Bluetooth adapters should be in next week. (fingers crossed they WORK!)

[mike boss]

Skin is ALMOST done!
Just want to work on the fonts now.
Most everything else is done.

This Monday is a holiday for us here in Ontario, Canada.
A few projects need to make way on the to-do list, complete the skin is one of them.

[mike boss]

Skin almost done, I might make it available to Bob for the thumbs up and possible release.
I'll later go back in and tweak the fonts.

I gotta post a video, I'm happy how this is looking/working.

Hoping (fingers crossed) that Bluetooth stuff should be in shortly also.

Want to ask an opnion, with new monitors (LCD) burn in isn't really an issue.
I'm not sure if I can set the monitor to wake from sleep with a touch.........I'll look into this.
Should I have this set up where the monitor is on the entire time ? (while in use)
OR - should I set it up with a screen saver, and sleep enabled ?

[Drnick]

Skin almost done, I might make it available to Bob for the thumbs up and possible release.
I'll later go back in and tweak the fonts.

I gotta post a video, I'm happy how this is looking/working.

Hoping (fingers crossed) that Bluetooth stuff should be in shortly also.

Want to ask an opnion, with new monitors (LCD) burn in isn't really an issue.
I'm not sure if I can set the monitor to wake from sleep with a touch.........I'll look into this.
Should I have this set up where the monitor is on the entire time ? (while in use)
OR - should I set it up with a screen saver, and sleep enabled ?

Depends.  I like mine displaying some sort of visualiser software whilst music is going on.  But I have got it set to go to sleep after 30 minutes.  I figure If nobody has touched it for 30 minutes that it might as well not waste electricity.

[mike boss]

@ Drnick

When I thought about it, your right. Why have the monitor on but not in use ? Simply doesn't make sense.
What I think I'll do is adjust the settings so no visualization comes on, but when not touched for say 30 minutes it just goes to sleep.

[Barry Barcrest]

I have not used touchjams but in E-touch it switches to an attract mode. Also the advantage of leaving the screen on is you can see what song is playing. This is handy when someone has put a track on and someone else want's to know what is playing.

[mike boss]

Thanks all for the input/feedback.
I haven't done much as of late with the PC.
No time to be honest.
I'm thinking my Bluetooth adapters will be in this week.
That should serve as motivation to push forward.

[mike boss]

I've been doing a TON of reading online.
Trying to find out ways that I could really make this PC "POP!"
Pop Can Games is one way! I actually ordered a few from Amazon.
I've downloaded Simple Touch Front End also.
I'll use that as the front end and set it up where Touch Jams can be loaded from the font end. I want to give the PC as much depth as I can, adding more software will give the PC so much more use. The main goal is the jukebox no doubt, but touch friendly games will make a nice little add-on.

As I mentioned prior my music is now tagged perfect, perhaps 2 or 3 things might need to be looked at again. And most of the CD art is also in place. I had desiged some custom covers for various albums (mixtapes) in the past, that are not showing up.
I don't know, but perhaps they are PNG or something. It's something I need to look into, but I'd say less than a dozen albums are without cover. So really all small things.

The main thing I need to do is get the Bluetooth adapters in. And I need to make sure it works the way I want. I'm not the most smart guy when it comes to PC's and what not.
You know how your smartphone will connect with a paired Bluetooth headset when the headset is turned on ? This is what I need to have happen here. I have the Bluetooth adapter (to send the signal) and the receiver. The Bluetooth adapter will stay connected to the back of the PC. The one I have no keeps failing and wont make/keep a connection. The receiver works off USB power...whcih my audio receiver does not have, but the device holds a charge for 3/3.5 hours (I don't want to connect it to my XBOX or Bluray for power). I'm hoping with the new adapter that whenever the receiver is powered on the connection will automatcially be made. I'd hate to keep going into the settings.

[mike boss]

Still waiting on these adapters to arrive from eBay.
Til then I'm really doing nothing with the project....just working with my OUYA!

[mike boss]

Parts didn't come in from eBay yet.
I did however order a powered USB Hub for use with my OUYA/PS3 Wireless controllers.
The plus however (how this relates to the jukebox) is that I can use this hub to power my Bluetooth receiver.
All the equipment is in the same place so this is awesome.

Quiet weekend planned.........so I'm also hoping I can get my CD cover art all in order.

[mike boss]

So of course I order 3 Bluetooth adapters.........one of which works with Windows 7.
And of course, all but the one that I need have come in.
So no new progress.
Sadly I'm also stalling on the skin (which is done)........ sorry !

[matura]

Mike, can you send me the new skin?  If so just em to support@touchjams.com

[mike boss]

Hey Bob,

I'll get that to you ASAP!!
I might tweak the fonts a lil or send as is.
Either way you will have it shortly.

[mike boss]

I got my Bluetooth adapter today (for Windows 7)............... I'll be away this weekend. But next week I plan on getting back on this.
Bob, you should have the skin at some point next week.

[mike boss]

FU*K ME!!! FU*K ME!!! FU*K ME!!! FU*K ME!!!
So I got my adapter and I was playing around today with this.
Wanted to figure out all the settings and what not.
I had checked my Bluetooth options so "Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer" was checked.
Was PERFECT! Turn on the receiver and all was good............now it is not working. I did a few install/uninstall. I'm so pissed.
This is a real pain in the --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--.

**** My bad on the curse ! ****