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

[mike boss]

I had everything working with the Bluetooth pairing, but wanted to be sure of a few things.
Mostly wanted to find out a sequence to be honest.
So if the receiver was on fist, would the PC make the connection ?
Or should I turn on the PC (which will boot into a fontend), then the receiver ?
I'll need to keep trying this, try to get back the connection.

When all is said and done I want to turn the PC on, go into SIMPLE TOUCH, from ST FE users can select games or TOUCH JAMS.
I think the PC has to be on first, then the receiver to work correctly.

[mike boss]

Messing around I think it got it working again.
When you turn on the receiver it will pause any music that was playing.
But it only takes about 10 seconds for the connection to be made.
Turning off the receiver wont pause the music, but takes about 20 seconds before the PC speakers kick back in.
Going to try a few reboots and see if my luck holds up !

EDIT - think my issue is resolved. Seems to all be working now. The Bluetooth adapter always gives me a few errors on start up. As it goes to install the drivers a checklist comes up, certain elements fail. Bu if you wait a minute or so all is fine, the connection to the receiver gets made and off to the races you go.
I did notice that Touch Jams (as opposed to Windows Media Player) gives me some issues when turning ON/OFF the receiver. Windows Media Player will go back and forth to my headset (for testing) and PC speakers, where as in Touch Jams I'll get no audio. No biggie as when all is said and done the PC speakers wont be needed when in Touch Jams. They will only be required for touch based games. I may even print up some form of instruction sticker for users, or add instructions to the desktop image. Not sure at this point. I'll need more time to play around.

[mike boss]

Should have this skin up tonight for anyone interested.
I'd say it could use some tweaking ,but I don't have time.
It's very much like the last one I did, a few color changes, etc.

I do need to fix the mute button, I don't like how it looks. I can post that when done.

Anyway.......it is what it is !

[mike boss]

Sorry for the delay in getting this skin up.
The stupid Bluetooth is acting up again.
I need to get this solved.
Without this PC being able to send the music out via Bluetooth I'm F*CT!

[Drnick]

All those USB Bluetooth adapters are going to do is give you headaches. If you want it to work every time you need to go back to the old school and use the Audio Out socket.  We recently tried to do something similar at work as they wanted to have the pc on the other side of the room to the amp. No joy, No joy, No joy, then we found this.

http://www.amazon.com/Miccus-Mini-jack-Transmitter-Headphones-Receivers/dp/B002HHLOWC

They also do a long range version

http://www.amazon.com/Miccus-Home-RTX-Bluetooth-Transmitter/dp/B00713RSE0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395789682&sr=8-3&keywords=Miccus+Mini-jack

[mike boss]

@ Drnick   

Thank you for the steer in that direction.
Without a working Bluetooth pair this entire project is a waste !
I NEED IT TO WORK !
The pi$$ off..............one day working, I reboot a few times to test the connection and all was fine. The PC powers on, the receiver goes on second, and POW! Connection made.

Walk away from the PC for a few days and now nothing. So I test the receiver with my iPhone and Samsung Galaxy and it is fine.

A few more bucks wont break me, so I'll get on this tonight.

Thank you

[yotsuya]

Why do you need Bluetooth access again?

[mike boss]

The PC will be a stand alone device in my basement (placement to be determine) ...... the AV equipment is elsewhere.
I need to get the media (audio) from the PC (juke) to my existing 5.1 set up. That's why I want the Bluetooth.

[mike boss]

Spring cleaning and projects.
Trying to get this skin uploaded today.
I'm also hoping to order one of the 3.5mm Bluetooth devices.
Hoping it is the solution to my problems.
I was messing around last night, but the issue persists.
The receiver works with other PC's and iPhones, just my Windows 7 PC (the Jukebox) has an issue connecting.

[mike boss]

Ordered a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter.
It was only $17 on eBay............lets hope that doesn't come to bite me in the ass.

[mike boss]

So the skins were sent off to Bob!
They are for the most part complete, but in reality it is unreal how LITTLE TIME I have these days.
Even if it is a project for myself, I just can not find the time.
And with the weather getting better I can only guess even less time will be available.

None the less I placed the order for the new Bluetooth adapter, it is on the way.
Can not wait !

@ Drnick ,

I have a question, and you may not know the answer to this. Since this PC is built for the sole purpose of a Jukebox I wont have the need to use the adapter anywhere else. If I connect it to the headphone out jack, but opt to keep it powered by the USB will that cause a conflict ? Will the PC keep trying to install drivers, etc ? 

[Drnick]

@ Drnick ,

I have a question, and you may not know the answer to this. Since this PC is built for the sole purpose of a Jukebox I wont have the need to use the adapter anywhere else. If I connect it to the headphone out jack, but opt to keep it powered by the USB will that cause a conflict ? Will the PC keep trying to install drivers, etc ? 

I honestly do not know the answer to that one.  In theory no but if it does cause issues just get a blackberry phone charger and use that to power the device.

[mike boss]

@ Drnick ,

I have a question, and you may not know the answer to this. Since this PC is built for the sole purpose of a Jukebox I wont have the need to use the adapter anywhere else. If I connect it to the headphone out jack, but opt to keep it powered by the USB will that cause a conflict ? Will the PC keep trying to install drivers, etc ? 

I honestly do not know the answer to that one.  In theory no but if it does cause issues just get a blackberry phone charger and use that to power the device.

You mean the lil piece that the USB plugs into ? Same like an iPhone one ?
Good idea. I think that option makes the most sense, I don't want the thing trying to install drivers and messing up.

[Drnick]

Got one of the guys at work to check the setup, It's plugged into the usb socket and they say no drivers present or required so it looks like the usb on it is just a charging circuit for the battery.  Leaving it plugged into USB should be no problem for you.

[mike boss]

Awesome, thank you.
The one I ordered is slightly different, I hope it doesnt cause any issues.
I expect to have it in 2 weeks. (give or take)

[mike boss]

This is the device I got :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5mm-Bluetooth-Stereo-Audio-A2DP-Music-Transmitter-Adapter-For-TV-DVD-MP3-4-BL-/201052726602?pt=US_USB_Bluetooth_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item2ecfad254a

I hope it works the same, IE - no drivers installed when connected via USB.

[Drnick]

That'll be sweet for you permanently plugged into the USB.  Its basically the same as the receiver I have plugged into my Logitech 5.1 set but transmits rather then receives.

[mike boss]

The bluetooth part of this project has been perhaps the biggest pain in the --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--.
I purchased several small USB Bluetooth transmitters.
One of which was to work with Windows 7 and works perfect in my Windows Vista PC.
However with my particual PC and Windows 7 it does not work. It wont connect, or does sometimes, other times it does not.

This is the receiver I picked up.
I've tested this with my iPhone, Samsung Galaxy phone and my Vista PC.
It works....it works well!
However with the juke PC (Windows 7) it is spotty at best.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Audio-Music-Receiver-A2DP-Connector-For-Home-Stereo-Speaker-Car-Radio-/261446238768?pt=US_USB_Bluetooth_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item3cdf690230

My hope was (is) that the PC will power on and the connection to the receiver is automatic. In some testing I think making the device "discoverable" was the solution to that issue. But again the overall performace so spotty. I removed the USB Bluetooth transmitter and uninstalled the drivers. Sometimes upon power up (even with the device removed) it begins to install drivers. I'll need to solve that.

Any way.......long n short of it. I purchased the 3.5mm device. I'm confident my receiver works. If it will make the connection each time upon power up and just flat out WORK I'd be stoked. Without Bluetooth I'm kinda f*ct...as the PC location is not near the audio equipment. So to hard wire it is not an option.

I just need to hope that the trasmitter with easily connect to the receiver.
I say this because prior the receiver did not show up on the PC.

[mike boss]

Still waiting on my adapter to arrive.
Can not wait !

[mike boss]

Still waiting on this part to come in from eBay.
I'm HOPING it is in today so I can get the final touches done this weekend.

[mike boss]

Stupid item still isn't here...that is over 1 month.
It said if not in today go to resolution center. But when I do that it says it is too early.
I'll wait another 24 hours............. pain in the aZZ


Got the part ! Going to test this week ! Whoooo !
Can not wait.............hope this works without issue.

[mike boss]

So the part arrived and I did a lil bit of testing............... very little !
Ever since I installed the USB Bluetooth adapters, even tho I did an uninstall, every time I power on the PC it says "installing drivers."
The device was removed & uninstalled so I do not know why it does this.

Anyway I connected the new device to the headphone jack, but it will not (as of yet) pair with the receiver.
I'll play around later as I need this to work.
One thing I do like with the transmitter is once paired it will only take 3 seconds upon power up to pair.
I'll attach a pic later, but as the device sits right now I can easily get to it to turn the power ON/OFF.
I want to see however if the device will go on if the PC is turned OFF while the device is ON.
(IE - I will not have to keep putting the device ON/OFF)

[Drnick]

The first issue you have is something has torn up the Bluetooth installation, Does the machine have built in Bluetooth, If so I would check device manager when it completes and let it search windows update for latest drivers. Or you should be able to disable whatever device it thinks it has found and tell it to not look for drivers next time. 

First make sure that nothing else in the room has it's bluetooth turned on.  Then you should turn off the receiver and transmitter.  Turn on the receiver first and it should go into search mode.  Then turn on the transmitter, It should also go into search mode.  With any luck they then find each other and just start talking.  The only problem may be if the receiver needs a Pincode to connect.  Some transmitters will automatically try 0000, 1111, 1234, 7777, 8888 etc.  Others are just set to a single code, So if you have to use 0000 to connect to the receiver and 1111 to connect to the transmitter that would be your problem  I should have thought about the pincode issue earlier 

[mike boss]

I knew the receiver did not require a code as I've paired it prior with PC's, iPhones, Android phone, etc.
I never thought however that other items could be conflicting.................and they were.
Namely my other PC and my Samsung Galaxy phone.
I turned off the Bluetooth and I was in business.

I wonder if that same issue (multiple devices in the room) is what caused my issue prior ?
None the less money is spent and the new transmitter is here..........and working !
That is all I care about.

I turned off the NON INSTALLED Bluetooth device, then uninstalled it from the device manager.

It is a lil late here and the wife and I had a long day. I wont do any other testing tonight. But this week I should get it all sorted out.

Thank you again for the tip on the transmitter ! 

[mike boss]

Still rather behind in a few projects so I have not had all the time I had wished to deal with this project. None the less the Transmitter is working well. Long weekend here in Canada this weekend and the weather is BAD (well it said to be bad all weekend). No work outdoors means more work indoors....................Indoors means projects ! Whoooooooooooo!

[mike boss]

Blows me away to look over this thread and see I started it over a year ago.
HOLY F**K! Where did the year go ?
Wow !

[mike boss]

Playing around with the PC and my new parts.
Trying to get this project to the %100 mark.

The Transmitter works well (my issue was indeed other Bluetooth items conflicting with it). It has lost the connection a few times. But I'm yet to do any extended testing. I want to play around with an hour or so worth of music and see how that goes.

I disabled everything else Bluetooth related from the control panel and turned OFF the adapter (which is not installed) from the system tray. That seems to have done the trick with respects to drivers installing every time upon power up.

I connected the transmitter to the PC thru the headphone jack and connected the USB for constant power. When the PC turns off the adapter turns off, when the PC goes on the LED on the transmitter shows it is charging. Sadly I have to enter pairing mode every time upon power up. I'll read to see if I can fix that....

However on the plus side the connection has been made every time so far to the receiver.

For now with the PC (Jukebox) not cased in anyway I guess it really isn't an issue. Simply power on the PC (which will soon boot into a Front End), then power on the adapter.

More testing and playing around will be done tomorrow.

[mike boss]

In doing some testing today I found the transmitter always loses connection.
I made sure to turn off the Bluetooth on my other PC, and phone, and the issue remained.
I have contacted the seller.

[mike boss]

I'm going back and forth with the seller of the transmitter for a refund.
I'll need to send this back to China, who knows what it will cost me from Canada.
I'm so  !!!!!

Part of me now wonders if my past issues were caused by having my phone (with Bluetooth) and other PC (with Bluetooth) on during testing of the USB Bluetooth transmitter(s). True enough it is an easy test, plug it in and turn off the other devices.

I think I may as well do the testing, I can always do the uninstall and disable the device again should it not work.
I'll try to get this done today.

[mike boss]

I realize this thread is filled with some of the trials and tribulations I've had building (piecing together) this project.
When all is done and I'm happy I'll likely compile a minimized thread in the projects section.
This way others can see what I used, what worked, what did not.

The second Drnick wrote about other Bluetooth devices conflicting I thought I bet that was my issue. But I had spent $20 on the new adapter and thought I don't want to go back and see that my $2 item works. Anyway with the issues I'm having I just tried. Plugged in the USB Bluetooth adapter (Windows 7 compatible)..... it seemed to install OK. Connected the receiver so the drivers could install, simply powering it on making it discoverable was not working. It worked !
All seems to be working. I want to do a couple of POWER ON/POWER off tests, not simply rebooting. I want to be sure upon power up all will work.

[mike boss]

Happy to say that after several start up's everything is working well with the juke.
In the end my lil $1 USB Bluetooth from China is working well.
The issue was indeed other Bluetooth devices in the room (second PC, smart phones) causing it to not connect.
I created a custom desktop image with the Touch Jam logo I designed, and the PC boots right up into Touch Jams.

I just need to clean up the desktop (unused icons) and later move onto installing some touch games that I purchased.

I'm still unsure if I should go with Simple Touch Front End, or just shortcuts on the desktop to launch the games.
I think perhaps if the PC was cased and clearly not a PC the Front End would be a good option, but since the PC is simply going to be sitting on a lil small Lack table from Ikea and clearly a PC most users will know how to use a PC.

[mike boss]

I'm rather happy with my jukebox project.
Not the most "fancy" of jukebox, but it does the trick.
Splashtop is awesome and using the jukebox from my phone & tablet is really cool.
Time however has not been on my side, I'm yet to get other software (games) and a frontend installed. I'd like this PC to be "soooo" much more than it is.
I've obtained a decent collection of touch based games, but just no time to get it all working.

Not related to jukebox per say, but I have a question for you guys.
Would you go thru the trouble of getting a frontend installed, or simply use desktop shortcuts to lunch the various games ?

[yotsuya]

Not related to jukebox per say, but I have a question for you guys.
Would you go thru the trouble of getting a frontend installed, or simply use desktop shortcuts to lunch the various games ?

My touchscreen jukebox is strictly music and videos, but if I DID integrate games, it'd be through the front end. Keeps it consistent.

[matura]

Mike,

Can you share some links for the touch friendly games that you have found?  I've debated in the past making TouchJams run or queue up a front end for games but really never found any decent games at the time (I didn't look very hard).  I have a MegaTouch and a MAME machine in my garage already but having some other touch friendly games would be cool.

- Bob Matura

[mike boss]

BUMP...................... Long, long time !
I've kept the PC just as a juke for now.
But my little one is 2 now....so I might look for kid friendly games, or PopCap games for the wife.
These days I have no time for anything.

I do however wanna make a new skin! Getting a new PC this week.
Speaking of which I'll need to install TJ on it.........PM coming Bob!

[matura]

Mike,

Long time ago in this thread, there was conversation of using a tablet for jukebox.  2 years ago I went through the remote desktop (Logmein/Splashtop/etc.) route, and yes that worked, but kind of a PITA.  Next, I went the Subsonic/Android route, and yes that worked but was far beneath using TouchJams.  Couple of months ago I finally realized just how cheap the Windows tablets were, so I picked up an HP Stream 8 for around $150, installed TouchJams on it, and made a skin for the weird 1200 x 800 (I think) screen.  As that tablet only has a 32 gb HD, there's hardly any room for music.  So, I have it connect to a Homegroup PC via Wifi and load/play the songs off of it.  This whole setup is at my weekend getaway and don't have room for a standup juke, and also wanted just a tablet for mobility and use a Bose Soundlink.  Anyway, I've been using this for around a month now and all is good.  I've also added some features to TouchJams which are specific for battery operated machines (tablets/laptops), and also added some features which help tweak things for a slower machine with limited storage.

If you made it this far, sorry for all the text....

- Bob Matura

[mike boss]

I appreciate the info Bob.

I'm always making tweaks and altering stuff.
I use Splashtop which I LOVE!
But now I've moved the PC downstairs to its home, so the tablet is less important. (Probably cause I bought a sh*t tablet for $100)-------- SIDE NOTE --- waste of money ! LOL

Only issue I have is sometimes bluetooth devices fight with the bluetooth transmitter on the PC.

All I need is TIME to get down to the man cave and mess around for a good hour.

EDIT - I'm going to look into a Windows tablet. Could be a good route.
I'm sure I can salvage my crapola tablet into something my two year old could use (IE - destroy!)
This is a local retailer................boy am I tempted !

http://www.factorydirect.ca/Categories/754/Tablets___E-Readers/Windows_Tablets

[Dermbrian]

I have DWJukebox running on this....

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-SW5-012-SW5-012-13TT-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00UB01E8Q/ref=pd_sim_147_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=12Q8S7PYYABW5YER7J50&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

I updated it, and all my PC's including a Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, to Windows 10. 

DWJukebox is still my jukebox app of choice, and I've designed a bunch of skins for it and love the electromechanical simulation aspect of it.  I was so relieved when I was able to continue to run it under Windows 10 on multiple devices.  That's amazing, considering the long history of that program, originally written for DOS.

I have a 128gb Sandisk microSD card in it to hold my large music collection.  I use the built-in bluetooth to send the music to either my living room stereo (with a bluetooth receiver added), or my Klipsch Gig bluetooth speaker, or my vintage Radio Shack SB100 tall stereo speakers driven by the amazing Griffin 20 bluetooth amp. 

I run dbPoweramp on my Galaxy Note 2 phone with...again....a 128gb microSD card in it to the same devices as well as in my car.

If someone had told me 10 years ago that any of this would be within my reach, I would have laughed at them.  My music is well backed up with it residing on several devices, and as long as I can keep making myself deposit a quarter for every three songs, I can keep affording to enjoy the hobby aspect. 

Brian

PS - One of my skins.  It's the one I use most when I want to select singles.  Notice Cortana is there and waiting, but DWJukebox hates to lose the focus and protests by going into a tight loop.  No multitasking while using that program.

[yotsuya]

Amen. Love DWJukebox!

[mike boss]

@ Dermbrian

It's awesome when you think of the connectivity of things.
I'm pretty happy with my set up.
I had some issues as I mentioned with the Bluetooth, but I think it was cell phones taking away from the connection.
I still need to mess around a little, but I think the issue is now resolved.
I just have little cheap items from Ebay to make my connection.
I think the transmitter was less than $2, and the receiver like $7. LOL
I did purchase a better transmitter that goes into the headphone jack, but I had the same issue making connection.
It's been a bit since I ran a good test, but I'm almost certain  when I turned off the cell phone Bluetooth all was good.

Even the tablet I have, it isn't great, but it works. But a more polished, better tablet might make for a better experience.
Now that Bob had mentioned the Windows 8 tablet....I'm really leaning towards one.

All in all, for now, seeing as my basement is 600 or so square feet, and all is in close proximity I'm happy with the set up.