Tablet Based Touchscreen Jukebox?

[TheShaner]

I am debating a new project and wanted to see if anyone has done anything like this yet.  I have poked around a little and havent been able to find much.

The high level idea is this ...

Find a cheap android based tablet ... root it if necessary
Case it so that it just doesnt look like a tablet hanging on my wall, pull the power switch out and wire it to a larger button that can be placed on the side of the case.
Put some jukebox software on it and have the software start up at launch
Stream the music out to some bluetooth enabled speakers.

Pretty straight forward, the real kicker is the software.  Is there any good Android based Jukebox software out there? 

If not, then I am going to have to go the route of decasing a laptop, building a case, and wiring more buttons.  I say this because I am not going to buy a laptop with a touch screen, rather just use an old one I have laying around.

[TheShaner]

Well that's funny.  I look right below my post, and there appears to be software in the works that does exactly what I am talking about here....

Is that the only one out there?  XBMC is a little clunky for this application.  It will work, but a dedicated app seems like it would work a little better.

[mike boss]

Are you referring to my thread ?
I'm trying to find a solution that will work and look visually appealing on my tablet.
As of right now I'm yet to test controlling my Vista PC running "Uncle T's Jukebox" program.
It is a work in progress until I can find an alternate solution.

[TheShaner]

Yes Mike, I was referring to your thread.

I think I might end up taking my iPad and using it.  There are several decent Jukebox apps.  Then I will probably by a Galaxy 2 10" to replace the ipad for my tab needs.  Im done with apple anyway (Except for their laptops)

[mike boss]

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]

To bump an old thread....................................

No progress made with this project as of yet.
Simply put I could not find a solution that looked and worked as I had hoped.
I end the end purchased TouchJams on sale..........which is on sale again AND GREAT !
Created a skin for TouchJams that gives a look that I like.
I picked up some cheap goodies on eBay.
2 x bluetooth receiver transmitter/receiver and 1 x bluetooth receiver receiver.
My PC being older was not bluetooth enabled. So the lil adapter (under $2) plugs into my PC (or any device really) and then sends the audio from the PC to the receiver. The receiver I plug into my existing home AV 5.1 audio system. I had an existing RCA to headphone jack connection that I used to connect a iPhone dock, I simply switch back and forth when needed. The other receiver was under $10, so really $12 for the parts and TouchJams was around $15 on sale.

TouchJams does let me control my Jukebox from my tablet and I've changed all the graphic elements that I could. The program is top shelf, nothing but good things to say. I wish the tablet element looked better, but it is what it is.

I've sort of decided that I don't think I'll find what I really really want to find. Something that looks stellar on a tablet, specificly my tablet which is lower end. What I'm looking for now is HP TouchSmart PC with 23" touchscreen monitor. These (like Macs) are All-in-1 type PC's. I'd simply mount the monitor to my wall, fill the HDD with my music collection and point TouchJams to the music stored and the PC as well as the various locations on my network. These PC's are bluetooth enabled and would work well with what I have. Allowing me to easily transmit the music to the AV system.

With this set up (which I plan to seek out a touchscreen based PC heavily come boxing week here in Canada) I'd be able to get the graphic look I want since I designed the skin, and the PC would be downstairs in the man cave. The use of the tablet would be cool, but not essential in this instance.

Prior, had I been able to get a good looking Android app I would just use my existing PC (which is upstairs), the same bluethooth pairing and the tablet would live in the man cave.

Sorry this may not be what you want to hear, but it is what I've done to date.

[Generic Eric]

To bump an old thread....................................

No progress made with this project as of yet.
Simply put I could not find a solution that looked and worked as I had hoped.
I end the end purchased TouchJams on sale..........which is on sale again AND GREAT !
Created a skin for TouchJams that gives a look that I like.
I picked up some cheap goodies on eBay.
2 x bluetooth receiver transmitter/receiver and 1 x bluetooth receiver receiver.
My PC being older was not bluetooth enabled. So the lil adapter (under $2) plugs into my PC (or any device really) and then sends the audio from the PC to the receiver. The receiver I plug into my existing home AV 5.1 audio system. I had an existing RCA to headphone jack connection that I used to connect a iPhone dock, I simply switch back and forth when needed. The other receiver was under $10, so really $12 for the parts and TouchJams was around $15 on sale.

TouchJams does let me control my Jukebox from my tablet and I've changed all the graphic elements that I could. The program is top shelf, nothing but good things to say. I wish the tablet element looked better, but it is what it is.

I've sort of decided that I don't think I'll find what I really really want to find. Something that looks stellar on a tablet, specificly my tablet which is lower end. What I'm looking for now is HP TouchSmart PC with 23" touchscreen monitor. These (like Macs) are All-in-1 type PC's. I'd simply mount the monitor to my wall, fill the HDD with my music collection and point TouchJams to the music stored and the PC as well as the various locations on my network. These PC's are bluetooth enabled and would work well with what I have. Allowing me to easily transmit the music to the AV system.

With this set up (which I plan to seek out a touchscreen based PC heavily come boxing week here in Canada) I'd be able to get the graphic look I want since I designed the skin, and the PC would be downstairs in the man cave. The use of the tablet would be cool, but not essential in this instance.

Prior, had I been able to get a good looking Android app I would just use my existing PC (which is upstairs), the same bluethooth pairing and the tablet would live in the man cave.

Sorry this may not be what you want to hear, but it is what I've done to date.

Does this set up get daily, weekly, or random use?  Do you typically listen to the radio at home?  If you do, what gets more play, this or the radio?  Just wondering.  Thanks in advance.

[mike boss]

To bump an old thread....................................

No progress made with this project as of yet.
Simply put I could not find a solution that looked and worked as I had hoped.
I end the end purchased TouchJams on sale..........which is on sale again AND GREAT !
Created a skin for TouchJams that gives a look that I like.
I picked up some cheap goodies on eBay.
2 x bluetooth receiver transmitter/receiver and 1 x bluetooth receiver receiver.
My PC being older was not bluetooth enabled. So the lil adapter (under $2) plugs into my PC (or any device really) and then sends the audio from the PC to the receiver. The receiver I plug into my existing home AV 5.1 audio system. I had an existing RCA to headphone jack connection that I used to connect a iPhone dock, I simply switch back and forth when needed. The other receiver was under $10, so really $12 for the parts and TouchJams was around $15 on sale.

TouchJams does let me control my Jukebox from my tablet and I've changed all the graphic elements that I could. The program is top shelf, nothing but good things to say. I wish the tablet element looked better, but it is what it is.

I've sort of decided that I don't think I'll find what I really really want to find. Something that looks stellar on a tablet, specificly my tablet which is lower end. What I'm looking for now is HP TouchSmart PC with 23" touchscreen monitor. These (like Macs) are All-in-1 type PC's. I'd simply mount the monitor to my wall, fill the HDD with my music collection and point TouchJams to the music stored and the PC as well as the various locations on my network. These PC's are bluetooth enabled and would work well with what I have. Allowing me to easily transmit the music to the AV system.

With this set up (which I plan to seek out a touchscreen based PC heavily come boxing week here in Canada) I'd be able to get the graphic look I want since I designed the skin, and the PC would be downstairs in the man cave. The use of the tablet would be cool, but not essential in this instance.

Prior, had I been able to get a good looking Android app I would just use my existing PC (which is upstairs), the same bluethooth pairing and the tablet would live in the man cave.

Sorry this may not be what you want to hear, but it is what I've done to date.

Does this set up get daily, weekly, or random use?  Do you typically listen to the radio at home?  If you do, what gets more play, this or the radio?  Just wondering.  Thanks in advance.

The set up as is gets random use. TouchJams I use near daily when I'm on the PC surfing the web, editing photos, etc. I love TouchJams and enjoy using it. I'm not a radio guy, on the drive to work is about all the radio I listen to. Over and above that it's Podcasts for me (Colt Cabana, Stone Cold Steve Austin, MLW Radio).
No doubt my personal music collection gets used more than the radio.

The whole idea for the jukebox was just to add one more of my "I always wanted one" items to the man cave. Something that gets minimal use (to be honest), but is enjoyed a ton when it is used. I think part of my quest to seek out these certain items is I do so on the cheap. I try to get the desired result in a cost effective way.
The bluetooth parts were cheap, as was the software. The PC I had, and the music is mostly my old collection that I ripped from CD. I actually have an email out now for a 23" Touchscreen computer used @ $299 CDN.
I'm hoping to get one slightly over $200. This is where I'm stuck! I think the touchscreen PC would give me the overall feel I'd like. My man cave comes in at a lil over 400 SQ FT...so space is limited.
The ability to mount a decent (23") Touchscreen monitor on the wall would give me the desired jukebox effect I'm looking for.

Bob (from TouchJams) said the skin I created was the best skin available for the software, I actually should reach out and see if in anyway I can help improve the browser based skin.

EDIT - here is the man cave : http://imgur.com/a/i4WD2

If you scroll down and look @ the gallery you'll see one picture with a make shift bar. It has my candy jars and Popcorn machine on it. (these pics are about a year or so old, some changes have been made)
Anyway, behind that wall (when the bar/candy station is) is a closet, I'd like to mount a monitor on that wall.
I think it could be easily reached without damaging anything on the bar. The wall has power, and if needed I could store a PC in the closet (out of sight).

This is the master plan anyway......... so fingers crossed I can score the PC at my target price.

[yotsuya]

My jukebox gets used everyday. I prefer walking up to it and selecting songs more than I think I would whipping out my phone and queuing something up. Just seems more authentic that way.

I like TouchJams, but I wish the Karaoke and Video functionality worked better. Ultimately, that's why I didn't go with it in the end. I'll use it in another project, just not my main jukebox.

[mike boss]

Lucky for me the local seller has a $200 all in one Gateway 23" ZX6800 he'd be willing to sell for $200.
Said  there is slight damage to a corner. For the $100 off I think this can work.
I'll go look at it tomorrow.

I'm very much a creature of habit and when I find something I like I stick to it.
True to that I'm still very fond of Uncle T's free jukebox software that was out years ago.
I liked the way it was laid out with the album cover and the contents of the album below it.

It you simply tapped or clicked on a song it was easily added to the playlist. I really like that ease of use.
That is one thing with TouchJams I don't like. You have to click each song then the add button.
Perhaps I should ask Bob if that will ever change.

[mike boss]

Going to take a look @ this $200 23" All-in-1 tonight.
This could be just what I'm looking for.

If all goes well it will come home with me and I can begin the final stages of getting this project where I want it.
The PC itself does not have Bluetooth, however I have an extra adapter so thats OK.

I'll also refine or re-do my Little Black Box skin for TouchJams. Skin version 2.0 lol ! (as the resolution of this new PC is higher)

[matura]

Mike, per your suggestion of clicking the song and adding it to the playlist immediately w/o having to tap Add, would it suffice to simply add something in the Options to enable this?  The next version is currently in test but I can sneak this feature in.  As for what's all new in the next version, I really can't say but I think all the TJs users will be happy.

[mike boss]

Mike, per your suggestion of clicking the song and adding it to the playlist immediately w/o having to tap Add, would it suffice to simply add something in the Options to enable this?  The next version is currently in test but I can sneak this feature in.  As for what's all new in the next version, I really can't say but I think all the TJs users will be happy.

@ matura

Adding an option would be great, thank you.
Really any which way that it would work would be good for me.
It was a feature I liked in Uncle T's and would love to see it in TouchJams.
thank you

[matura]

@ Mike Boss

For your 1 click add, the code is complete and will be in the next release.  This option (Options/System/Playlist) will be /off/ by default.

[mike boss]

@ Mike Boss

For your 1 click add, the code is complete and will be in the next release.  This option (Options/System/Playlist) will be /off/ by default.

That is great, thank you so much.
I'm looking forward to the release.
Thanks

[Dermbrian]

This thread caused me to go back to the google 'play' store and look at what's available. 

My favorite of the existing...limited...selection:  Shuttle Music Player

It allows you to equeue songs, uses the screen real estate well, and is overall a pretty good album-based jukebox possibility for android platforms.

It does have one significant flaw and that's what I just posted in a review.  If you search for a song by, let's say, typing "spangled" into the search field, and you see the song "Star Spangled Banner" in the results field under "SONGS", you can't add it to the playlist.  It can only be played now, and *poof* there goes your playlist that was queued up.  In a big collection like mine, that's a problem.


I'm still hoping someone, someday will make a singles-based jukebox app like DWJukebox for android, where a random selection of songs from the user's mp3 library will be presented on titlestrips for the user to select one to enqueue.  Jukebox 2012 has the look down well, but doesn't display random songs to select from.  Sign.


Brian

[mike boss]

I stayed the night @ my moms, but I'll be going home after work.
Once the wife and baby are dropped off I'll be going to look @ the PC.
Nice 23" touchscreen, all in 1 PC I think will be a great way to FINISH this project.
At $200 I'm happy, brings the total project to under $250.
I know the seller said there is some slight damage to one of the conrners on the monitor (IE - the $100 reduction)....... I'm hoping it doesnt look that bad.
I might even be able to dress it up, create a bezel, add some LED RGB lights ? Who knows....... either way I'm STOKED.

I'll post progress in my thread.

[mountain]

Touch jams and Etouch are my two favorites. I still use Etouch as my daily driver but load Touchjams every once in a while for a change of pace.
I've been waiting on a decent Android jukebox app a long time. With the Bluetooth audio receivers being as cheap as they are now, one could build a very slim table top with audio built in.

[saecrow]

I know this thread is extremely old, but I have found myself looking for the same kind of software solution and came across a few of these older threads and wasn't sure if anyone had seen this since last posting: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bazquux.android.jukebox

I think it might be a pretty good solution. I'm looking to free up some space in my game room by downsizing my "Juke the Ripper" machine: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,37025.msg328257.html#msg328257  - can't believe it's been 9 years ago already since building that beast!

[Dermbrian]

Another jukebox app that's out there now is this one:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.md.jukebox

I purchased it.  The latest update increased the total number of songs it can read from the Android music database.  It now has a limit of somewhere between 7000-8000 songs (per the author in a series of emails between us).  Settings allow for good randomization of the songs shown on each screen as well as the option to have them in alphabetical order or by artist.   Myself, I like random screens of songs because that's close to the old electro-mechanical jukebox experience.

Brian