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this is a great idea, this will be my future project, thank you very much!
I just found one downside is the remote interface is very simple, I like foobar better
Yes, I agree, MMPC is really simple, but still very functional. Just remember that it's .1 version software and being written by one programmer in his spare time.
So, it looks like this whole linux thing is too complicated for me to spend the time trying to learn. I could probably do it... I just don't have the time to spare...
But these little ALIX systems could run a stripped-down XP, at any rate, which is what I was planning on doing in the first place.
One question, though: What if I don't want to have wireless control for the time being? What if I want to get the 3c3 board to hook up a small LCD, and then control with a mouse? I don't see any PS2 output for the mouse, and I would be using both of the USB ports for my external HDD and Trends USB transport, so no extra USB for a mouse, either.
Any other options for control on these embedded systems? Or do you have to control it externally?
Oh... one more thing I thought of... how do you hook up a keyboard? I wouldn't need it during playback, once it's all set up, but what if I want to change bios settings?
So, it looks like this whole linux thing is too complicated for me to spend the time trying to learn. I could probably do it... I just don't have the time to spare...
But these little ALIX systems could run a stripped-down XP, at any rate, which is what I was planning on doing in the first place.
One question, though: What if I don't want to have wireless control for the time being? What if I want to get the 3c3 board to hook up a small LCD, and then control with a mouse? I don't see any PS2 output for the mouse, and I would be using both of the USB ports for my external HDD and Trends USB transport, so no extra USB for a mouse, either.
Any other options for control on these embedded systems? Or do you have to control it externally?
Oh... one more thing I thought of... how do you hook up a keyboard? I wouldn't need it during playback, once it's all set up, but what if I want to change bios settings?
I can't tell you if XP is too much of a resource hog. Remember that the boards are limited to 256 of RAM. And you have to make sure XP has all the drivers. And if you are thinking of attaching a small LCD, and keyboard, and mouse, you're almost building yourself a small laptop...
As far as keyboard, you could probably purchase the ALIX 1c which affords you 4 USB ports. It's a mini-ITX board, but still fanless.
You would have to control it externally,but you could use more than one client at a time. Example: I have MMPC on the Nokia N800 and GMPC on the bedroom computer running at the same time. If I want to put together some insanely long play list together I could walk over to the bedroom where the mouse and keyboard interface would make it much more efficient at using GMPC. Then, say, save that playlist and manipulate it from the N800 hand held. Or If I didn't want to leave the listening position, I could fire up my Thinkpad X40 sub-notebook and use GMPC (or any other MPD client) while sitting at the couch and switch back to my N800 at any time.
I can't tell you if XP is too much of a resource hog. Remember that the boards are limited to 256 of RAM. And you have to make sure XP has all the drivers. And if you are thinking of attaching a small LCD, and keyboard, and mouse, you're almost building yourself a small laptop...
As far as keyboard, you could probably purchase the ALIX 1c which affords you 4 USB ports. It's a mini-ITX board, but still fanless.
You would have to control it externally,but you could use more than one client at a time. Example: I have MMPC on the Nokia N800 and GMPC on the bedroom computer running at the same time. If I want to put together some insanely long play list together I could walk over to the bedroom where the mouse and keyboard interface would make it much more efficient at using GMPC. Then, say, save that playlist and manipulate it from the N800 hand held. Or If I didn't want to leave the listening position, I could fire up my Thinkpad X40 sub-notebook and use GMPC (or any other MPD client) while sitting at the couch and switch back to my N800 at any time.
Thanks for the feedback!
Hmmm... I'm going to have to think this over for awhile... I'm not sure if this kind of system would meet my needs and technical ability (or lack thereof).
I never use playlists. When I listen, I always just seek through my library at random, listen to whatever floats my boat at that moment, and occasionally look up a specific song that I want to hear. That might require more functional control than what something like this offers...
Hmmm... I'm going to have to think this over for awhile... I'm not sure if this kind of system would meet my needs and technical ability (or lack thereof).
I never use playlists. When I listen, I always just seek through my library at random, listen to whatever floats my boat at that moment, and occasionally look up a specific song that I want to hear. That might require more functional control than what something like this offers...
Maybe Squeezebox is a better option for me.
Even though MMPC is considered beta software, I am able to search my collection and add songs to the current list. I use the stylus to tap on my music folders, or scroll the artists/album lists. I keep the stylus pressed on a song and/or artists for 2 seconds and a small popup appears for Add, and two other options I can't remember right now.
On a somewhat related note: I just noticed that this gent will be releasing his mPod software via the Apple store. It's basically an iPhone or iPod touch MPD client; all wireless of course:Makes No Sense At All » MPoD
Looks like some interesting software.
Last edited by nyc_paramedic; 07-11-2008 at 11:30 PM..
Reason: typo
Which allows for 2 GB of memory, plenty for anything you may want.
It does come with a tradeoff, however, and that is a fan.
You probably could just take it off...
For your controls, you could use a mouse or invest in a touch screen
Which allows for 2 GB of memory, plenty for anything you may want.
It does come with a tradeoff, however, and that is a fan.
You probably could just take it off...
For your controls, you could use a mouse or invest in a touch screen
This board has been mentioned before, on other threads. I think it's a poor choice for a music server. Notice the fan on the motherboard? It's not for the Atom CPU, it's for the chipset. The chipset for the Atom CPU, currently the 945, consumes more power than the CPU itself.
On the board itself, you have to use a ATX power supply, or pay more money ($40?) for one of those pico PSU's. No board, yet, that can use a 18 watt 12v adapter like the Alix boards can.
I currently have an idea for offering Voyage Linux with MPD and a light weight web server as an image that can be written to compact flash whether your a Windows or Linux user. But there are certain technical things that have to happen with Voyage's framework before that can happen.
I envision putting together a Voyage Linux OS that is ready to go with MPD, ALSA, and a very light weight web server already pre configured. Something similar to Monowall (m0n0wall) where everything is configured via a simple web interface. So in essence: One buys the ALIX board, downloads the MPD Voyage Linux image, copies it (in Linux, Windows, MAC) to a CF card, installs it, boots up the ALIX, and logs into its web interface (much like logging into your wireless router), configures the music directories, and then listen to your tunes.
That is actually the intention of the Voyage developers. That is, someone has a specific embedded Linux need, and then tailors the OS and drivers for that application.
This board has been mentioned before, on other threads. I think it's a poor choice for a music server. Notice the fan on the motherboard? It's not for the Atom CPU, it's for the chipset. The chipset for the Atom CPU, currently the 945, consumes more power than the CPU itself.
On the board itself, you have to use a ATX power supply, or pay more money ($40?) for one of those pico PSU's. No board, yet, that can use a 18 watt 12v adapter like the Alix boards can.
I currently have an idea for offering Voyage Linux with MPD and a light weight web server as an image that can be written to compact flash whether your a Windows or Linux user. But there are certain technical things that have to happen with Voyage's framework before that can happen.
I envision putting together a Voyage Linux OS that is ready to go with MPD, ALSA, and a very light weight web server already pre configured. Something similar to Monowall (m0n0wall) where everything is configured via a simple web interface. So in essence: One buys the ALIX board, downloads the MPD Voyage Linux image, copies it (in Linux, Windows, MAC) to a CF card, installs it, boots up the ALIX, and logs into its web interface (much like logging into your wireless router), configures the music directories, and then listen to your tunes.
That is actually the intention of the Voyage developers. That is, someone has a specific embedded Linux need, and then tailors the OS and drivers for that application.
Sound like a good idea?
Its a great idea, but its far more complex to put together. I think just building a standalone computer would be far more effective, and there are way to get a computer totally silent. Also, what about latency? Configure the music directories implies you're going into another computer/external hard drive to get your music, which, depending on where you get your music, almost eliminates the "power saving" you get from a low power board.
And if in the future you don't want the computer network, you can adapt that computer for something much more useful, like a mini workstation or simalar.. you know, you can give it as a gift without having to worry about whether it will run Windows.
And what about ASIO support? Most intergrated sound cards probably don't support ASIO, so if you want ASIO, you'd have to buy a sound card, which have certain system requirements that surely isn't met by a board such as the one you're suggesting.
To me, its seems that we both have much different ideas, and we're trying to offer sugestions based on what our ideas are -- and they conflict with each other.
Its a great idea, but its far more complex to put together. I think just building a standalone computer would be far more effective, and there are way to get a computer totally silent. Also, what about latency? Configure the music directories implies you're going into another computer/external hard drive to get your music, which, depending on where you get your music, almost eliminates the "power saving" you get from a low power board.
Building a standalone computer ends up costing more. And the more you work towards getting it "silent", the more money you are going to spend. I agree that setting up a small "regular" computer, as you said, is simpler to setup for most here, especially if you want to use Windows and Foobar.
Also, using an ALIX board (3 watts) with my Western Digital 750GB Green Drive (8 watts max, ~5 watts idle) , consmumes at max, say, 12 watts --and not a single fan (in the listening room) to speak of. I doubt you'll find a Windows PC, even an ATOM based motherbaord, that will come close to that.
Latencies on a Linux kernel are very configurable. But honestly I haven't had the time to play with different kernel settings.
Again, don't misconstrue my reply as an argument. I just think this setup, although very unique, does have some very outstanding advantages. I agree the Linux barrier is very high for some.
My desktop computer is usually on (work & school), and is a very efficient Athlon x2 machine to begin with; I just gave it the extra task of it being an NFS server., so no "extra" power being used in this case.
And if in the future you don't want the computer network, you can adapt that computer for something much more useful, like a mini workstation or simalar.. you know, you can give it as a gift without having to worry about whether it will run Windows.
These boards have a multitude of uses, IF you know Linux. So now worries here.
And what about ASIO support? Most intergrated sound cards probably don't support ASIO, so if you want ASIO, you'd have to buy a sound card, which have certain system requirements that surely isn't met by a board such as the one you're suggesting.
No need for ASIO under Linux and using ALSA. Another big plus in my book. And this board is strictly for USB audio, which is exactly all I need to feed my DAC. Maybe you misunderstood that I was putting together a audiophile quality USB audio solution only?
To me, its seems that we both have much different ideas, and we're trying to offer sugestions based on what our ideas are -- and they conflict with each other.
We do. I have no problem with that. There's more than one way to get USB music to your dac. That's why I shared by starting this thread.
Plus, if I can get the Voyage OS pre-configured with MPD and ALSA with the Web server as a front for configuration, that will mostly eliminate the Linux barrier for most. It will be no more difficult setting it up than your standard home router.
If one has a big enough house, you could setup cheap ALIX boards all across the house with them accessing a small server (or your desktop) as music storage.
Linear Mode
