Computer Jukebox

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:40 pm

I have been thinking of making a compact little computer that is going to be used solely as a jukebox. Pretty much all it would need is a big HDD (I have a 160 GB one laying around and could use another if i need to), a nice audio card (Maybe one with optical out?), a CD-RW drive, and enough RAM for everything to run smoothly. Can anyone recommend a case and mobo that would be as small as possible for the project.

Post by **marshallh** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:42 pm

Get a "Mini-ITX" form factor motherboard.

www.mini-itx.com

They also sell a number of cases you can put the motherboards in.
It should be possible to use a regular PCI sound card as well.

josh · Post by **josh** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:22 pm

Run some sort of small linux with amorok (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarok_%28audio%29).
Its REALLY GOOD (And Free)

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:40 pm

This is what I'm thinking about so far:

Mother Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813181018

Case
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=3#venus

Sound Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829127001

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for a screen to use? I was thinking about modding one into a side of the case, but I don't know of anything small and clear enough. I do have a PSone screen I could use but I'm not sure if that would be good for reading small text and playlists.

Post by **Triton** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:43 pm

you can get small 7" vga capable screens on ebay but expect to pay better than 100$ for one, psone screen will display text ok so long as its not super small

NiN^_^NiN · Post by **NiN^_^NiN** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:51 pm

If you want a display for the jukebox i reccomend a 7" LCD screen cause the psone screen needs the text big which is too big for a jukebox layout really not worth it. id just go with the 7" lcd screen or something better

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:36 pm

NiN^_^NiN wrote:If you want a display for the jukebox i reccomend a 7" LCD screen cause the psone screen needs the text big which is too big for a jukebox layout really not worth it. id just go with the 7" lcd screen or something better

OMG it's NiN^_^NiN!

NiN^_^NiN · Post by **NiN^_^NiN** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:41 pm

vb_master wrote:
NiN^_^NiN wrote:If you want a display for the jukebox i reccomend a 7" LCD screen cause the psone screen needs the text big which is too big for a jukebox layout really not worth it. id just go with the 7" lcd screen or something better
OMG it's NiN^_^NiN!

Hey VB sup?

i've been posting here for afew days in the music keyboard thread just no1 seems to wanna look in that thread lol

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:39 pm

Can anyone think of an alternative for the screen? The motherboard that I linked to has composite out, so I could hook it up to a TV. However, I don't want to have to rely on a TV to be around in able to use it. Can anyone think of another (less expensive) way to set it up so that it has some means of being viewed no matter where I am?

Post by **gannon** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:08 pm

How about a 4x20 character parallel LCD?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:55 pm

What would I have to do to be able to direct song information to a 4x20 LCD?

NiN^_^NiN · Post by **NiN^_^NiN** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:47 pm

Winamp can direct song info on these displays.

but your better off bitting the bullet and using a composite lcd screen and creating a skin that is large enough so you can see the text clearly and setting the resolution to 640 x 480 will help aswell.

There is jukebox software out there made for arcade cabinets or standalone which will suit your needs if its just a jukebox only pc

www.arcadecontols.com go to the forums and u will see the jukebox programs have their own forums

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=13403.0

Thats a list of all jukebox programs available

I like doscab/wincam
http://webpages.charter.net/celamantia/ ... llery.html

Dos is great to run it on and will make sure no1 accidently gets out of it somehow.

Downside is that its made to work just like a real jukebox so if u wanted categories like rock then find songs this wont do it.

But if the lcd screen needs to be made vertical to fit onto the case this software will display like that aswell.