Linux-based Digital Audio Player with Ogg 172
asv108 writes "MP3 Newswire has a story about a new Linux based home player that supports OGG vorbis among other features. The MPST Digital Jukebox is currently under beta test, interested parties can aquire a beta version of the product for the cost of the parts. The Hardware breakdown for the device has a host of options including: wireless support, expanded storage, and a larger LCD display."
It's a good gift (Score:1, Funny)
FP
Re:It's a good gift (Score:3, Informative)
Ogg Vorbis is superior, save it's not as wide-spread as MP3. And it's free in both of the cliche senses. I'd recommend reading the FAQ [ogg.org].
Would you say Linux and BSD geeks just think that they are nonconformist when they don't use Windows?
Re:It's a good gift (Score:1)
Or for the geek that appreciates higher quality audio.
I'd think that the geek that appreciates higher-quality audio would go the sensible route and get a good, dedicated audio CD player. No compression at all, no fan and HD noise, far less high-frequency electronics to interfere with the analog signals, far better analog stages and DA converters than the average computer...
Re:It's a good gift (Score:1)
Then what would seperate the geek from most people? And what if she wants to have access to hundreds of songs wherever she goes without having to bring a bunch of cds with her? Huh? How about that, smarty?
Re:It's a good gift (Score:1)
FWIW, I agree that Ogg Vorbis is cool. But after ripping several gig of CDs to
This thing is nothing more than a PC with an LCD on the front. I've already got a PC connected to my stereo (which, grumblegrumble, is 5mm too big for my stereo rack, so it's on the floor). Complete with black paint job.
This whole article is an example of the new "Slashvertisment" policy... and you thought they were joking!
But the real question... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:But the real question... (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:But the real question... (Score:1)
And get your car crashed?
The joke was funny (Score:1)
Much of the "content" that the recording industry is worried about is schlock, and I took the poster who wanted to play Celine in the car as expressing that viewpoint through clever sarcasm.
I saw a demo of this unit, and it sucked. (Score:1, Funny)
OggPod (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:OggPod (Score:5, Interesting)
I put my usual
I therefore suggests that other people do likewise. The email for public relations on the iPod is found here [apple.com].
sveinhal
Re:OggPod (Score:1, Interesting)
Here it is [petitiononline.com]
Re:OggPod (Score:3, Interesting)
we should make sure Apple gets hold of Bejamin's signature list ( about 1300 now ) , make sure all of you sign in : http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi
If we have 10.000 signatures is should be possible to raise interest in Vorbis .
Re:OggPod (Score:1)
Re:OggPod (Score:1)
Oh, and the poorly photoshopped image on the site's 'pictures' section isn't very encouraging.
Re:OggPod (Score:2)
Sir, you haven't been to too many Chinese markets (Score:2)
Re:OggPod (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:OggPod (Score:2)
Um yah I hate patented fileformats just as much as the next guy but the royalties are quite low.
Besides, some people prefer the sound of ogg.
Who the deaf?
not to start a flame war... (Score:1)
Who the deaf?
What is wrong with Ogg? It encodes much better than mp3, although ymmv. MP3 is something you have to pay for (or you should pay for...another topic). MP3 doesn't sound as good at a XYZ bitrate compared to other formats. it just doesn't. Ogg is free, and superior. so...yeah. I prefer it over mp3 and anything else. But then, that's just me.
Re:not to start a flame war... (Score:1, Redundant)
You know.... (Score:1)
Nomad Jukebox & Co. (Score:1)
Re:Nomad Jukebox & Co. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Nomad Jukebox & Co. (Score:2)
It's just a PC (Score:1, Troll)
The only hard thing here is to connect the LCD screen, which isn't all that hard anyways.
This is nice and all, I am looking for something smaller and not made by some highschool kids in their basement.
Re:It's just a PC (Score:4, Insightful)
Obviously, you shouldn't. This device is made for people who don't have the time, skill, or inclination to build their own box.
Re:It's just a PC (Score:1)
looks could kill (Score:2, Interesting)
Unless it is a computer!
I think i would rather buy a lowend Laptop with a big HD
Re:looks could kill (Score:1)
Re:looks could kill (Score:1)
If you click the tech [mpsharp.com] link it says:
The Jukebox is actually a Via C3 home built system designed to run silent and cool. It does not require cooling fans and makes very little hard disk noise
Re:looks could kill (Score:1)
Re:looks could kill (Score:2)
Why not get an iMac? (Score:3, Informative)
Of course, this dedicated box may be a little cheaper, but then it also isn't quite as versatile.
that's what I use mine for! (Score:2)
Did you read the caption (much less the article)? (Score:3)
The whole point is that the hardware and software hack presented in this story supports Ogg Vorbis format. Many of us have our entire CD collections, several gigabytes worth of music, encoded in the Patent Free Ogg Vorbis format because (a) it sounds better that MP3 at similar bitrates and variable-bit-rates and (b) no one can go pull a Unisys on us and start demanding back royalties down the road or effectively make every free(dom) player/encoder illegal at the date and time of their choosing.
Now perhaps Itunes and Imac supports Ogg Vorbis playback as well
Re:Did you read the caption (much less the article (Score:2)
Why you would want to use Ogg isn't clear to me. Obviously, the iMac comes with an MP3 license. At the bitrates where you would want to encode home audio, I don't think there is a big difference between the two. And the MP3 patents are going to expire sooner or later--what matters is that the MP3 format is open and well-documented, and has numerous open source implementations.
Well... (Score:1)
Sounds to me like they collated a few open source projects, got a nifty black case, and voila!
So, to summarize -- (Score:1, Flamebait)
Smells like success. I give it six months.
The problem with ogg (Score:1)
Unless i find a way of converting 5000+ songs in less than a couple days.
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
http://yotus
It's amazing what you can find on freshmeat.net, isn't it? =)
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:2)
(I haven't looked into the exact differences of the formats and I don't know which is better in which situation, I just know that they remove "things" to make music smaller, I'm assuming they remove a lot of the same "things" as well as different "things" and do some other compressions).
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
But yes, the best results would be in taking a full
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
The only way to get the quality around the same is if you have a format that's nearly lossless(read: very high bitrate) involved in the transcoding.
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
When the density of "thing" thingies on any on of my phrase gets above a certain limit, it's a sign that it is a good idea to thing^Hk before posting.
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.dbpoweramp.com - look for the converter and the extra ogg codec.
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:2)
Are you in a hurry? Write up a conversion script, run it in the background, leave your computer running, and go about your life for a couple of days.... no sweat.
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
http://freshmeat.net/projects/abcde/
it's a command-line utility that used cdparanio and some other stuff (see the url) and rips, gets info from cddb database, and automagically edit the id tags. after running, you have a dir with the name of the cd, and the ogg files nicely put in it.
insert cd, type abcde, wait, and voila: ripping without thinking
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
Re:The problem with ogg (Score:1)
If you want to use ogg, grab a CD of your own and rip/encode it. Give it -q 4.99 (not 5) and _no_ bitrate. Enjoy the quality.
It's hideous! (Score:1)
Wrong Color (Score:1)
But I want a black case with beige spray paint.
Its Ugly as SIN! (Score:2)
Oh well.. nice he has links to commerical ones thoe!
Re:Its Ugly as SIN! (Score:1)
Re:Its Ugly as SIN! (Score:2)
So what is your problem again?
I don't think this is what it will look like when it comes out though.
plug-ins (Score:2)
Then the whole WMA, MP3, OGG thing is done with. You want OGG, install the OGG codec, you want MP3, go with the MP3 codec. Want some wild codec that nobody has heard of? Install that one!
It's stupid to hardcode the audio format into the player. That you could also update the codec if a new standard comes out two months after you buy your player.
If it had samba/nfs/streaming HTTP then maybe... (Score:5, Funny)
The MPST Digital Jukebox reminds me of that unit. Not because it could play MP3s, or didn't play Ogg, or because it ran an embedded OS. No, it reminds of the ARQ1 because I wouldn't buy it for the very same reason: There's no way to get your music off the thing except through an audio cable. I looked through the MPST web site for this unit. I know it's Linux-based. But how can I log into it? I want to be able to get music off of it as easy as I get music onto it. I have a PC upstairs, and a stereo downstairs. If all my music is on the MPST, then how do I listen from my PC? Hell, how do I back my music up? You can't.
Someone needs to make a simple music appliance like the MPST, but it needs that one crucial feature: you need to be able to get your music off of it as easily as you can get it on to it. You have an smbd running which shares the entire /music slice, or export that music partition via NFS. Or even let me stream from it via HTTP (and then I can write LWP scripts to mirror/spider/play my tunes). But just let me get my music off it somehow. It would also be cool if it had a PCMCIA slot so that you could stick in additional drive space/RAM/802.11b. And a way to get custom software on it would be cool. A bash prompt would be really cool
Oh well. But as long as we're in the land makebelieve, with cool music appliances that do everything everyone wants for only like $100, I want one more thing: Can I have a pony?
-B
Re:If it had samba/nfs/streaming HTTP then maybe.. (Score:1, Informative)
Just like the Compaq PJB100 (Score:2, Interesting)
Can't get MP3's off it. Can't play Ogg Vorbis.
It's really stupid, I think, that media players are still being produced that are *closed* and proprietary, but that's the way it goes.
IF the PJB100 had a decent SDK for it, which allowed additional codecs to be uploaded, and allowed access to the drive through USB, it'd be soooo good.
But as it is, it's just a paperweight whose time for replacing with an iPod is almost come
Re:Just like the Compaq PJB100 (Score:3, Informative)
There are a couple of SDKs for the PJB including an open one which you can find either on sourceforge or freshmeat. The openPJB project is quite old and has been out for a while.
Also using a program called
It will only plays mp3s however, but so what? The PJB design is an old one.
Check the yahoo PJB group, there are quite a few 3rd party user created programs out there.
HIGHLY offtopic (Score:2)
You know ebay can save your searches, and email you when it matches an item, right? Just look for "Save this search" after you do a search.
Re:If it had samba/nfs/streaming HTTP then maybe.. (Score:1)
The ARQ had an Ethernet cable with which you could stream your songs from the box to your PC. And with some widely available software from the net, you could do this from Linux or a Mac as well...
And if you were really patient, you could add songs to (or download songs from) the unit with COM port.
When I got my unit originally, this is how I uploaded the 1st 500 songs or so - the ethernet port was not yet supported.
So while the ARQ was not the most sophisticated thing out there, it was able to stream songs over a local network (with proprietary or free software) and you could retrieve songs from the unit once they were added.
As the ARQ was on the bleeding edge of the hard drive based mass media music players, I thought it was a great unit.
I was sorry to see mine die in water damage.
However I agree, the $800 price tag was a bit steep.
Re:If it had samba/nfs/streaming HTTP then maybe.. (Score:2)
You can also upgrade the HD to 30G if you don't mind voiding your warranty. Fry's has the 6G version refurbished for $150, which is where I got mine.
Re:If it had samba/nfs/streaming HTTP then maybe.. (Score:2)
Give the guy a break, he's just put together some hardware and software and hacked it together with a LCD to make an appliance.
Re:If it had samba/nfs/streaming HTTP then maybe.. (Score:2)
-B
Overpriced Computer a Good Stereo? (Score:1)
Who really wants a audio box that costs $1000?
I'd much rather have the now defunc Moxi [moxi.com].
Burn those MP3's (Score:1)
Re:Burn those MP3's (Score:1)
Big and ugly (Score:2)
God, that thing is big and ugly.
One of the cheaper laptops could be modified to do all the same kind of stuff, and you would have a fancy colour screen to display the playlist. Add the Creativelabs external USB soundcard and you've got everykind of output connection you could possibly want.
And it would probably be smaller that than box. And look nicer too.
I can't believe that there aren't better products than this one about.
Woah, looks just like my firewall! (Score:2)
and
All that in a box almost half the price?!
-adnans
P.S. the pictures are very old, should take some new ones
I have one of these... (Score:3, Interesting)
ogg support, with mp3 and cd
110 gig of storage space
burns cds
internet connectivity (p2p) and usb support
linux
a java compatible browser
a beautiful ui running through a huge screen
2 processors and a whole hell of alot of memory
if you haven't guessed its called a "computer" and is availabe from parts at pricewatch.com [pricewatch.com]
for about 600 dollars, i really suggest you get one (they're great). It also plays dvds flawlessly (in linux), plays divx (again in linux, hell thats all i have on it), and acts as a tivo using simple bash scripting and some good old fashion c/c++. We won't even get into the fact that its dream console, capable of playing all your favorite games from nintendo and sega
Re:I have one of these... (Score:1)
Re:I have one of these... (Score:1)
Re:I have one of these... (Score:1)
I'll keep my TiVo, thanks.
Re:I have one of these... (Score:2)
Isn't he supposed to provide software copies? (Score:2)
Re:Isn't he supposed to provide software copies? (Score:1)
This page [mpsharp.com] has links to the different software programs and the custom patches he wrote.
Sign the hardware support for Ogg Vorbis petition (Score:2, Informative)
Why? (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't see what the market for this thing is: the real geeks would simply build their own that's both cheaper and has more features, while the average users would simply shrug it off for being ugly and for lack of features. Worse, it probably won't play any copy protected CDs^H^H^Hshiny plastic discs with music encoded on them.
Re:Why? (Score:2, Informative)
It's amazing what one can find by actually READING the website:
The MPST Digital Jukebox is basically a Linux CD/MP3/OGG ripper and player (and real-soon-now) burner made for a non-Linux user's home entertainment system. The box is mostly remote and LCD controlled and the GUI is ran through a VNC client (or a touch-screen) such that the user never sees the Linux Desktop or shell interface. The Jukebox is actually a Via C3 home built system designed to run silent and cool. It does not require cooling fans and makes very little hard disk noise.
Re:Why? (Score:1)
Okay, I just noticied the hardware link on the top of this story. How it took me an hour to notice it I have no clue. Guess I'll shut up now and get some sleep... *thunk*
Still won't buy one. (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Still won't buy one. (Score:1)
I currently carry a portable CD player with integrated radio in a case that holds 48 CDs. It's a bit bulky, but I can't find anything else that is conveinient for long train journeys.
Give the Guy a Break (Score:4, Informative)
Because that's all it is. This is just one geek who's put together the hardware and software himself, made from old PC bits + a small LCD screen.
He isn't some big company selling at a profit. in fact he says
"...testers can purchase the Digital Jukebox from me at cost (+shipping) or I'm happy to help anyone build one themselves. The software is free. See the Hardware page for cost breakdown information."
Re:Give the Guy a Break (Score:2)
MP Sharp?! (Score:1, Interesting)
You know this originated from people holding down the Shift key as they typed "MP3". cough
Re:MP Sharp?! (Score:1)
Yes, a pound sign. The hash symbol is directly above the right shift key.
Ok....why.... (Score:3, Interesting)
Please please people.... if you are prototyping something... buy a public display type of system to make it pretty so you dont look like a couple of college students slapping S.A.N.E. in a box with an lcd and a remote and calling it an innovative product.
mpg123 the backend to SANE play's ogg's so everyone that has a SANE player has this.
What about putting Linux in other MP3 players? (Score:1)
Ciryon
why are manufacturers so scared of ogg? (Score:2, Interesting)
My little brain just can't understand why ogg is so univerally ignored. Almost every other kind of software suffers from feature bloat with features that *no one* wants, yet its like pulling teeth to get *any* manufacturer to add ogg support that a large number of people would use and want.
Re:why are manufacturers so scared of ogg? (Score:2)
Secondly, there is no freely available integer decoder (needed for embedded applications), I think xiph.org might have one to sell, but why take a chance on something that's unproven and not free, when there isn't really that much demand for it in the non-geek world.
RIAA restrictions on PC audio are overrated (Score:2)
Vorbis is not even on the map (Score:2)
A common missing feature (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm looking for a feature that's not easily found. You would think that somebody designing a Car-audio system would realize this, but it's amazing how many MP3/ogg/CD players are missing this one simple feature.
I want a jukebox that will automatically start playing when the power comes on. I don't want to have to turn the ignition key, wait 2 minutes for the kernel to boot, then push "Play" and then start driving. I want to just turn the key and have the music start automatically where it left off without any action on my part. In other words, if I'm going to replace my car CD-player or tape deck with something else, it needs to be as convienient to use as what I've currently got, if not more so. Otherwise, they need to start selling these things as home-audio.
PC with CrystalFontz LCD ?? (Score:2)
I thought I'd chime in that the LCD looks a lot like the CrystalFontz 634 with PC Mounting Bracket [crystalfontz.com], which sells for $92.20.
Complaints (Score:3, Insightful)
In the spirit of the Open Source community I though this would be welcomed with open arms. The device is open in every way and yes they offer software downloads.
Do you think that fancy HP device was pretty when they started working on it? I'm sure the early testing was done on parts wired together on a safe table.
Packaging is last. I would say get the machine and fiddle with it [if you can afford it] and try to make it better.
Re:My experiences with Windows XP Professional (Score:2)
I would chose C.) because your obviously offtopic. Not to mention their is no server version of XP yet. You are obviously B or C.
Re:Another (Score:1, Insightful)
Smaller at the same bitrate? (Score:1)
Isn't file size = bit rate * time
(plus an insignificant amount of overhead)