Let's get a Sonos plugin created!

[GollyJer]

So as I'm sitting here reading all the Sonos threads in this forum I realize a LOT of us love Sonos as much as we love SageTV. While reading I reached for my Android phone and skipped a song on my Sonos system using the Andronos app. Then it dawned on me...

This app is UPNP (looking at my phone). It's made by a third party, one man developer (still looking at my phone). This app is on Android (now staring inquisitively out my window). Android UI is java. A java UI wired, in the programming sense, to my Sonos system. Sage UI is java (eyes wide open with a light-bulb appearing above my head).

Is this thing open source (frantically typing on the keyboard)? Yes! In a full glory, use it and abuse it MIT License. Perfect!

So, how do we get someone porting this bad boy to SageTV? I'm willing to buy the original developer a copy of SageTV Media Center if he's willing to get on board. Conversely I'd help a SageTV plugin developer purchase a Sonos system if they committed to making the plugin.

In fact, I've started a SmartyPig savings goal to which anyone can contribute. It's seeded with $25.

SageTV Sonos Plugin Piggy Bank
Goal description
Let's get a Sonos plugin created for SageTV! Contribute to this goal and it will be distributed to the first developer or group of developers that create a working plugin. If the entire goal isn't reached, the balance at the point of plugin creation will be distributed to the developer. If a plugin is not developed by Christmas 2011 I'll open a poll to the SageTV forum community and let them decide how to distribute the balance to existing plugin developers.

I know this is a little unorthodox and there's no real reason to trust I won't run away with the money. Hopefully having been around the forums for as long as I have instills some trust. That and the fact that I've tied my real name to the savings account.

Please let me know if I'm completely delusional and this is not possible.
I'll stop making a push if I can be talked down with good reason. Cheers!

[PLUCKYHD]

While I use and love my sonos. Looking quickly at that API it would work, but you have to remember it will also take someone creating the UI on the sage studio side of things, but maybe not since that is UPNP it could be slightly created like playon integration in the online section.

It is possible but not my bag of tea. Personally I prefer to control music from my idevices or the sonos controller itself. I don't like having my tv on to conrtol music. I know some have wanted this so you may be able to get someone on board with doing it.

[GollyJer]

I actually prefer controlling things with my iOS and Android devices as well. The primary purpose running through my head is to show what is playing, using Sonos, through my home stereo zone. Something fun for a party environment. Maybe a good first step would simply be a plugin that allows the user to choose a Zone and display what's currently playing on that zone. No need for a full blown SageTV controller at first. A simple "What's playing in a given zone" screen saver type plugin would be a fun and maybe easier start. If you've ever used the Pandora app in Boxee the "Now Playing" screen is a good example.

[Skirge01]

We're seriously considering a Sonos setup at the house, but the controller is currently the issue. We don't have iPhones or iPads or Android phones in the house already. So, we need a ZP90, an S5 (or two or three), plus a controller. If we could bypass the controller initially, it'd be an easier buy in. I'm not sure how much work it would be to get EventGhost working with the Sonos PC software. Plus, I do agree that using SageTV to interface with the Sonos would be ideal. At the moment, I've just started using Media Monkey to playback music.

[GollyJer]

My buying advice... You have to have a controller. However, pass on the CR200 for $350 and get the cheapest iPad for $500, or used for less, and install the Sonos software. If you're truly going to get on board with Sonos you won't be disappointed going this route. Although, if Sonos makes good on their Android version you might be able to get a full tablet controller for much less with all the inexpensive Android tablets starting to hit the market.

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by GollyJer

My buying advice... You have to have a controller. However, pass on the CR200 for $350 and get the cheapest iPad for $500, or used for less, and install the Sonos software. If you're truly going to get on board with Sonos you won't be disappointed going this route. Although, if Sonos makes good on their Android version you might be able to get a full tablet controller for much less with all the inexpensive Android tablets starting to hit the market.

Agreed on bypassing their contoller although a ipod touch is a cheaper option

[kmp14]

It has crossed my mind more than once that I would like to try to create a Sonos plugin as my first SageTV plugin, but I am too busy watching TV to invest the time in learning both coding for SageTV AND learning the Sonos API!

[nebulink]

I too am a Sonos user and abuser. I purchased 5 zones and 3 controllers a couple years back for the wife on her birthday. She looked at and said, "This is nice but what am I going to do with it." Now she is the biggest user of it.

Sonos can't be beat.

[Nelbert]

Not sure what the deals are like in the US, but here in the UK we regularly get deals where nodes are bundled with the controller, which means the cost benefit of going the ipod route are not that great overall.

Also with that sort of spend I'm sure a few words with a dealer should help.

We have the V1 controller and it's great. Then again I like my remotes chunky with hard buttons. Nearly got a touchscreen aio remote for everything else, then saw sense and wondered how I'd use a 7" touchscreen without looking at it everytime to see where on the screen I was actually pressing.

I'm probably in the minority in that I see no benefit to being able to control Sonos via the TV, one of the beauties is that the remotes move and can be used anywhere in the house, not just where there is a tv.

For getting info displayed then the Sonos Web Controller project (which may be dead) has an xml feed of the current status. Shouldn't be that hard to get the info into Sage. Also has some stubs for remote control as well. Haven't looked in the Sonos Dev Forum for ages as it does everything we want, but it may have been replaced by something else by now.

[evilpenguin]

What does a Sonos system look like to the UPnPInspector tool?

[PosterBoy]

Originally Posted by evilpenguin

What does a Sonos system look like to the UPnPInspector tool?

Is this what you want?

Also, you don't NEED a controller. The Desktop Controller will do everything you need. That being said, the controllers really do help make it a slick system. They make awesome alarm clocks.

There are several third party controllers out there for several other systems. Homeseer has 3 to choose from, 2 free and 1 paid.

This post details several others
http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=12777


Sonos doesn't hide the interface but they also don't help third party devs in the slightest. I really wish they would see the light and make it a bit easier by providing some documentation for people who are trying to do this sort of thing.

Kent