Ideas for touch screen jukebox?

[Brent94Z]

Hey Guys!

Any of you have any experience or advice for jukebox software with a touch screen connected to a computer?

What I’d like to do is use my SageTV server HTPC (running Windows 7) with a secondary display for the touch screen. The touch screen would be the interface and my main TV (what I use now for SageTV) would/could show karaoke or music videos selected via the touch screen (I have a bunch of regular music, karaoke, and music with video).

If that isn’t doable then I could run a second PC for the touch screen and use an input on either the HTPC soundcard or go directly to my audio/video receiver… but I think that would eliminate my secondary screen for displaying karaoke and music videos.

I know there are programs out there which you use to select the music on one screen and then can also play the music videos and karaoke on another screen (a couple DJ friends have these programs) but they are expensive, involved, and not setup for a simple touch screen interface.

So, before I go out and start from scratch, I’m just wondering if any of you guys are familiar with what I’d like to do and might be able to point me in a good direction. I did a Google search and see there are a number of options but would prefer to not have to spend a bunch of money finding out what does and doesn’t work well. Oh, and spending hundreds on a program really isn’t an option either… I don’t need this but think it would be “neat” for parties and such but don’t want to drop a bunch of cash to do it if you know what I mean… I’ll stick with just SageTV music player if it is going to cost me a fortune.

Thanks!

[Brent94Z]

Hmm... was doing some looking and at an initial glance, this looks pretty interesting. Might give it a shot!

http://www.zenpoint.org/Home

[cncb]

You might want to check out JRiver Media Center. I know you can have the standard/desktop interface and fullscreen video on different monitors. They also have a "Theater View"/TV interface that would be more touch-screen friendly but I think Theater View and fullscreen video playback have to be on the same monitor. They have a free trial.

[Brent94Z]

Originally Posted by cncb

You might want to check out JRiver Media Center. I know you can have the standard/desktop interface and fullscreen video on different monitors. They also have a "Theater View"/TV interface that would be more touch-screen friendly but I think Theater View and fullscreen video playback have to be on the same monitor. They have a free trial.

Thank you! I will take a look at that... I actually just got an email from them about a new version so will check it out!

[Paul H]

I use SageTV (TV), JRMC (music) and DVD Lobby (DVDs). They play nice together. JRMC is the 'swiss army knife' of Media Players but I only use it for music, you can 'detach' the display to another monitor or TV and then use a plugin (I prefer G Force) to mellow out (or relive those "psychedelic 60's memories.)

[Brent94Z]

Originally Posted by Paul H

I use SageTV (TV), JRMC (music) and DVD Lobby (DVDs). They play nice together. JRMC is the 'swiss army knife' of Media Players but I only use it for music, you can 'detach' the display to another monitor or TV and then use a plugin (I prefer G Force) to mellow out (or relive those "psychedelic 60's memories.)

I have some time off this weekend so will see if I can check out the trial

[reggie14]

I used JRiver Media Center for a while, but was always disappointed in it. I was trying to do something slightly different, though. I wanted a Sonos, but I didn't want to pay for it. I thought I could replicate most of its functionality using JR Media Center on my server, and DLNA support on my A/V receiver. My plan was to control it using either the Gizmo app or a DLNA controller.

It never worked very well. DLNA was quirky and buggy. Audio cut out a lot, and playlists were particularly problematic. Gizmo worked a bit better, but I was still unhappy with it. Notably, I remember being fairly limited in how I could modify playlists on the fly. The GUI wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good, either.

I didn't use JRiver Media Center much. I saved up for a while and evenctually bought a Sonos system. I've been quite happy with it, but even that wouldn't do everything you're looking for.

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by reggie14

... I didn't use JRiver Media Center much. I saved up for a while and evenctually bought a Sonos system. I've been quite happy with it, but even that wouldn't do everything you're looking for.

+1

I also tried the JRMC route briefly, then went to SqueezeBox, then to Sonos. Sonos was the best move erver. I use a connect ($350), piped into my existing whole house audio system I pieced together over the years. I control everything from the Sonos applet. Works awesome.

[dotheDVDeed]

I finally gave in and went the iTunes route.

An AppleTV, an iPad w/ free Remote App, and an old G4 Mac Mini with an upgraded 250GB PATA drive as a server that I had gathering dust.

I tried SageTV's audio player, DLNA through my Onkyo Amp or a WDTV--all were awkward.

iTunes-AppleTV had the best interface with album artwork, though I wish AppleTV had a visualizer.

I'll stick with SageTV for video, but for audio (and Netflix) I'll go with the AppleTV.