Using the computer as a juke box
OK, we've got one of those 300 CD changers, which is nice, but the problem we've found is that after our initial loading and inputing album info into the player, new CDs have a hard time getting in, and almost never have the details about them input into the system.
So, when we move later this year, I'm planning on putting together a bare bones computer with a monster hard drive that we can load up all our CDs onto and then plug into the stereo.
Fiddling around with Windows Media player, you can create custom play lists, but you can't randomize the order as far as I can tell, and I really like random play. So does anyone know of a good media playing program that can keep track of all our music, including multiple play lists (at least 10 I'd say) and allow it to randomize? I think the media player that comes with Dell computers does that, but can't remember to tell truth.
Second, what kind of bare bone specs would I need to run an operating system, the media program, and pretty much nothing else. Obviously a really big hard drive. Does it need to be SATA? I wouldn't think so. Would I need a sound card if I plan on hooking the computer directly into the stereo? Would I need a vid card, or do motherboards come with rudimentary vid capabilities like they do for sound?
Optimally I'd like to spend as little money as possible on the system because this will be its only purpose. If that means buying 3 year old components because they're dirt cheap, that would do
Thanks!
Edit: I can get windows XP for about 10 bucks or so at school. I don't know if other operating systems are available any more, so that my be the bigest limiting factor. And I don't know if I"m ready for Linux, so don't suggest it
Registered User
Posts: 1949
(3/24/04 6:43 pm) Reply
Re: Using the computer as a juke box
Also you'll need a good ripping program.
I second winamp, you can have custom playlists, also has a visualizer, and you can set up exactly how random you want your songs to be (as in, lower setting = mostly follows the order they're in, higher setting = completely random). And it's free. And skinnable.
Registered User
Posts: 572
(3/24/04 9:32 pm) Reply
Re: Using the computer as a juke box
Speaking of Winamp, I'm still using 2.8 (music only). Do the updates offer anything useful for a music only person, or utility wise, or is 2.8/WMP combo for music/video's about the same?
Re: Using the computer as a juke box
I'd recommend Winamp for playback, use Musicmatch Jukebox for ripping (or CDex, which is great, tho MMJB = stick in CD, click record, it auto does CDDB... CDex requires alil more work).
Get amobo with integrated Video, and a dinky 15" monitor for like 30 bucks, treat it like a server. Splurge a bit on say an Audigy 2 sound card, and get some 6.1 speakers for 100 bucks. Get better sound than running through a sound system. Your audio outputs on a PC will be single channel out, or dual if you have ahigh end card. With the 6.1 speaker setup, the sound card can send the signal properly. Your home system doesn't have the proper inputs, you lose signal quality, and you lose some of the sound. There may be something I can't think of, so don't take my word as the final solution, it's just what I ended up doing.
Can prolly do just fine with a P3 1.0ghz or so, I'd recommend 512 pc133 ram to keep it smooth, winamp tends to skip a bit on low memory. Check www.geex-inc.com (local guy I got my p3 board/chip from, good prices, and good service), since I'm not sure that newegg and the like still have p3 boards/chips.
And XP Home or Media Center should be fine. If you get Pro for 10 bucks from school, go for it.
Can prolly build the whole system, the sound card and speakers being your highest expence if you go that route at about 200 bucks (100 for card, 100 for speakers, unless you go ALL out - then plan on upwards of 400 for speakers). Can prolly get the whole thing (cheap monitor, sound card, mobo, chip, ram, power supply, case) for under 500, maybe even under 400 if you go with the connect to your stereo route and find a bettre way than I can think of to get high quality sound.
And Hindraak, Winamp 5 uses less memory and doesn't do as many skips and locks as Winamp 2/3 did. More skinning options as well. I had issues with Winamp 2 locking up on my p3 1.26ghz with 512ram. Winamp 5 runs fine. (Both had XP Pro).
edit: forgot this.. they make 300+ CD changers that connect through USB to your PC, might be easier than ripping all of them to mp3s. They aren't cheap tho, from what I remember, haven't looked in a while.
Registered User
Posts: 1952
(3/24/04 11:35 pm) Reply
Re: Using the computer as a juke box
I still use winamp 2.8, i tried 3 and 5 and I just didn't like them. I have no bugs or problems with mine, so I'll just stick with 2.8
Re: Using the computer as a juke box
You could also plan to get a TV out card, to use with Winamp's visualisation plugins, such as the very psychedelic Milkdrop plugin. Also instead of buying a 30$ monitor, you could buy a 10$ network card and remote admin your box. That's what I would do, but then I am a cheap bastard
I personally use FooBar2000, an open source music player with tons of plugins, uses very little memory as well. I recommend to try it for your main box, but I do think Winamp would be plain better for jukeboxing.
As for storage, you most certainly don't need anything fancy like SATA or 10 000 rpm drives Just huge storage capacity, maybe a backup drive too, you don't want to re-rip your entire collection if the cheap HD you bought craps up.
Registered User
Posts: 701
(3/25/04 9:55 pm) Reply
Re: Using the computer as a juke box
Just upgrade to Winamp5 pro and you'll never need another playing/ripping/burning program.
I used to use CDex for ripping, but now I find just keeping it all in 1 program much easier.
---------- "You there, fill it up with petroleum distillate, and re-vulcanize my tires, post-haste! Also, I'd like to send this letter to the Prussian consulate in Siam by aeromail. Am I too late for the 4:30 autogyro?" - Monty Burns
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