Thread: XM PCR Configuration

Originally Posted by dragonman

Sorry if this question already exists in a previous post. I searched but could find nothing on it.

I am a brand new user of ME. What a phenomenal program! What great work. I just purchased a new XM PCR to use in my vehicle. I can not seem to get it to work in ME. The software that came with the device works fine. I first installed it with ME 2.1.5(I think). When I went to the configuration screen, there was no way to enable the XM PCR, all greyed out. I installed ME 2.3 and it made the XM menus in the configuration visible but when I try to enable it I get some error about COM3. It seems that as long as this is a USB device, this error would not be generated.

This is a known issue that's only happening on a small number of PCs. First off, in regards to your comment about the PCR being a USB device - your os sees it as a com port so that's why you see that error. What usually works in this situation is to locate what comport your PCR's drivers are configured for, and statically assign that value in mediaengine's settings.ini file. To do this, go to Start>Run and type in: compmgmt.msc and click ok. In the left hand pane, click on Device Manager, and in the right pane drill down on the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' entry. Under that you should see your PCR's comport bridge device listed as something like: 'FTDI USB to Serial Bridge COM#' where # is the number we're concerned with. Now edit your settings.ini file (located in \program files\media engine\ if you used the default install settings).

[xmpcr_tuner]
enabled=true ;< make sure this is set true or me will scan for your receiver again
XMDirect=false ;< set true if you're using an XM Direct
port=# ;< this needs to be the number we located in Device Manager
timeout=12000 ;< don't mess with this line
audio_input=1 ;< don't mess with this line

One addition - my previous post was made under the assumption that you're using Windows 2000 or Windows XP. If you're running Win98 / WinME, right click your My Computer icon, and Look for the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' node in the Device Manager tab.

I made the appropriate changes above and it took right off!! This software is the bomb! I appreciate the hard work on it. Look for a donation from me.

As I mentioned, i am new to this forum but I just wanted to ask about some increased functionality. I have a desire to use my bluetooth phone in conjunction with the PC so that as long as the phone is in the vehicle, I could answer incoming calls through the PC, using the mic as the pickup and the vehicle speakers to listen to the call. I have been searching for software to allow me to do this but I really have not gotten too seriously about it yet. Is there a good way for me to add this functionality to ME? Or, is this a feature that is on the horizon?

And, an additional question....my music archive is about 50/50 split between WMA and MP3 files. Thus far, I have been unsuccessful getting ME to play windows media files. It will not play straight music files at all but oddly, it plays the audio track of a windows media video file. I can convert the music to MP3 format but if there is a good way to make ME play the windows media stuff it would be most helpful. Based on the rich feature set of the software, I have to believe that this is an easy fix but I have not found the solution.

Originally Posted by dragonman

I made the appropriate changes above and it took right off!! This software is the bomb! I appreciate the hard work on it. Look for a donation from me.

Thanks, we'll use it well.

Originally Posted by dragonman

As I mentioned, i am new to this forum but I just wanted to ask about some increased functionality. I have a desire to use my bluetooth phone in conjunction with the PC so that as long as the phone is in the vehicle, I could answer incoming calls through the PC, using the mic as the pickup and the vehicle speakers to listen to the call. I have been searching for software to allow me to do this but I really have not gotten too seriously about it yet. Is there a good way for me to add this functionality to ME? Or, is this a feature that is on the horizon?

There is no bluetooth integration. There will likely not be until one of us (developers) can get a phone with bt, and sufficient motivation to implement it. To be honest, we're not nuts about writing assloads of phone integrations into a media system. Personally I despise ppl using phones in their cars, because I have to drive amongst them for two hours every day and it's thoroughly annoying.

Originally Posted by dragonman

And, an additional question....my music archive is about 50/50 split between WMA and MP3 files. Thus far, I have been unsuccessful getting ME to play windows media files. It will not play straight music files at all but oddly, it plays the audio track of a windows media video file. I can convert the music to MP3 format but if there is a good way to make ME play the windows media stuff it would be most helpful. Based on the rich feature set of the software, I have to believe that this is an easy fix but I have not found the solution.

Please refer to post #5 of this thread: MediaEngine Official FAQ If you can get the M/E install of Winamp to play wma files then there's no reason you couldn't get it to work in M/E.

I totally agree with you about the phone usage in the car. With my job I don't really have the luxury of ignoring phone calls so I am trying to make it as safe as I can. With all of the things that I can do with ME, the integration of Bluetooth phone controls would make it a complete package for me. I understand that there may not be a lot of demand for it. Just keep it in mind as a future enhancement if the demand increases. Thanks again for a great program!

After completing my install I found that the sound quality from my mp3 and other media was as expected, but the xmpcr was like an am radio in a tin can.

In poking around in winamp, <something that will absolutely not effect XM sound quality> and it seems to have resolved my sound quality issue.

Maybe I screwed something up during install but thought this might help others.

Originally Posted by meinoc

After completing my install I found that the sound quality from my mp3 and other media was as expected, but the xmpcr was like an am radio in a tin can.

In poking around in winamp, <something that will absolutely not effect XM sound quality> and it seems to have resolved my sound quality issue.

Maybe I screwed something up during install but thought this might help others.

Or it might prove that you've been smoking too much ganja. The 'tinny' sound quality of the PCR is a known issue with it's audio output stages, and is especially prevalent when you plug it into a mic input (serious impedance no-no). Winamp has absolutely nothing to do with XM, and vice-versa.

Originally Posted by phat_bastard

This is a known issue that's only happening on a small number of PCs. First off, in regards to your comment about the PCR being a USB device - your os sees it as a com port so that's why you see that error. What usually works in this situation is to locate what comport your PCR's drivers are configured for, and statically assign that value in mediaengine's settings.ini file. To do this, go to Start>Run and type in: compmgmt.msc and click ok. In the left hand pane, click on Device Manager, and in the right pane drill down on the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' entry. Under that you should see your PCR's comport bridge device listed as something like: 'FTDI USB to Serial Bridge COM#' where # is the number we're concerned with. Now edit your settings.ini file (located in \program files\media engine\ if you used the default install settings).

[xmpcr_tuner]
enabled=true ;< make sure this is set true or me will scan for your receiver again
XMDirect=false ;< set true if you're using an XM Direct
port=# ;< this needs to be the number we located in Device Manager
timeout=12000 ;< don't mess with this line
audio_input=1 ;< don't mess with this line

Great info...
What options are there for

>> audio_input=1 <<

My xmpcr has been modded to support SPDIF out via optical cable into my sound card (Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS).

Thanks,
jam

72 240Z w/epia m10000

Everyone who had issues with XM and XM Direct receivers not being identified should try out the Beta 2 release (2.3.2) and report back with their findings. Intelligent posts please, no "it don't work!" without background....

Originally Posted by jim_medeiros

What options are there for

>> audio_input=1 <<

My xmpcr has been modded to support SPDIF out via optical cable into my sound card (Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS).

Sorry I didn't notice your question earlier - there's probably no way to use the digital input unless it masquerades as a generic Microphone, CD Audio, or Line-In device. The methods we have for interfacing to window's audio devices are somewhat primitive.