XMPCR...is there any hope?

ccrobin · 07-25-2006, 04:28 PM

Hello,

I must say that I have been very happy thus far with RC1, as overall it is a big improvement (and the bug list so far seems to be very minor stuff).

I am deeply concerned, however, about the status of the XM plugin, as I have heard rumors that it was getting pulled from CF for the final release. I know that it may not be at the top of the list, but I sincerely hope that Fluxmedia will not abandon the XMPCR plugin. Much of this is based upon the knowlege that it can work. Some of the other Front Ends have it working, and it would really help to solidify support of CF amongst the "do-it-yourself" car pc crowd.

I understand that for OEM applications the XMPCR is not a profitable factor for Fluxmedia to focus on (and I don't wish to appear that I am whining about not getting free software to support all my desires), but it would appear that the code for it is Soooooooooooo close to being done that I hope it gets completed for the final release.

At any rate, I can't say that the exclusion of XM capabilities would be a "deal-breaker" for me, but it will definately be disappointing if it is scrapped.

veetid · 07-25-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ccrobin

Hello,

I must say that I have been very happy thus far with RC1, as overall it is a big improvement (and the bug list so far seems to be very minor stuff).

I am deeply concerned, however, about the status of the XM plugin, as I have heard rumors that it was getting pulled from CF for the final release. I know that it may not be at the top of the list, but I sincerely hope that Fluxmedia will not abandon the XMPCR plugin. Much of this is based upon the knowlege that it can work. Some of the other Front Ends have it working, and it would really help to solidify support of CF amongst the "do-it-yourself" car pc crowd.

I understand that for OEM applications the XMPCR is not a profitable factor for Fluxmedia to focus on (and I don't wish to appear that I am whining about not getting free software to support all my desires), but it would appear that the code for it is Soooooooooooo close to being done that I hope it gets completed for the final release.

At any rate, I can't say that the exclusion of XM capabilities would be a "deal-breaker" for me, but it will definately be disappointing if it is scrapped.

I plan to get it working... The code is all in place, there are just a few refresh issues, it sometimes doesn't init properly, and the hibernation problem...

The XMDirect is simply not getting the init for some reason, but I don't have one for testing, but one was offered I just have to email him back...

It's on the back of the list currently because of our talks with XM... If XM says they will sue us if we release with the XM plugin and XMPCR support, I'm sorry to say I will have to remove it...

Just because other software has it working does not mean they did it legally... and we have contacts at XM and they know all about Centrafuse and we are working together to come up with a LEGAL solution...

david

tj!2k4 · 07-25-2006, 04:52 PM

veetid, I haven't had a chance to test the my XMPCR yet with RC1.

kbreeden · 07-26-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tj!2k4

veetid, I haven't had a chance to test the my XMPCR yet with RC1.

I have. It's the same as 1.6 - XM doesn't work after hibernation.

David, I'm curious to know the legal theory on which XM thinks they can successfully prevent you from releasing CF with XMPCR support. I don't think there's anything illegal about it at all - and, yes, I am a lawyer. In my view they know Fluxmedia is a small, startup company and are simply trying to intimidate you.

Do they really think people are going to ride down the road recording songs from XM? My gosh, almost everytime you go under a bridge the signal drops. That doesn't make for very good recordings. XM might have an argument with the developers of Timetrax because the sole purpose of Timetrax is to permit the recording of the songs, but XM support in CF only allows the playback of the XM signal. They should welcome CF support because it broadens the market for subscribers to their service.

ccrobin · 07-26-2006, 08:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by veetid

I plan to get it working... The code is all in place, there are just a few refresh issues, it sometimes doesn't init properly, and the hibernation problem...

HOORAY!

Quote: Originally Posted by veetid

It's on the back of the list currently because of our talks with XM... If XM says they will sue us if we release with the XM plugin and XMPCR support, I'm sorry to say I will have to remove it...

Just because other software has it working does not mean they did it legally... and we have contacts at XM and they know all about Centrafuse and we are working together to come up with a LEGAL solution...

Understood. Thank you for the response!

veetid · 07-26-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by kbreeden

I have. It's the same as 1.6 - XM doesn't work after hibernation.

David, I'm curious to know the legal theory on which XM thinks they can successfully prevent you from releasing CF with XMPCR support. I don't think there's anything illegal about it at all - and, yes, I am a lawyer. In my view they know Fluxmedia is a small, startup company and are simply trying to intimidate you.

Do they really think people are going to ride down the road recording songs from XM? My gosh, almost everytime you go under a bridge the signal drops. That doesn't make for very good recordings. XM might have an argument with the developers of Timetrax because the sole purpose of Timetrax is to permit the recording of the songs, but XM support in CF only allows the playback of the XM signal. They should welcome CF support because it broadens the market for subscribers to their service.

It's not even the recording they care about, it's very complicated... It's the reading of the bytes to get the song information data and it's not just XM, it's joint thing between them and the RIAA, something I want to make sure I'm not going to get involved in...

david

kbreeden · 07-26-2006, 11:00 AM

It doesn't surprise me that the RIAA is behind it. I'll bet XM actually wants to be supportive, but is getting leaned on by the RIAA. I don't blame you for not wanting to get mixed up in it.