Good front-end for use with rotary encoders?

sethk · 09-14-2007, 01:30 PM

I'm thinking of getting something like the SpaceNavigator to use with an media playback front end on a car PC.

My main requirement would be for a front end app that looks professional and fits in for an OEM look, and has very good support for navigation and playback support using a rotary encoder. This is includes getting to all the areas of the app, play, stop, rewind, ff, playlist navigation, etc.

I appreciate all suggestions - thanks!

Snortonnorton · 09-14-2007, 11:32 PM

but how are you going to input addresses for navigation such as in iguidance?

i ask because I am pointing out it is much easier to get a touchscreen to input addresses like this. at least with iguidance.

I am assuming you are not setting up a touchscreeN? or you want the rotary input also?

2k1Toaster · 09-14-2007, 11:48 PM

I guess for input you would need a system like on game consoles. It has a-z and then 0-9 and spaces all vertically. And then when you scroll left with the encoder, the vertical list scrolls up, and when you scroll right with the encoder, the list scrolls down. Push the middle button, it advances the input to the right, and then repeat. I think that would be pretty inconvenient instead of just pushing a button.

I think an encoder and a touchscreen would be best.

And if you find a frontend with good keyboard support, then probably good with the encoder. I love RR, but I wouldnt want to navigate by arrow keys and enter only! I have had to before when I cracked my touchscreen and was waiting for the replacement overlay. Worst time ever.

dyne · 09-15-2007, 07:32 PM

I use RR with an alps rotary encoder/joystick (+touchscreen). I use the rotary part to scroll through songs, and have the joystick set for different things depending on the current screen. It's nice

sethk · 09-17-2007, 01:38 PM

Yes, the GPS navigation would require a touchscreen (or a keyboard such as the PS2 USB chatpad things that people have been talking about). I'm less worried about the navigation because I will enter the destination before I start driving. I want the media playback to be smooth enough to use while driving, which means not being forced to keep my eyes on the touchscreen, which would be distracting while driving.

I guess I will use a touchscreen + rotary encoder joystick, but I would like a way of scrolling through songs and being able to easily hit play / pause / ff / rew without looking at the screen.

Thanks for the RR suggestion, I will try that out. Any others?

Jirka Jirout · 09-17-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Snortonnorton

but how are you going to input addresses for navigation such as in iguidance?

scott_fx · 09-17-2007, 02:21 PM

i am in the same boat as you. the one thing that bothered me the most was having to take my eyes off the road.

haven't gotten the new system up and running yet, but here is a picture of the space nav:

I've been using centrafuse but i think RR is going to take its place