Looking for suggestions - FF control...

VladTheImpaled · 01-01-2004, 05:13 PM

I am trying to find either a commercial complete car MP3 playing system, or to build one. The one main criteria I have for a unit is that I want to have easy access to a remote control that can handle true fast forward (FF) operation.

Here's the reason - I stream a lot of 2-3 hour long radio programs on my computer, and want to hear them in my car. They have commercials and I want to be able to easily skip the commercials.

Imagine the frustration (not to mention the danger) of driving on a long trip, getting 2 hours through a good 3 hour long talk radio show, going to hit the FF button to get past some commercials, only to have the FF button also double as the 'Next Track' button, and instead of FF'ing through the track, it skips entirely to the next one because I didn't press the button properly, or something like that. Then I have to find my way back to the previous track, but it is reset back to the start again.

Well you get the general idea. So I'm looking to procure a unit that can handle true FF and without difficult for the driver. Not one that has a FF that you have to hold down to get FF operation, as it does on my iPod.

So does anyone have any suggestions at all for this? I'm getting desperate!

Thanks
Vlad

Confused · 01-02-2004, 03:08 AM

MediaEngine, when using a remote (ir/rf) has options to set a specific "fast forward" button, which is separate to the "next track" button

Garry

VladTheImpaled · 01-02-2004, 07:10 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Confused

MediaEngine, when using a remote (ir/rf) has options to set a specific "fast forward" button, which is separate to the "next track" button

You'll have to excuse my 'newness' to this whole marketplace, but where can I learn more about MediaEngine?

Vlad

Confused · 01-02-2004, 07:13 AM

The forum for it is right here on MP3Car.com forums

I'll give you a hint though, it's in the Software forum

There is a whole host of information here for almost anything you could think of for building a custom computer, the

is an extremely useful tool

Garry

VladTheImpaled · 01-02-2004, 07:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Confused

The forum for it is right here on MP3Car.com forums

I'll give you a hint though, it's in the Software forum

There is a whole host of information here for almost anything you could think of for building a custom computer, the

is an extremely useful tool

Thanks for the info. I'm going to spend some time today putting my shopping list together for this. I've been wanting to build something for a long time, and thought I could find a commercial product that would allow me to avoid all of that work, but hey - I'm a programmer anyway and I guess I should do this myself. Seems like the most appropriate way.

Any suggestions on a PC (Mobo/case/chip) that is well suited for this? I'm sure I'm asking in the wrong forum for this, but any hints for a starting point would be greatly appreciated.

Vlad

Confused · 01-02-2004, 08:22 AM

As you're probably subscribed to this thread...

Most people seem to use a Via Epia M10000 motherboard, which has a 1GHz Via processor, audio, video, USB2, firewire etc all onboard, and is the Mini-ITX form factor, which measures 17x17cm

Power supply, most people use the Opus 90/150W. Case is often custom built, or chosen from many places. Check out http://www.mini-itx.com for case ideas (but their shop is slightly more expensive than many places!) and try to buy it elsewhere

For display, check out the Lilliput or Xenarc 7" VGA touchscreen. I seriously suggest getting a VGA display, the quality over a composite/svideo one is awesome

As always, check out the relevent sections here, and remember to search

Garry

NightHunter · 01-02-2004, 11:43 AM

Dont forget www.mediaengine.org this is the actual website if you didnt have that allready...?

MikeH · 01-02-2004, 12:14 PM

Vlad,

Quote:

I stream a lot of 2-3 hour long radio programs on my computer

I had the same problem until I switched to RipCast . It has an intelligent "gap finder" that spits each "song" (or break of any kind) into seperate MP3's. Now I just use "next track" to skip either a song I don't like, or a commercial.

Jonjonr6 · 01-03-2004, 11:12 PM

Also, if you use Winamp to play the mp3, and a remote like the keyspan IR remote, it will fastforward just fine. The remote has buttons designed for that, but the software with the remote will let you configure any button to do most anything. The remote has all your basic buttons (play, pause, etc), plus mute, volume up/down, a button labeled *, a button labeled menu, and four directional buttons (up down left right) which I use for 10sec forward/back and for jump 10 songs or back 10 songs (basically, features of Winamp, just programmed to the buttons).