schnaarf

I had an idea for a front end. I'll write what I think would be a good idea.

For example:

Front end for iTunes
Front end for Quicktime
Front end for DVD player.
Front end for RadioShark

With F11 or which ever button it is that shows all open windows and lets you click one to bring it into view, all the different apps would be there in front of you. Simply click one and you're off.

An extended idea of that would be to have the iTunes, QT, DVD player and RadioShark front ends on their own audio output. Maybe an external Firewire/USB soundcard with 4+ stereo outputs would mean the audio from each app could be routed to a separate output meaning the audio could be easily switchable externaly from the Mac. It would also mean that you could leave the audio running in all apps and would mean that one button press and you'll be listening to the radio or switch back to iTunes when a bad sings come one etc without having to mess around with the screen.

The major thing would be finding a multiple audio output product and a finding a way of routing the audio in the Mac.

I think the above would be a good project to impliment into an existing front end or a new one. It would also make it safer to switch between apps on the move!

Anyone think it looks interesting?

iamgnat

Ummm. Why?

Technically what you want is possible (though you would need multiple output devices), but what would be the point of trying to use more than one audio source at the same time?

I thought I could multi-task, but wow

-dave

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CarFrontEnd (now it's own sub-forum!!!!)

schnaarf

I thought I'd explained that, Dave. It was an idea. The point would be if you were listening to the radio and wanted a change simply press a button and iTunes would be playing. Easier than having to stop the radio, close it, chose itunes (or what ever), find a song press play.

It would also be useful if you were listening to music and the phone rang, simply change the source to your phone then switch back to itunes instead of having to stop itunes or get your finger in the right place on the touch screen. It would also look pretty neat I reckon!

Steve

Endon

Detour is a product that will allow you to choose a different audio output and audio output level per each application running.

It's no longer supported, and is now free, but I have no trouble using it.

More information is available here. Note that although this site talks about a cost for Detour, it is the legacy site, and is only being made available by the developer for informational purposes.

schnaarf

Ah thanks man thats exactly what i wanted! These forums rock

Jirka Jirout

You could listen to iTunes music thru the head unit and speakers while your kids could watch a movie and use headphones for audio... I am using this setup (with Detour redirecting the audio output).

schnaarf

yeah quality. There is a purpose and a point Dave!

schnaarf

yeah quality. There is a purpose and a point Dave!

schnaarf

yeah quality. There is a purpose and a point Dave!

iamgnat

I didn't say there wasn't, just beyond me. A good front-end could easily have the ability to switch from one source to the other in a single action (from the user perspective) so I still don't see the advantage there. I can understand if you are using different apps, but I found switching apps while driving to be too distracting. Just my opinion.

As far as the kids, stop spoiling them

Back in my day, the entertainment was how many times I could say "are we there yet" before I could see if I could dodge my dad's backhand

-dave

__________________
My pathetic worklog.
CarFrontEnd (now it's own sub-forum!!!!)

schnaarf

Sorry about posting 3 times! Anyway the point of the external source switching makes it easier and less distracting... changing the sourse to a radio with the touch of a button seperate from the display is easier than any other way. Thats what my point was!

Anyway thanks for your input!
Steve