Alpha Release: XMPC-CAR for XM

gork · 10-14-2003, 10:58 PM

5/1/2004 A more polished version of XMPC-CAR is now available thanks to the efforts of chut and Floyd Walker to finish up what was missing. -- see below for details.

4/4/2004 The source code for XMPC-CAR is now available -- scroll down for details.

Hey everyone.

I got my XM-PCR right before the weekend. It was on sale for $50.. how could I resist?!?

Anyway, the stock software and the alternatives out there proved to be no good for in-car use, so I hacked out my own little doodad I'm going to call XMPC-CAR, get it?

The main features are going to be faster startup, bigger fonts and buttons for touchscreen use and more car-stereo workalike functions.

Instructions:

1) Download and extract the binary distribution from the link at the bottom of this post.

2) You'll need the VB6.0 runtimes to run this. Most people have this. If you don't you can get them somewhere on Microsoft's site...

(5/1/2004) UPDATE!

Thanks to the efforts of chut and Floyd Walker to do the testing and coding, the "should have been 1.0" 2.0.3 release of XMPC-CAR is available in source and binary form. The download links below have been updated to reflect this.

This version includes a built-in configuration GUI to choose the COM port of your XM-PCR (if your com port is not listed, type it in), the fields displayed in the channel list, and the colors and fonts of everything.

These two guys deserve the credit for getting this up to speed. I am just glad the code was useful to someone. Perhaps their efforts will be useful to all the people out there using this software.

(4/4/2004) UPDATE!

I am abandoning windows as a platform for my car-pc which means I won't be continuing development on XMPC-CAR. Since it will never be finished, I've decided to publish the code under a BSD license. The BSD license will allow it to be included in projects like MediaEngine and MediaCar where the source code is not available. If you want a binary, the latest is still at the link above. The source code is at the bottom of this page.

All I ask is that if you use the code, please respect the terms of the license with regard to the copyright notice and give credit. I'd also ask that you consider publishing your changes or enhancements to this module back to the community.

' This software is released under the terms of a BSD-style license. Please
' respect the terms of this license if you use this source code in your
' project. Although it is not required, please consider sharing your changes
' or enhancements of this codebase back to the open source community as I
' have done.
'
' The latest release of this software is at http://www.blurbco.com/~gork/
'
'Copyright (c) 2003-2004, John Laur <johnl@blurbco.com>
'All rights reserved.
'
'Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
'modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

' * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
' this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
'
' * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
' this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
' and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
'
' * Neither the name of the author nor the names of its other contributors
' may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
' without specific prior written permission.
'
'THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
'AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
'IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
'ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
'LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
'CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
'SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
'INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
'CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
'ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
'POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Download XMPC-CAR 2.0.3 Source Release (81KB)
Download XMPC-CAR 2.0.3 Binary Release (46KB)

Confused · 10-15-2003, 01:36 AM

Nice!!

I don't have an XM radio...hell I don't even live in the US, but I would love to see this integrated into other apps, such as ME and NightCruiser etc!

Keep up the great work

Garry

frodobaggins · 10-15-2003, 01:43 AM

If only my wife would let me get XM

gork · 10-15-2003, 02:01 AM

I'll post the source when I get a little farther along... It could be easily integrated.. Just one form and all standard vB conrols...

Currently, I'm not even checking the packets.. just counting bytes in the response. Pretty supid thing to do but with the USB<->Serial conversion, the serial communication is pretty reliable anyway. Once I get that much done I'll at least get the source out there; maybe in CVS.

Also, to anyone already eyeing this program for some integration-into-your-own-app fun, take note that it will be released under the GPL license, so please plan for a compatible license when you write your own code and when you appropriate code as is fairly common in the vB world...

Zip-Lock · 10-15-2003, 03:03 AM

I too would love to see this integrated with Media Engine after it's stable. Keep up the great work.

gavinzbitz · 10-15-2003, 05:44 AM

Im gonna sound like a real Dumbass! but is XM available in the UK? Is it compatible with the hardware you bought? If it is I'm in!!!

FAmonmouth · 10-15-2003, 10:40 AM

XM is not available in any other place but the continental US

gavinzbitz · 10-15-2003, 11:12 AM

;'o( Oh dear.. I was getting all excited... Are there any plans to extend it?

Defiler · 10-15-2003, 10:09 PM

Lookin' good so far...I may have to look into XM soon. I've been wanting to try it out for a while now...

dhowse · 10-16-2003, 08:49 AM

I rellay like what you are doing. I'm looking at putting together a Carputer and incorporating an XM PCR. My question:

Is there a converter you can use so that the XM PCR can utilize an existing car antenna? Visibility is everything with XM in the car. Hiding the standard XM PCR antenna in the dash will probably make it unusable.

Doug

EBJUSTIN · 10-16-2003, 10:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by dhowse

I rellay like what you are doing. I'm looking at putting together a Carputer and incorporating an XM PCR. My question:

Is there a converter you can use so that the XM PCR can utilize an existing car antenna? Visibility is everything with XM in the car. Hiding the standard XM PCR antenna in the dash will probably make it unusable.

Doug

I installed the software and I am impressed!! I used it with my 7" touchscreen (640x480 res) with win2k. The preset buttons on the bottom are great. The text is a lot easier to see than with the stock software.

My suggestions would be to increase the font size even further, there are 12 rows for individual channels, maybe reduce that to 10. A border around each of the preset buttons may also be nice.

Please ask Carcomp to incorporate into ME2.x

Nice Work!

chut · 10-16-2003, 10:27 AM

That is soooo cool!
As soon as I get an XM PCR, I will be installing your interface.
Thanks!

ose-ml320 · 10-16-2003, 10:34 AM

I havn't been around long enough to have any credibility, but what the hell, gork "you da man"

Too often those pushing the envelope have a bit of a L33T attitude, thanks for the sharing and the help.