Hi
I am thinking of getting a Majik DS and particularly like the idea of controlling the Linn using my existing SqueezeCenter. However, I have a couple of questions to ask and would be very grateful for any clarifications. I have very limited technical knowledge so please bear with me if these questions sound somewhat boring.
Here we go:
(1) I have a Squeezebox in my living room which will be replaced by the Linn. To use Skweeky to control the Majik, am I right in thinking that I need to keep the SB?
(2) I read other threads about Skweeky and can only conclude that the SB will be playing the music at the same time the Majik is as both of them are synchronised. Is that correct?
(3) Can I set the Skweeky so that it starts up at the same time SqueezeCenter starts when I turn on my PC?
Thank you.
Please not that Squeezy is currently still in development, particularily with regards to its installation, setup and startup operation. It is perfectly useable by persons who are technically competent with software installation on their chosen platform
but is NOT yet in a suitable state for non-technical users
(1) I have a Squeezebox in my living room which will be replaced by the Linn. To use Skweeky to control the Majik, am I right in thinking that I need to keep the SB?
Currently that is correct. It appears that with the upcoming 7.3 version of SqueezeCenter that the Duet controller will be able to act as the SqueezeBox itself, in which case no other SB will be required if a Duet controller is being used.
(2) I read other threads about Skweeky and can only conclude that the SB will be playing the music at the same time the Majik is as both of them are synchronised. Is that correct?
This is correct. They are re-synchronised at the start of every track, but may drift apart slightly during playback. The amount of drift depends on the accuracy of the SB's clock - older SBs are poorer than newer models
(3) Can I set the Skweeky so that it starts up at the same time SqueezeCenter starts when I turn on my PC?
There is no startup order dependency between Squeezy and SqueezeCenter, hence Squeezy can be started at boot time using the usual procedure for the PCs OS (Add to Startup folder in Windows, or create an init.d script in Linux. On NAS devices this will require root access
Hi rockfather
Thank you for your reply. If it is fairly complicated to install the squeezy, I am thinking of just installing the Linn GUI. However, would I be able to control the Majik DS using the remote control the same way like I do Squeezebox, e.g., browsing my music collection without having to be in front of my PC? I assume that the display on the Majik DS will show pretty much the same kind of information shown on the SB?
There is no Linn dealer where I live so I have no opportunity to test it before I buy. Thank you.
However, would I be able to control the Majik DS using the remote control the same way like I do Squeezebox, e.g., browsing my music collection without having to be in front of my PC? I assume that the display on the Majik DS will show pretty much the same kind of information shown on the SB?
Currently it is not possible to browse your music collection using DS display. However once a playlist (of up to 1000 tracks) is loaded on to the DS (using LinnGui or whatever other controller you fancy), you can navigate around this using the IR handset and DS display.
They are re-synchronised at the start of every track, but may drift apart slightly during playback. The amount of drift depends on the accuracy of the SB's clock - older SBs are poorer than newer models
Hi Rockfather
Would this drift correction impact upon gapless albums by inserting a gap (or removing a segment) of music (when listened to on the DS) by the DS track position being realignend to match that of the SB?
I haven't tried listenening for this yet (everything's in bits at the moment) but I could see it being a problem if it does.
Bri
PS Reading my new 'Linux Phrasebook' and it's very good. I also know it's quite easy to un-brick a NV+
Would this drift correction impact upon gapless albums by inserting a gap (or removing a segment) of music (when listened to on the DS) by the DS track position being realignend to match that of the SB?
DS will play gaplessly, the drift correction is done to the SB, so it is the audio from the SB that will get any gaps or trunceations caused by correction.
The algorithm for this has not changed since Ver 0.11.
Technically it uses the DS pre-fetch of the next track (to fill its buffer) to detect a track change about 5s in advance, and if SB then starts playing this track, the DS ignores the track change (continues playing from its own playlist gaplessly). When the DS starts a track it then resynchronises the SB with the DS.
I haven't tried listenening for this yet (everything's in bits at the moment) but I could see it being a problem if it does.
Bri
Briain, as most people on this forum are using DS's, everything is in BITS for us all, Bill.
Would this drift correction impact upon gapless albums by inserting a gap (or removing a segment) of music (when listened to on the DS) by the DS track position being realignend to match that of the SB?
DS will play gaplessly, the drift correction is done to the SB, so it is the audio from the SB that will get any gaps or trunceations caused by correction.
The algorithm for this has not changed since Ver 0.11.
Technically it uses the DS pre-fetch of the next track (to fill its buffer) to detect a track change about 5s in advance, and if SB then starts playing this track, the DS ignores the track change (continues playing from its own playlist gaplessly). When the DS starts a track it then resynchronises the SB with the DS.
Fantastic! Thanks for the update and the info. That is very interetsting and also explains why I didn't notice anything; I had just put it down to the wine
Off now to read about scripts, or maybe to have some wine and read about them tomorrow.
PS SkweezyDs works really well using just the Jive thingy as RX; it seems a bit more responsive but I've changed other things (SC7 beta version / Jive update) so that's not proven.
Bri
Briain, as most people on this forum are using DS's, everything is in BITS for us all, Bill.
Hi Bill
Broken Information Technology Systems?
Busted In To Sections?
Blown It To Smithereens?
Bunged Into The Swamp?
Burning-smell Indicates Totally Shafted (this actually happened to a homebrew RF amp last night)
However, would I be able to control the Majik DS using the remote control the same way like I do Squeezebox, e.g., browsing my music collection without having to be in front of my PC? I assume that the display on the Majik DS will show pretty much the same kind of information shown on the SB?
Currently it is not possible to browse your music collection using DS display. However once a playlist (of up to 1000 tracks) is loaded on to the DS (using LinnGui or whatever other controller you fancy), you can navigate around this using the IR handset and DS display.
Hi rockfather
Thank you again for your reply. I just ordered a Majik DS today. I'm looking forward to having it delivered this weekend.
I hope Linn will put more effort into developing the controller software in the near future as it seems to me this is the only thing that might deter people from buying the DSs.
Cheers.