RockBox Simulator as a "Player"

[Old Schooler]

Hello,

I loaded a copy of the RockBox Simulator for my H10, file name "iriver-h10_20gb-sim-w32.zip", to see if it would actually function as a program from my H10 if I plugged into a PC and started it as if it were installed on the PC. This way I could use it on any PC without having to install it or load it on each PC I used, specifically at work.

Long story short:
It worked and I was using it to check on my so-called progress of editing WPS screens. I wanted to change some of the "Next Track" settings, etc., and so I needed to load some music into the simulator's "root directory" which on my H10 simulator was "Archos". I didn't change it to "H10" simply because the ZIP file loaded that way onto my H10.

I started the Sim program and used the "DataBase" to get the music I put on it and it of course showed up in the Simulator as what it was supposed to be. But then I noticed it was actually playing it as well because sound started coming from the speakers on the PC while the USB cable was attached. Basically, I was using the H10 as an ext HD with the sim program loaded onto it.

So, my question is in reference to a previous thread, "USB Sound Suggestion", where the question was raised about getting sound out of the bottom connector line out pins through the USB cable into the PC.

I do know that there isn't any audio capability through a USB port. So, with that and things from the other post in mind, just what was I listening to?

The song, and all of the rest that I played were most definitely the ones that I loaded onto my H10 into the Simulator Root Directory but they were playing through the PC speakers and I KNOW there was no program running on the PC capable of playing music. I checked.

Also, the volume control in the sim program and the RockBox eq would effect the music, but the bass/treble controls would not.

This music could not have been playing digitally as far as I can see because it would have needed a program on the PC to play it with, such Media Player and so on, wouldn't it? So, since it was playing, it had to have been an analog signal since the H10 has no digital output I am aware of. And since the eq and volume from the sim program would effect it, doesn't that imply it had to have been being piped through the PC somehow via the USB port?

Like I said in the first part of this "short" story, as far as I know there isn't any type of analog audio capability in a USB port, but I know what I am listening to.

Also, it follows that the sim program would make a very attractive media player for all kinds of reasons.

Old Schooler

[Llorean]

You were running the sim, on your PC. Just because the files are on the device doesn't mean it's running on the device. The sim can play music. So, you were playing music on your PC.

[Chronon]

Also, it follows that the sim program would make a very attractive media player for all kinds of reasons.

Old Schooler

This is more or less the reasoning behind the "Rockbox as an application" GSOC project.

[mcuelenaere]

So, my question is in reference to a previous thread, "USB Sound Suggestion", where the question was raised about getting sound out of the bottom connector line out pins through the USB cable into the PC.

I do know that there isn't any audio capability through a USB port. So, with that and things from the other post in mind, just what was I listening to?

There's USB Audio..

[Old Schooler]

Upon further investigation, the sim program is apparently running on a PC - mine or which ever I plugged my H10 into as an ext. HD and ran the sim program on. I verified this by starting it as I had before and while laying music located on the H!0, disconnected the USB/Data Cable from the base of the H10 and the sim program with the music played on. I am curious about one thing, though, and that is just how was I able to continue selecting songs and playing them from the same directory when I pulled the plug? I could not of course use the file function to access any other files, though. I am guessing the sim program and any related music files it may need from a given directory are loaded into a temp folder on my PC?

I was hoping I had stumbled onto something here because the sound quality I was hearing was "just like" it was playing from my PC. Frankly, the sound coming from the headphone jack on an H10 is not of the highest quality. It's OK for headphones, but when connected to a good stereo..... Especially after comaring it to my "late" JBR. (Someday maybe she will rise again)

What I was hearing using the sim program was very good. I was hoping that somehow it was utilizing the line-out signals from the H10 which I have heard produced a better quality signal because it had not been through the audio portion required for the headphones.

Oh well! I still say it makes a very good MP3 player if for no other reason, the graphics.

And also, I've said it before, but RockBox is the best thing for MP3 players since they invented them.

[AlexP]

Upon further investigation, the sim program is apparently running on a PC - mine or which ever I plugged my H10 into as an ext. HD and ran the sim program on.

Er yes, we said this   When connected to the PC like that, it is just like another hard drive.  It is the same as having the sim on your C:\ drive, or wherever.

I am curious about one thing, though, and that is just how was I able to continue selecting songs and playing them from the same directory when I pulled the plug? I could not of course use the file function to access any other files, though. I am guessing the sim program and any related music files it may need from a given directory are loaded into a temp folder on my PC?

They were buffered in memory.

[Old Schooler]

Well, that certainly makes sense.  And I wasn't  meaning to sound like I missed the part about the sim program running on the PC when I said I looked into it further, I was merely confirming it. I figured there was a good reason for it, but I just didn't see it at first.

Anyway, thanks again for RockBox.