Rockbox Technical Forums

Rockbox Development => Feature Ideas => Topic started by: coiley on February 21, 2009, 10:10:47 PM

Title: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: coiley on February 21, 2009, 10:10:47 PM
How about a Windows USB interface that looks like a Rockbox but operates A USB CONNECTED device  - like WinAmp, but running a USB connected Rockbox device.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: cool_walking_ on February 21, 2009, 10:14:40 PM
I don't understand what you're saying, but I have a feeling this should be in the Feature Ideas forum.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Chronon on February 22, 2009, 02:23:45 AM
This really doesn't seem to have anything to do with Rockbox, though.  A player running Rockbox generally just connects as a UMS device.  You seem to be making a request about a PC program to play files from a USB drive.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Febs on February 22, 2009, 07:39:32 AM
How about a Windows USB interface that looks like a Rockbox but operates A USB CONNECTED device  - like WinAmp, but running a USB connected Rockbox device.

Why not just use WinAmp and point it to the songs on your player?
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: coiley on February 22, 2009, 05:26:59 PM
This really doesn't seem to have anything to do with Rockbox, though.  A player running Rockbox generally just connects as a UMS device.  You seem to be making a request about a PC program to play files from a USB drive.

I am referring to a PC program that acts as a remote control - and is skinned to look like the player.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Yotto on February 22, 2009, 06:13:54 PM
So Rockbox would do the playing, but be controlled by the computer and the output would go out the computer speakers?

That seems like a lot of work to do something that Winamp, or any other music program, can already do without involving the DAP (other than the hard drive) at all.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: coiley on February 22, 2009, 07:30:34 PM
So Rockbox would do the playing, but be controlled by the computer and the output would go out the computer speakers?

That seems like a lot of work to do something that Winamp, or any other music program, can already do without involving the DAP (other than the hard drive) at all.

WinAmp does not offer a user interface to the RockBox'd player's settings.

All I am suggesting is a simple PC program that presses the players buttons (via USB). It seems like most of the work has already been done in that...

[1] each player's buttons are already successfully hooked in the RockBox OS, and...

[2] the RockBox PC simulator (http://rasher.dk/rockbox/simulator/) already incorporates a themeable graphical user interface for many devices.



Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Llorean on February 22, 2009, 07:44:24 PM
At this point, why not just use the player directly? Why is this worth the work, and adding custom code to Rockbox, exactly?
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: motionman95 on March 10, 2009, 11:27:15 AM
Actually, what he's proposing is possible, correct me if I'm wrong. This could be done with a plugin from running on rockbox like this:

Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: gevaerts on March 10, 2009, 11:30:04 AM
Actually, what he's proposing is possible, correct me if I'm wrong. This could be done with a plugin from running on rockbox like this:

  • 1.) Plugin detects USB.
  • 2.) PC program writes to a file on rockbox mp3 player
  • 3.) Plugin reads file (every 2 secs?) and looks for commands
  • 4.) Runs command
  • 5.) Repeat.

That way will *not* work. You can't access the file system from both sides at the same time.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: motionman95 on March 10, 2009, 11:34:15 AM
So your saying if the usb is plugged in, then Rockbox can't use the filesystem at all, even if the USB is ignored?
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Llorean on March 10, 2009, 12:35:16 PM
If USB is not connected, USB cannot write to the filesystem.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: motionman95 on March 10, 2009, 01:19:21 PM
Of course, I knew that, didn't you read my earlier post?  ???
Quote
1.) Plugin detects USB.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Llorean on March 10, 2009, 01:45:47 PM
Yes, but your last post was talking about if USB was ignored. You can't have it both ways. Is USB ignored or connected?
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: motionman95 on March 10, 2009, 02:41:59 PM
Hmm....it looks like there is no way for the mp3 to ignore the USB and still write files, as you said...  :-\ It would probably require a special USB mode. :(
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Llorean on March 10, 2009, 02:49:57 PM
Even if your method were possible, which it isn't as described since it would require both rockbox and the pc to have access to the filesystem, there are far better and simpler ways. If the pc is able to write the file, rockbox cannot read it until disconnected. If Rockbox can read it, the pc cannot write it. Unless you're seriously wanting to connect and disconect rapidly, this can't work. And even then it wouldn't be able to control responsively or respond to hold-then-release actions well. There are simply much better ways than even an ideal file-based communication method.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: motionman95 on March 10, 2009, 05:40:01 PM
What your suggestion/method?  ???
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Llorean on March 10, 2009, 05:42:11 PM
Don't use MSC. Pick another way to communicate with the device over USB, and just use Rockbox's existing remote-control functionality to allow it to be controlled from the computer. USB can be used for much more than just accessing the files on the device.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: motionman95 on March 10, 2009, 09:13:01 PM
I have a C200, so that wouldn't be an option, unless I misunderstood you.
Title: Re: How about a WinAmp-ish app that plays a USB connected Rockbox device?
Post by: Llorean on March 10, 2009, 09:20:17 PM
The c200 has software controlled USB.