I've looked into this hoping to use my video HTPC as an audio server and I wasn't able to find a suitable solution. I'm still using an iPod for my audio server, which isn't a bad solution.
-
Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.
VFD or no VFD
I'm about to put together a HTPC using parts from my previous desktop
Athlon X2 3800+
MSI K8N Platinum MoBo
1GB Corsair DDR
420w PSU
Probably pick up an 8600GT the 6600GT I have might not have enough juice to handle HiDef video.
I want to know if I a VFD will do what I want it to do or not.
I want to be able to browse my files without having to turn on a monitor/tv.
Say I want to play some mp3's will the VFD show folders and there contents.
I've read about all the other stuff they can display but never saw any mention of what I need it to do. I just want to be able to find my mp3 files without a monitor.
Thanks.
Athlon X2 3800+
MSI K8N Platinum MoBo
1GB Corsair DDR
420w PSU
Probably pick up an 8600GT the 6600GT I have might not have enough juice to handle HiDef video.
I want to know if I a VFD will do what I want it to do or not.
I want to be able to browse my files without having to turn on a monitor/tv.
Say I want to play some mp3's will the VFD show folders and there contents.
I've read about all the other stuff they can display but never saw any mention of what I need it to do. I just want to be able to find my mp3 files without a monitor.
Thanks.
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
I can't answer your question, but my VFD is pretty useless. It's mostly for appearance more than anything else. From 10ft away, a 2 line display is almost invisible.
Ditto. I have an Antec Fusion with a VFD. It's neat to look at but not mission critical. I have mine cycling between hard drive space, weather, time, and IP address.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dannieboiz /forum/post/0
I can't answer your question, but my VFD is pretty useless. It's mostly for appearance more than anything else. From 10ft away, a 2 line display is almost invisible.
Ditto. I have an Antec Fusion with a VFD. It's neat to look at but not mission critical. I have mine cycling between hard drive space, weather, time, and IP address.
So you cannot use it to browse folders/files?
You might want to check out if there is custom software/drivers for the VFD you're interested in. I seem to recall that some VFDs allow you to install all sorts of neat plugins. Check Google. I never really bothered much with my Fusion VFD, so I can't point you in the right direction.
Quote:
Originally Posted by five4.4 /forum/post/0
So you cannot use it to browse folders/files?
You might want to check out if there is custom software/drivers for the VFD you're interested in. I seem to recall that some VFDs allow you to install all sorts of neat plugins. Check Google. I never really bothered much with my Fusion VFD, so I can't point you in the right direction.
Thanks for the info, but i'm still back at square one.
Sorry to resuscitate an old thread but I have exactly the same (as yet unanswered) question:
Has anybody gotten a VFD to browse and play music files without using the main display?
It would be great if I could get my HTPC to work like a Squeezebox + NAS without having to bring my projector into the situation. Thanks in advance for any info or links.
Has anybody gotten a VFD to browse and play music files without using the main display?
It would be great if I could get my HTPC to work like a Squeezebox + NAS without having to bring my projector into the situation. Thanks in advance for any info or links.
While not the requested solution of using a VFD..
What I ended up doing was purchase a used viewsonic Airpanel from eBay.
Sometimes the smaller V100 and V110 units can be had at a low price.
I ended up with a V150 and a V210.
The V210 is cool because it has a browser built in.
With this I can control my unRAID array, view NAGIOS status and control my MPD/http/php player.
you can't watch streaming video, but it is effective for remote control.
What I ended up doing was purchase a used viewsonic Airpanel from eBay.
Sometimes the smaller V100 and V110 units can be had at a low price.
I ended up with a V150 and a V210.
The V210 is cool because it has a browser built in.
With this I can control my unRAID array, view NAGIOS status and control my MPD/http/php player.
you can't watch streaming video, but it is effective for remote control.
No, you cannot use a VFD/LCD (2 line LCD, not 7" type) to navigate/browse folders. There is no easy way to capture the necessary data stream.
You best bet to do this is get a chassis with a larger (i.e. 7" LCD)touchscreen. This can mirror what is going out to the TV and then you can navigate from there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by abelincoln /forum/post/14838576
Sorry to resuscitate an old thread but I have exactly the same (as yet unanswered) question:
Has anybody gotten a VFD to browse and play music files without using the main display?
It would be great if I could get my HTPC to work like a Squeezebox + NAS without having to bring my projector into the situation. Thanks in advance for any info or links.
No, you cannot use a VFD/LCD (2 line LCD, not 7" type) to navigate/browse folders. There is no easy way to capture the necessary data stream.
You best bet to do this is get a chassis with a larger (i.e. 7" LCD)touchscreen. This can mirror what is going out to the TV and then you can navigate from there.
Thanks for the suggestions. The Viewsonic Airpanel is a little out of my price range, though. And a 7" display on my case would require me to get on my hands and knees to select music.
I found that there's a version of VNC that's been modified to let you control your PC with an iPhone (or iTouch, I hope) over a wifi connection:
http://cre.ations.net/creation/webvn...on-your-iphone
Has anybody tried something like this? It seems pretty promising to me. I'll report back once I've had a chance to check it out.
I found that there's a version of VNC that's been modified to let you control your PC with an iPhone (or iTouch, I hope) over a wifi connection:
http://cre.ations.net/creation/webvn...on-your-iphone
Has anybody tried something like this? It seems pretty promising to me. I'll report back once I've had a chance to check it out.
Nope, but you could get a nice Sideshow Remote. That would allow you to control the media without turning on TV.
I use my VFD (iMon) to browse though my music library, including playlists, and control playback with MediaPortal without having to switch the TV on.
Filou, thanks for the suggestion. Are you using this VFD:
http://www.xoxide.com/imon-ultra-bay-silver.html
Also, are you just using the stock iMon software or did you have to install something else to be able to browse files? Thanks again.
I tried remote desktop and webVNC with a windows mobile device and iPod Touch respectively but each approach had issues. WebVNC was too unresponsive to be of any real use and remote desktop doesn't actually play sound through the host device.
http://www.xoxide.com/imon-ultra-bay-silver.html
Also, are you just using the stock iMon software or did you have to install something else to be able to browse files? Thanks again.
I tried remote desktop and webVNC with a windows mobile device and iPod Touch respectively but each approach had issues. WebVNC was too unresponsive to be of any real use and remote desktop doesn't actually play sound through the host device.
Sorry, I'm going to stop bumping this thread back up but it turns out that there's a good (free, third-party, works with WinMo 5 & 6) version of remote desktop that lets keep music on the host pc:
http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/ppc-6...op-client.html
A quick recap -- the idea is to use a wifi-enabled windows mobile device as a remote monitor for selecting and playing music without turning on your projector or plasma monitor.
http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/ppc-6...op-client.html
A quick recap -- the idea is to use a wifi-enabled windows mobile device as a remote monitor for selecting and playing music without turning on your projector or plasma monitor.
I'd just get a Squeezebox.
Quote:
Originally Posted by five4.4 /forum/post/10609870
Say I want to play some mp3's will the VFD show folders and there contents.
I'd just get a Squeezebox.
I'd get a squeezebox but then I'd still have to have my PC turned on, right? Or maybe I could use a router with usb storage. I suppose that most people here just have a media server PC or NAS in a nearby closet.
If your PC has Bluetooth you can use the Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow. It needs Windows Mobile 5 or 6 and Vista Home Premium (or Ultimate). It is still in beta and it is available from Windows Connect
There are 4 Media Center gadgets:
TV
Music
Pictures + Videos
.
Now Playing
There are 4 Media Center gadgets:
TV
- Browse TV and schedule recordings. Browse the TV program guide, view metadata on upcoming or current shows, and pick shows to watch and record (single showing or series), without interrupting the TV viewing experience.
- Recorded TV. Select a previously recorded program to play back, without interrupting the viewing experience on the TV.
Music
- Play Music. Browse the media library, control music playback on the PC by using the remote control device instead of the primary display, such as a TV.
- Play radio presets. Browse your radio presets and playback that station through your Media Center.
Pictures + Videos
- Browse the picture and video libraries. Make a selection on the remote and that picture or video will be displayed on the TV
.
Now Playing
- Provide "now playing" information. The remote control device shows information about the currently playing medium, such as the track title or the time elapsed
how do you do that ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by el Filou /forum/post/14854213
I use my VFD (iMon) to browse though my music library, including playlists, and control playback with MediaPortal without having to switch the TV on.
how do you do that ?
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
AVS Forum
A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
WilliamR
940 Replies
BASSAHOLIC
514 Replies
bass addict
401 Replies
Recommended Communities
