DSD Jukebox (Party-Player)


General (for what/why):

 

The program was designed to work as stand-alone Jukebox on parties. For this the necessary MP3s are made available after a read-in (important is the TAG content) in a huge songlist. If possible please use no CDs since these bring some complications with the access. In addition for a beautiful selection you should use a big harddisk (or LAN share). The Webserver function provides the Jukebox in a LAN, so then various users can convey their desires to the Jukebox directly.


Safety/password:

 

To leave the program with activated (standard case) protective function DOUBLE CLICK on the UPPER LEFT CORNER! To hold that as simple as possible, the password for the administrator is always the current date in the style "ddmmyy" called dayMonthYear. Thus, we have today the March 1st 2002, then the password is 010302. The respective administrator changes simply the date by using the Windows system control (doubleclick on the clock) and starts the program, if it did not assign its own numeric password in the Setup. Afterwards it is no longer possible to inquire the current date so that the user cannot terminate the Jukebox any longer. Only the Admin (or a special informed person) knows the date and can enter the admin-mode.


Setup and parameters:

 

The parameter SETUP makes a (small) configuration of the Jukebox possible. The words specified in quotation marks are usable also as command line parameters. Attention, manually set parameters are not stored in the reqistry, they are optional and overwrite the values in the Setup only for the current program call of the Jukebox. Also several parameters can be used together, however you should be already conscious about their meaning.


optional files:

 

For the adjustment of various languages, for example English or French either use the reg-files, or also create your own. These files can be problem-free used by doubleclick in the Windows-Explorer, better it is to let the content be merged by using the Jukebox. Further (optional) the following files are produced during the Jukebox run: The "Datenbank.Dat" would be used for the cache of all information of the songs in the list. "Bewertung.Dat" which contains all evaluations of the songs played of the past use. The "Kommentar.Dat" in which all remarks are hold which user enters during the program run. If songs are recognized as defective, the notice can be paged out in a plain text file called "Malformed.Dat". In the subdirectory "Playlist" all selected songs are written as a simple playlist file. These files can be used for statistic purposes (or whatever), daysharply separated. In the subdirectory "Captures" were put down all pictures, e.g. taken by a WebCam. These files are present only during the current Jukebox run and will be automatically deleted after end.


M3U-Support (playlists)

 

The Jukebox provides automatically (if wished) playlists in the standard M3U format. One file per weekday will be written, so that the lists on the one hand not to become long, on the other hand a history is formed from which later then statistics can be possibly derived, too. But many more interesting is the loading of provided playlists. For this two different variants exist: On the one hand an old database can be merged on this way, example: You would like to merge only the songs at all, which were played on the last party. For this one can take the old playlist (or also your own) and draw the appropriate M3U-file by Explorer on the drop field (in the load-dialogue). All attainable songs of the playlist are transferred now to the database (scanned in). Also every other MP3-file can be merged in this way, possible for directories, too. Another possibility of merging Playlisten exists in the Admin dialogue. Here a Button (?) exists with the possibility M3U-files to load. This mode functions differently than the evenly described: Here all attainable songs of the playlist are selected and transferred automatically to the shedule-playlist of the Jukebox (if permissible). If therefore Tekkno songs in a certain order, e.g. selected, are to be played, this feature could be is important.


Skins (layouts):

 

The support for skins makes a change of the graphical elements possible. The support is limited however to replacing the elements, a redesign of the arrangement is not intended and will not be planned. A skin is always developed as follows: In the subdirectory "Skins", which lies in the Jukebox main directory, can the files be put down in a directory (name of the skin). The necessary files are "Design.gif" for the elements, "Help.Gif" for (possibly) arranged (and animated) assistance texts, "Cursor.Cur" for the mousepointer and "Font.ttf" for the character font. For the character font must be said that the first TTF (TrueTypeFont) file in the directory found is used (thus the name is actually unimportant). Optionally "Infos.gif" (likewise also animated GIF) can be added, which can be used as advertisement text. It will then be faded in after longer disuse (like an internal screensaver) and is to animate the users the Jukebox to use ( or whatever). Hint by the way: the transparency pixel of the Buttons is always at the bottom left corner!


Webserver:

 

The Jukebox has a small internal Webserver which permits a songs choice and some other functions to be used by a conventional Browser. For this (as standard) an own interface is produced over which the Jukebox communicates by HTTP. The subdirectory "Web" in the program-directory of the Jukebox is approved for further contents and can be arranged after personal conceptions and abilities. It can be achieved simply by use the url line of the browser or the appropriate "information..."-link on the homepage. It applies to note however that the Jukebox is to actually play music pieces and not when Web server was conceived. This should be noticed when using pictures in regard to transmission time and resources consumption. Who presents here thus gladly its abilities or would like to offer songrelevante Web contents here are no real borders set, because the port address of the Web server can be freely defined. In other words, also the prepared layout can be wrapped by another (special) one, if e.g. a "real" Webserver is placed in front of the Jukebox (with own layout or various auxiliary functions), which transfers then only the song selections to the Jukebox.


Searchfunction:

 

Two different styles (systems) of the search were integrated into the Jukebox. On the one hand a full text search for parts of a term within the artist or the title. This is the standard attitude to use the search, if you enter for example "talli" and in this way probably many songs by "Metallica" will be listed. This search can become relatively arduous however, if e.g. the selected word range is small and indicates simply too many songs, which you did not look for at all. For this reason a "Wildcard" search is implemented which activates itself automatically, if within the search word * (asterisks) or ? (question marks) occurs. Then another search methodology which is to be described here briefly applies in order to understand functionality better: Completely classically can "*talli*" be used in order to reach same functionality as in detail mentioned above. It becomes more exciting, if you enter "meta*". Now the song (or artist) must start compellingly with "meta" in order to be found. The asterisk stands in this case for as many as desired letters, the question mark for only one letter. "meta*ica" contains on one or more letters in the middle, in our case the "l"'s. "m?tallica" therefore could now at second position any letter possess, it could also be called "matallica". The use can be also combined so that the search range can be limited and the search would be very fast. This search functionality is provided both in the "normal" surface (by keyboard), and over the access by Web.


Key allocations:

 

The keys of the keyboard are occupied with different functions, which are to be outlined briefly: The numeric keys from 0 to 9 can be used in order to start a certain title directly, simply enter the number, e.g. 123 and press Return. The "direct song numbers" changes after a re-arranging (sorting) of the list, from therefore the numbers are only conditionally usable. The normal keys from a to z arrange the list to jump within the assortment to the first song with the appropriate initial letter. The list can be navigated like a normal Windows application, i.e. page up/down, ctrl+page etc. In connection with ctrl the main-buttons can be steered, likewise e.g. ctrl+a for administration etc...
Further exists a set of special allocations, which were added in the context of special wishes: Ctrl+F1 is volume down, if the way to the adminmode appears too pedantic, ctrl+F2 is volume UP. Ctrl+F11 changes the skin randomly. Ctrl+F12 turns the monitor to standby and back.


LCD-Display:

 

It is possible to use an alphanumeric LCD display with the HD4478 controller connected to LPT1. This possibility rises from the beginnings of the Jukebox and may be simpler probably over a WinAMP PlugIN with more functions. Nevertheless is this possible, so that a connection diagram is shown the wiring here for 4-bit and 8-bit wiring. The connection is made by the parallel port (LPT1) and the cable which can be manufactured accordingly. The display informs (e.g. on switched off monitor) about the current song (artist and title), the length and the position. It is no interactive mode possible, in other words that display indicates only. The positions of the texts are only optimized for displays of the size 20x4.


Cover/Lyrics

 

The Jukebox can use (show) possibly existing files to a song such lyrics (songtext) or the cover (song or album picture). This happens quite rudimentarily in the "Help" window, if the assistance Button is pressed. The files will be looked up for the currently selected song (in the list). Existes in the same directory of the song a file with the same name with the ending "JPG" then assumed it concern here a Cover in the JPEG format. Exactly the same the songtext is looked up for, a file of the same name with the ending "TXT". The will be shown in the Help-window centered and without possible special formattings, thus only plain text!. Over the definition of special directories for cover- and lyricsfile these can be also centralized in one directory. So that the songs can be found meaningful and suitable, this procedure presupposes as completely as possible designated file names, names e.g. Track01, Track02 are naturally senseless.


FAQ (frequently asked questions):

 

How do I reach the Jukebox via LAN (network)?

 

The Jukebox server must have activated the option WEB (for the Webserver). Then automatically a small Webserver starts, which can be addressed completely problem-free by Browser (IE/NS/Opera/Mosaic...). Simply in the browser indicate the IP address of the Jukebox computer and then the homepage should appear.

 

How functiones the read-in (scanning) over a network?

 

On a network computer the drive or directory which contain the files, must be "shared". A simple read-share should be sufficient there, because the files are not changed. The drive assemblies must connect then on the target computer as drive assembly letter to be merged. This drive assembly can be used after it completely normally into the Jukebox.

 

Is a full screen PlugIN (by WinAMP) possible, which starts automatically after some time without input and is switched off after an input?

 

Sure it might be possible. However we decided not to support this since we developed a kind "presentation mode", which replaces the screensaver function ("SHOWMODE").

 

Is it possible to provide a hierarchy for sorting?

 

In the current version it is not possible. It is not intended also for the moment in the development to make this possible in foreseeable future.

 

The change between two songs is not cleanly crossaded! It gives a gap. What there can I do?

 

The crossfade is taken over by a WinAMP Plugin. This requires naturally some computing power, in order to crossfade the songs. The moreover everyone can stop its own option over the setup at the attitudes of the Plugins. But ask caution, because with installing a new version the old (own) attitude is overwritten! Occasionally the WinAMP has also problems with write protected files, this protection should as the first be switched off.

 

After terminating the Jukebox I must let the songs constantly read-in again. How can I go around that?

 

Over the parameter "OLDDB", which can be indicated in the Setup, will read the Jukebox in the old songlist, if this is possible and the number of songs is larger than 15. No examination is accomplished on an availability. This must be activated over the option "RESCAN" additionally.

 

Why can't I operate the Jukebox under Windows NT/2000/XP in the safety mode?

 

It is not possible under Windows NT/2000/XP to prevent the combination of keys ctrl-alt-del. This is conceptionally not possible. There exists some tools, with which you can prevent this functionality, but the Jukebox does not offer these possibilities, it some switching surfaces in the task manager is only grayed out, so that the user with the combination of keys can actually arrange nothing.

 

Is there a possibility of playing also different formats except MP3 in the Jukebox? The WinAMP supports now various formats.

 

NO! Our intention was not an allround tool. The Jukebox is to be able to play only MP3-Dateien.

 

Why the Jukebox is free of charge ready for Download? What have you of it if you make it available as Freeware?

 

There are two fundamental points, which were crucial for it to offer the Jukebox free of charge. On the one hand we use various components (WinAMP/PlugINs) of other persons also, who receive for your part also no money for it. There we found it nasty, to earn money for things we got also free of charge. On the other hand the Jukebox for people is meant, which want to save the money for a DJ on a party, without having to do thereby even which. Hereby again money to earn is not the philosophy of DSD.

 

I do not get all files read-in! All files are not recognized!

 

The Jukebox tries directly when reading the files in to exclude dupes and compares the file name with a list of the past. This can lead with repeated equal designated songs to (possibly also erroneously) double recognition. Advice: Always use the TAG and the file names accordingly adapt. Further when reading in all songs are segregated, which possess an incorrect header. This is a pure security measure (WinAMP plays it usually nevertheless correctly off), and can therefore be also deactivated.

 

Some files are called incorrect, sound themselves however completely normally!

 

Some Tools like e.g. "MusicMatchJukebox" or "RealJukebox" provide the MP3-files with various additional information, which is not defined as standard in the TAG convention. Also the header of a MP3-file is not there impossible. If the Jukebox does not find the headers, or the TAG was personally extended, then the Jukebox sorts it as "distorted" out.

 

Can I transfer the database somehow sorted expressions and/or to ACCESS or Excel?

 

The "database" is in principle a text file, in which the individual columns are by tabstops from each other separated. This makes an opening for the "database" in any text editor possible. Excel has an appropriate import filter, which reads the file in accordingly and thus also a treatment made possible. Further the possibility exists of exporting the list as XML file.


Contakt/Bugreports:

 

  • For suggestion/Bugrepots eMail to Support@Duerkop-SD.de newest versio at HTTP://www.Duerkop-SD.de

  • Also a newsletter is possible. This is exactly generated if a new version is available in the Internet. Simply register the email address and participate.

  • You can reach the developer directly under the eMail address Duerkop@Duerkop-SD.de, if there are questions for own projects.