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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 5, 2012 17:44:58 GMT -5
Now that the release is settled I thought I'd re-explore something a few of us are interested in, network control of the XMC-1. In Mark's report he indicated they were working on an Android app, that's a good sign as it shows they recognize the need - and that the API/Protocol is ready to work with. However it hints they may be leaving the iOS work to the App community, did anyone else in the XMC sessions see or hear about an iOS app?
I know cfelliot and tknice were both interested in developing apps, I think iOS? Were there others? Have you thought about what you could do while waiting for the protocol to be published - screen prototypes, defining control functions, etc? Any other iOS developers in the lounge?
I guess this would also be an encouragement for Emo to update the product page as pieces are finalized and time allows, if there are any technical specs that could be published - like network protocols and functions - or maybe the TaCT white paper some were waiting for - that would be welcome.
I know many aren't interested in this and I'm not suggesting that any focus be taken away from getting the core functions solid and finishing TaCT. However we're back to the waiting game and if there's something productive to do with our time then why not do it - or at least talk about it.
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 5, 2012 19:18:51 GMT -5
My plan is to write a PC app in C# for the XMC-1. I will freely give whatever I do to anyone that wants it.
It’s going to be hard to do much without a protocol definition. I am assuming that control will be via a Windows TCP/IP socket. But going much beyond a volume control and source selection will be impossible without a spec.
I hope that the protocol will support feedback of what is done manually to the XMC-1 either by the front panel or remote. A second method to get this info is a query, but direct feedback when something changes is the best approach. With query you have to query everything to see what has changed.
One feature I will build in is a slow mute. I hate the way mutes usually work. They’re fine for killing the audio, but I dislike the way they slam the audio back to whatever volume level you were at. This is simple to do with a couple of seconds ramp up to the volume level.
Chuck
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 5, 2012 19:30:09 GMT -5
I am definitely game for helping with an iOS version.
That being said, depending on what control options there are... i.e. two way feedback and/or using the XMCs IR output, I think that I might be tempted to simply work on writing scripts for an existing solution, like the Redeye remote.
Guess we'll just have to see what they are interested in doing and what the APIs have available.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 5, 2012 20:26:19 GMT -5
The mute ramp would be nice, interesting idea. I hope they at least have what others have had for a while which is a -dB setting for the mute level, including total mute. I normally like it down 30 or 40 dB but not full mute. I hope there's a turn-on volume setting as well.
One thought on preparing is just to look at the remote, I have a UMC-1 so its a good starting point. Each of those buttons plus some others should have a corresponding network function - also the setup menus (that we don't know anything about). How they're represented and interacted with on screen is of course what makes a good UI. The screen sharing we started in the other thread is a good way to share ideas.
The feedback question is a good one, a single call returning all settings, a separate call for each? groups? Maybe whoever's working on the internal apps might throw us some bones, and we might also hear more about what apps they're working on.
It does sound like we each might be going after slightly different results but some collaboration has to help everyone - even if like greenkiwi mentions it becomes part of a 3rd party solution. - Bruce
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Post by merlinwerks on Sept 5, 2012 20:27:09 GMT -5
I can't code so I'm really glad you guys are around  For me I suppose IOS would be preferred, but I'll adapt to what ever becomes available. That and as long as the XMC can function as a DLNA Renderer so I can use my preferred front-end (JRMC) I'll be in heaven... |
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Post by generalkorrd on Sept 5, 2012 20:36:25 GMT -5
I know that they said that apple products would be supported, and that flashing/updating the xmc would be as easy as dragging and dropping a file from your desktop to a thumbdrive, and in turn plugging that into the xmc which would update itself automatically. No more special update programs or multiple files to load in a certain order. Very nice if they can pull it off.
They were somewhat vague on networking, they did say that they wanted to be able to control the thing with smartphones etc. That is still something that is being worked on.
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 5, 2012 20:47:24 GMT -5
I know that they said that apple products would be supported, and that flashing/updating the xmc would be as easy as dragging and dropping a file from your desktop to a thumbdrive, and in turn plugging that into the xmc which would update itself automatically. No more special update programs or multiple files to load in a certain order. Very nice if they can pull it off. They were somewhat vague on networking, they did say that they wanted to be able to control the thing with smartphones etc. That is still something that is being worked on. iOS support implies either IP or Bluetooth. Either is ok by me. Right now I just want to see the XMC-1 finished. The rest is just fun later on! |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 5, 2012 23:28:35 GMT -5
iOS support implies either IP or Bluetooth. Either is ok by me. Bluetooth won't work for me, I need more range, IP is the way. I think only the UMC-500 will have Bluetooth anyway. Edit: Looks like its the UMC-200 that will also have BT, I assume the 500 will as well, but we know the XMC won't. |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 5, 2012 23:47:03 GMT -5
Yeah IP is way better in SO many ways =D
(edit, now BT 4.0 might have some good points, but we'll see how widely supported it is.)
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Post by rogersch on Sept 6, 2012 0:54:34 GMT -5
One feature I will build in is a slow mute. I hate the way mutes usually work. They’re fine for killing the audio, but I dislike the way they slam the audio back to whatever volume level you were at. This is simple to do with a couple of seconds ramp up to the volume level. I hope this will be the default behaviour of the XMC-1. Even my old Arcam AVR350 mutes the sound gradually and turns it gradually on..... |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 6, 2012 0:59:46 GMT -5
My thinking is that if the app can only control the XMC, then I'd have less incentive to write it and more incentive to write plugins/scripts with third party universal solutions. I had the pioneer app, and for all intents and purposes, never used it. I could do everything from my universal remote, so why would I start the iOS app for my Pioneer and TiVo.
Now, if it can control other functions outside of itself, then it could be the single remote... you'd probably have to add in some other code/logic, but you'd have a nice clean system.
If it's for TACT configuration, or other advanced configuration, that's a different set of problems. Again, this could be interesting, but since I would hope that all of these configurations are really done "once"*, that whatever solution provided, probably a PC/Mac software package is suitable.
* note, when I say once, I really mean at the start and then at non-frequent non-regular intervals.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 16, 2012 0:29:01 GMT -5
So to keep my mind off the wait I've been doing a little screen prototyping for an XMC-1 iPad IP control. Here's one that could be the Main XMC Control Screen, obviously I'm guessing at what we might be able to do. I've started some others that are more like Activity screens, but I thought I'd share this just to keep the conversation going. I've also started a list of calls (puts/gets type stuff) just to try and get a handle on what it would be nice to do via IP - you guys probably have some ideas here too. I'll post it sometime too. Anyway let me know what you think, if you have an iPad you can save the jpeg to your photo album and it should display full screen - that also gives you an idea on button size and the like. Edit - Looks like the aspect ratio was altered a bit on upload, doesn't fit quite right now. Attachments:
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Sept 16, 2012 0:47:57 GMT -5
Although I realize this is a prototype and much definition is yet to come but this is looking very nice. Great job, Bruce! Two preliminary portability and customizability questions: - will this be iOS only? - will it be modifiable/skinnable by users? Some sort of "lighter" phone app would also be really convenient.  |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 16, 2012 2:23:24 GMT -5
Although I realize this is a prototype and much definition is yet to come but this is looking very nice. Great job, Bruce! Two preliminary portability and customizability questions: - will this be iOS only? - will it be modifiable/skinnable by users? Some sort of "lighter" phone app would also be really convenient. Thanks hemster, this is truly just a drawing and I'm pretty good at pretty drawings :~) But it does have a usable layout and most of the basic functions, I think the other screens would fit in as well. Anything I do would only be iOS, and I'm only spending time on it because I heard Emotiva was working on Android (which I assumed meant 'not iOS'). That doesn't mean that there couldn't be a collaborative effort for multiple platforms, but I'm way ahead of myself. There maybe others already working on something including commercial apps that could be much better - I've mentioned oRemote that I like, but it's just for Onkyo AVRs. If I actually got to developing an app I would be challenged to make all the basic functions work reliably so customization would be low on the list. But configuration is important (like calling your Blu-ray an 'Oppo BRD', or maybe just a 'Playa'). I would want to have an iPhone version too - again oRemote is a good model, and for me set the bar for what I want all my equipment to be capable of. But ideally this would be part of a more comprehensive control system and others have been doing that for a while. I just want to have IP control of the XMC and I'll do what I can to make it happen, but we have no idea what functions are available to us (like all the info in the display). Thanks again, I'll keep going with the lists and pretty pictures. :~) |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 16, 2012 9:57:44 GMT -5
Nice clean looking screen! Post some of your others when you get a chance. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 21, 2012 14:17:50 GMT -5
Finally got a chance to copy these off my laptop, a couple more setup screens. I moved the level controls to the surround screen making room for more controls. The RMAF 2012 Show Report from Steven R. Rochlin indicated Emo was releasing a 'Tablet' app, but still no mention if that's the "Android App" that Mark reported from EmoFest, or possibly an iPad app. - Bruce New Main Screen Attachments:
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 21, 2012 14:18:36 GMT -5
Input setup screen Attachments:
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 21, 2012 14:19:21 GMT -5
Surround setup screen Attachments:
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Post by knucklehead on Oct 21, 2012 14:29:57 GMT -5
Those 'screen shots' look great. You should be designing the GUI for Emo's next remote - a very large version of the harmony remote.
Nice drawings.
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 21, 2012 20:12:32 GMT -5
Yes, nice job with these screens. They look great!
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