Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Philips Pronto Professional Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
Will Pronto Script allow me to browse and initiate music files on W7 hard drive
This thread has 12 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday October 11, 2017 at 16:28
tjpearson
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2011
30
Hello everyone,

Been a Pronto user for over 15 years and the last 6 using and developing my TSU9600 but feel I am still not making the most of this great device.
I have become very creative and intuitive using Pronto Edit as far as design and processes but always shyed away from the complex script.
I have just spent over £1200 building my own HTPC that has a 3tb drive storing film and high quality music files, playback is easy using Mediaportal for the video side but if my wife is glued to her soaps music playback means having to sit at the PC to find the album to start play.
What I'm asking is this before I immerse myself in learning script;

Is it possible to connect with Pronto to display my albums stored on the PC and send commands.

If this is a stupid question then I apologise.

tj

Last edited by tjpearson on October 12, 2017 05:04.
Post 2 made on Thursday October 12, 2017 at 12:46
buzz
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2003
4,366
While not exactly what you want, Lowpro's Jukebox is an example of a complex user interface.

Yes, what you want is possible, but in my opinion the processor in the Pronto is a little slow. There is an out of date Sonos controller that is a good example of how to create a two way system, unfortunately, response is so slow that the program is not usable.

An intermediate approach that you can play with (at low cost) would be to use FLIRC. FLIRC emulates a USB keyboard and you can train FLIRC to accept an arbitrary IR code and emit a paired keystroke.
OP | Post 3 made on Thursday October 12, 2017 at 13:21
tjpearson
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2011
30
OK Buzz.
Thanks for the advice and yes I also thought speed would be an issue.
Cheers, you have saved me a lot of studying.
tj
Post 4 made on Thursday October 12, 2017 at 22:05
buzz
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2003
4,366
tj,

Study and wading into unfamiliar territory is good for you. If I know five sure fire ways of programming something, the next time out I’ll try number six. One learns more recovering from errors than from accidental success.
OP | Post 5 made on Friday October 13, 2017 at 02:22
tjpearson
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2011
30
😂 my wife says I'm at my happiest when having IT problems or trying to achieve something.

Sorted my issue, gonna try Android app called Ampdroid, it connects to Mediaportal displaying all content and allows selection and playback.

Hate using any alternative to Pronto but hey ho whatever works eh.

Thanks for the feedback buzz, great forum this for help.

tj
Post 6 made on Tuesday October 24, 2017 at 03:47
GJC33
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2010
13
As Buzz has said, the Pronto is pretty bit slow when it comes to browsing media catalogues, you would do better to harness the power of your £1200 PC.

By creating a website on the PC that can manage the tasks of interrogating the catalogue, which it then saves to a series of simple CSV or XML files and small JPG for artwork on the website that the Pronto can read/process via HTTP get.

Build actions into the website that can be called via the URL, eg
(note written as h??p so that you can read line rather than it being a link click)

h??p://MyHTPC/MediaManager.php?Catalogue=Films&Genre=Comedy
h??p://MyHTPC/MediaManager.php?SelectItem=12
h??p://MyHTPC/MediaManager.php?Action=Play

It all depends on what media manager you have on the PC and if it has decent (documented) API calls.

I have been playing around with a similar idea using iTunes API ([Link: joshkunz.com])
Post 7 made on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 11:12
Barry Gordon
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
2,157
The music system in my home is the original squeeze system from Slim Systems. It runs on a PC. Slim sold out to Logitech. Logitech renamed it as LMS; Logitech Music Systems. It has been running in my home on a PC for as long as it has existed. There are two iPad apps that control it, I use 'SqueezePad" which I highly recommend. I, in conjunction with LowPro, wrote a Pronto Pro app to control it which we charged something around $30 for. It is no longer supported but I think I have a copy of the last version released.

LMS is no longer supported by Logitech, but it is free and maintained by a user community including periodic builds and improvements. I am currently running version 7.7.2 with all the media stored on a NAS. The current version is 7.7.5.

The server software has a very well documented API called the CLI (Command Line Interface) so that any competent programmer can write an LMS client in the language of their choice.

I control it from my iPads and My Home Theater system. I no longer use the Pronto to control it.

The following link should provide more information if you are interested: [Link: en.wikipedia.org]
Post 8 made on Sunday October 29, 2017 at 16:04
Lowpro
Select Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2004
2,081
On October 28, 2017 at 11:12, Barry Gordon said...
The music system in my home is the original squeeze system from Slim Systems. It runs on a PC. Slim sold out to Logitech. Logitech renamed it as LMS; Logitech Music Systems. It has been running in my home on a PC for as long as it has existed. There are two iPad apps that control it, I use 'SqueezePad" which I highly recommend. I, in conjunction with LowPro, wrote a Pronto Pro app to control it which we charged something around $30 for. It is no longer supported but I think I have a copy of the last version released.

LMS is no longer supported by Logitech, but it is free and maintained by a user community including periodic builds and improvements. I am currently running version 7.7.2 with all the media stored on a NAS. The current version is 7.7.5.

The server software has a very well documented API called the CLI (Command Line Interface) so that any competent programmer can write an LMS client in the language of their choice.

I control it from my iPads and My Home Theater system. I no longer use the Pronto to control it.

The following link should provide more information if you are interested: [Link: en.wikipedia.org]

Hello Barry. Been a long time. Hope all is well. I'm still using the Logitech Music System as well. I've been running it 24/7 since you first introduced me to the product line many years ago. My Squeezebox (Duet) Receivers and LMS server running on my HTPC are still going strong. Not as much as a hiccup with any of it in all these years and so many control methods to choose from. I also use the mobile apps as players when on-the-go. They have no trouble connecting to my LMS server over the Internet. Works great. In fact, listening to some music right now as I sit here typing this. To set the mood... :-P

Home Office (Personal setup to the left. Work setup to the right.)


Dedicated iPad for SqueezePad and Nexia thermostat control.


Logitech Squeezebox Wi-Fi Internet Radio Remote Controller


iPeng 2.0.17 for iPhone (Used as a player when on-the-go.)


SlimPronto96 (Sometimes you just gotta Pronto!)


LMS Web Control (Browser based interface.)


As for the LMS server, at present I'm running the below...
Logitech Media Server Version: 7.7.5 - 1416570306 @ Thu Nov 27 07:38:09 CUT 2014

I've been on 7.7.5 for a few years now. Use of SlimPronto96 has been limited to the "Info (Now Playing)" page though. The browse by cover art feature on the "Main" page and ability to browse the library from the "Select" page have been broken since SqueezeCenter 7.2, something we'd commonly see back in the day from release to release where they make a slight change which in turn needs to be accounted for with our activity. That being said, the "Info" page still works beautifully, so I have the activity configured to "Auto Start" where the default player is selected from the "Main" page, then taking me directly to the "Info" page. To restore functionality to the "Main" and "Select" pages I could roll my LMS server back to a version pre-7.2 naturally, but then I'd lose the "Press and Hold" functionality when browsing with the "SqueezePad" app which is an awesome feature and it's not like I don't have enough control methods. I won't lie though. It would be sweet to kick it old school again per being able to browse and add items to the "Now Playing" list with SlimPronto. *wink, wink*
__________________________

And here are some screen captures of the mobile apps for those not familiar with them.

iPeng 2.0.17 for the iPhone...









SqueezePad 1.11.3 for the iPad...













__________________________

I should also mention that there are plenty of hardware based players available for purchase on EBay for those looking to get in on the action. I love my Duet receivers! They were a bit of a pain to configure (UDAP) without the remote (didn't own one at the time), but if I can figure it out. :-P Some helpful link action provided below.

Logitech Media Server v7.7.5 (55.6 MB)
Logitech Media Server (Archived and newer releases.)
UDAP - SqueezeBox Receiver configuration tool. (Logitech Squeezebox Forum Thread)
Net-UDAP (Perl module to configure SqueezeBox Receiver from PC.)
Squeezebox Wiki

Last edited by Lowpro on October 30, 2017 12:50.
LP Related Links:
View my profile to access various
links to key posts and downloads.
Post 9 made on Thursday November 9, 2017 at 15:23
Barry Gordon
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
2,157
Well good to hear from you also. I have changed a lot in my HA and HT worlds. I use the Pronto Pro strictly (almost) to control TV's (9400 in guest bedroom, 9600 in Master bedroom or kitchen). The theater has a 9800 That communicates only to a PC that controls the entire theater including the environment. The last thing I added to the theater was to automate the main entrance pocket doors. I like the theater dark so it has custom shades and now automatic "Star trek" doors.

If I get some time I will look at slimPronto (no promises). I am running on LMS 7.2.2 and assume it has the same issue. Could you possibly describe the issue in more detail? I will have to climb a learning curve as I have done very little with the prontos (almost nil) in the last couple of years. I use the iPads running the squeezePad app to control LMS.

Barry
Post 10 made on Friday November 10, 2017 at 11:54
Lowpro
Select Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2004
2,081
On November 9, 2017 at 15:23, Barry Gordon said...
Well good to hear from you also. I have changed a lot in my HA and HT worlds. I use the Pronto Pro strictly (almost) to control TV's (9400 in guest bedroom, 9600 in Master bedroom or kitchen). The theater has a 9800 That communicates only to a PC that controls the entire theater including the environment. The last thing I added to the theater was to automate the main entrance pocket doors. I like the theater dark so it has custom shades and now automatic "Star trek" doors.

If I get some time I will look at slimPronto (no promises). I am running on LMS 7.2.2 and assume it has the same issue. Could you possibly describe the issue in more detail? I will have to climb a learning curve as I have done very little with the prontos (almost nil) in the last couple of years. I use the iPads running the squeezePad app to control LMS.

Barry

Like I said, plenty of control methods to choose from, but if you get really bored one day and feel like taking a trip down memory lane I won't discourage it. :-P Basically, the "Main" page is hanging attempting to load the collage of cover images. The "Select" page displays the counts for each of the categories in the left pane. When drilling down into a given category though no items are displayed. The "Info" page continues to work as normal.

You know I've still got that docking station you modded for me. I'll have to dig that up in addition to the cable and software you wrote and see if I can get all that working again posting some debug of what's going on from the "Main" and "Select" pages.

Also, I never did make the trip down to visit. If you're game I'd love to swing by sometime and check out your setup and I say swing by, because I no longer live in Maryland. My parents retired to Florida a couple years ago. I followed them down here purchasing a home close by. I'm an hour west of Orlando right off the Florida Turnpike. If you're still living in Utopia :-P it would make for an easy day trip. It's less than a 2 hour drive according to Google Maps.
LP Related Links:
View my profile to access various
links to key posts and downloads.
Post 11 made on Friday November 10, 2017 at 20:29
Lyndel McGee
RC Moderator
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
12,992
Howdy guys. Long time no touch base. Thought I would chime in here.

I too use LMS 7.9.X and I have 2 Bryston BDP-2s running Squeezelite as players. My music varies from 16bit-44.1KHz CD quality all the way up to 24bit-192KHz.

I've used Squeezepad as well as iPeng on the iPad. I also have a hybrid ProntoScript module I built that uses both the CLI api for notifications and then uses JSON for the command/control and library browse. My module supports everything but search. Periodically, it hangs. I think the issue is due to the fact that I use Long-running HTTP 1.1 sockets for the JSON link.

The UI pretty much looks like the Green LMS web page for browsing.

The module contains 4 pages.


Current Song/Now Playing (with jacket pic) (support zap)

Library Browse (allows drill down by letter under any category - Also supports some of the XML bases services such as Radio, Sounds, etc...)

Current Playlist (support zap)
Server Statistics (Player, song, artist, genre counts)

It has evolved over the past few years. The last time I tried doing any prototyping work (almost 1 year ago), it was with Comet/Bayeux protocol which LMS supports for pseudo-asynchronous notifications. I've found it to be fairly robust but it does not give you fined-grained notifications like you get from the CLI event model.

If you want to use Comet to send commands, all you get back is a response that command was sent. Essentially, Comet gives you asynchronous notification (via server-generated timers) of Player and Server Status.
Lyndel McGee
Philips Pronto Addict/Beta Tester
Post 12 made on Saturday November 11, 2017 at 17:09
Barry Gordon
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
2,157
LowPro,

I would love to have you visit. There is plenty of room to stay over if you want to so you don't have to make it a 4 hour drive in one day. From the Orlando Airport to my house is 45-50 minutes. Probably be an easy trip for you, all highway; FL Tpke to 528 east to 95 South off at Pineda causeway (404) 15 minutes to my house.

My schedule is very open since I am retired. Some great restaurants down here.
Post 13 made on Sunday November 12, 2017 at 16:03
Lyndel McGee
RC Moderator
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
12,992
Next thing you know, Lowpro will forget how to use a turn signal and be driving a Caddy. :-)
Lyndel McGee
Philips Pronto Addict/Beta Tester


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse