Looking for a good, on TV control, CD Management system - one that allows you to pull up visual representations of the CD jacket and develop playlists, etc...Thanks, Steve

Check http://www.nirvis.com -- except for TV control (it uses your computer) it sounds like what you are looking for - it can also retrieve alblum and track titles from the CDDB database of 200K alblums - I have one and without it, the megachanger seems mostly just a way to store a lot of CDs :)

If it does not fit your needs, HAS (www.smarthome.com) has one called Greywolf - also, Robert who is active in the X10 forum may have a suggestion.

Cheers, Jim.

I would also take a look at the Sony CAV1 and 2. They are very inexpensive for the functionality you get and should do what you are asking about.

Look at the following site for a software to control cd changers and display the software interface on tv's: http://www.wintektx.com/
haven't tried their product, but hear it is pretty good. You pay for the software, unlike nirvis, but the hardware is cheap and cheerful!

If you are interested, We have a customer that we are downloading over 2000 CD'S onto a hard drive via MP3 technology. This also has a video out that we will distribute to all TV's in the house. We are about to bring on another product. With this it will allow us to have IR control in all rooms as well. It is rack mountable and only takes up one rack space. I do not know everything about it at this time. It also allows you to play a CD from the front panel. I will keep all interested posted about this project and the products being used.

Thanks
Greg Brown
Entertainment Technologies
Dallas, TX

Escient makes the industry standard CD library management system. The family of Tunebase products work with many different CD Cjangers- Sony, Denon, NSM, Pioneer as well as hard disk based systems like Arrakis. What is so nice is their autobuild function. Once CD's are loaded, the Tunebase catagorizes them alphabetically as well as genre. If a CD is removed and replaced in a different location, the Tunebase recognizes this and updates the library. Different libraries can be stored for future recall. Composite, S-Video and VGA outputs are provided. Mulitple changers can be used. Integration with AMX, Phast, AudioEase, AudioAccess, ADA, etc. is very simple. Basic IR remote control is standard. Touchscreen monitors may also be used for control. I have installed many of these units and am sold on the technology and ease of use. Their customer service is outstanding.

David Nowak
Lighting and Lamp
Birmingham, AL

btw, Escient owns CDDB, the largest database of CD library information. Check out Escient at www.escient.com

Nirvis (www.nirvis.com) makes a very inexpensive solution -- $179.99 that uses Escients database via a lisensing agreement they made with CDDB prior to Escient purchasing it.

The graphics are not as pretty but it is functionally the same thing. You can even inter-mix MP3 and CD tracks/discs into a playlist you can save/retrieve.

The equivalent Escient systems sells for about $2500 (with a PC).

Where can I buy an Escient at a decent price? Locally Myer-Emco in the Washington, DC area has it . . . at $3000 though. I'm looking for any Internet sites or DC/VA/MD store locations.

Eddie
[email protected]

Try the Sony DVP-CX850D 200 disc CD/DVD changer.