MPoD
Music Player Daemon (MPD) allows remote access for playing music (MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, Mod, and wave files) and managing playlists. MPD is designed for integrating a computer into a stereo system that provides control for music playback over a local network.
I have MPD installed on my Ubuntu server, which connects to an amplifier and the speakers in my livingroom. Currently I’m controlling the music either through theremin (a Mac OS X client for MPD) or through the remote control of my FS20 wireless home automation system, which is also integrated with my server (I’ll talk about that in blog entry sometime).The iPod Touch makes for a great way to control the MPD server, with an iTunes like interface. Since the release of the iPhone SDK I have started the development of such an MPD client. On this page I will report on the progess, show some screenshots etc.
In the last weeks I’ve restarted the entire development from scratch based on the latest iPhone SDK (beta 7-8), and worked hard to make this a great client. And it’s coming along very well, the version I have now is almost fully functional and I’m using this myself. Apart from startup which is a bit slow (due to my 9500+ song library) it all performs well.
Here are some screenshots from July 1st 2008
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nick:
It’s good to know you are working on on MPD client for the iPod. I would love to use one as a remote for my high end system. I am currently setting up silent MPD server on a PC Engines ALIX single board computer.
8 May 2008, 8:51 pmnick:
Keep us updated on the status of the MPD client! I would love to help with testing.
I have MPD setup on the the PC Engines Alix 3c2 (http://www.pcengines.ch/alix3c2.htm) with Voyage Linux setup up on a 512MB compact flash. Voyage is stripped down Debian Etch for embedded devices. It keeps apt for easy installation of packages.
The desktop computer, in another room, has NFS running. The Alix is pulling FLAC files via NFS; also keeps all the MPD files (playlists, log files, etc.) there as well so that there is no need to keep writing to the compact flash.
Output is via USB (snd-usb-audio ALSA module) which connects to a USB digital to analog converter.
By the way, any plans for a very simple random shuffle MPD app??
19 May 2008, 5:55 pmBerrie:
Right now it’s not possible to do testing: 2 weeks ago I was let into the iPhone developer program so now I’m able to put the software on my iPod Touch for testing purposes, but the program rules don’t let me distribute the software in any way yet.
Currently I’m using MPD in combination with FS20, a wireless home automation system. I have a USB module that takes commands from my remote, and runs unix scripts for the various buttons through fhem.pl. That way I can increase/decrease the volume, play a random CD (i.e. list of mp3’s), play the latest CD’s or favourite radiostations. My amplifier is also behind an FS20 switch, so when I play music the amp is automatically switched on.
Is it not possible to use the MPC client to choose random music to play?
19 May 2008, 7:31 pmnick:
I hope the rules change so that you can start distributing your software soon.
I use GMPC from a Thinkpad over WiFi. It does have a random play list plugin. I usually listen to music in a dedicated room with the lights dimmed low. Even with the LCD set to it’s lowest it is distracting. That’s why I’m really looking forward to you application.
19 May 2008, 10:23 pmMatt:
Sounds good. Cant wait for it to be finished. This better get in the App Store
19 June 2008, 3:15 pm