News

01/09/07:   The power supply on the ShuttleX has died.   I've fallen back to using ITunes from my laptop (after recovering all my MP3's and copying to my Windows box).  Someday when I have time, I plan to build a diskless client-sever system using Myth TV.   Until then, feel free to pursue a little pre-IPod history.

02/01/04: Wow.  Almost two years since the last update.   Talk about cob-web sites!   I've decided to embark on a contracting career to see if I can create some free time to work on other things. For starters, I built a new machine using a ShuttleX as the platform. My intention is to do away with the LCD and use the video output straight to my TV instead. 

Some weirdness with the ShuttleX platform. The system is pretty quiet, except when I put the machine to sleep (apm -s) the case fan kicks in a full speed. Not the sort of noise you want in the stereo cabinet when you turn off the player. I'm now fighting with APIC in the newer kernels. While the case fan doesn't come on in APIC sleep, it has the unfortunate side effect of not waking up.... 

I plan to get some new pictures on the website soon, especially since I'll be using it to help drum up business. If anyone out there is trying to build one (I have seen interest pickup lately for some reason), feel free to drop a note to the list.

04/10/02: The Digital Jukebox made The Linux Show!   I think it went pretty well.  You can listen to the interview here.  If you want to go straight to the good part, skip in about 45 minutes.   Also, ZapMedia just lowered their price to $599.  According to SlashDot, You can specify "LINUX ONLY" when you order, and they will ship it to you with linux (and
drivers for the hardware) so that you can do what you want with it.   Given the high quality audio hardware and the floating ground power-supply, this may be the new MPST platform.....

04/06/02: Given the amount of interest I've seen, I've decided to extend the Beta offering outside of the Bay Area. Unfortunately, due to resource and time constraints, I can only build so many machines at cost. My solution to this is the following: THE FIRST 5 CUSTOMERS to order a Digital Jukebox Standard or Plus version will receive a free upgrade to an 80 Gig Seagate Barracuda hard drive. This essentially offsets the labor cost. The winners will be announced on the website. To place an order via PayPal, go to  the ordering page.  Please read the disclaimer before placing your order. All orders following the original 5 will be fulfilled as well, just without the $50 discount.

04/04/02: As you can imagine, the response has been overwhelming from the slashdot and MP3 NewsWire coverage.  Just because of the sheer number of responses. There's a new ordering page which uses PayPal.  As for everyone who has sent email, don't worry, I will get back to you soon.

03/24/02: Well the HOWTO isn't in the greatest shape, but it should be a little better.  I cleaned up the distribution, deleting unecessary files and adding a couple which were missing.  Please download it from here.

03/18/02: I just upload loaded a new release of the software.  This version includes a number of bug fixes as well as the ability to handle Genre, Dialogs and Multi-Album CDDB returns with the LCD/Remote interface.   The HOWTO document is still sorely lacking but I plan to work on it this week while in Tahoe.

What Is It?

The MPST Digital  Jukebox is basically  a Linux CD/MP3/OGG ripper and player (and real-soon-now) burner  made for a non-Linux user's home entertainment system. The box is mostly remote and LCD  controlled and the GUI is ran through a VNC client (or a touch-screen)  such that the user never sees the Linux Desktop or shell interface.       The Jukebox is actually a Via C3 home built system designed to run silent and cool. It does not require cooling fans and makes very little hard disk noise.

How Can I Get One?

The MPST Digital Jukebox is current in beta.  If you would like to be a beta tester, please see the ordering page.    I'm also happy to help anyone build one themselves.  The software is free.  See the Hardware page for cost breakdown information.