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    The Computer Audiophile

    By The Computer Audiophile •

    Joe Sixpack's Sooloos - Dell SX2210T Multi-touch Monitor & J River MC 15

    sx2210t-thumbnail.pngMany of us computer audiophiles, and audiophiles looking to get into the music server game, have long wanted a music server that rivals the Sooloos touchscreen interface without paying the Sooloos price premium. What many people don't realize is how advanced the Sooloos product is as a complete package. Notably how it handles metadata and library navigation using this extended metadata. I continually research music servers and every related product under the sun but I've yet to find anything that duplicates or equals the quality of Sooloos metadata support and library navigation. For example browsing an album's credits to find the producer then searching for other albums in the library that were produced by this person. It's all a couple touches away and without manually entering the information at any time. As the saying goes, there's no free lunch. This is certainly true with what I call Joe Sixpack's Sooloos.

    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This article is not meant to be a comparison between an inexpensive solution and the Sooloos package. It's more of a look at a viable option for budget conscious audiophiles.

     

    <img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0813/sx2210t-thumb.png" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 5pt 5pt;" align="left">The Dell SX2210T multi-touch monitor has a full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 21.5" screen with a nice glass feel. Somewhat similar to the feel of an iPhone. The SX2210T also offers pretty good color rendition although it's not even close to the Apple backlit LED 24" display. Compared to the Sooloos standard touchscreens (17") the Dell has larger size, better resolution, better feel, multi-touch navigation, and better color. The best thing about the Dell SX2210T is its price. Depending on the day of the week this monitor's price fluctuates from $299 to $399. Dell offers many different discounts that disappear as quickly as they appear and for no apparent reason. Frequently the Dell Refurbished site offers the SX2210T for $299 as well.

     

    Comparing this Dell monitor directly to the Sooloos Control 10 (~$5,000) or Control 15 (~$7,500) "monitors" is really like comparing apples to oranges. The Sooloos "monitors" do quite a bit more than just display the screen contents of a computer. The Sooloos units are computers with digital outputs, disc drives, and now storage. Thus, the comparisons to Sooloos "monitors" should, and will, stop here. Remember, It's the overall concept of an inexpensive Dell and JRMC 15 that's considered Joe Sixpack's Sooloos. This isn't a head to head competition or comparison.

     

    As I said earlier the Sooloos database and handling of metadata is outstanding. Since there is no such thing as a Sooloos software only package, us Joe Sixpacks of the computer audio world have to use what we can afford to run on our computers. Not only is J river Media Center my go-to playback application on the PC, it's a great application for touchscreen control. Out of the box JRMC 15 comes with the Obsidian Touchscreen Skin that runs in JRMC's Theater View. (Note: JRMC is used behind the scenes on some touchscreen music servers available today). What makes this combination of the Obsidian Touchscreen Skin and Theater View so powerful is JRMC's customizability. The default layout is great and will work for 99.99% of users. Since I like to customize everything I can I spent countless hours working on the touchscreen layout. I simplified the main screen by excluding links to Images, Videos, and the like. After trying many different layouts I settled for a simple Artist, Album, Genre, and Sample Rate navigation menu. Creating the Sample Rate Selection menu was a little more difficult than most JRMC customizations. The great thing about this menu is that it will create special sections for all the sample rates and bit depths in my library on the fly. No user intervention is required. when I add a new album that contains a sample rate not currently in the library a new section labeled with the bit depth and sample rate is automatically created and "touchable" via the Obsidian / Theater View interface.

     

    One issue I have with the J River touchscreen interface is its poor search feature. This could be my own lack of understanding of how to configure this feature, but it shouldn't require a Ph.D. in JRMC. As the video below shows when searching for an artist every song by the artist appears in the search results. It would be great if just the artist appeared then all the albums by that artists etc… I hope this is my error and the search feature works much better than what I experienced.

     

     

     

    Some additional info on the Dell SX2210T Multi-touch monitor:

     

    Video interfaces include Analog (VGA), DVI-D (HDCP), and HDMI.

    A USB connection from the monitor to the PC is required for the touchscreen feature to function.

    Currently the touchscreen features are only available for Windows. Mac users have been seeking third party drivers for a long time but so far come up empty.

    The software and drivers required for Windows & touchscreen features is very minimal and noninvasive.

    There is no VESA mounting option for this monitor.

     

     

     

    Here are two videos I put together of the Dell SX2210T Multi-touch Monitor & J River MC 15 operating in Theater View with the Obsidian Touchscreen skin. The first video shows the basic navigation of JRMC using the touchscreen. The second video simply shows the Dell SX2210T next to my Apple 24" backlit LED display on my desk.

     

     

    <b>NOTE: YouTube has just notified me this video is blocked for readers in Germany due to Sony Music's Copyright policies. I did unsuccessfully dispute this blockage. Here is the statement from YouTube <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0821/youtube-block.png">[Link]</a></b>

     

    Here is a CA hosted version of the video for readers in Germany <a href="http://streaming.computeraudiophile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/0813/01.mov">[Link]</a>

    <center>

    <iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2lMgg0xsKtc?hl=en_US" frameborder="0"></iframe>

    </center>

     

     

     

    <center>

    <iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4zHFJlPVFGs?hl=en_US" frameborder="0"></iframe>

    </center>

     

     

     

    Links:

    <ul>

    <li>Photos, features, 360 degree view, and more <a href="http://www.dell.com/content/products/superview.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&pageoverride=gallery_view1&s=dhs&xdb=Z2xvYmFsOnByb2R1Y3RzOm1vbml0b3JzOnN1cGVydmlldzptb25pdG9yLWRlbGwtc3gyMjEwdCNyZWdpb24=">[Link]</a></li>

    <li>Product Page <a href="http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-1172">[Link]</a></li>

    <li>Setup Diagram <a href="http://files.computeraudiophile.com/2010/0813/setup-diagram.pdf">[Link]</a> PDF 1.9 MB</li>

    <li>User Guide <a href="http://files.computeraudiophile.com/2010/0813/users-guide/index.htm">[Link]</a> HTML</li>

    </ul>

     

     

     

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    cgbissett

    I am currently using J.River on an Eight year old Dell laptop, with a screen resolution of 1600 x1200. I too had issues with the Theatre View not functioning, lowering the Frame Rate from 60fps (Default)to 20fps fixed the problem, it works quite well now. It would be worth knowing if this cures the issue on the C.A.P.S server.<br />

    <br />

    Regards<br />

    <br />

    PS: I have a standard screen, so not sure this would rectify the issue on a touchscreen.

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    SKoo

    This is actually a Dutch company with subsidiaries in Austria and Germany. They are also HFX resellers, a company also referred to by Audio_ELF in an earlier reply.<br />

    <br />

    You may want to have a look at their lifestyle shop: http://www.plushdepartment.com/images/m/puregoudhome03_71.jpg<br />

    <br />

    OK, I know this is probably somewhat OTT for audiophiles, but i do like it.<br />

    <br />

    Cheers, Simon

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    Audio_ELF

    I think the point of why not use an i3 is that it tends to be a lot more expensive than the Atom powered alternative. #5 on Chris' original list of requirements.

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    tpsully99

    Lately I've been thinking about putting together a CAPS using an ASUS M4A88T-I Deluxe AM3 AMD 880G MB with an AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz single core CPU. I'm not sure if I can underclock it enough to eliminate the fan, but I'm thinking of giving it a shot. Any thoughts?<br />

    TIA,<br />

    Tom

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    robbbby

    This would have complimented my audio setup perfectly, it's exactly what i've wanted. They are on sale right now for $299 at dell and I almost purchased one until I realized that it won't work with the CAPS server. I built one similar to the one on this site (well same motherboard at least), now i'm a bit upset that this touchscreen won't work. We need to find another solution that will work using the same sized motherboard, no fans and external brick power supply!

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    robbbby

    Do you guys think this board would work for video playback onto that dell touch screen?<br />

    <br />

    http://www.zotacusa.com/zotac-ionitx-a-u-atom-n330-1-6ghz-dual-core-mini-itx-intel-motherboard.html<br />

    <br />

    It claims "flawless" hd video playback. Also comes with a 90w silent brick type power supply. Only thing is that it does need a fan to cool the cpu which won't be an issue for me noise wise. The only other thing is that it lists a mini pcie x1 slot? Will a sound card fit in this slot with a adapter?

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    Audio_ELF

    I would have thought the nVidia chipset on the Zotac motherboard would be work fine for the Dell touchscreen (though I've not tried it). However I wouldn't go for that particular motherboard - there are a few fanless Atom + ION motherboards including the Asus AT3IONT and (IIRC) Zotac D and F series. Or instead of using the M10 case, look at the HFX cases with fanless heat-sinks / heat-pipe technology.<br />

    <br />

    You can get PCIe sound cards and even the Lynx AES16e (IIRC) only requires a 1x slot. Some other Atom / ION motherboards have 16x PCIe. There's not the selection of PCIe cards that there is for PCI, but the range is slowly growing as PCs are starting to come with less/no PCI more and more.<br />

    <br />

    Eloise

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    robbbby

    The asus AT3IONT looks promising but it doesn't have a power input on the back of the motherboard to use a brick style PSU. Would you not be limited to using a regular full size PSU?<br />

    <br />

    And in regards to the zotac, the F series is the same as the A series I posted, except it has a pciex16 slot but does not come with the 90W brick style psu. I have to investigate a little further and see if it does have a port on the back of the motherboard to support one.

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    Audio_ELF

    The Asus AT3IONT is available as a basic (bare) board, or as the Deluxe version which has 12v power input and also comes with a Media Center type remote control and WiFi. Alternatively a lot of Mini ITX cases come with power converters and external power bricks which suit motherboards such as the Asus AT3IONT (or the Zotac ones without 12v power input) perfectly. It's also worth noting that Asus have released a development of the board, the AT5IONT which uses the newer ION2 chipset and the slightly newer (Pinetrail I think they are referred to as) Atoms, but I've not seen this for sale anywhere yet. It also has USB3.0 which may or may not be useful.<br />

    <br />

    I'm not entirely sure about the Zotac - just know the F and D series list in their spec they are passively cooled; fan optional as opposed to the rest which Zotac list as requiring active cooling.<br />

    <br />

    Eloise

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    SKoo

    Hi Eloise,<br />

    <br />

    The AT5IONT is already in the shops in Holland. Several companies stock the product at prices from ± E155. <br />

    <br />

    Check: http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/259561/asus-at5iont-i.html<br />

    <br />

    If you're really looking at a future proof music (and maybe video) server, then I would really only consider a modern platform like the NM10 and ION2.<br />

    <br />

    I checked the specsheet, but it isn't clear to me if an external power brick is supported. There is definitely no connector visible on the back of the board. The specs do mention two power connectors on the board itself. I'm not sure how to interpret this.<br />

    <br />

    BTW: This discussion is really moving off-topic.... was this not a topic on touchscreens?<br />

    <br />

    Rgds, Simon<br />

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    Audio_ELF

    Last word on the Asus AT5IONT (probably)...<br />

    <br />

    If I understand correctly, the Delux version of the board comes with DC-DC converters onboard and has a 12v power connector on the back.<br />

    <br />

    The standard version has ATX power connectors ont he board so needs a case with PSU - usually for Mini ITX this is DC-DC converter(s) and an external powerbrick.<br />

    <br />

    Eloise

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    dummy

    Chris, any chances you may review the Sooloos at some point?<br />

    <br />

    Thank you.<br />

    <br />

    <br />

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    weib

    The annoying this is this..<br />

    It's made in asia but not in the asian market.<br />

    <br />

    How annoying.

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    stakhanov

    The Theater View of JRMC really looks nice !<br />

    But I wonder if it could work well on a 12 inches touchscreen ?<br />

    Maybe everything would be too small ?<br />

    What do you think Chris ?

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    SKoo

    Hi Simon,<br />

    <br />

    Controlling the caps using the ipad will probably work if the caps is upnp complaint and you're using something like Plugplayer on the ipad. Sounds cool. Just a bit expensive perhaps.<br />

    <br />

    Rgds, Simon

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    joelha

    Hi Chris,<br />

    <br />

    I'm sure I'm missing something simple here, but even though I've set my non-theater view to sort to Artist (not Album Artist) first, I'm still getting Album Artist first when I switch to theater view.<br />

    <br />

    What obvious element should I have picked up here?<br />

    <br />

    And in general, how do you customize theater view?<br />

    <br />

    There seems to be very few settings available in that view.<br />

    <br />

    This screen along with JRMC 15 has been a joy to work with. Thanks so much for a remarkable article.<br />

    <br />

    By the way, as my screen is a good 15+ feet away from my server, using a Radio Shack powered hub, allowed me to use an extra long USB cable successfully. I realized I'm not transferring music but only data to control the screen, so using a Radio Shack component was no big deal.<br />

    <br />

    Joel

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    machinehead

    Very cool video, the interface actually looks nicer than front row.<br />

    <br />

    Can you comment on the sound quality of J River vs the usual Mac suspects?

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    machinehead

    Thanks Chris, so to confirm, as good as brand "A" and brand "PM"?<br />

    <br />

    This is the first software that seems to have it all, plays all file types, plays across a network and the internet, has a beutiful GUI, maybe better than Front Row, and if the sound quality is up to snuff,<br />

    seems a no brainer....

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