Well Rich,
The Roku's plus sides are this:
1. Low power ( < 6 watts)
2. Pre-bundled app (Winamp?) with auto-restart
3. Low cost / reasonable cost
The down sides are this:
1. Powering the unit requires a DC conversion, unless you have AC available
2. Unit is not outdoor style (if that matters at your install)
3. Remote control of the unit is nil, zippo
4. The cheaper Roku's are wifi-only which introduces more complexity (wifi feed needed) and signal availability.
"Using the Roku's at remote sites would be a tad tricky and perhaps somewhat dangerous."
Any change or failure of the stream to the Roku results in total dead air. That dead air could be permanent in case of bandwidth outage or stream change/failure. These things always happen, eventually. In extra remote locations you are going to have to depend on manual human interaction by others, which tends to be slow and often a bit lacking. Problem windows often are elongated by this. And, you have to bundled a video output (TV) and remote at the remote locations so the unit can be tinkered with as needed.
As for the Linux route, I need to pull gear from the closet and find a day to document the build for everyone. Dealing with ARM based boards that fit in your hand basically. Looking at similar footprint to the Roku. Think same CPUs as you find in smartphones.
Same general power envelope also < 6 watts.
Check out the Pogoplug (pink model) and Seagate Dockstar. That's what I am using as a base system. These can be had often in new or like new via Ebay for $25 or less.
How to convert these to usable Debian Linux based machines is best found via this forum:
http://forum.doozan.com/index.php
In addition to the plug computer, you will need a USB audio card. $6 shipped models found on Ebay have worked without a hitch. I have a 7.1 audio model with dual headphone and dual mic inputs as well as volume control buttons on the USB plug.
At this point we are at < $35.
The next need is a USB dongle / USB drive. Tons of options there. Price roughly is $1 per gigabyte of storage. Walmart has a 128GB stick for $60 roughly. Tons of 16, 32 and 64GB options. Yes, you can also use a USB 2.5" drive, but can present power issues and potential point of early failure.
Probably $15 for a small stick (16GB). So we are at $50 and possibly for entirely new parts. Close to even with the Roku pricing on their low end model, but that doesn't contain usable memory connectors or Ethernet (that's reserved for their XS top model).
Once you get this build process down, mainly the rounding parts up and getting the "root" or new software install process down, it doesn't take much time. Certainly doable in one dedicated night and certainly over the weekend.
With this, you can do probably everything Barix does and things Barix devices never could dream of.
For instance, like you I intend on going the multiple transmitter route placing them in towns 5-10 miles apart. Dependence on bandwidth is vital in that model (DSL or Cable typically). Dealing with failures with these cobbled devices means when the stream is down, ideally with right software (tons out there) we fill in with audio played from files on the Plug itself.
Also, intending on running mostly pre-recorded shows that are stored on disk. So having a central file storage area is what we will be doing and from that they transmitter sites will mirror the files on a set schedule (every 5-15 minutes). We perform that via rsync, a free Linux standard of sorts.
Admittedly, I am new to the audio side of things. So still seeking out the exact software others are using.
Barix devices are embedded Linux. So a very similar solution, albeit much cheaper and with a learning curve.
As for the how to simulate the endless streaming of a set URL, Shoutcast, etc. This is a borrowed scipt:
while true
do mplayer http://radio.blagblagblag.org:8000/foo.ogg
sleep 2
done
Mplayer is the command line play most thing player I use all the time. Tons of nifty features and tweaks for optimizing playback like you are doing, notably caching and buffering to handle any small network interruptions.
You can also connect multiple USB audio cards as well as utilize one card to playback multiple streams or sources and software mix, level, fade, etc. with this sort of solution. Don't think you can do that with a Barix.
If you are a tinkerer, my proposed route will interest you to no end 🙂
The down sides are this:
1. Powering the unit requires a DC conversion, unless you have AC available
?? Well, personally I wouldn't want to worry about change batteries all the time, but if that was what was wanted, I suppose one could run several 5v batteries parallel to maintain the draw. But really, in the average situation I would suspect that an ac outlet would usually be accessible to plug the wallwart into.
2. Unit is not outdoor style (if that matters at your install)
Easy enough fix, as small as the unit is, put it in a weatherproof box.
3. Remote control of the unit is nil, zippo
Nill, zippo is incorrect, there are a few ways...
"Remoku" is a remote control device that can be operated through any browser, although it is intended for a local area network, it can also be pointed to a public ip to enable control, but this method is not really recommended since it's not secure and anyone could send commands to it.
Other methods are thru apps on smartphones etc.
4. The cheaper Roku's are wifi-only which introduces more complexity (wifi feed needed) and signal availability.
Ahhh.. I did miss that one, you are correct, the only model which features an ethernet connection is the highest priced Ruko at $99.
However, I don't see the lack of it making it more complex (it actually simplifies it), and to be honest I haven't used any wired connection in about 3 years, nor are there many I've noticed who do - not at home or anywhere else... reliable wireless has become very predominant in general (at least in this part of Georgia).
Still, I agree, for this purpose the increased reliability of ethernet connection would be desirable.
In extra remote locations you are going to have to depend on manual human interaction by others, which tends to be slow and often a bit lacking. Problem windows often are elongated by this. And, you have to bundled a video output (TV) and remote at the remote locations so the unit can be tinkered with as needed.
Well.. I'm just trying to feed my second transmitter less than two miles away..
No, everything is not perfect, but it is workable at a minimum cost and effort.
And as for the video output, it would usually not be needed, and if it were, I happen to have a handheld color tv I haven't been able to use since tv went digital.. I knew I kept that little buger for something!
As or dead air occurrences.. I don't know, they are adding new apps all the time, maybe something could be designed to switch to the usb port when silence is detected for longer than 30 seconds.. the programmers do take request.. maybe I'll get luck, who knows?
What I do know is this; Part 15 is slap full of obstacles and difficulties, it never ends, almost every step of the way, there's always something.
It all comes down to trying to do a lot with almost nothing..
But when it comes down to it, it's rather incredible just how much 'almost nothing' can provide.
Censoredship, (interesting handle) You sound to be one who knows what he's talking about with this Linux contraption you refer to, and perhaps you should consider configuring a plug-and-play unit (I'd certainly consider purchasing such, if the price was reasonable).
But as for myself, I'm just a plug-and-play kind of guy. I wish I were an engineer and knew what I was doing, but I'm not, and I don't.
You seem to think the Roku is a poor idea for this purpose, I think it's a great idea. Expecially for those like myself with a limited budget and know-how.. You plug it in and it works.
Not perfect in all aspects, but at least it keeps the ball rolling.
interesting addum quoted from Remoku developer:
"..In addition to macros, Remoku also supports starting up the Shoutcast channel to a specific stream, and launching the channel store to a specific channel id. These are provided as examples of the possibilities of launch and input parameters. Interested Roku app developers are welcomed to contact me about implementation possibilities, involving Remoku or not!"
Rich, I think the Roku is capable. It's a great little device. Really great for the TV. You can use it for what you want to do. Just have some potential kinks to work out and means of controlling the unit further to make it sane. I like to be able to make changes as-needed, without visiting equipment across town or in the cabinet.
Noticed the USB mention part. The USB, like the ethernet is only available on the Roku XS model. That is $99. That's real money for a single function device like you are using it.
Do yourself a favor and shop your local Craigslist for a XS model. Retail is $99. Should be able to find one for less light use or after buyers holiday remorse.
The units do have a compact flash slot, but it isn't usable as storage. Unsure why Roku did this, cause that would be excellent for file storage.
I'll kick around the idea of a custom unit for plug and play applications. Seems to be maybe a sliver of a market since the Barix units are rather pricey and there isn't much else available. Most folks seem to be just streaming from an old PC, which is fine, but not always optimal for everyone.
I need to look at Barix as well as get my station working with this embedded computer as the proof of concept.
Do yourself a favor and shop your local Craigslist for a XS model. Retail is $99. Should be able to find one for less light use or after buyers holiday remorse
Surprisingly, on ebay used Rokus of the same models have been going for equal or more than what a brand new unit from the manufacture cost! (I actually made the same mistake.. paid a total of $38 used for a LT model, when a new HD modle during black friday was on $39)
I noticed the same thing about the Obi VOip telephone adapter.. people are paying more on ebay then what they cost from the manufacture.
Strange.
So I have an used Roku LT for my transmitter, and an new HD for my tv.. they really are neat units, I'm getting a lot of movies, tv shows, documentary, newscast, sports etc. on demand all for free with absolutely no service charges.. I would have bought one of these a long time ago had I realized what it had.
Incredible..
But I'm drifting the subject..
We now return you to the world of Part 15...
Ebay and Craigslist have reflected the ongoing state of the econ-o-me spot on.
As peoples liquidity drains, they grab things of value and hawk them, often with lofty ideas of the value. There are still enough folks out there willing to get priced gouged. Perhaps those folks all live in remote locations or something without retail options and are also too lazy to do price comparison research pre-purchase.
I am a big fan of the Obitalk devices also 🙂 Need to work on a phone patch for the Obi.
Good stuff my friend!