HMusicCentre

HMusicCentreXin 1.0.0.0 has been released for download - check out the Downloads page and let me know what you think.

HMusicCentreXin is an OpenGL version of HMusicCentre. It uses the exact same data stuctures as HMusicCentre so it will plug in very nicely on top of HMusicCentre, i.e. it is happy with the same AudioRoot, CoversRoot, Singer Images root etc.. Take a look at what HMusicCentreXin promises...

Xin

Xin

Xin

HMusicCentre is still under development, but HMusicCentreXin will have most of the focus from now on and more and more of the features currently in HMusicCentre will be migrated across to HMusicCentreXin:

HMusicCentre is all about control... you're in control... not your CD player.

 Here is a HMusicCentre feature tick-list...
  • CD Audio ripping to MP3 with connection to http://www.freedb2.org/ for Album information.
  • Album Cover downloading from http://www.amazon.co.uk and display in HMusicCentre.
  • Artist Biography downloading from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ and display in HMusicCentre.
  • Connection to a number of Lyrics providers for searching for Lyrics for Tracks.
  • Connection to Internet Radio streams (Shoutcast) and playback of Radio stations.
  • Music Video (MPG) playback in the HMusicCentre window or full-screen.
  • Capability to upload the Lyrics and Timings that you have created for Tracks to http://www.hmusiccentre.org.uk and the automatic download of Track Lyrics and Timings from http://www.hmusiccentre.org.uk by other HMusicCentre clients.
  • Ability to search for Artist Images and utiity to crop them for inclusion in HMusicCentre.
  • Ability to have SAPI Track announcements and Dialogues.
  • Sonique type visualisations that add moods to the music.
  • Expansive system logging integrated into the system.
  • Addition of an HMusicCentre install package - now a single 1.62mb download.
  • Addition of support for Microsoft XP Media Centre Edition IR remote controls.
  • Improved support of Visualisations - better integration with HMusicCentre.
  • Added capability to search your HMusicCentre library for Lyrics snippets.
  • Simple integration with Microsoft Media Centre - i.e. in and out smooth via "More Programs" menu.
  • Viewing of Artist Biographies easier to fit into the "10-foot experience" with large text.
  • Added capability to have Backing or Duet Lyrics highlighted in a different colour.
  • Improved ripping facilities - you can now rip a specific subset of the Tracks on a CD.

HMusicCentre is designed for big-screen entertainment and a karaoke lifestyle... well, not really - but it's a bit more visual than most MP3 players out there - it's nice to see your CD collection moving around on the screen and having the Lyrics for Tracks as well as the ability to play music videos just adds to the HMusicCentre experience... and don't forget the visualisations!