Some Boom questions (PC off favorites, menus, warm buttons, PDK temp files)

[EngrPaul]

I've been enjoying my boom, and I'm would consider putting a couple more around my house like other do. First, I want to sort some things out.

As I've been using the Boom, I've noticed some things that don't seem right.

(1) If the PC is not running, the Boom will display a message that it can't connect when I turn it back on. I press a favorite button, and it tells me it's not programmed. Is this normal... shouldn't favorites be stored inside the Boom?

(2) Under the same circumstances, it doesn't continue playing my last internet radio station. I have to go through the menus to get back into business.

(3) The favorites buttons are very warm to the touch, even when the unit has been sitting for a while. I assume this is due to the phosphor tube heaters running the display. But it may be more. The middle of the box is generally warm. Is this normal for everybody?

(4) On my PC where I run SC, my temp folder accumulates quite a few PDK-[username]-[4-digit number] directories, with lots of DLL files. I thought I had a virus problem until I found some notes on the internet regarding "Perl", which is I've read is used by "slim devices" software. These accumulate quickly, each time I restart my computer it appears another folder is created (about 5MB). Should this be happening?

I'm using SC Vers # 7.3.4. I have a wireless router within range, hooked directly up to my DSL modem, and my PC has a USB WiFi dongle to hook in to my router. (I don't connect my PC directly to my router since the DSL line is across the room, saves running a very long wire.)

Bottom line, if my unit is operating normally, I've made a large investment in energy usage. I have to leave my PC on all the time to have the Boom work when I turn it on. The Boom appears to have a significant parasitic power usage when off, even thought the display is fully dimmed. And I have to go in and clean my temp files out frequently... which drains my energy.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Mnyb]

I can answer nr 1 for you:

Favorites are stored at Squeezecenter or Squeezenetwork.

When not connected to your PC connect to SqueezeNetwork directly you can have a set of favorites there to ( administrated trough http://www.squeezenetwork.com ).

And all SC players are very thin clients they don't do much without the server.
Server can be your local Squeezecenter or the remote Squeezenetwork via internet.
In the settings as you use to connect to your SqueezeCenter on your PC you can choose SqueezeNetwork instead. Or shift Boom over to SqueezeNetwork before turning of the PC.

nr 2 see nr 1 without server it is stupid, it can continue to play a station if you turn off the PC if you are lucky.
But you can't use any buttons or menus ( except for setup or conection )
Every button press is sent back to the server for processing and then the server does you bidding, play a track choose a favorite etc. Most of the things drawn on the screen comes from the server.
server=SqueezeCenter or SqueezeNetwork.

nr 3 is it not the screen that is a bit hot ? nowadays the parasite power use is minimal in the boom it actually turns off it's internal amplifiers while off, you hear a little pop when starting it. I don't now if the brightness setting would affect this.
Actually in my place I think it draws slightly more than the clock radio it replaced but not by much.

[toby10]

The SB players always try to connect to whatever they were last connected to, SC or SN. When you see the "cannot connect" message, just press & hold the LEFT arrow button on your remote, follow on screen instructions, you will be offered a choice of "Connect to SC" or "Connect to SN".

SC = SqueezeCenter, local PC turned on, plays your local stored music + Internet Radio and Music Services

SN = SqueezeNetwork, no PC needed, internet connection only, no local music, but plays all Internet Radio and Music Services.

[EngrPaul]

Thanks for your help. I understand the need to hook to SC or SN.

I also noticed "SQUEEZENETWORK" or "SQUEEZECENTER" is across the top of the screen to show which you are hooked up to.

I wish it was more seamless to switch. It should automatically switch to SN when SC is not available when the unit is not turned on. It would be great if there was a button to toggle between SC or SN.

I figured out that the device must be on and hooked up to SN in order to set the SN favorites. I made the presets the same for both by having a browser window showing my favorites in SC, then opening another IE tab for SN and setting up the same.

Is there no other way to copy favorites and settings from SC to SN?

[toby10]

SC > Settings > SN > keep player settings in sync

This will sync your Boom's basic settings (brightness, font size, etc..).

There is currently no way to "sync" your favorite station streams between SC and SN. I know you can use OPML in both SC and SN to Import/Export favorites between the two, but I have very limited knowledge in using OPML.

[garym]

You can save your favorites settings in SN and then import them into SC. (but I don't think you can go the opposite direction).

[EngrPaul]

SC > Settings > SN > keep player settings in sync

This will sync your Boom's basic settings (brightness, font size, etc..).

Thanks, I verified this is enabled.

[mherger]

> (4) On my PC where I run SC, my temp folder accumulates quite a few
> PDK-[username]-[4-digit number] directories, with lots of DLL files. I
> thought I had a virus problem until I found some notes on the internet
> regarding "Perl", which is I've read is used by "slim devices" software.
> These accumulate quickly, each time I restart my computer it appears
> another folder is created (about 5MB). Should this be happening?
>
> I'm using SC Vers # 7.3.4.

What exact build are you using? 7.3.4 should take care of the pdk folders.

Please note that you'll still see one or two of them while SC is running.
But the issue where you could have been left with dozens of them should be
fixed in 7.3.4 and 7.4

--

Michael

[EngrPaul]

What exact build are you using?
Michael

7.3.4 build 27392, which I downloaded July 10

Thanks.... Paul

[EngrPaul]

7.3.4 should take care of the pdk folders.

Michael

I've been keeping track. I get two new PDK folders every day. The residual ones are full of files.