Zerama: Remote Control for Desktop WMP 9

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zerama.net/' target='_blank'>http://www.zerama.net/</a><br /><br /></div>"The Zerama Remote is a Pocket PC remote control for Microsoft's Windows Media Player 9 Series. Why do remote controls have to be so component oriented? 'I don’t want to listen to track 14,' you say; 'I want to listen to 'If I had a Million Dollars' by The Barenaked Ladies without getting off my couch.' Well, now you can. The ZeramaRemote is an intelligent remote control application that is data driven, rather then component controlled. 'I want to control the volume too,' you say. Sure. 'I want it up to eleven.' No problem."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20030724-Zerama.gif" /><br /><br />Note that this is to remote-control WMP on the <i>desktop</i>, not WMP on the Pocket PC. I could see this as being very useful if you use WMP heavily as your stereo.

[Perry Reed]

$20 seems a bit pricey (and isn't that the standard complaint for Pocket PC software??), but it looks like a nifty idea. :)

[that_kid]

sound just like what iremote (http://www.mcmajeres.com) does for winamp.

[David C]

I could see this kind of technology being usefull as a remote jukebox control. like, let's say you are at one of those 50's diner with song picker on you table. But, instead, it's a pocket pc with easy user interfact to pick song from a playlist of what you want to hear. Then, a desktop compter in the back can recieve information from all the individual tables, and play song accordingly.

[tamanaco]

I like Vinyl's interface a lot better, but the developers have not updated it for a few months now. Check it out http://www.pocketwerks.com

[maximus]

I would love the have a remote application like this that can actually shut down the PC once we are done with winamp/WMP....

[T-Will]

I just tried out Vinyl, it's very slick, although it would be nice to have a progress bar. Also once I turn my Pocket PC off then back on it doesn't automatically make a BT connection again. I have to manually make the LAN connection then go into Vinyl.

[CameronK]

I've been talking with the developer about this program a lot, and he said that he's working on a slider for a later version. He was nice enough to let me see the new version 3 of the software, which has a lot of improvements. Connecting the client to the server and downloading the database is a lot more streamlined, and the UI has been improved more as well. There's nothing better than being able to go into a room and blast sister hazel over the network without having to set up a media player playlist before I sit down.

[theone3]

duh-haw.. Microsoft has this for free (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/powertoys.mspx)

[CameronK]

Well "duh-haw" I don't see any program on that page that does what vinyl or zerama do. :roll:

[theone3]

fine.. if i have to spell it out for you
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/remotedsp_eula.mspx

[Perry Reed]

fine.. if i have to spell it out for you
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/remotedsp_eula.mspx

Um... That's not the same thing at all. Not even close!

[stevehiner]

I have to agree that it's not the same thing, it's nearly the opposite of the other programs.

However, his statement is true, Microsoft DOES give this away for free. They even give away the source code.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/using/columns/code4fun/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dncodefun/html/code4fun06272003.asp

Summary: Duncan Mackenzie describes how to use remoting and a Pocket PC to create a simple remote control for Windows Media Player 9.

[theone3]

fine.. if i have to spell it out for you
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/remotedsp_eula.mspx

Um... That's not the same thing at all. Not even close!
whoops! wrong way around :roll:

cant you do this with terminal services? :devilboy:

[CameronK]

Why would you want to go through all the hassle when you could do it a lot quicker from a program that's made specifically for this purpose?

[dantanzer]

I just found out that the zerama remote 1.3 was being discussed on this board. I would love to hear what people think about the current version? :)

I have been working hard on a new release that will be posted in the next few weeks. If you would like to put your two cents in or want a sneak preview of the beta , please send me an email request.

Dan Tanzer
[email protected] (remove NOSPAM)
www.zerama.net

[tamanaco]

I just noticed that a fully functional copy of Vinyl is now FREE!