[CentOS] Appliance platform

Sun Nov 9 22:40:15 UTC 2008
Ted Miller <tedjeanmiller at sbcglobal.net>

Les Mikesell wrote:
> Les Mikesell wrote:
>> Ted Miller wrote:
>>>
>>> Application (in case anyone cares): Move better-than-FM quality audio 
>>> across a leased audio circuit with delay under 10 seconds.  No 
>>> Internet exposure.  Obviously one box is required at each end, and 
>>> the encoding box works much harder than the decoding box.  Software 
>>> to run will probably be Ices -> Icecast -> network -> mplayer.  Will 
>>> be using USB audio interfaces, probably something like the M-Audio 
>>> Fast Track Pro.  Because of the nature of the application, once it is 
>>> booted up the only disk activity is occasional logging when there is 
>>> a problem with the connection.
>>>
>>> Any advice, web links, battle scars, or advice gladly accepted.
>>
>> Not quite a match, but maybe worth investigating the hackability: the 
>> $99 Roku box sold initially to stream Netflix but supposed to be 
>> getting other capabilities.  Or for just audio, their soundbridge 
>> products that are more expensive but some include speakers.  
>> Development specs are available for the soundbridge along with source 
>> for gpl'd code included with the netflix box.  Not sure about 
>> development on the netflix box, though.  Might be worth $99 just to 
>> take it apart and see what's in there.
>>
> 
> Or this: perhaps a little too cutesy, but... http://www.chumby.com/

Cute little thing.  Would probably work, but I have my doubts whether it 
would come back to life after a power failure, persistently retry an 
interrupted connection, etc, and with an ARM inside, I have no idea how 
hackable it would be.  An interesting hardware platform, if it is programmable.