Trouble with Voice prompts (PMM/PHMM)

[bolopez]

I reformatted my 160GB drive and having trouble right now with voice prompts. Some times the title is not said, some others I get a "Corrupt track" announcement, and most of the times the album and genre are just skipped (no sound). And in this last case the music stops till I press next or previous.

I remember this happened last time I wiped the DMS, and I think I had to recreate the DMS a few times. I'm pretty sure this has to be something related to databases, but I can't find where's the problem. I've even installed some software to browse the dbs, but can't find anything strange there. Of course, the TTS files are there and can be played without trouble, even from inside of PMM (3.92).

I tried to recreate the voice prompts from inside PhatHack MM with the same results

Any idea?

[sbingner]

If you enable the logfile you may be able to see what file voice is failing etc

[bolopez]

I've been fighting with this (and the problems with Windows 7) the whole weekend, and still have no conclusion .

The error logfile lists the wav (and the mp3 and flac) files that produce the "Corrupt file" message, but nothing more. All of them are perfectly readable files which can be played with any media player (included PMM). I enabled the level 10 logfiles, but they're too verbose for me (been ill these days). I'll try to "decipher" them.

I've been playing with Phatnoise Media Manager, Phatnoise Musig Manager and PhatHack Media Manager trying to find a combination that worked for me, but with some problems:

- PHMM seems to work. I put about 100 Playlists in the DMS and worked fine, except for the voice announcements, which worked sometimes. And the process of associating Spanish TTS voice to the songs seems hard, but perhaps it's much easier than going through each one of them in PMM. I'll try. The problem is that when adding the rest of the playlists (about 450 in total), PHMM hangs recreating the databases. I tried in Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows XP mode, with the same results. Today I've wiped the whole music folder and added it again at once. I left it at home importing music. I'll report the results.

- With PN Media Manager the DMS works sometimes. Others the HU just doesn't recognise the drive. Don't know about the colors of the PN player leds (I'm colour blind, sorry). When it works, all te music plays fine but the announcements work as described in the first message.

- With PN Music Manager the tests have been similar, but the way it handles playlists (or albums) is harder for me...

I'm going to try to make PHMM get all the playlists and rebuild the databases OK and then I'll try to rebuild TTS files with PN Media Manager, at least while I have time to understand and manage the TTS options in PHMM.

By the way, Stuart, I don't think there is a way to import the customization of TTS into PHMM. I mean, song A has to be pronounced in Spanish or album B in French. I found where this customization resides (the files modified), it's in some message around here, but I fear there's no way to import that into PHMM, right?

Thank you all for your support.

[VorTechS]

TTS playback on the PhatBox is very specific, and in the case of PhatMM the default Voice Format is probably the best one to use.  So if you alter the frequency, or bitrate there is a high chance you might end up with a file that can't be played by the PhatBox.  I can find out what the default is if you need to revert.

If you haven't modified the voice settings from the default, then as sbingner says, we may need to take a look at the PhatBox log file to see if it gives us a clue as to why the files aren't playing.  Unfortunately, you'll never replicate the behaviour on any Media Player, because the PC will always inevitably be able to play the file because of the supported Codecs!

I can't say as I have ever seen PHMM hang, but I believe there may still be a problem with Importing and then minimizing the application which ends up with it getting confused as to what state the Window is in.  I may be mis-unserstanding here what you mean by 're-creating databases', if so please let me know what you are doing, and what you are selecting in the application in more detail so that I can understand better. 

There is already a fair chunk of debugging built into the application.  If you are still struggling ensure debugging is turned on, clear out the 'Logs' directory and re-perform your operation.  When you suspect the operation has 'hung' again, take a look in the log file.  What's the last line you see in there? 
Close and re-check the log file.  It's possible the application is still working, just not updating the UI, and it may be still writing a lot to the log file! 

(It's one of the reasons I put debug logging into the application in the first place!) 

It may just be that one of the I/O operations to the cradle is seemingly causing the application to hang, in which case I may need to 'thread' the operation to keep the UI responsive.  Who knows!  We'll see if we can see what the log file is doing at the time!

Voice association is a bit specialised within PhatHackMM, and at the moment you need to use the XML support to do this.  Of course you can only do this with playlists and the playlist announcement, but I have absolutely no issues trying to make this more accessible for people.  I believe I already have a feature request for this type of functionality and I have to say I haven't really thought about it as it hasn't surfaced again from when it was first reported until now.

I'm currently gathering requirements for the next round of development with PhatHack MM, as a few people have surfaced wanting a little bit of support.

I can quite easily add a TTS voice dropdown as part of the Playlist/album editor (wonder how many people know they can edit allbums?), which means it can then generate track TTS announcements in that voice for all tracks on the playlist. Is that enough for you?  (It would actually only be about an hours work, so I can give you an updated binary and skin file to support this as part of a 'private beta') sometime next week.

Stu....

[VorTechS]

So, I got 5 minutes this morning to play with things, and came up with the following:



This is the default skin modified with support for a voice dropdown, and the database modified accordingly for playlists and albums, and the voice being written and retrieved from the DB.  I just need to update the routine that generates the TTS files, to take this into account and we're good to go, and you can have a copy of the updated binaries to try out if you like?

(Which is going to take a little longer than I originally thought, because my estimate didn't take into account that I need to ensure that both Source and Destination databases need to have the voice stored when you transfer from one device to another.  Still not a big deal, just more code to trawl through to ensure all bases are covered!)

[VorTechS]

Well, you've not asked for it - but in conjunction with a couple of other new features some people were pushing for - I've prepared a small manual update.

There are two parts to the update, the application and an updated default skin.  In the case of the functionality above, you'll need both parts to be extracted to the relevant places within the install path.

Download the application update
Download the default skin update

I've done some testing, but I haven't fully tested this functionality.  So it may not work as designed just yet.  I keep forgetting to bring a cradle in to attach to the dev PC to verify that the correct results are being achieved!
So apologises if it isn't fully working, but touch wood, it will actually work first time!  (At worst it'll just behave as it always has done)
 
Other new features implemented in this version are:

'Randomize' within playlist (under edit playlists, blindfold icon just above the up/down arrow buttons) - allows you to randomize the track order. 
'Remove from playlist' as a context menu item when right-clicking on one or more tracks within a single selected playist (under playlist view)

You'll also notice a new device option 'New Dynamic Playlist', which is the beginnings of the implementation of a proper dynamic playlists, allow you to define the criteria under which they are created.
The interface for this is horrible, and I've stalled deciding the best way to tidy this up.  Oh, and it doesn't do anything other than demonstrate how the interface might work.  It doesn't store anything anywhere yet!

This update also comes with a few bug fixes that have been reported along the way since original release.  Only, I don't have a list of what.

[bolopez]

Sorry for being late. I've been working out of home last week, so I could not try anything.

About the problems creating a new DMS and populating it, I'm not sure about what's happening here. I don't know if the problem is in my W7 64, or in my cradle (more about it later) or my XP virtual machine... I've been able to create a new DMS in native XP and put my music in it from PNMM, as I always did. I use my car for about two hours every day and hate not having my DMS ready, so I've bought another ATA HDD in eBay and will try the new PHMM just for the tests. I hope I'll have it next week.

I'm eager to try the new PHMM, but I wouldn't like to use my old 20GB original DMS (I've never touched it since I hacked the PhatBox).

Anyway, about the "hanging" of PHMM, last time I tried in W7 I imported all my music without any problem. Importing feature is great because it works just as I like to hav my music: one folder for the list with albums inside. It took quite a lot of time but that's what happens when we're talking about 140+ GB of music . No problem importing, building the database or the voice prompts (just standard, no modifications here). But it didn't work in the car. And had forgotten to activate logging again, sorry

Recreated DMS (twice, first time DMS tools could not format the drive), tried putting some music from PNMM and it worked. I left  PNMM all night copying music and in the morning I left till last night, so I couldn't do any more testing. Carrying the cradle to the hotel when you know you're going to be working more than 14 hours a day seemed a little hard...

I'm downloading PHMM updates and I'll be back soon with the results. And as I'll have a spare disk I promise I will test anything I can (If I remember turning logging on...).

On the cradle... The switch inside the case (the one that works when you put the DMS in or take it off) broke in my 2.0 cradle. I opened it and just disabled it. We in Spain call this "bridging" it, because the connection now just "jumps" over the switch, I hope you understand me... Now it works but I have to unplug the cradle to get it "extracted" from Windows. I don't think it's a major problem for software, but not sure. I'll take a look around here for the "new cradle" someone was working on (sorry, I  don't remember right now if it was Terry or Sbingner or Stuart or ...).

In the end, thank you all for your support. I still love having my PhatBox and wouldn't like to change it for one of those unclassy USB drives or iPod connections

[bolopez]

An update:

I tried to create a new DMS yesterday and put music on it with PNMM. The result is that the HU display rests in the "Track 01 CD 01" and doesn't play any music. For a few seconds the 01 (track) blinks and then goes again to "not blinking", but this behaviour stays forever...

I remember to turn logging on and these are the results:

07.65:phatd:main      : Media Daemon (phatd) $Revision: 1.226 $
07.91:phatd:main      : Debug level = 10
07.91:phatd:main      : DAC clock disabled on startup!
Selected profile is: Default
08.49:phatd:main      : Using /dos/exec.ini for exec.ini
08.58:phatd:fork_if_in: Spawning /dos/51d
08.59:phatd:fork_if_in: Program started (/dos/51d), pid=13, childno=0
09.34:51d  :main      :
--- 51d (Jan 14 2005 17:40:18) --- $Revision: 1.213 $

09.34:51d  :main      : Debug level = 10
09.70:phatd:check_inst: Added PWid 2, value 0
09.71:phatd:main      : Entering Main loop
09.72:phatd:main      : Socket 2 has MSG_ID 2
09.99:51d  :openserpor: /dev/ttyS1 open fd=11
09.99:51d  :main      : Old ISP timeout value set to 50000 uSec
09.99:51d  :main      : Rollins timeout value set to 100000 uSec
09.99:51d  :test_uC_ve:        f9 (249) ------------>
10.00:51d  :test_uC_ve:              <============ 53 (83)
10.00:51d  :test_uC_ve: Got 53 for invalid header, must have ProtoPhat 2
10.00:51d  :parse_pac : opening /dos/firmware.pac
10.00:51d  :parse_pac : PAC file summary
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware name h: 38
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware name l: 00
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware ver   : 04
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware base h: 0f
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware base l: fd
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware size h: 18
10.01:51d  :parse_pac :     firmware size l: 10
10.02:51d  :send_arm_s: firmware_modification=6
10.11:phatd:check_inst: Added PWid 2, value 0
10.11:51d  :rw_packet : Buffering 10 at 0
10.12:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
10.12:51d  :rw_packet :        10 (16) ------------->
10.12:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting HACK
10.13:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ac (172)
10.13:51d  :rw_packet :        04 (4) ------------->
10.13:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
10.14:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
10.14:51d  :rw_packet :        38 (56) ------------->
10.14:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
10.15:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
10.15:51d  :rw_packet :        00 (0) ------------->
10.15:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
10.16:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
10.16:51d  :rw_packet :        00 (0) ------------->
10.16:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
10.17:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
10.17:51d  :rw_packet :        06 (6) ------------->
10.17:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
10.18:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
10.18:51d  :rw_packet :        07 (7) ------------->
10.18:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
10.19:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
10.19:51d  :rw_packet :        a7 (167) ------------->
10.19:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting PACK
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ce (206)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 11 (17)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 0e (14)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 71 (113)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 02 (2)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 6e (110)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 80 (128)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 80 (128)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 14 (20)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 38 (56)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.20:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 04 (4)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 00 (0)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ b0 (176)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ 21 (33)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ df (223)
10.21:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
10.21:51d  :rw_packet :        ce (206) ------------->
10.21:51d  :rw_packet : ********************************************************
10.21:51d  :processpac: Got Session: mode 0, run type 14, lot 71 02
10.22:phatd:log_bc    : CPUid info:
Unique ID: 0xabc93790
Random ID: 0xabc9379075b1e259d67d92599bf48b00
CPU: EP73xx, ver 0x02
Lot Code: 0x7102
10.32:51d  :processpac: Initializing 1.2 DAC
10.32:51d  :processpac: SSA head unit
10.32:51d  :processpac: Extra help enabled
10.32:51d  :processpac: Force magazine random
10.40:51d  :processpac: Non-text head unit - will not load text
10.49:51d  :rw_packet :        ce (206) ------------->
10.50:51d  :rw_packet : ********************************************************
10.50:51d  :processpac: Unmute DAC
10.50:51d  :processpac: Set DAC clock mode to 1
10.50:51d  :rw_packet :        ce (206) ------------->
10.51:51d  :rw_packet : ********************************************************
10.51:51d  :processpac: Got uC ID
11.23:51d  :rw_packet :        ce (206) ------------->
11.24:51d  :rw_packet : ********************************************************
11.24:51d  :processpac: Got Query total disc
11.24:51d  :rw_packet : Buffering 7d at 0
11.24:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
11.24:51d  :rw_packet :        7d (125) ------------->
11.24:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting HACK
11.25:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ac (172)
11.25:51d  :rw_packet :        00 (0) ------------->
11.25:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
11.26:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
11.26:51d  :rw_packet :        00 (0) ------------->
11.26:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting BACK
11.27:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ bd (189)
11.27:51d  :rw_packet :        83 (131) ------------->
11.27:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting PACK
11.28:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ce (206)
11.28:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
16.28:51d  :main      : Auto PONG
16.28:51d  :rw_packet : Buffering 70 at 0
16.28:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
16.28:51d  :rw_packet :        70 (112) ------------->
16.28:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting HACK
16.29:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ac (172)
16.29:51d  :rw_packet :        90 (144) ------------->
16.29:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting PACK
16.30:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ce (206)
16.30:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
21.30:51d  :main      : Auto PONG
21.30:51d  :rw_packet : Buffering 70 at 0
21.30:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################
21.30:51d  :rw_packet :        70 (112) ------------->
21.30:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting HACK
21.31:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ac (172)
21.31:51d  :rw_packet :        90 (144) ------------->
21.31:51d  :rw_packet : Expecting PACK
21.32:51d  :rw_packet :              <============ ce (206)
21.32:51d  :rw_packet : ########################################################


And the last 10 lines repeat forever.

Now I'll try to do the whole process with PhatHack tools (i.e. DMS Tools and PHMM). I'll come back with the results.

Thanks again for your support.

[VorTechS]

Just been informed by someone who had the patch, that it doesn't work on startup (manually starting the EXE, as auto-update seems to think it needs to update to v1.0.0.14)

Let me know if you have the same problem...

[bolopez]

Yes, I can't start PHMM either. Not in WXP nor W7. If you want I can send you the error report:

EventType : clr20r3     P1 : phathack media manager.exe     P2 : 1.1.0.0     
P3 : 51028b72     P4 : phathack media manager     P5 : 1.1.0.0     P6 : 51028b72
P7 : 80e     P8 : 34     P9 : system.io.fileloadexception

And on my problems building a new DMS, some new info:

The second time I try to "Create a new DMS" DMStools suceed. Never in the first run. I have to close the app and restart it.

When it's created OK, I can put some files in it and it works fine. And if I put all my collection some times it works, some times it doesn't.

Now I'm trying to find some kind of limit. Once I found that 1000 lists were too many (just trying...). Now I'm trying to find if it's got something to do with some too big database.

I'll keep on informing.

[VorTechS]

Right, I've got a bunch of files sat on this PC that solves the problem of the application not starting up properly.
I'll try and ZIP them up.

There seems to be a bug in the autoupdater thinking it needs to upgrade the files to release!  Doh!  But clicking on 'Cancel' bypasses the need to update and the program will launch as normal.

[bolopez]

Sorry, Stuart, not in my case. In every situation (WXP, W7 an Virtual XP in W7) after pushing "Cancel" the application ends with exactly the same error I sent before.

I'll wait for your update. Thanks again.

[VorTechS]

Here's the update as promised (sorry it took so long!)

PhatHack Media Manager v1.1.0 Refresh 2

[VorTechS]

Gah, I've used the wrong archive files again to create the patch!
 Don't use the file above!  I'll use the right archive tomorrow !

[bolopez]

Gah, I've used the wrong archive files again to create the patch!
 Don't use the file above!  I'll use the right archive tomorrow !

I've been abroad for the last two weeks. I'm waiting for your update again

[VorTechS]

Okay, managed to get some time today to get the archive rebuilt.
I have sent this out to another user, but not had confirmation back yet if it's okay!

So try it out, and let me know!

Here's the download: http://phatnoise.us/Unsecure/Phathack_Media_Manager_v1_1_0_Refresh3.zip

[VorTechS]

Just verified the patch, and a new update to the autoupdate.exe that now correctly identifies version differences, using a new Virtual Machine.
So this one is a go!  Also had confirmation from the other users too.