Disc Library Version 2.5 supports CD changers that connect to a computer by means of an RS232 serial port. The brands of changers currently supported are Sony (available in 200-disc, 300-disc, and 400-disc "carousel" models) and NSM (model CD3101AC, a 100-disc heavy-duty changer found inside many commercial jukeboxes). Sony "CD-only" mega-changers can be attached to an RS232 serial port by means of a SAVR, SAVR2, or SAVR3 adapter (made by BlackBoxDesigns) or a Slink-e adapter (which has been discontinued by its maker, but many audio/video aficionados already have one, and some dealers may still have them in stock). DVD changers are not supported.

Disc Library Version 2.5 uses an Internet connection to look up disc information (including track titles) in the online database maintained by freedb.org. If you have a high-speed local area network in your home, you can run copies of Disc Library Version 2.5 on several computers at the same time; the "remote" copies of Disc Library communicate with the "master" controller (the copy of Disc Library that runs on the computer with the attached CD changers).

System Requirements

Disc Library requires Java 1.4.0 or later. Versions of Disc Library Library are available for Microsoft Windows (98 or later), Macintosh (requires Mac OS X 10.2.3 or later), and Linux. (The Linux version is not sold separately; it is included free with orders for Windows or Mac.) Only the Disc Library "master" controller is platform-specific; the "remote" panels will run on any OS that supports Java 1.4.0 or later.

Product History

Five years ago, Disc Library Version 1.0 was developed by William C. McCain for his personal use, to control three high-capacity CD "mega" changers in his whole-house audio system. That software was never made available commercially. Now, Disc Library has been extensively rewritten to take advantage of the highly-advanced "Swing" graphical user interface and other features of Java 1.4.x. In particular, the new Disc Library Version 2.5 utilizes the cross-platform Java "metal" Look & Feel.

• New! A cover image utility program searches merchant Web sites, downloads cover image files, and assigns them to the CDs in your collection.

• New! Support for an Inday DA4X-RS digital audio switch (handy if you want to pipe digital audio from multiple CD changers to your stereo system). The Nirvis DXS switch is also supported (discontinued by Nirvis).

• New! "Disc memos" can be uploaded automatically or manually to the front panel displays of most Sony CD changers.

• New! You can dynamically monitor the progress of the active Play List and change the active step.

• New! "Drag-and-drop" to add steps to any open Edit Play List window from any open album track list or the album that is playing or any of the alphabetical lists of albums.

• Play Lists can be edited by both the "cut-and-paste" and "drag-and-drop" methods.

• You can run Play Lists either sequentially or randomly.

• Three different Shuffle Modes (tracks on a single album, all tracks in library, all albums in library). The "library" Shuffle Modes automatically alternate between players whenever possible, and they can be restricted to a subset of your collection, defined by selecting any combination of 15 music categories.

• Displays your CD collection alphabetically by title, performer, and composer (a must for classical music fans). Also lists discs by their physical location in your CD changers.

• The alphabetical lists can be "filtered" by any combination of the 15 pre-defined music categories and/or up to four of the user-defined "music genre" names.

• The alphabetical lists of CDs can be exported from the Disc Library database in XML format. Your Web browser can format, display, and print these lists, with the aid of a provided "starter set" of XSL "style sheet" files.

• Extensive facilities for editing the CD information downloaded from the Internet. You can re-assign the music category, change or add any number of user-defined "genre" names, assign an album cover scan, edit the track titles, etc.

• Two well-documented "home automation" interfaces are supported (IP and RS232 serial). These interfaces permit Disc Library to be integrated with an automation system such as AMX or Crestron, and/or with other computer applications such as MainLobby or HomeSeer.

• User-specified "border skins" can change the overall appearance of the Disc Library window. Different skins can be specified for the focused and unfocused modes.

• Optional support for displaying current song information from a DMX multi-channel satellite/cable radio receiver.