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Request for better network functionality

Request for better network functionality

2009-10-20 by mjburby

Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly), to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-20 by Kevin Goroway

Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...

-Kevin




________________________________
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

  
Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-20 by Glenn R. Smutny

With all due respect to Yamaha and particularly the "face" that we all know
and are thankful to have in our corner- Bill Brandom, I love the way Kevin
unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their
commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world's greatest piano. By the
way, weren't we supposed to be hearing something about a new release about a
month ago? 

 

Thank you both for all that you do for us.     

 

  _____
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

 

  

Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting
DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running
DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be
acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next
promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to
implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell
it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the
piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file
there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and
place the third file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song
is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...

-Kevin

 

  _____  

From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

  

Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE
to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the
Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having
access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination
of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the
piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability
to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB
hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which
nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which
locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access
the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC
folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance
usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of
music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people
out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB,
and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from
one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network
drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored
on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this
could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do)
to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the
UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built
in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the
disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-20 by Kevin Goroway

Hah!  I think you give me too much credit.  I don't believe for a second that I have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha.  I think that they do what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's greatest piano.  (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they did plenty before I was around!)

I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to provide the same thing.  DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason only.  When I bought my piano, there was no "Search" functionality built in.  I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it.  If I had bought my piano one year later, when "search" had already been added, I'm not sure what might have pushed me toward trying to figure this all out.

Anyway, thanks...This made me smile.  But, yeah!  What happened to the information about a forthcoming version?





________________________________
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 6:05:25 PM
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

  
With all due respect to Yamaha and
particularly the “face” that we all know and are thankful to have
in our corner– Bill Brandom, I
love the way Kevin unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging
Yamaha to continue with their commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world’s
greatest piano. By the way, weren’t we supposed to be hearing something
about a new release about a month ago? 
 
Thank you both for all that you do for us.     
 

________________________________
 
From:disklavier@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request
for better network functionality
 
  
Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request
could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser
while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next
promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement
this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the
MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start
playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the
first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file
there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is
"finishing" since I needed that for the "source random"
feature.  Hmm...

-Kevin
 

________________________________
 
From:mjburby
<mark.burby@gmail. com>
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009
12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for
better network functionality

  
Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to
see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the
Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having
access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of
storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano
over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage
files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive
or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us
have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which
locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the
CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on
the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and
make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations
accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary,
this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and
hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one
location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or
vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a
network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be
buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically
obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI
on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in
hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the
disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by George F. Litterst

Good evening, everyone.

I am out of town at the moment, so I cannot try this:

Has anyone tried accessing the From/ToPC folder on their PC and  
copying a shortcut to one of their PC folders to that location?

Regards,
PianoBench

www.georgelitterst.com
www.timewarptech.com
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Oct 20, 2009, at 5:39 PM, Kevin Goroway wrote:

>
> Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting  
> DKVBrowser feature...
>
> Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running  
> DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would  
> be acceptable?
>
> I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in  
> this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult  
> for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a  
> directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would  
> seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the  
> background, it could move the next file there, and when the first  
> file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third  
> file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is  
> "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.   
> Hmm...
>
> -Kevin
>
> From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
> To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
> Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality
>
>
> Hi
>
> Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I  
> would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the  
> ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a  
> networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers  
> many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream  
> music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network,  
> cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files  
> better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard  
> drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which  
> nearly all of us have already.
>
> Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to  
> chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you  
> click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and  
> FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive.  
> I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less  
> complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible  
> to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary,  
> this could be tucked away in the Setup section.
>
> Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD,  
> floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory  
> structure of each.
>
> Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.
>
> Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files  
> from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to  
> my network drive or vice versa
>
> Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music  
> stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the  
> network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the  
> internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the  
> attached hard drive.
>
> I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there  
> but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.
>
> Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the  
> built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to  
> ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.
>
> Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.
>
>
>
>

Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Phil Blah

Hey Mark,

I think what you have said makes complete sense as it would be a simple software update to make it access other drives etc.

Not to speak for Yamaha at all, but I have been involved various system developments for other companies and take a personal interest in how products evolve and can see sometimes reasons for "why" things were not "done" etc... But I also get really pis-ed off when a company releases a product and if they just bothered to add a few more trivial things it would be 10x better!

But anyway, I think the 'challenge' for Yamaha with the MARK4 is to keep it a 'simple' to use system, as it is many people don't want the bother or worry about networking and anything technicial.. they just want to press the "on" and choose a song and hit play.. So imagine an 'ordarany person' trying to network/connect their external HD and trying to play ANY old file...ie .mp3's or even a wave file that is not supported with the piano, plus other various formats... The other problem, have you noticed,  the FromToPC folder is so sluggish and clunky... the reason is, all the files need to be added to a 'database' and it only supports 1 directory level... when you copy one simple 12k midi you have to 'refresh' the entire thing for it to 'update'....  I think Yamaha have good reason for this, they want neat files and the system to read the actual midi data for the song name rather than the file name if possible. Plus it is 'indexing' to make searching fast. 
So if they add the features you ask, then people still want more and more options that are "a quick easy update" so before you know it, the whole MARK4 system will have tons of updates, tons of support issues, tons of versions and weakness's will begin to surface such as the small internal drive and the lack of ram and the mobile lowpower low heat CPU that they use...

I know that I was one to have a bit list of things, but I suppose I can see their reasons.

It would be good if they had a downloadable 'system setup disk' that means that a 'tech' could simply put in a 500gb or 1tb HDD that are cheap as chips these days. The system would simply install a fresh system and be ready to go. This would reduce the need to bother with external drives. It also will save the day when peoples 80gb drives start to fail :)

But on the other hand :) :) it's a bloody computer system NOT a hardware bick like previous Disklaviers so anyone tech minded knows that more can be done... I just updated my HD drive myself to a 500gb so I could store all my Disklavier CD's and normal Audio CDs on the system. I also upgraded the RAM but it made no difference as it's hard set for 128 meg...

hmm.

Philip






________________________________
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 21 October, 2009 3:49:52 AM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

  
Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.


   


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Learn more: http://au.overview.mail.yahoo.com/

Re: Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by mjburby

Good idea George, so tried this out but unfortunately it doesn't recognise (or display) the shortcut to the folder. I also tried a shortcut to a file but no luck. This could simply be a limitation (unintentional) / restriction (intentional) of the PRC application.


--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "George F. Litterst" <PianoBench@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Good evening, everyone.
> 
> I am out of town at the moment, so I cannot try this:
> 
> Has anyone tried accessing the From/ToPC folder on their PC and  
> copying a shortcut to one of their PC folders to that location?
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> www.georgelitterst.com
> www.timewarptech.com
> 
> On Oct 20, 2009, at 5:39 PM, Kevin Goroway wrote:
> 
> >
> > Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting  
> > DKVBrowser feature...
> >
> > Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running  
> > DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would  
> > be acceptable?
> >
> > I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in  
> > this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult  
> > for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a  
> > directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would  
> > seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the  
> > background, it could move the next file there, and when the first  
> > file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third  
> > file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is  
> > "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.   
> > Hmm...
> >
> > -Kevin
> >
> > From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
> > To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
> > Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality
> >
> >
> > Hi
> >
> > Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I  
> > would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the  
> > ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a  
> > networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers  
> > many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream  
> > music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network,  
> > cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files  
> > better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard  
> > drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which  
> > nearly all of us have already.
> >
> > Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to  
> > chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you  
> > click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and  
> > FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive.  
> > I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less  
> > complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible  
> > to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary,  
> > this could be tucked away in the Setup section.
> >
> > Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD,  
> > floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory  
> > structure of each.
> >
> > Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.
> >
> > Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files  
> > from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to  
> > my network drive or vice versa
> >
> > Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music  
> > stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the  
> > network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the  
> > internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the  
> > attached hard drive.
> >
> > I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there  
> > but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.
> >
> > Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the  
> > built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to  
> > ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.
> >
> > Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Re: Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by mjburby

So am ashamed to say that I've only just discovered your DKVBrowser and its a thousand times more useful than the virtual PRC. Thank you for creating this! DKVBrowser would be an ideal application to add this functionality to. 

In terms of possible locations for network drive you have three main options:

1) Use a PC as you indicate. Advantage is that nearly everyone has one. Disadvantage is that it needs to be on when you want to access the drive, and of course it has to be networked.

2) Use a dedicated network drive called Network Attached Storage (or NAS) - this is what I have at home. These are dedicated hard drives that simply plug into your network and much like your internet router are on 24x7 (unless you configure them otherwise). They are usually much lower energy to have running constantly than a PC. Some products manage your entire home media content (music, videos, photos) from one device. Advantage - accessible at any time and independent of PC, expandable, easy to back up. Disadvantage - cost, config time and knowledge

3) Use a remote storage service over the internet using HTTP/FTP. All you would need is the remote IP address/folder/directory plus user name / password given to you by your service provider and use your existing internet connection. Advantage: Use existing internet connection, available 24x7, accessible anywhere globally so you could access your files from any PC or Disklavier attached to the internet (though you can set up your NAS to do this too), possibly free services available. Disadvantage: time to set up, possibly some config to do though a clear set of instructions would be sufficient for most people, possible cost for use of service, dependency on internet connection being up.

Option 3 offers some interesting possibilities including the open sharing of (non-copyrighted) music files between Disklavier owners, much as we do with files on this group. There is also the potential for more commercial file sharing services (though Yamaha would lose exclusivity with its Disklavier Radio.) Personally, I am an advocate of the free market economy, which improves quality of service, keeps prices down, reduces monopoly, and will ultimately make Disklavier a much more appealing product to own = more sales for Yamaha.

Piping data over the network to (and from) the piano offers hundreds of other possibilities e.g. imagine streaming live Pianosoft + graphics (babbling brooks, karaoke, concerts)

Hmm... and to do all this, you just need to give access to one tiny little bit of functionality - a network drive.

P.S. I work for Cisco Systems so I live for this sort of stuff :-D

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Kevin Goroway <kgoroway@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...
> 
> Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?
> 
> I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...
> 
> -Kevin
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
> To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
> Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality
> 
>   
> Hi
> 
> Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.
> 
> Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.
> 
> Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.
> 
> Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.
> 
> Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa
> 
> Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.
> 
> I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.
> 
> Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.
> 
> Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.
>

Re: [disklavier] Re: Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Kevin Goroway

There's a pretty simple reason why this doesn't work (besides the obvious one that it isn't supported :-) )

When you copy things (anything at all) to the "FromToPC" share on the piano, the piano doesn't know about it.  It's just a file, in a directory, on the hard-drive.  It turns out that this is made available via a technology referred to as "Samba".  You can put anything you'd like in there, it's just storage space on a "computer" on your network, no different than a NAS, or any other PC in your home/office.  (Albeit one with limited storage space available).

That all changes when you tell the piano to "Refresh" the "FromToPC" area.  At that point, the piano "scans" this area for any files ending in ".MID", and surprisingly enough, ".WAV".  It *does* support multiple levels of directories, and will find those files as well.  (However, the interface flattens your directory hierarchy when it shows you those multiple levels)  It *doesn't* take the time to scan the MIDI files for song titles (it only does that the first time you play the song).  The results of this "scan", as has been mentioned by Phil, is that the piano's internal database is now updated to reflect that those songs are available.  And yes, it is fairly slow.

Even if they chose to support links, there are other technical hurdles (D:\mySongs doesn't mean much to a computer elsewhere on your network, especially one based on linux)  (symlinks on the Mac would have to be /nfs references, and the piano would have to support nfs).

Anyway, we can only hope for improvements!

-Kevin



________________________________
From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 6:07:35 AM
Subject: [disklavier] Re: Request for better network functionality

  
Good idea George, so tried this out but unfortunately it doesn't recognise (or display) the shortcut to the folder. I also tried a shortcut to a file but no luck. This could simply be a limitation (unintentional) / restriction (intentional) of the PRC application.

--- In disklavier@yahoogro ups.com, "George F. Litterst" <PianoBench@ ...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Good evening, everyone.
> 
> I am out of town at the moment, so I cannot try this:
> 
> Has anyone tried accessing the From/ToPC folder on their PC and 
> copying a shortcut to one of their PC folders to that location?
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> www.georgelitterst. com
> www.timewarptech. com
> 
> On Oct 20, 2009, at 5:39 PM, Kevin Goroway wrote:
> 
> >
> > Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting 
> > DKVBrowser feature...
> >
> > Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running 
> > DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would 
> > be acceptable?
> >
> > I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in 
> > this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult 
> > for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a 
> > directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would 
> > seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the 
> > background, it could move the next file there, and when the first 
> > file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third 
> > file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is 
> > "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature. 
> > Hmm...
> >
> > -Kevin
> >
> > From: mjburby <mark.burby@ ...>
> > To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
> > Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
> > Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality
> >
> >
> > Hi
> >
> > Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I 
> > would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the 
> > ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a 
> > networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers 
> > many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream 
> > music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, 
> > cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files 
> > better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard 
> > drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which 
> > nearly all of us have already.
> >
> > Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to 
> > chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you 
> > click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and 
> > FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. 
> > I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less 
> > complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible 
> > to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, 
> > this could be tucked away in the Setup section.
> >
> > Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, 
> > floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory 
> > structure of each.
> >
> > Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.
> >
> > Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files 
> > from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to 
> > my network drive or vice versa
> >
> > Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music 
> > stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the 
> > network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the 
> > internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the 
> > attached hard drive.
> >
> > I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there 
> > but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.
> >
> > Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the 
> > built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to 
> > ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.
> >
> > Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Re: [disklavier] Re: Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Kevin Goroway

Mark,

Nothing to be ashamed of...Glad that you like it!  In general, I try to keep in depth discussions of DKVBrowser off of this list, and on the other one (that you just joined).  This cuts down on the noise for the non-MarkIV owners on this list.

But, a quick answer to your suggestions.

The PC that I mentioned would only have to be the one that is running DKVBrowser...the storage, as you described can be anywhere that that PC can see.  I myself use a Windows Home Server to support my whole household, so I'm familiar with the concept.  I would like to begin work on this feature in DKVBrowser, but I'm also curious about the functionality in the next version.  If they are going to support something like this natively, I'd rather build on top of it, instead of building it from scratch.

-Kevin




________________________________
From: mjburby <mark.burby@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 6:38:27 AM
Subject: [disklavier] Re: Request for better network functionality

  
So am ashamed to say that I've only just discovered your DKVBrowser and its a thousand times more useful than the virtual PRC. Thank you for creating this! DKVBrowser would be an ideal application to add this functionality to. 

In terms of possible locations for network drive you have three main options:

1) Use a PC as you indicate. Advantage is that nearly everyone has one. Disadvantage is that it needs to be on when you want to access the drive, and of course it has to be networked.

2) Use a dedicated network drive called Network Attached Storage (or NAS) - this is what I have at home. These are dedicated hard drives that simply plug into your network and much like your internet router are on 24x7 (unless you configure them otherwise). They are usually much lower energy to have running constantly than a PC. Some products manage your entire home media content (music, videos, photos) from one device. Advantage - accessible at any time and independent of PC, expandable, easy to back up. Disadvantage - cost, config time and knowledge

3) Use a remote storage service over the internet using HTTP/FTP. All you would need is the remote IP address/folder/ directory plus user name / password given to you by your service provider and use your existing internet connection. Advantage: Use existing internet connection, available 24x7, accessible anywhere globally so you could access your files from any PC or Disklavier attached to the internet (though you can set up your NAS to do this too), possibly free services available. Disadvantage: time to set up, possibly some config to do though a clear set of instructions would be sufficient for most people, possible cost for use of service, dependency on internet connection being up.

Option 3 offers some interesting possibilities including the open sharing of (non-copyrighted) music files between Disklavier owners, much as we do with files on this group. There is also the potential for more commercial file sharing services (though Yamaha would lose exclusivity with its Disklavier Radio.) Personally, I am an advocate of the free market economy, which improves quality of service, keeps prices down, reduces monopoly, and will ultimately make Disklavier a much more appealing product to own = more sales for Yamaha.

Piping data over the network to (and from) the piano offers hundreds of other possibilities e.g. imagine streaming live Pianosoft + graphics (babbling brooks, karaoke, concerts)

Hmm... and to do all this, you just need to give access to one tiny little bit of functionality - a network drive.

P.S. I work for Cisco Systems so I live for this sort of stuff :-D

--- In disklavier@yahoogro ups.com, Kevin Goroway <kgoroway@.. .> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...
> 
> Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?
> 
> I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...
> 
> -Kevin
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: mjburby <mark.burby@ ...>
> To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
> Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
> Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality
> 
> 
> Hi
> 
> Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.
> 
> Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.
> 
> Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.
> 
> Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.
> 
> Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa
> 
> Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.
> 
> I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.
> 
> Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.
> 
> Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.
>

RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Bill Brandom

Hello everyone,

Over a month ago I went to Japan to discuss the next version update for the Disklavier Mark IV. Before I went, I had assumed I would be able to report to the group of the new functions that are planned in Version 4. This update is scheduled for release in the spring.

After much discussion with our Japanese Sales and Engineering staff, they have requested that I do not make any announcements at this time. We plan to be showing a beta version of the update at the upcoming NAMM show in January. As we have done in the past, we will establish a beta group to test new functions.

I apologize for not being able to give you any information at this time.

Bill

Bill Brandom

Senior Technical Manager

Keyboard Division

Yamaha Corporation of America

Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301

Show quoted textHide quoted text

From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:59 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality




Hah! I think you give me too much credit. I don't believe for a second that I have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha. I think that they do what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's greatest piano. (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they did plenty before I was around!)

I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to provide the same thing. DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason only. When I bought my piano, there was no "Search" functionality built in. I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it. If I had bought my piano one year later, when "search" had already been added, I'm not sure what might have pushed me toward trying to figure this all out.

Anyway, thanks...This made me smile. But, yeah! What happened to the information about a forthcoming version?

From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@COMCAST.net>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 6:05:25 PM
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

With all due respect to Yamaha and particularly the “face” that we all know and are thankful to have in our corner– Bill Brandom, I love the way Kevin unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world’s greatest piano. By the way, weren’t we supposed to be hearing something about a new release about a month ago?

Thank you both for all that you do for us.

From: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there. I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature. Hmm...

-Kevin

From: mjburby <mark.burby@gmail. com>
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.





RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Jeff Kovitz

Thanks for staying in touch even with those “handcuffs” on. Much appreciated.

Jeff

Show quoted textHide quoted text

From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bill Brandom
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:29 AM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hello everyone,

Over a month ago I went to Japan to discuss the next version update for the Disklavier Mark IV. Before I went, I had assumed I would be able to report to the group of the new functions that are planned in Version 4. This update is scheduled for release in the spring.

After much discussion with our Japanese Sales and Engineering staff, they have requested that I do not make any announcements at this time. We plan to be showing a beta version of the update at the upcoming NAMM show in January. As we have done in the past, we will establish a beta group to test new functions.

I apologize for not being able to give you any information at this time.

Bill

Bill Brandom

Senior Technical Manager

Keyboard Division

Yamaha Corporation of America

Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301

From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:59 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality





Hah! I think you give me too much credit. I don't believe for a second that I have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha. I think that they do what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's greatest piano. (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they did plenty before I was around!)

I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to provide the same thing. DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason only. When I bought my piano, there was no "Search" functionality built in. I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it. If I had bought my piano one year later, when "search" had already been added, I'm not sure what might have pushed me toward trying to figure this all out.

Anyway, thanks...This made me smile. But, yeah! What happened to the information about a forthcoming version?

From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@COMCAST.net>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 6:05:25 PM
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

With all due respect to Yamaha and particularly the “face” that we all know and are thankful to have in our corner– Bill Brandom, I love the way Kevin unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world’s greatest piano. By the way, weren’t we supposed to be hearing something about a new release about a month ago?

Thank you both for all that you do for us.

From: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there. I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature. Hmm...

-Kevin

From: mjburby <mark.burby@gmail. com>
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.






RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Glenn R. Smutny

When I purchased my piano back in September of 2004 I thought that I was
doing the right thing. This previous email confirms it. How many other
companies - electronic or otherwise - have a system of support like this?
The idea that after 5 years of ownership, I or anyone of us can write a
quick email to someone and know that it is going halfway around the world
directly to the engineers that created that product and then .they actually
are going to do something about it for us! Wow!  Version 4.0 - sign me up! 

 

Thanks Bill and Thanks Yamaha.  

 

  _____
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Bill Brandom
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:29 AM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

 

  

Hello everyone,

 

Over a month ago I went to Japan to discuss the next version update for the
Disklavier Mark IV. Before I went, I had assumed I would be able to report
to the group of the new functions that are planned in Version 4. This update
is scheduled for release in the spring.

 

After much discussion with our Japanese Sales and Engineering staff, they
have requested that I do not make any announcements at this time. We plan to
be showing a beta version of the update at the upcoming NAMM show in
January. As we have done in the past, we will establish a beta group to test
new functions. 

 

I apologize for not being able to give you any information at this time.

 

Bill

 

Bill Brandom

Senior Technical Manager

Keyboard Division

Yamaha Corporation of America

Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301

 

 

 

From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:59 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

 







Hah!  I think you give me too much credit.  I don't believe for a second
that I have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha.  I think that they do
what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's
greatest piano.  (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they
did plenty before I was around!)

I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can
improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to
provide the same thing.  DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason
only.  When I bought my piano, there was no "Search" functionality built in.
I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it.  If I had bought my piano
one year later, when "search" had already been added, I'm not sure what
might have pushed me toward trying to figure this all out.

Anyway, thanks...This made me smile.  But, yeah!  What happened to the
information about a forthcoming version?

 

  _____  

From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 6:05:25 PM
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

  

With all due respect to Yamaha and particularly the "face" that we all know
and are thankful to have in our corner- Bill Brandom, I love the way Kevin
unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their
commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world's greatest piano. By the
way, weren't we supposed to be hearing something about a new release about a
month ago? 

 

Thank you both for all that you do for us.     

 

  _____  

From: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ] On
Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

 

  

Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting
DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running
DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be
acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next
promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to
implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell
it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the
piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file
there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and
place the third file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song
is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...

-Kevin

 

  _____  

From: mjburby <mark.burby@gmail. com>
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

  

Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE
to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the
Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having
access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination
of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the
piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability
to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB
hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which
nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which
locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access
the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC
folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance
usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of
music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people
out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB,
and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from
one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network
drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored
on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this
could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do)
to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the
UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built
in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the
disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Freeman Richard

Bill,

You mentioned previously that upgrades for pre Mark IV Disklavier's was also in the works - considering that the DCD1 is no longer available. Is this still on track?

Thanks in advance,

Rich Freeman

On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:28 AM, Bill Brandom wrote:


Hello everyone,

Over a month ago I went to Japan to discuss the next version update for the Disklavier Mark IV. Before I went, I had assumed I would be able to report to the group of the new functions that are planned in Version 4. This update is scheduled for release in the spring.

After much discussion with our Japanese Sales and Engineering staff, they have requested that I do not make any announcements at this time. We plan to be showing a beta version of the update at the upcoming NAMM show in January. As we have done in the past, we will establish a beta group to test new functions.

I apologize for not being able to give you any information at this time.

Bill

Bill Brandom

Senior Technical Manager

Keyboard Division

Yamaha Corporation of America

Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301

Show quoted textHide quoted text

From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:59 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality




Hah! I think you give me too much credit. I don't believe for a second that I have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha. I think that they do what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's greatest piano. (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they did plenty before I was around!)

I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to provide the same thing. DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason only. When I bought my piano, there was no "Search" functionality built in. I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it. If I had bought my piano one year later, when "search" had already been added, I'm not sure what might have pushed me toward trying to figure this all out.

Anyway, thanks...This made me smile. ; But, yeah! What happened to the information about a forthcoming version?

From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@COMCAST.net>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 6:05:25 PM
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

With all due respect to Yamaha and particularly the “face” that we all know and are thankful to have in our corner– Bill Brandom, I love ;the way Kevin unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world’s greatest piano. By the way, weren’t we supposed to be hearing something about a new release about a month ago?

Thank you both for all that you do for us.

From: disklavier@yahoogro ;ups.com [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ]On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there. I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature. Hmm...

-Kevin

From: mjburby
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.







RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by Bill Brandom

Hi Rich,

Yes it is still in the works. Can't say much more but if you get a chance, come to NAMM in January.

Bill

Bill Brandom
Senior Technical Manager
Keyboard Division
Yamaha Corporation of America
Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Freeman Richard
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:54 AM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality



Bill,

You mentioned previously that upgrades for pre Mark IV Disklavier's was also in the works - considering that the DCD1 is no longer available. Is this still on track?

Thanks in advance,

Rich Freeman

On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:28 AM, Bill Brandom wrote:



Hello everyone,

Over a month ago I went to Japan to discuss the next version update for the Disklavier Mark IV. Before I went, I had assumed I would be able to report to the group of the new functions that are planned in Version 4. This update is scheduled for release in the spring.

After much discussion with our Japanese Sales and Engineering staff, they have requested that I do not make any announcements at this time. We plan to be showing a beta version of the update at the upcoming NAMM show in January. As we have done in the past, we will establish a beta group to test new functions.

I apologize for not being able to give you any information at this time.

Bill

Bill Brandom
Senior Technical Manager
Keyboard Division
Yamaha Corporation of America
Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301



From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:59 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality





Hah!  I think you give me too much credit.  I don't believe for a second that I have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha.  I think that they do what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's greatest piano.  (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they did plenty before I was around!)

I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to provide the same thing.  DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason only.  When I bought my piano, there was no "Search" functionality built in.  I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it.  If I had bought my piano one year later, when "search" had already been added, I'm not sure what might have pushed me toward trying to figure this all out.

Anyway, thanks...This made me smile.  But, yeah!  What happened to the information about a forthcoming version?

________________________________
From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 6:05:25 PM
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality


With all due respect to Yamaha and particularly the "face" that we all know and are thankful to have in our corner- Bill Brandom, I love the way Kevin unintentionally but effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their commitment to making sure the DKV stays the world's greatest piano. By the way, weren't we supposed to be hearing something about a new release about a month ago?

Thank you both for all that you do for us.

________________________________
From: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com<http://ups.com> [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ]On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:39 PM
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality


Hmm, your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser feature...

Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?

I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there.  I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...

-Kevin

________________________________
From: mjburby <mark.burby@gmail. com>
To: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 12:49:52 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality



Hi

Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us have already.

Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary, this could be tucked away in the Setup section.

Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.

Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.

Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or vice versa

Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically obviate the need for the attached hard drive.

I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.

Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the disklavier hard drive is backed up.

Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality

2009-10-21 by starins@aol.com

Bill - do you have any complimentary guest passes for NAMM for Yamaha dislavier owners?


Kind regards


Bob Jellen
25232 Prado Del Misterio
Calabasas, CA 91302
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Brandom <BBrandom@yamaha.com>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com <disklavier@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Oct 21, 2009 9:33 am
Subject: RE: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality


























    

                  










Hi Rich,



 



Yes it is still in the works. Can’t say much more but if you get
a chance, come to NAMM in January.



 



Bill



 



Bill Brandom



Senior Technical Manager



Keyboard Division



Yamaha Corporation of America



Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX: 714-522-9301



 



 



 









From:
disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Freeman
Richard

Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:54 AM

To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [disklavier] Request for better network functionality









 







Bill,






 









You mentioned previously that upgrades for pre Mark IV
Disklavier's was also in the works - considering that the DCD1 is no longer
available. Is this still on track?









 









Thanks in advance,









 









Rich Freeman









 









On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:28 AM, Bill Brandom wrote:





























 









Hello everyone,



 



Over a month ago I went to
Japan to discuss the next version update for the Disklavier Mark IV. Before I
went, I had assumed I would be able to report to the group of the new functions
that are planned in Version 4. This update is scheduled for release in the
spring.



 



After much discussion with
our Japanese Sales and Engineering staff, they have requested that I do not
make any announcements at this time. We plan to be showing a beta version of
the update at the upcoming NAMM show in January. As we have done in the past,
we will establish a beta group to test new functions.



 



I apologize for not being
able to give you any information at this time.



 



Bill



 



Bill Brandom



Senior Technical Manager



Keyboard Division



Yamaha Corporation of
America



Phone: 714-522-9417 FAX:
714-522-9301



 



 



 









From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Kevin Goroway

Sent: Tuesday, October 20,
2009 3:59 PM

To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [disklavier]
Request for better network functionality









 





















Hah! 
I think you give me too much credit.  I don't believe for a second that I
have any power what-so-ever to "nudge" Yamaha.  I think that
they do what they do because they really do want the DKV to stay the world's
greatest piano.  (Afterall, I've only had my piano for 2 years now...they
did plenty before I was around!)



I do admit that I listen very carefully to suggestions for how Yamaha can
improve the piano, and immediately try to figure out how I might be able to
provide the same thing.  DKVBrowser exists for one reason, and one reason
only.  When I bought my piano, there was no "Search"
functionality built in.  I found that unacceptable, and set out to fix it. 
If I had bought my piano one year later, when "search" had already
been added, I'm not sure what might have pushed me toward trying to figure this
all out.



Anyway, thanks...This made me smile.  But, yeah!  What happened to
the information about a forthcoming version?









 















From: Glenn R. Smutny <G.SMUTNY@...>

To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tue, October 20,
2009 6:05:25 PM

Subject: RE: [disklavier]
Request for better network functionality



 









With all due respect to Yamaha and
particularly the “face” that we all know and are thankful to have in our
corner– Bill Brandom, I love the way Kevin unintentionally but
effectively keeps nudging Yamaha to continue with their commitment to making
sure the DKV stays the world’s greatest piano. By the way, weren’t we supposed
to be hearing something about a new release about a month ago?



 



Thank you both for all that you do for us.
    



 















From: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: disklavier@yahoogro ups.com ]On
Behalf Of Kevin Goroway

Sent: Tuesday, October 20,
2009 4:39 PM

To: disklavier@yahoogro
ups.com

Subject: Re: [disklavier]
Request for better network functionality






 



 


















Hmm,
your 4th (and most important) request could be an interesting DKVBrowser
feature...



Of course, it would mean that a PC would have to be on and running DKVBrowser
while you were using that feature, but maybe that would be acceptable?



I suppose it makes sense to wait and see what Yamaha delivers in this next
promised release, but I don't think it would be difficult for me to implement
this... Basically, you point DKVBrowser at a directory, and tell it to play the
MIDI files in there...it would seamlessly place them on the piano, and start
playing...in the background, it could move the next file there, and when the
first file is done, it can automatically remove it and place the third file there. 
I already have the code to detect when a song is "finishing" since I
needed that for the "source random" feature.  Hmm...



-Kevin









 















From: mjburby <mark.burby@gmail. com>

To: disklavier@yahoogro
ups.com

Sent: Tue, October 20,
2009 12:49:52 PM

Subject: [disklavier]
Request for better network functionality



 






Hi



Not sure if this has been posted about before, but one feature I would LOVE to
see implemented on a future version of software is the ability for the
Disklavier to be able to access files from a networked hard drive. Having
access to networked hard drives offers many benefits including elimination of
storage limitations, stream music direct from the remote storage to the piano
over the network, cleaner backup of the internal hard drive, ability to manage
files better, no need to physically attach anything (USB stick USB hard drive
or CD) to the Disklavier other than the network cable which nearly all of us
have already.



Currently, the PRC has been programmed so that you don't get to chose which
locations it looks in, the PRC has these preset; you click on CD to access the
CD drive, USB for the USB port, and FromToPC to access the FromToPC folder on
the Disklavier hard drive. I appreciate that this is to enhance usability and
make things less complex but access to a directory list of music locations
accessible to the disklavier would not phase too many people out. If necessary,
this could be tucked away in the Setup section.



Firstly I would like to be able to list drives such as the CD, floppy, USB, and
hard disk as a list, and drill into the directory structure of each.



Secondly, I'd like the ability to add network drives to this list.



Thirdly, I'd like to be able to have the facility to move/copy files from one
location to another e.g. from my disklavier hard drive to my network drive or
vice versa



Fourthly (and most importantly) , to have the ability to play music stored on a
network drive directly, streaming it real time over the network (this could be
buffered in the disklavier much as the internet radio streams do) to basically
obviate the need for the attached hard drive.



I don't think I'm asking for too much - the functionality is there but the UI
on the PRC doesn't give you access to it.



Providing this functionality effectively eliminates the issue of the built in
hard disk space limitation and provides a cleaner way to ensure that the
disklavier hard drive is backed up.



Please please Yamaha implement this high value, low effort facility.

Move to quarantaine

This moves the raw source file on disk only. The archive index is not changed automatically, so you still need to run a manual refresh afterward.