Jukeboxy.com

Jukebox n. is like a large, coin-operated stereo that contains a set of albums and the mechanism to select and play songs. Originally, jukeboxes played vinyl LPs of every size, but newer models use CDs, DVDs or digital music files.

Today, you can find a vintage jukebox as a retro diner or collector's home. In fact, the word "jukebox" has evolved with the digital age, and is much more likely to refer to a computer program that manages your digital music files. Like its mechanical counterpart, this tool helps you select, arrange, and mix songs in your library, giving you full control over your video/music collection.

Many of us have always wanted to have a Jukebox, one of those wonderful entertainment devices in which we can play music, watch our favorite artist’s videos and give a warm atmosphere to any place. Generally, the major obstacle is the high cost of these and even more, how difficult it is to find one of these beautiful objects in good state.

The idea of this website is to teach how to build the ultimate digital Jukebox for your home, not to mention how profitable these machines are on a rental business basis, (you would be surprised with the amounts of money they can collect on a short period of time).

 Building your own jukebox is an awesome project. It does require some time from your part to build it, but at the end you'll see, it worth.
A good thing of this project is that can be started from things present in almost every home and software available for free on the internet.

• the software, available free for home users
• the sound, a good set of PC speakers
• an old PC, the perfect place for your previous computer

Optionally you can add

• a cabinet, a wood podium can do the job
• a coin acceptor, if you plan to use it publicly

Once you have the three main components working together, pc, speakers and software, other features can be added progressively following the guides published here, or using your own ideas to create the ultimate digital jukebox just to your liking and specifications.

The operation is very simple and only requires the software and a numeric keypad or the numeric set of your keyboard.

If you want to give extra comfort and and a state of the art hi-tech feeling to your jukebox operation, other option though slightly more expensive, is to use a touch screen monitor, the more direct way to program and enjoy the audiovisual media inside your new toy.

To make the heart of the machine, the PC behaves and feels like a real jukebox it is recommended to use a specially designed solution for this purpose, one that combines the easy to use paradigm of a traditional jukebox, a closest to cero failing/maintenance autonomous working record with a professional eye-catching interface; for us the obvious choice should be VRockola PRO the de-facto standard for customized digital jukeboxes, developed for almost 9 years of continued research and improvement offers a free simple solution for home jukebox users and serious rental business entrepreneurs.

 

With the same working model of a traditional jukebox, VRockola has almost a zero learning curve, means that even a non-experienced user can start play music in seconds.

 

VRockola PRO - Playlist

 
The modern-looking interface attracts immediate attention, and the best for low budget home users, has unlimited time free license.

Some of VRockola features included are:

 

VRockola PRO - Configuration panels

______

After you install VRockola, the software search classify and display the media ordered by artist, album or category in a graphic environment that allows to program music & videos in the well known traditional jukebox way ( typing the number assigned to each media file).

VRockola - Recomended folder layout
(Windows Media Player folder org.)
 

You can add a coin receiver connected trough the mouse and make it work in conjunction with the software to make selection available only after the insertion of a coin (credit).

1. Press [P] to add a credit or insert a coin (see how to install a coin receiver)
2. Type the number of the song or video you want to play.

VRockola PRO - (1) Credit insertion; (2) Video/Song selection

VRockola is designed to be controlled totally with a numeric keypad (or the right side of a standard keyboard)

VRockola PRO - Numeric keypad navigation keys
 

Optionally you can use arrows keys, but remember that for commercial use, the numeric keypad and a coin receiver connected to the mouse are enough to operate VRockola as a jukebox.

VRockola PRO - Arrows (optional navigation keys)
 

Start using VRockola PRO:

1.Execute VRockola ( Start > Programs > VRockola PRO > VRockola PRO
2.After a few seconds you will see music organized in panels showing the album title, artist name, songs (VRockola assigns a unique number to every one) and album art covers (click here to know how to add album art covers to VRockola):

VRockola PRO - Video/Song selection screen

 

3. On the numeric pad use [*] and [ / ] keys to navigate trough the music or [Up] / [Down] arrow keys to jump between music genres.

 

The following Numeric pad keys are used to control VRockola:

	Back /Forward Use [*] and [ / ], to navigate screens one by one. * (or [Right] / [Left] arrow keys).
	Last /Next Genre Use [-] / [+] to jump between music genres. * (or [Up] / [Down] arrow keys)
	Show Playlist Press [Num-Lock] to show the Playlist
	Toggle fullscreen Press numerical [ENTER] to show fullscreen video when you haven’t programmed all inserted credits

The following keys are used to play and stop songs (shouldn’t be available to the public):

	Credit Insertion Press [P] key to add credits * (use [LeftMouseButton] to connect a coin receiver)
	Play a random song Press [TAB] key to let the software select and play a free random song
	Stop current song Press [SPACE BAR] to skip current song
	Exit VRockola Press [Q] to EXIT VRockola * (or [RightMouseButton], or [ESC] key )

 

This is a example of a basic Jukebox using a wood podium, an old PC with a good set of speakers and some creativity.

Things You'll Need: A touchscreen LCD monitor at least 15 inches in size A LCD TV wall mount A computer (preferably a compact computer) The jukebox management software Download A good set of computer speakers, preferably a 2.1 setup A podium (buy or build custom)

Instructions

1. Step 1 Find a spot for the computer (inside the podium). Most podiums have a shelf built into them that works great. If not, make sure that you place the computer in a secure stable spot to assure that it does not move around too much.
    

2. Step 2 Connect the speakers to the computer. There will be room left inside the base of the podium to put your speakers. It is recommended to use a 2.1 speaker system (two satellite speakers and a subwoofer).
    

3. Step 3 Find a spot for the monitor (on top of the podium). Podiums are naturally built with an angled top to give presenters/speakers an easy view of their writing. This makes them ideal for use in building a home jukebox. After you have aligned the monitor in the exact spot you want it, draw a light pencil outline around the monitor.
    

4. Step 4 Mount the monitor. Using the pencil outline as a guide, screw the LCD/TV monitor mount to the top of the podium. After you have done that, drill a small hole behind the mount, which will act as a place to run the monitor cord. Attach the monitor to the LCD/TV mount using the instructions and hardware supplied.
    

5. Step 5 Run the cords and make connections. Start off by connecting the monitor to the computer. Connect one end of the monitor cord to the monitor, and drop the other end through the top of the podium (using the hole you drilled previously). Also, drop the monitor power cord through. Connect the other ends of these two cords into the computer, and power on the computer.
    

6. Step 6 Set up your music playback program. Using a keyboard and mouse to start off, load all of your music onto an MP3 playback program such as iTunes. After you are done, disconnect keyboard and mouse. You will be using the touchscreen for any future programming.
    

7. Step 7 Test out the sound. Play a couple of songs to assure that sound levels are set to your liking.
    

8. Step 8 Add any extras you would like and customize. This can range from mounting lights on the sides of the podium to painting and resurfacing it. Tips & Warnings If you are thinking about doing this, take time with the project. Resurfacing a wooden podium can make the jukebox look much more professional. Also, black paint gives it a great look.

Tips & Warnings

If you are thinking about doing this, take time with the project. Resurfacing a wooden podium can make the jukebox look much more professional. Also, black paint gives it a great look.

 How to Build a Digital Jukebox | eHow.com