VisualMR/PocketPC: PocketPC as a remote control for the Roku SoundBridge

VisualMR V1 for WindowsMobile

If you have a PocketPC that has access to your home network (e.g. WLAN or Bluetooth AP), VisualMR will turn it into a cool, feature rich and easy to use remote control that controls all your SoundBridges from anyplace with LAN access.

On this page you'll find the old, stable version V1.6. The current version V2 for WindowsMobile can be downloaded here.

Main differences between V1.6 and V2 are

Support for older firmware V2.x (up to V3.0)
Based on .Net V1.1 insted on .Net V2.0
Only very limited support for internet radio / RadioRoku
Cover art only in "Now Playing", not in browse-lists
No lyrics support
No persistentet cache

All changes can be found in VisualMR's version history.

Installation Requirements

Your PocketPC needs a network connection to your SoundBridge. The easiest way is using WLAN if you own a WLAN-enabled PocketPC.
Your SoundBridge must run firmware version V2.5, V2.7 or V3.0
On your PocketPC you need the .NET Compact Framework 1.0 (SP2, SP3 recommended). All modern PocketPCs (2003SE or 5.0) come with .Net 1.0SP2 or SP3 preinstalled.
For older PocketPCs you'll probably need to install it: Just download CF 1.0 SP3 from Microsoft and start the installation on your PC. See F.A.Q. for more details

If you like to buy a PocketPC for running VisualMR I've compiled a few general recommendations in my VisualMR-FAQ.

Updating from older VisualMR

If you already installed a previous version of VisualMR just install the new one overwriting the older version. Important: Make sure that the old version isn't running when installing the update. You can end VisualMR in the 'Select SoundBridge' form using 'File'/'Exit' (or simply reset your PocketPC).

Download and Installation

> Click to Download VisualMR V1.6.0 for PocketPC <

If you like VisualMR please consider donating to support its development.

Installation

Please read the enclosed ReadMe carefully, especially that the software is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind and that you use it on your own risk :-)

The downloaded zip-compressed file contains the ReadMe and the installers (CAB-files) for VisualMR as well as the BlueGlass-Skin.

Just copy the provided 'VisualMR_PPC.CAB' to your PocketPC (for example using ActiveSync) and execute it on the PocketPC using FileExplorer. The Installer will create a directory 'VisualMR' under '\Program Files' and create a shortcut into "Start Menu/Programs". Nothing else is installed or altered.

For VisualMR to run correctly you also need to install the 'BlueGlass' skin that comes with VisualMR: Therefore copy+install 'Blueglass.XXX.CAB' as you've done with VisualMR.CAB described above. There are two versions of 'BlueGlass':

Blueglass.VGA for VGA PocketPCs (like XDA IV, MDA Pro, HP hx4700, Dell X51v,...)
Blueglass.Standard for all other PocketPCs

If in doubt you can install both versions of BlueGlass on the same PocketPC.

Deinstallation

To uninstall just go to 'Start'/'Settings'/'System'/'Remove Programs' and select 'tl-it.de VisualMR' and 'tl-it.de VisualMR BlueGlass' for removal.

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