Need help to play MP3's on SmartQ7

[Panther1]

Hi, Can anyone please give me step by step instuctions on how to play MP3's on my new SmartQ7?

It has Firmware V4 with Sonata. I can open Sonata but can't see how to load any files into it. I can find the mp3 files on SD card or usb drive using the file manager but when mp3's are opened, Sonata loads but that's all that happens.

I've searched the web trying to find instructions on this seemingly simple function to no avail.

I must be overlooking something obvious as it can't be that hard..can it?

Any help would be truly appreciated.

Rob

[Nation.A.List]

You need to add your music files to Sonata's library for it to play them (I can't remember how as I don't really use it as a music player )

[Panther1]

Originally Posted by Nation.A.List

You need to add your music files to Sonata's library for it to play them (I can't remember how as I don't really use it as a music player )

Thanks for trying to help. I realise that I need to add the files to the player, but how to do that is eluding me, as it must be for most other users it seems, considering no one seems able to answer this question.

[Nation.A.List]

Originally Posted by Panther1

Thanks for trying to help. I realise that I need to add the files to the player, but how to do that is eluding me, as it must be for most other users it seems, considering no one seems able to answer this question.

I have removed Sonata from my device and replaced it with Amarok. Try right clicking (long click with stylus).

[Panther1]

Originally Posted by Nation.A.List

I have removed Sonata from my device and replaced it with Amarok. Try right clicking (long click with stylus).

Hi and thanks for the advice.

I tried the right click thing but still don't see a way to add files.

I also had a look at Amarok. It looks very good but after downloading it I couldn't see a way to install it and apparently you need to install other software to make it work too. I'm a complete Linux novice. Does it show

[celtica96]

Originally Posted by Panther1

Hi and thanks for the advice.

I tried the right click thing but still don't see a way to add files.

I also had a look at Amarok. It looks very good but after downloading it I couldn't see a way to install it and apparently you need to install other software to make it work too. I'm a complete Linux novice. Does it show

I'm not an expert on Sonata but here's a link to some documentation that may help you.

See http://sonata.berlios.de/documentation.html

From the above, I suggest connecting a USB keyboard and then choosing one of the following methods to add things to the library:

Library Shortcuts:
Enter/Space: Add selected song(s) or enter directory
Backspace: Go to parent directory
Ctrl-D: Add selected song(s) or directory(s)
Ctrl-R: Replace with selected song(s) or directory(s)
Ctrl-T: Edit selected song's tags
Ctrl-Shift-D: Add selected item(s) and play
Ctrl-Shift-R: Replace with selected item(s) and play
Ctrl-U: Update selected item(s)/path(s)

I hope that helps.

P.S. The Soft Keyboard (Virtual Keyboard) should let you perform all of the above functions.

[Nation.A.List]

Originally Posted by Panther1

Hi and thanks for the advice.

I tried the right click thing but still don't see a way to add files.

I also had a look at Amarok. It looks very good but after downloading it I couldn't see a way to install it and apparently you need to install other software to make it work too. I'm a complete Linux novice. Does it show

Exactly how did you download it? We need to know, in order to possibly undo any problems, then we can help you to install it correctly I've tried Amarok now for a few days and I really like it.

[Panther1]

Hi, thanks very much for the help. Unfortunately it didn't work.
Sonata, for whatever reason, doesn't respond to any keyboard shortcuts and I can't work out how to add files without the shortcuts.
The instructions aren't very clear in that respect, at least to me.
The keyboard works fine on other applications though.

Thanks again.

[Panther1]

Originally Posted by Nation.A.List

Exactly how did you download it? We need to know, in order to possibly undo any problems, then we can help you to install it correctly I've tried Amarok now for a few days and I really like it.

Hi and thanks for responding.

When I said I downloaded it, it was on my PC. I then copied it to a usb drive and uncompressed it in the SmartQ7. It was at this stage that I couldn't see how to either run it, or install it (if it even needs to be installed).

I'm not even sure that I downloaded the correct version to work on the SmartQ7, there seemed to quite a few versions for different OS's and not being familiar with Linux I don't know what I'm doing.

[Nation.A.List]

Originally Posted by Panther1

Hi and thanks for responding.
When I said I downloaded it, it was on my PC. I then copied it to a usb drive and uncompressed it in the SmartQ7. It was at this stage that I couldn't see how to either run it, or install it (if it even needs to be installed).
I'm not even sure that I downloaded the correct version to work on the SmartQ7, there seemed to quite a few versions for different OS's and not being familiar with Linux I don't know what I'm doing.

Yep, I can confirm, you are not a Linux guru I suggest you use google and try and learn some basic linux stuff to help with using your Q7.
For now, delete the Amarok files you uncompressed onto your SmartQ7.
Run the app 'evilvte' and type the following code; "sudo leafpad etc/apt/sources.list" then edit the file to leave only 1 line that reads; "deb http://repository.handhelds.org/hasty-armv6el-vfp/ hasty main universe restricted multiverse" save and exit leafpad. While still in evilvte type "sudo apt-get update" followed by "sudo apt-get amarok". When done, exit evilvte. You should now have Amarok in your "Sound & Video" section of the main menu.
You ought to visit some other forums that specialise in the SmartQ devices to help you with your studies http://www.smartqmid.com/phpBB3/index.php & http://www.ill-logix.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

[Panther1]

Hi again. Thanks for trying to help, but it seems a lost cause. I tried doing what you said but when I try and save the file I get an error "No such file or directory". I noticed in one of the forums you listed, that you tried to help another user with playing mp3's. In the end he didn't reply so I assume he's given up too. (at least I'm not alone)

I really don't get Linux. Isn't this 2009? From the little I've seen of Linux it's like going back to DOS, except DOS was easy. No wonder Linux is free.

I'd like to thank everyone that's tried to help, I really do appreciate you taking the time. I may revisit this at a later date when my brain has stopped throbbing and enough time has passed that I'll have forgotton how confusing it all is.

Cheers

[Nation.A.List]

Originally Posted by Panther1

Hi again. Thanks for trying to help, but it seems a lost cause. I tried doing what you said but when I try and save the file I get an error "No such file or directory". I noticed in one of the forums you listed, that you tried to help another user with playing mp3's. In the end he didn't reply so I assume he's given up too. (at least I'm not alone)

I really don't get Linux. Isn't this 2009? From the little I've seen of Linux it's like going back to DOS, except DOS was easy. No wonder Linux is free.

I'd like to thank everyone that's tried to help, I really do appreciate you taking the time. I may revisit this at a later date when my brain has stopped throbbing and enough time has passed that I'll have forgotton how confusing it all is.

Cheers

I guess you mean after you did the "sudo leafpad etc/apt/sources.list" bit. Ooooops my error should be "sudo leafpad /etc/apt/sources.list" (one / missing at beginning) linux is rather unforgiving. Please give me one more chance, try it again, Amarok is worth it!

Still no formatting or smilies available ?

[Panther1]

[QUOTE=Nation.A.List;582008]I guess you mean after you did the "sudo leafpad etc/apt/sources.list" bit. Ooooops my error should be "sudo leafpad /etc/apt/sources.list" (one / missing at beginning) linux is rather unforgiving. Please give me one more chance, try it again, Amarok is worth it!

QUOTE]

Thanks for persevering with me.

I did as you said and it worked up to the point of "sudo apt-get amarok".
I get a message "E: Invalid operation amarok"

Looks like I'm almost there. Any idea what to do now?

[Nation.A.List]

[QUOTE=Panther1;582230]

Originally Posted by Nation.A.List

I guess you mean after you did the "sudo leafpad etc/apt/sources.list" bit. Ooooops my error should be "sudo leafpad /etc/apt/sources.list" (one / missing at beginning) linux is rather unforgiving. Please give me one more chance, try it again, Amarok is worth it!
QUOTE]

Thanks for persevering with me.
I did as you said and it worked up to the point of "sudo apt-get amarok".
I get a message "E: Invalid operation amarok"
Looks like I'm almost there. Any idea what to do now?

Did you do the "sudo apt-get update" before you did the "sudo apt-get amarok"? as it needs to check what apps are available before you do your first install.

Remember in linux spelling/capitalisation (missing brackets ) etc is critical and it's not very helpful with it's error messages, so double check before hitting enter. You'll get used to it eventually

EDIT Googled "linux E: Invalid operation" and found this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=988135 check the first reply. Classic mistype caused the error, so your most likely cause

[Panther1]

Right, tried it again a number of times and still get the same message.
The "sudo apt-get update" worked first time, seemed to download a bunch of files. I tried it again and it didn't download, just showed a list of the files, as I assume they were already there from the first download.

Tried "sudo apt-get amarok" again, still no joy. If I enter just "sudo apt-get" it shows me a list of commands and options, so it seems the problem is with "amarok". It's as if it doesn't understand "amarok" or "amarok" isn't available.

I've checked the spelling etc, and I'm sure I'm entering it as you've shown.


Don't know where to go from here.