09 Mar 10 VortexBox 1.2 released

The VortexBox community has been working hard on this release. We have added a lot of new features to make VortexBox the best NAS for SqueezeBox. These include adding the new SqueezeBox Server 7.4.2 and fixing some critical bugs in VortexBox Player. VortexBox Player is now the highest resolutions (192/24) player available that is compatible with SqueezeBox Server (SBS).

The new package manager allows new software packages to be installed from the GUI. The Sonos web GUI can now be installed from the GUI making VortexBox the best NAS for Sonos players.

We have fixed the mp3 encoding with better support for genre and cover art that works well in all applications. Thanks to everybody in the community for helping out.

• Logitech SqueezeBox Server 7.4.2 pre installed and configured
• Package manager for installing new software from the GUI
• Better support for mp3s (thanks Ron)
• Many bug fixes including VortexBox player

To update use the GUI update menu.

13 Feb 10 Mobile VortexBox

Check out this article from Computer Audiophile. Jesus put a VortexBox in his 1934 Ford! He’s using the new VortexBox Player connected directly to his car radio. Nothing like having you full music collection on the go.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Mobile-Vortexbox-Player-MVP

02 Feb 10 Valentine’s Day Sale

Buy a VortexBox appliance for your Valentine! Use the coupon code VDAY to save $25 off a VortexBox appliance. From now until Valentine’s Day.

http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/

01 Feb 10 VortexBox 1.1 released

I very excited about this release of VortexBox. We are moving from being just a media server to a music player as well. This version of VortexBox includes VortexBox Player. You can use your internal sound card or external USB DAC to play your music. VortexBox Player supports music recorded at up to 24-bit/192kHz. This is higher then most players support including the Sonos and SqueezeBox line of hardware players.

We have also added a lot of other great features requested by the VortexBox, SqueezeBox, and Sonos communities. Here is a list of the new features.

- VortexBox Player as the default software player.
- Cover are added to all mp3 files for easy use in iTunes and XBMC.
- Option to have mp3 or AAC mirror updated after ripping.

If you have a recent version of VortexBox you can update using the GUI software updater. If you have an older version without the GUI updated use

yum update

from command line.

If you are upgrading from an older version you will need to run
setup-vb-player
from command line to get VortexBox Player working.

15 Jan 10 VortexBox player BETA released

We are starting to work toward a software player for VortexBox. The first BETA is available today if anybody is interested in trying it.

There is more information about the VortexBox Player here.

Installation instructions are here.

Please post your results to the user forum. Thanks.

21 Dec 09 VortexBox 1.0 released

After several months of hard work we have released VortexBox 1.0. It has many of the features requested by the community including

* FLAC to Apple Lossless (m4a) mirroring through the web GUI
* MusicBrainz and CDDB used for ID3 tags
* Tool tips for each section in the GUI
* Logitech SqueezeCenter 7.4.1 pre installed and configured
* Software upgrade through the web GUI

1.0 also has a lot of bug fixes including better handling of existing cover art. You can update to this version using this from the command line.

yum update

If you have squeezecenter you will need to do this first. http://vortexbox.org/2009/10/squeezebox-server-on-vortexbox/

if you have a version before 0.7 you will need to do this or reload from the ISO.

http://vortexbox.org/2009/06/vortexbox-06-to-07-upgrades/

17 Nov 09 Price drop on SqueezeRadio

The price was just dropped on the SqueezeBox Radio to $149. If you haven’t bought one yet buy it here and help out the VortexBox project.

EDIT: It looks like they raised the price.

06 Nov 09 Announcing the VortexBox Micro Appliance

A lot of people asked me for a smaller version of the VortexBox appliance. One that they could hide under their equipment. We have worked hard and I think we have what these users want. The new micro appliance draws only 6 watts and is smaller then the SqueezeBox itself. The Micro Appliance has no moving parts (other than the hard drive).

Small Green Computer is now selling VortexBox Micro Appliance. I’ll post some more pictures when I get a chance.

05 Nov 09 VortexBox appliance now sold through Small Green Computer

We are now selling the VortexBox appliance through Small Green Computer. Small Green Computer is a true e-commerce site and will be much easier than using Amazon or eBay. The small profit from each appliance still goes to the VortexBox project.

Small Green Computer will be carrying an expanded product line including a 2TB version of the original appliance and the new VortexBox Micro Appliance.

http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/

21 Oct 09 FLAC to CD

Ever wanted to get your FLACs back on a CD to play in your car CD player. Now you can. The latest update to VortexBox now has a script called flac2cd.sh. From command line cd to the folder with your FLACs. Insert a blank CD and type flac2cd.sh.

The disk will eject in a few min and you can play it in your CD player!