Apple II Control of CD Jukeboxes

[transit@wco.com (Chet Gerhardt)]

Regarding Apple II control of Home Audio Systems:
 
Is anyone working on anything like this for the Apple II Family of
computers?
 
This company has developed PC and Mac based controls for audio CD
Jukeboxes.
 
It would be nice if we had something like this, think of it, using your
Apple II to run your stereo system.
 
(Pardon the length of the post)
 
from http://www.flash.net/~wintek/
 
(quote follows)
 
PC/MAC Control of Pioneer. CD Audio Jukeboxes
 
   Wintek Software Company of Fort Worth Texas is proud to announce the
   release of two new computer products. The PSR-4 and the PSR-8 are
   micro-processor based controllers that bridge the personal
   computer/compact-disc audio jukebox gap. More specifically, the units
   provide control of all models of the Pioneer. 18-, 25-, 50+1, and
   100-discs Compact Disc players from your personal computer, using a
   computers' RS-232 serial port and a simple ascii text protocol. The
   units interface with the CD players sending and receiving signals
   providing total control of the players. The players' end-of- music
   signal is monitored and sent immediately to the software to start the
   next song. Since the interface jacks are already built into the
   players, there's no modifications required. The products give
   programmers the needed hook to write music control software. Wintek
   built the devices to help fill large gap in the consumer music control
   software market. The controllers can be used to allow home-automation
   software packages to communicate with the home music system. The
   firmware will also control as many Pioneer. Video Laser Discs and
   Cassette Decks at the same time! The hardware works with MAC computers
   or PC compatibles.
 
   Technically, you just open your serial communications port and send a
   simple command like [1CDPL]. The "1" tells the controller that you are
   talking to player one, the "CD" designator tells the controller to use
   the "CD player" lingo, and the "PL" designator tells the player to
   play! It's that simple. All valid commands are supported and a raw
   command is also supported that allows for future expansion, should new
   commands be added along the way! Since each type of device has a
   different lingo, you can hook a CD player, Laser Player, and Cassette
   deck all on one output and not have any conflict. This means you can
   control up to 8 of each type of device.
 
   The PSR-4 retails for $249 and controls up to four Pioneer.
   CD-players, and the PSR-8 retails for $299 and controls up to eight
   CD-players/LD players and cassette decks. Dealer inquiries are welcome
   and quantity discounts are available.
 
   If you're not a programmer, Wintek Software Company also sells Home
   Jukebox, a DOS based software product that controls the hardware. The
   program provides control for up to four CD-players. You can create
   individual lists of music for every occassion, and then at the push of
   a button, play back those songs, either in the order selected or
   randomly. It can also dump the program list to the memory built in to
   the players, so you can free up the computer. Home Jukebox also can
   run in the background in Microsoft Windows.. The program provides
   "random play" among all the players using only songs you like! Home
   Jukebox has an optional X-10. interface for home automation. You can
   plug an inexpensive 22-button X-10. Maxi-controller into any outlet in
   the home to control the software and music. Home Jukebox starts
   as-low-as $149 (without X-10 or PSR options).
 
If anyone is working on anything like this please e-mail me.
 
Chet