How-To: Control iTunes from any web browser
posted December 13th 2005 4:22PM
For today's how-to we're going to set up a simple web server in XP so that we can control iTunes remotely. Engadget reader Jordan Parker was tired of having to walk into the other room to change tracks so he put together the PHP script we'll be using. The page it generates should be usable on any device with a web browser. Similar solutions exist for OS X. Click on to get the full skinny — it's worth your time, promise!
The first thing you need to do is download this zip file
containing the PHP and image files. Unzip it in a directory you can find later.
Next you’ll need to install a web server. We’re using BRS WebWeaver since it is really lightweight, approximately
375KB. Download
BRS WebWeaver here. The install is straightforward and you won’t need to change any of the defaults.
PHP is the next piece that needs to be added. Download the PHP 5.1.1 installer. The installer will ask you which HTTP server you would like to configure. Since BRS WebWeaver isn’t on the list select “None”. We will configure it manually.
After the PHP install has completed, start BRS WebWeaver.
Select “Options > Server Config”. Click on “HTTP Server” in the tree. Use the button next to the “Virtual Root” text box to select the directory that you unzipped the PHP files to.
Now click on the + sign next to “HTTP Server” to expand the tree. Select “PHP” in the tree. Click the check box for “Enable PHP Processing”. For “Location of PHP.EXE” you need to navigate to the folder where PHP is installed. If you chose all of the defaults it will be located at “c:\php\php-cgi.exe”. Click “Save”.
Now click on “File > Start HTTP Server”. XP should generate a firewall warning since the web server is opening a port. Click “Unblock”.
Now the server is completely set up and ready to test out. First, open iTunes and start a song playing. Then, open a browser window and navigate to the front-end. Since you are on the same computer as iTunes, go to “http://localhost/player.php”. You should see an interface identical to the one at the top of this post. If it works move to a different computer on your network and try the test again, this time replacing “localhost” with the actual IP of the computer hosting iTunes (or it’s NetBIOS or DNS name, if you want to get fancy).
We’d like to thank Jordan Parker for his fine work. He said he thinks he’s not the best PHP programmer and is interested in seeing what improvements and modifications others will make to his code, but we think he done good.
OR! you could download Tuneconnect. Until this is a standard iTunes feature, it's IMHO the most desirable alternative. copy and paste
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/ipod_itunes/tuneconnect.html
Hey it asks me for username and password. Can anyone help
"Here are some links that instruct on how to setup access in iTunes of remote libraries over the internet. I've done this to access my home library while I'm at work. My home computer is a mac and my work computer is a Win XP machine."
Couldn't you just set up a VPN if you wanted to share using iTunes on Windows XP? Since there is a built in VPN server.
What I would like is to keep iTunes in a single account only, my brother installed it and now every time I press the MEDIA button in my keyboard iTunes comes up instead of my wanted Windows Media Player. Also a new service starts in my session and I honestly am starting to hate this program as also a link appeared on my desktop and in my Start-Programs.
I know that these can be tweaked but that's not the point, the point is that it shouldnt expand to AllUsers
I just run VNC server on my Windows PC running iTunes, and I can log in from any PC on the newtwork: Windows, Linux, or Mac OS. It's useful for more than iTunes, too.
okay little help here. I looked up my PC's IP address and in my PSP I typed "http://myip/player.php" and I am getting a password prompt. Is there something I am doing wrong?
Another solution to control ITunes from another room... Remote Desktop to the PC next to the stereo. In the Local Resources tab, leave the sound at the remote computer. Control away
The Mac solution referenced in the article is how I do it between multiple Macs around the house. The iMac in the office has the iTunes library. It plays through the stereo in the lounge via an AirportExpress. There's also speakers in the kitchen and office linked to the stereo. The kitchen has an SE/30 and an old web browser pointing at my iMac's webserver which has a modified version of the php script so I can change tracks when sat in the kitchen. The SE/30 of course can't run iTunes.
The SE/30 also controls a number of kitchen appliances (like switching on the kettle from my office iMac via some more applescript) via X10 and acts as a fax/voicemail server. Handy little thing.
Is it me, or a better solution is simply to control the other pc by using a vpn or VNC? They're also free and very simple to set up. That way you have control of not just iTunes but the entire computer.
Tx
This is pretty cool but if you have the extra cash, go out and get a Sonos system.
I'd like to see someone come up with a solution similar to the PHP script, but as a full-featured Ajax setup. I'd love to do it, but I have very limited Javascript/HTML/Etc experience, as a student so far I've mostly had C...
anybody know how to get it to work if the computer that has itunes is on a wireless router?
laaaaame. Are you people that lazy that you can't walk over to a different terminal to change songs? jeez. What are you doing on the remote computer that is so important that you can't get up for less than 2 minutes? Yes, I can see the use for it, but that doesn't take away from the laziness factor. It doesn't take too long to figure out why the obesity levels are so obscene...
Flame away, I care not. I am not a troll, I'm making a point.
Sure man! Yeah you can get up of that chair once or twice, but it starts getting pretty old when you have to do it over and over.
VCN Period - end of story....
I have a router and keep getting the 404 error, can someone please help!!!!
ive made a version veiwable on cellphones. u can veiw it at www.cycodude.com:81. also ive seen some ppl have tryed to use xampp, but ive tryed to and it will not work cause it doesnt use php version 5.1.1 that will let you use com controlls. also the beta of xampp that uses php 5.1.1 will not work cause it disables com controlls.
dpsleep / cycodude
Looks nice, will probably work better with my PPC than the original.
How about making the source available.
For those having trouble getting the original to work:
Unable to open COM - my fix for this was to replace the Quicktime alternative player with the proper Apple one.
Timeout on php script - move the php.ini file to the same dir as php-cgi, enable dcom & extend the timeout parameter (not sure which was the problem)
How did you get the volume up and down?
I have redone all the grafics to itunes v.6
I have added a basic library feature which extracts data from iTunes and displays a list of tracks which can be played. The track listing can be filtered by genre. Download the new version. http://www.pjdaniel.org.uk/webtunes/
I've built a standalone webserver for windows that requires no additional software to be installed. I call it rTunes and you can get it from the link above. My UI isn't as pretty, but it is totally open for modification.
since the link for downloading the php scrips doesnt work i looked in that jordan guys blog http://www.badongo.com/file.php?file=iTunes%20PHP%20Script__2005-12-01_itunesPHP.zip
there it is
The easiest way to do this as well as allow people to download your tracks from a remote location is with DOT-TUNES for Mac & Windows.
http://www.dottunes.net
It comes with Client, Server and Tracker applications which allow you to share your tracks, connect to other servers and the Tracker is like a Directory of Servers from around the world where you can connect and download music from within someone elses iTunes Library.