Win500 Android Client

Description:

Win500 Android Client is a streaming client for the popular Win500 scanner software. You must have access to a computer running StarrSoft's Win500 monitor software to use this app. The app allows you to listen to (and control) your desktop scanner via your Android device while you are across the house or across the world. This Win500 Android Client is SOLD SEPARATELY from the original Win500 from StarrSoft. The Software Handyman, Inc. and StarrSoft are two separate identities.

Special notes:

• DISABLE Task Killers (or put this app in the white list!)
• It is easier to use copy/paste to enter the registration name & key.
• Dim button only dims the physical scanner's display, nothing in the app is dimmed.
• You will need to configure your router to forward a port if you want to listen to the scanner outside of your local network.
• There WILL be a delay! It takes time to send audio and commands via the internet. On a local network, this delay can be as low as a fraction of a second. Over the internet with a slow connection, it could be up to a few seconds. The same thing will happen if you watch a live tv stream via the internet and watch the same feed via a tv with an antenna (not cable, satellite or with a DVR). TV streaming over the net has a significant delay. NASA TV is a great example that you usually test this with.
• The Sound Delay Factor advanced option can reduce the delay, but, if it is too low, you will have stutter in the audio because the app has not received the next audio message in time to continue playing.

Download Link:

win500a_v1_4.apk - Version 1.4

• Added option to lock the keypad via the menu or double-tap on the LCD
• Added option to send data to bluetooth device, if running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later. This option must be enabled in the advacned settings, it defaults to OFF/DISABLED. The Play/Pause button on the bluetooth device hits the "Select" button on the radio.
• Swiping up/down in landscape mode switches between the big LCD and normal LCD

win500a_v1_3.apk - Version 1.3

• Fixed issues with registration code entry and newlines
• Added option to mute the audio via the menu

win500a_v1_2.apk - Version 1.2

• Added option to auto reconnect on errors
• Added system alert sound and vibration on failure while in background

win500a_v1_1a.apk - Version 1.1a

• Fixed bug causing random error after listening for some time

win500a_v1_1.apk - Version 1.1

• Added landscape mode
• Added large LCD
• Added dark theme
• Added exit option in the menu

win500a_v1_0.apk - Version 1.0 - Initial release

Quick Setup Test Hint:

Load StarrSoft's remote app on the same computer as the main win500 app and test via pc to ensure everything (audio, transmission) is working with win500 before trying the Android client. Make sure your data cable and audio patch cables are hooked up. You can load the win500 windows client on the same machine as win500 is running. I am planning on adding a page on how to set this and port forwarding up.

Settings Dialog:

• Check Home Address to use the HOME network settings, uncheck for AWAY settings.
• Home is for your local area network, same network as the win500 server.
• Away is for when you are not connected to the same network as the win500 server.
• Home and Away Ports are the ports you have the win500 server on, or forwarded from.
• Notification sounts are for disconnect alerts when failure in background.
• (Display) Check the Keep Awake option to prevent your screen from turning off while streaming.
• (Display) Hide the stop button removes the stop button from the display, you will need to stop streaming via the menu.
• (Display) Use big LCD makes the LCD display huge and removes many buttons.
• (Display) Screen Orientation - choose which way you want to lock the screen, or let the sensor decide.
• (Display) Screen color theme - choose dark or light color scheme.
• (Advanced) Timeout changes how long to wait for network communications before giving up.
• (Advanced) Reconnect amount - how many times to attempt to reconnect before giving up.
• (Advanced) Delay between reconnect - how long in seconds between reconnect attempts.
• (Advanced) Sound Delay Factor adjusts the sound buffer. If you are hearing stuttering, increase this number. It will increase the delay, but you will end up with much smoother sound.

Android Permissions Needed:

• Network communication - allows access to network stream, connect to the win500 server.
• Phone Calls - so the audio can stop if you get a call. Android pairs phone status & identity as one permission. I only get the status, and would have preferred to only have that permission, but that's how Android is.

Registration Information:

Trial is limited to 5000 data packets (about 5-6 minutes) of streaming per day.
Registration removes this limit and costs $10.
Win500 Android Client is SOLD SEPARATELY from the official Win500 software.

Click here to register

When entering registration information, it must be EXACT, case sensitive, spaces - EVERYTHING.

Screen Shots:

Future Ideas & Possible Upgrades:

• Chat feature to allow communication back and forth to the server
• Automatic or button to check for updated version
• Stats display (RSSI, Battery, Zeromatic)
• Mute Audio (not sure if needed, can use phone's volume)
• Backlight button to adjust LCD window as well as physical scanner
• Change server options from just home/away to a list of servers to connect to

Contact Support:

Send an email to win500a@thesoftwarehandyman.com We'll get you working!

Special thanks to Don & Barry!

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