Conceive a kind of database, a tool, that would help you to trace back, where the requested song is hiding in the player. Imagine, that database would control the player and load the requested song on the fly... Now stop the music you will probably say, that's fiction!

Well, then for sure you have never heard about WINTRAX(R), a software that does all that, and a lot more! The program interfaces the Pioneer(R) PDF-series CD-changers and the Sony(R) CDP-CX100 disc changer.

Back in 1997 we were looking for CD (mega) changers of different manufacturers, to cover the nightprogram at our local radiostation. This was when we stumbled over the WINTRAX(R) web site (www.wintektx.com) and were amazed about the possibilities of that product. This made decision easy, to go with Pioneer(R) PDF-906 changers.

The fact that the software would interface the players through a standard LPT port without additional 'blackbox', and the fact that you may control up to eight players is just impressing. System requirements are moderate, so a 486 cpu running at 66 MHz and 8 mb of memory will do it. If you need longer cable runs, a deluxe LPT card is available, that allows cable runs up to 100 ft. Longer runs can also be accomplished by using the PSR serial controller.

In the setup menu you need to specify what type of players are online. Just to mention it, Pioneer(R) AD-PD1 controllers are supported as well.

Next what is to do, is to connect the player and enter the songs into the database. Hard times, you may say, if you imagine yourself entering hundreds of CD tracks. WINTRAX(R) supports direct importing of data from a program that is able of capturing CD data from the worldwideweb. You simply slip the CD into your CD-ROM and click the 'get data' button. A few seconds later, artist, title, song and times are captured, and the data can be imported to WINTRAX(R) later. "CD-Wizzard" for Windows 95 is such a program. It's shareware and it's worth the little fee!

If you enter the data on your own, and use two players as a minimum, you may skip the time entry field. If that field is left blank and the song will be played later on, time entry to the database is done automatically at song end.

All you need to start now, is setting up playlists with your favourite songs and, of course, enjoy the music! Creating a playlist is an easy task, as the software allows you to browse the data, either by artist, song or album. Once a playlist is built, you may shuffle it, repeat it endless, modify it, etc..., save it.

If you use two or more players online, ability is given to 'player separate' the songs. The software will then swap playing songs from each player online (alternate). All it does, it gets the next song 'cued' (means 'get ready') on an idle player, whilst a song is playing. If it receives the EOM signal that the song is over, it immediately starts playing the already 'cued' song.

By using WINTRAX(R) you will experience a new way of listening to your music, you'll find songs, you never thought of having them.

Every song is assigned to at least one music category, like Pop, Rock, Jazz,... one or more users, and a rating from 0 to 9. Rating allows you to create hitlists on your own. By setting filters, it is possible to have only songs selected out of one or several categories. Want to listen to country music now? Too lazy to pick songs out of the search grids? Let WINTRAX(R) do the job for you. Just select the appropriate music category (or several), the number of tracks it shall select and start the autolist function. The program will generate a random playlist. Sounds too simple!? Well, it is!

For every album or track, you may assign a bmp file (e.g. scanned album cover) that is displayed whilst the song is playing. An attractive gadget for the outfit of the main screen.

Wave files may be accessed too, just a matter of discspace. Assign them to player 9, control type 'wave' and just insert them in any playlist just like CD-tracks.

To make life easier, reports may be generated in many ways (by artist/album....)

A nice feature, that provides detailed documentation of your database. Tray report shows at a glance what is online.

Password security is another important feature that needs to be mentioned, especially for applications where several people will use the software (like on our radiostation). Enabling passwords will prevent your data from being deleted/manipulated by mistake. When we first introduced WINTRAX(R) on the air, we thought we would mainly use it to handle the nightprogram. In fact, we experienced that the DJs like to compose their own playlists for use in their programs. Furthermore, by using the manual control function, they are allowed to access any track immediately. Wishes from listeners who are calling on the request line, are now addressed in no time.

The software is very stable and flexible too. It allows the user to resize searchgrids, in any order that suits. If you like to have artist on the first column, rather than the songtitle, just drag it to the position requested. Settings are saved on program exit. If you mess up things, recovering to the defaults is just a mouseclick.

What's most important, is the support you get from WINTEK software company. Any problem we posted was answered to our convenience.

Off the WINTRAX(R) Internet page (www.wintektx.com/download.htm) you may download a free demo, that allows you to accommodate with the software. Want to test the interface between your computer and the player? The Home Jukebox Software (DOS Version) allows you to try it out! This demo, that may be downloaded from this website as well, runs in a restricted form. It allows you, once started, to send 6 commands to the player. Enough to check-out everything!

According to us, WINTRAX(R) is a must for every music freak who is in possession of a Pioneer(R) or Sony CDP-CX100 changer.

And finally as usual: Enjoy your music!

For the "R.O.M. 106.5 Fm" Team:

-Serge SIMON-LUXEMBOURG