Music Center Jukebox System Updates

A bevy of system updates and upgrades have just been released by our development partner, Qsonix corporation. If you currently own or are planning to purchase one of the Rock-Ola Music Center Jukebox series, please take a moment to read about the new features. Release notes for Version 2.6 are available at  the Rock-Ola website:

Version 2.6 Music Center Jukebox Release Notes

This latest release offers a few significant changes that I think really improve on an already great system.

• Track Composer feature added. This is HUGE for a lot of music fans. Now in addition to album and track details allowing search by Artist, Album, etc., users can now search tracks by composer. When available from the AMG network, track composer information will be automatically added to all search functions, including the IE remote interface. Music files stored on the system prior to the upgrade has had or will have this information added during your next system maintenance cycle.
• Touch screen interface cosmetic enhancements. Improved text rendering and larger buttons have been added and the NOW PLAYING queue can be resized by dragging the zone selector up or downthe screen.
• New "Save Playlist" and "Save Playlist as..." functions in the NOW PLAYING area enable user to save and re-save playlists that were recalled from saved playlists. Now it is much easier to update a playlist that has been modified in the NOW PLAYING area or to create an entirely new playlist.

The Tools/System end has gotten some important changes in Version 2.6 as well.

• Feature Manager has been added to the Tools/System menu.
• Message Center button has been added to the Tools/System menu.
• Equalizer control has been relocated from the Main Screen to the Playback tab in the Tools menu

As always, these latest system upgrades are totally free to Rock-Ola Music Center owners.

If your system is not constantly broadband connected, or if you haven't run a maintenance cycle within the last week, now is a great time to do it.

1. Make sure your jukebox has a live broadband connection
2. From the Main Screen, select the Tool icon for system access
3. Select BEGIN MAINTENANCE button

Have fun!

Happy New Year - 2010

Just got a note from ALWAYS JUKIN' - a great jukebox collector publication - letting us know that the 2010 ROCK-OLA JUKEBOX CALENDARS are now available.

In addition, Always Jukin' now offers the 2010 Jukebox Guide in COLOR, available in print or on CD-ROM. Checkout their website for price and order information.

I know there are a lot if collectors out there (I hear from you all the time). This is a great chance to get the reference material you want for your vintage Rock-Ola models.

Always Jukin' Website link

To all of you, from all of us,
Best wishes for 2010!

Rock-Ola Expands Its Brand in Europe

Rock-Ola Jukebox Manufacturing Corporation recently announced sweeping changes to its European distribution network in an effort to augment and increase brand awareness in the territory.
In a recent interview, CEO Glenn Streeter stated, “We believe that the current combination of favorable dollar exchange rate and the ability to purchase factory direct will allow our international dealers to expand their inventory and increase their bottom line. At the same time we are interested in expanding the presence and brand recognition of the All-American Rock-Ola jukebox world-wide.”

Rock-Ola in Continental Europe
Mr. Jean Claude Trauchessec, of Arts & Memories, Paris, has been appointed official Rock-Ola Dealer for France. Mr. Trauchessec, pictured at left with CEO Glenn Streeter at the Rock-Ola factory in Torrance, has worked ceaselessly in the last several years to promote the Rock-Ola brand and products. Working in a very cooperative spirit with fellow Rock-Ola jukebox dealers in Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland, Mr. Trauchessec has elevated the Rock-Ola brand to greater prominence in Europe with aggressive marketing, thoughtful placement, and dedication to his belief that Rock-Ola is simply the best nostalgic jukebox available.

Rock-Ola in the United Kingdom

Great changes have also taken place in the UK. In October, Rock-Ola dissolved its exclusive distribution agreement with Mr. Graeme Challis, opening the opportunity for UK Dealers to order factory direct and better serve their customers. Existing and new dealership inquiries should be directed to Andrea Kowalski, Rock-Ola Sales.

Rock-Ola’s Authorized Service & Parts Center for UK and Europe

Appointed earlier in 2009, Jukeboxes Unlimited, owned by Mr. Ted White and located in the U.K., remains the official Rock-Ola Service and Parts provider for the UK and Europe.

As the only jukebox still made in America, Rock-Ola symbolizes a genuine American Spirit of independence and optimism. Dedicated Rock-Ola dealers throughout the world are readily supplying the jukebox that captivates the world’s imagination.

France: http://www.jukebox-france.com/

Authorized Rock-Ola Service Centre, Europe: http://www.jukeboxes-uk.com/

Price Is Right - Rock-Ola Feature

The "Q" touch screen jukebox will soon be featured on the classic game show, The Price is Right Show, due to air on the CBS network, Monday, December 14, 2009. Rock-Ola fans won't want to miss this episode. Rock-Ola Jukeboxes and the Rock-Ola factory in Torrance, California, have been featured over the years on a number of different network and cable television shows. Most famously, actor John Raztenberger made a full-length profile of the company for his Travel Network show, Made in America.

The "Q" Music Center model is a compact, retro-inspired touchscreen jukebox for the home. It features the same capacity and features of the other Rock-Ola Music Centers, with direct touch operation from crystal-clear 15" LED touch screen. So mark your calendars and tune in to the Price is Right on your local television network Monday, December 14 to find out if Drew Carey's contestant goes home with the Rock-Ola "Q"!

Updated Music Center Jukebox Manual

The latest Music Center System User Manual is now available for on-line reference and download in PDF format. This manual covers the latest system updates available for the QB-PV3 series, as well as earlier models that have received the recent updates.

Directly access the most current user manual.

Current Product Service, Parts and User manuals are available on the Rock-Ola Website. Simply select the "Manuals" tab for access.

Recent Feature Updates for Rock-Ola Music Centers

Rock-Ola Music Center enthusiasts may now enjoy a bundle of powerful system updates. All of the new QB-PV3 Nostalgic Music Centers (pictured here), as well as "Q" and "Mystic" models shipped after September 2009 include this most recent system version and build from the factory. Owners of earlier Rock-Ola Music Center jukeboxes will have gotten the upgrade automatically during the regular system maintenance process.

To confirm that you have the latest system version and build, check the "Information" tab in the toolbox. You need to have Version 2.49 (build 3.2.273.1) or later to enjoy the following features:

1. The option to edit cover art for an album can now retrieve jpg images from a USB-connected drive, such as a thumb drive, connected to the console.
2. A “Features” tab has been added to the System section of the system setup screen. This tab is used to display a number of new listings that control the availability of and access to system features.
3. The system settings area of the system is now also protected by the “Access Control” PIN that you set on the Access tab. This allows users to protect key configuration settings from changes by unauthorized users. 
4. A new Media Grouping Feature has been added to allow "groups" of music to be defined, named, and used to filter content, if desired. This is a great feature for user's who wish to add parental control to filter out explicit lyric content. Style, genre and other factors may also be defined according to personal preference.
   

For a full and detailed list of recently added features, check out the Release Notes page of the Rock-Ola website.