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Prop MP3 player ? — Parallax Forums

Prop MP3 player ?

RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
edited 2011-02-04 12:11 in Propeller 1
I should be writing code for my existing products...
But, I just noticed a way (I think) to make a fairly inexpensive (maybe $40) but high quality MP3 playing add on board for any Propeller setup.
I think it may just need 4 pins to operate.
It would include both SD card and USB connectors.

Some questions for you guys:

1. Is there any interest out there?
2. Is MP3 good enough or do you need AAC and WMA support?
3. Is line out good enough or do you want a headphone driver?
4. Anybody interested in S/PDIF output? If so, optical, coaxial or both?

Thanks for your input.

Comments

  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2011-02-04 09:35
    1. Yes, definitely.
    2. MP3 is plenty for me as I just convert files when needed anyways.
    3. Both line out and headphone
    4. N/A

    I have always thought that a Propeller based MP3 setup would be an excellent addition to Parallax's product offerings. As they are leaning towards more Open-Source concepts, creating a Propeller based version of this MP3 Development Board offered by Sparkfun would be excellent. I know they can obliterate that $200 price tag as well. We built a product at work that used the VS1003 chip and after talking with the designer about chip cost, etc, I realized that a Propeller version was definitely feasible. I created a bill of materials a while back and came to $58 for a complete unit including a small display mounted in a custom cut Polycase VM-35 case with rubber boot. It's on my project list, but low priority. To cover start-up costs, etc, you could easily end up with a sub $100 price tag.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-02-04 09:44
    I was having lunch with PJMonty the other day and he showed me a project that uses one of these MP3 experimenter boards.

    http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8792

    He told me that once you "get it" the process is incredibly easy and it wouldn't be a lot of trouble to create a Spin cog that buffers data to the device while the Propeller is doing other things.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2011-02-04 10:56
    Andrew, I'm pretty sure the Prop2 will be able to native MP3 decode. So, I think a Prop2 based system could easily compete with that unit.

    Jon, I've always thought the VLSI chips were the way to go. But, I'm looking into another chip that may offer a more simplfied solution...
  • Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) Posts: 1,720
    edited 2011-02-04 11:37
    re: MP3:

    MP3 is fine for my use. It would also be good to be able to record audio and save it automatically to a SD card as a MP3 file.

    Re: Audio Output:

    Both line out and headphone.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-02-04 12:11
    But, I'm looking into another chip that may offer a more simplified solution...

    Looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve!
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