As of right now I have three different mp3 players, none of which works that well for my "mobile" audio needs. Two don't have enough storage, and the third just doesn't work like I'd like it to work. As a result, I've decided to put together my own mp3/audio player PC for use at home and in the car, as well as anywhere else I'd like to go.
Basic requirements were that it would have to be small, have multiple audio hookups, and PC-based because I could set up my own mix of software for audio playback and media load/unload.
Here's the starting point, my latest(well, one of the latest) toy.
That's a teeny little SBC based on a 233MHz Geode CPU, which is actually the unremarkable Cyrix MediaGX platform. It's still made, but now under the AMD name. Still, it's a Cyrix. Has built-in everything; audio, video, network, USB, etc. A fairly full featured PC. Runs happily off a simple 5 volt power supply.
Now how tiny is it? Smaller than a 3.5" hard drive. Take a look at the next pic, where it's compared to a standard Zippo lighter and a 168pin DIMM.
Back side, has a Compact Flash slot, too.
So now that you know the size, guess what I'll be using for a case? If anyone remembers my hard drive cases from a year or so back, the next pic will be a bit familiar.
Yep, going to use one of my two remaining 1960's Civil Defense Radiation Fallout Meters. That will house the SBC and a hard drive. I can actually use a laptop or desktop drive, there is enough room. I'll probably stay with a laptop drive due to concerns about heat. The SBC is rated for 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but I doubt a desktop drive would be very happy in higher temps with only passive cooling. There will also be multiple audio jacks mounted on the case. I plan on having a set of line-out RCA jacks, a stereo headphone jack, line-in RCA jacks, and even a microphone input. Also hoping I can squeeze in at least one USB jack, can use that for wireless network or something.
Also planning on using the guage on the fallout meter as a VU meter. Might work, might not, I guess I'll find out.
And here's a shot of the mess of cables that will end up being used/abused.
There's a little bit of everything in there. 44-40 pin IDE cables, 44-44 IDE cable, audio breakout cables, USB, blah, blah.
Above are my "development" drives, removed from a junked PC. 24X CD, 3GB HD, and a 3.5" floppy. Before I really start cutting I want to get the software side worked out. I also need to get my laptop hard drive before I really start hacking away.
Oh yeah, I'll be building a small remote box for playback control. The setup will be able to run in random mode without it, but the control box will add around 8 buttons for different controls. The design of that will hopefully fit in with the design of the fallout meter. Already have some coiled multi-conductor cable for the connection, hoping it will work for a serial cable.
Not sure when I'll have more pics or any real progress, need to clear off my workspace and get really motivated.
Basic requirements were that it would have to be small, have multiple audio hookups, and PC-based because I could set up my own mix of software for audio playback and media load/unload.
Here's the starting point, my latest(well, one of the latest) toy.
That's a teeny little SBC based on a 233MHz Geode CPU, which is actually the unremarkable Cyrix MediaGX platform. It's still made, but now under the AMD name. Still, it's a Cyrix. Has built-in everything; audio, video, network, USB, etc. A fairly full featured PC. Runs happily off a simple 5 volt power supply.
Now how tiny is it? Smaller than a 3.5" hard drive. Take a look at the next pic, where it's compared to a standard Zippo lighter and a 168pin DIMM.
Back side, has a Compact Flash slot, too.
So now that you know the size, guess what I'll be using for a case? If anyone remembers my hard drive cases from a year or so back, the next pic will be a bit familiar.
Yep, going to use one of my two remaining 1960's Civil Defense Radiation Fallout Meters. That will house the SBC and a hard drive. I can actually use a laptop or desktop drive, there is enough room. I'll probably stay with a laptop drive due to concerns about heat. The SBC is rated for 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but I doubt a desktop drive would be very happy in higher temps with only passive cooling. There will also be multiple audio jacks mounted on the case. I plan on having a set of line-out RCA jacks, a stereo headphone jack, line-in RCA jacks, and even a microphone input. Also hoping I can squeeze in at least one USB jack, can use that for wireless network or something.
Also planning on using the guage on the fallout meter as a VU meter. Might work, might not, I guess I'll find out.
And here's a shot of the mess of cables that will end up being used/abused.
There's a little bit of everything in there. 44-40 pin IDE cables, 44-44 IDE cable, audio breakout cables, USB, blah, blah.
Above are my "development" drives, removed from a junked PC. 24X CD, 3GB HD, and a 3.5" floppy. Before I really start cutting I want to get the software side worked out. I also need to get my laptop hard drive before I really start hacking away.
Oh yeah, I'll be building a small remote box for playback control. The setup will be able to run in random mode without it, but the control box will add around 8 buttons for different controls. The design of that will hopefully fit in with the design of the fallout meter. Already have some coiled multi-conductor cable for the connection, hoping it will work for a serial cable.
Not sure when I'll have more pics or any real progress, need to clear off my workspace and get really motivated.