[Robotgroup] VMUSIC serial interface USB host device/ MP3 player reviewed

[Gray Mack]

I got the $40 VMUSIC2 device working. 

The basics:
It combines the ftdi vinculum vnc1 usb host chip and
the vs1003 mp3 player chip. Runs off 5v with a serial
interface (default 9600baud) and one USB host port.

Demo:
Using a serial level shifter I can communicate with
the device through Windoz hyperterm. There is no stand
alone operation. You insert a thumbdrive into the usb
port (my emprex 2GB worked fine) the vnc1 host
auto-mounts the thumb drive and the serial command
"DIR" correctly gives the directory contents in dos
8.3 format. The command "VPF CODEMO~1.mp3" correctly
plays the file Codemonkey.mp3. 

The vs1003 chip can also decode wav files. It can also
play midi files (36 instruments built in) which is
interesting in its own right. I wonder if it could be
coaxed to synthesize a realtime midi stream?

Limitations/Problems:
* Should be able to control the volume with "VWR
0b8080" but I didn't get this to work yet. 
* A really annoying problem is that sending any
command causes the music playback to pause until the
command is completed. So if I start to type "V..." the
sound stops. 
* There is a pause between giving a play command and
the sound starting. 
* The only way to tell if a file is still playing
without interrupting it may be to tap into the LED.
* Some of the query responses seem to be in binary
despite being set to ascii mode. 
- I got the latest VMUSIC2 firmware (03.55), no change
to these issues. 

It looks like they are actively updating the firmware
downloads so thats a positive sign.

-Gray 




       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection.
http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/index.php