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

[Paul Atkinson]

What took you so long? :-)

This thread (from the Picaxe site) has a few links to Vmusic2 errata, etc.
Might be useful.

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=7377&forum_id=31&Topic_Title=VMusic2+firmware+upgrade&forum_title=PICAXE+Forum&M=False&S=True

Paul

On 7/6/07, Gray Mack <gray_mack at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
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