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

[Paul Atkinson]

Found another link to a Picaxe basic program that interfaces the Vmusic2. If
you can be bothered decoding the commands, if might give some insight.

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/forum/Topic.asp?topic_id=6744&forum_id=30&Topic_Title=Vdrive2%252FVmusic2&forum_title=No+new+posts+please%21+22

Paul

On 7/6/07, Paul Atkinson <pmatkinson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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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>