Thread: Newbie embedded MP3++ system

Originally Posted by Steinola

Has anyone used a full embedded computer (either System-on-chip or System-on-flash) for their MP3 setup?

I thought about using a single board computer. I liked that fact that they're extemely small, and require a much simpler power supply. If they weren't so expensive I would've bought one. That was a couple of years ago, though, so the price may have gone down somewhat. Try searching for "single board computer", "Biscuit PC", and "PC/104" to see what's currently available. I was never very interested in flash memory, mainly because of the limited storage capacity, but to each his own.

If an embedded system isn't necessary... how is everyone else handling shutdown? Seems like having to shut-down the jukebox before shutting off the ignition would get awfully tiring. I know some folks are using DOS for this reason... but I'd at least want to use LINUX because of the last portion of my goal statement (eye to move to a full carputer later).

On my DOS based set-up, I just shut mine down cold (with the ignition). Write caching is disabled, and MPXPlay only writes to the hard drive when saving its configuration file on exit (this can be disabled too). MPXPlay can be set up to store the song position, by writing to a couple of unused bytes in cmos memory. That way one can shut in down cold, then resume playing the song where it left off.

For a Linux-based systems, people usually mount their partitions as read-only. Then they can shut it down cold without worrying about their data. For windows-based systems, I believe people are using shut-down controller hardware in one form or another. If I read things right, the Opus power supplies, that many are using, have this functionality built in.

How best to incorporate the 802.11b?

Thought of doing something like that, but never got around to it. If you run out of expansion slots but still have an ethernet port, the option of running a wireless bridge is still open to you. Many of them run off of low-voltage dc, using a power adapter. A simple single-voltage dc-dc converter would do the trick, in that case.

And, finally, the most newbie sounding question of all... the wiring harness in the center console is a 12-pin connector....
But as for the signal itself... would I be directly connecting the line out from the soundcard in the jukebox, or would it need to be a digital signal?

This one takes an analog signal:
http://www.pie.net/aux_vw.htm
Just a matter of using the line-out of your sound card, and an RCA cable.

For wireless I use an EBay PCMCIA to PCI adapter, a NetGate 200 mW long range 802.11b card for external antenna, and the cheap magnetic $15 7db antenna w/6' cable also from Ebay. Works great in the garage and driveway. D-Link DI614+ Wireless Router is in the basement and on the other side of the house, a good 75' and several walls away too.