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Old 05-14-2004, 05:21 PM   #1
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Newbie embedded MP3++ system

Okay, I've been trying to do as much research as I could before resorting to asking questions... but most of the project diaries I've found on the web are at least several years old so I'm to the point where I need to make sure I'm operating under the latest tech options.

Ride: 2004 New Beetle Convertible, Monsoon HU, CD changer harness in the center armrest (changer not currently installed).

Goal: Pretty straight-forward, disk-based MP3 jukebox, 802.11b wireless, possible eye to upgrade to full carputer later but not just yet.

I'm concerned about any full-blown OS having issues with start-up/shut-down and, to elleviate this, would like to use an embedded system. Has anyone used a full embedded computer (either System-on-chip or System-on-flash) for their MP3 setup? Seems like this would be the optimal solution (offering instant on/off and no corruption during shutdown), but I've seen very few people talk about it. 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).

How best to incorporate the 802.11b? Since my garage is already "hot" in terms of WiFi coverage, this seems like the best alternative to transfer my library to/from the jukebox. But I'm not sure how to actually setup the transceiver in the car itself. Are there 12v external access points? Would it be better to plug a PCI-based adapter into the jukebox itself so it shares the PSU?

And, finally, the most newbie sounding question of all... the wiring harness in the center console is a 12-pin connector. I know it requires some sort of interface chip to trick the head unit into recognizing that something is there before it will accept a signal. I've found several sources for those. 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?

Thanks in advance,
-Steinola
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Old 05-15-2004, 01:30 AM   #2
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Quote: 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.

Quote:
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.

Quote:
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.

Quote:
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.
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Old 05-15-2004, 04:03 AM   #3
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Just get a shutdown controller (search the boards here for information) that will safely power down the computer by simulating the press of the power button. The operating system has to be able to shut down the computer safely when you press the power button for this to work (So dos will no do this, instead it will do what is set in the bios 'Instant off' or standby). People have thought about embedded type solutions, however it is alot easier to just use a laptop hdd which is still quite small but offers alot more space.
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Old 05-15-2004, 08:20 AM   #4
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I have done what you are trying to accomplish, but without wireless ethernet. Basically, the systems consists of the following -

1) Advantech PCM-5820 Single Board Computer (233 MHz) - $230
2) PC/104 Vehicle Power Supply which docks with PCM-5820 - $100
3) CompactFlash for storing custom Embedded Linux and mp3 files.

The above is a very compact and robust solution. Not the cheapest, however. The power supply accepts between 6V - 40V and outputs a clean 5V and 12V to the computer via the PC/104 bus (no external wires required.) While playing mp3s, the CPU utilization is around 60%. There is no need for proper shutdown since the entire OS runs from ram. Linux kernel, busybox and mpg123 take around 2MB, rest of the CompactFlash is available for storing music.

A pictures of the system is attached.
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Old 05-15-2004, 05:06 PM   #5
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Quote: Originally Posted by sumit_b
I have done what you are trying to accomplish, but without wireless ethernet. Basically, the systems consists of the following -

1) Advantech PCM-5820 Single Board Computer (233 MHz) - $230
2) PC/104 Vehicle Power Supply which docks with PCM-5820 - $100
3) CompactFlash for storing custom Embedded Linux and mp3 files.

Oh man, Sumit B... that's a beautiful thing! Thanks much for the recap. Actually, ~$350 is still (just a bit) cheaper than commercial car MP3 jukeboxes... and this would be far more expandable, I'd have to believe.

Can I assume that one of the connectors on the PCM-5820 shown in your pic is an IDE controller? I would think that running the OS off of CompactFlash, and one's music library off a 2.5 hdd would be the way to go... unless I'm missing something?

Thanks again for the specs and the pic. Gotta love it!
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Old 05-15-2004, 07:22 PM   #6
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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.
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Old 05-16-2004, 09:49 AM   #7
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Quote: Originally Posted by Steinola
Can I assume that one of the connectors on the PCM-5820 shown in your pic is an IDE controller? I would think that running the OS off of CompactFlash, and one's music library off a 2.5 hdd would be the way to go... unless I'm missing something?

Thanks again for the specs and the pic. Gotta love it!

Yes, one of the connectors is IDE. There is also a CompactFlash socket on the underside of the board. Apart from that, there is onboard sound, video, serial port and USB.
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