MP3 player using an old PC

[jmar]

I have several P3 733 mhz motherboards and thought I may put together a couple of mp3 players for xmas gifts.

I don't "keep up" though.

What would be a good small linux OS to use (maybe with it's own music player?). Something that is fast and effective without a lot of overkill -- I want JUST an MP3 player using the old PC -- nothing else.

It would be great if I could build something up, set it up using a monitor and then -- disconnect the monitor.

So --

the system, when powered up would --

boot the OS
auto start the media player and play
would not become unstable with a hard "power off"

what would be really cool also is an auto play of USB sticks

I could put the music on the hard drive BUT if I use USB sticks, I could have say ROCK on one stick and JAZZ on another -- etc.

Any ideas are VERY appreciated -- doing this last minute. Thanks.

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by jmar

I have several P3 733 mhz motherboards and thought I may put together a couple of mp3 players for xmas gifts.

I don't "keep up" though.

What would be a good small linux OS to use (maybe with it's own music player?). Something that is fast and effective without a lot of overkill -- I want JUST an MP3 player using the old PC -- nothing else.

It would be great if I could build something up, set it up using a monitor and then -- disconnect the monitor.

So --

the system, when powered up would --

boot the OS
auto start the media player and play
would not become unstable with a hard "power off"

what would be really cool also is an auto play of USB sticks

I could put the music on the hard drive BUT if I use USB sticks, I could have say ROCK on one stick and JAZZ on another -- etc.

Any ideas are VERY appreciated -- doing this last minute. Thanks.

I did a project like this a few years ago. Built a couple of PCs for two of my teenage relatives. I thought it was kinda clever, but it went over like a lead balloon.

Electronics are so cheap and small these days, it was like I'd just handed them an abacus or a slide rule. They just had NO USE for it, and it was big and clunky also.

[Preamp]

That's where the Raspberry Pi comes in handy. Attach your favourite High-End-USB-Audio-Interface and you're done, hardware-wise .

[jmar]

I guess you're right -- hate to see these motherboards go unused but I might as well buy one of those cheap sandisk players or something. didn't even think of those for some reason. wonder what sample rate those cheap usb players work at? I definetly want to interface the audio to a decent amp and try for some good fidelity.

[jmar]

actually, looking at these mp3 players, a good one with sd capability and 4 - 8 gb can get close to a hundred bucks -- so I'd really like to hear about using the PC -- I want to put it in a chassis and make it more of a stereo component looking device.

the mobos have onboard audio, plenty of usb ports. what linux? what media player?

anyone?

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by jmar

I guess you're right -- hate to see these motherboards go unused but I might as well buy one of those cheap sandisk players or something. didn't even think of those for some reason. wonder what sample rate those cheap usb players work at? I definetly want to interface the audio to a decent amp and try for some good fidelity.

Oh believe me, I wish I *wasn't* right! But it feels like the PC era is something that people born after 1980 won't relate to. I work in the tech field, and ten years ago I knew half a dozen people who had multiple PCs, and were avid about getting the latest gear. Now I don't know a single one, and portable devices are all the rage. I can't remember the last time I listened to a CD, and I'd probably die if I ever lost my laptop.

Things were totally different ten years ago.

[sreten]

Hi,

I use a 2GB Sansa Clip+ fitted with an 8GB mini SD card. The Clip was £20
refurbished and the card around £10. Its portable, rechargeable, supports
every format under the sun, and sounds really good with decent headphones.

Great user interface too, given its so tiny, its what MP3 players are about.

Sansa® Clip+ MP3 Player | Music Players by SanDisk®



On my screen its about 20% under real size.

A PC can't compete, in any sense, for young people. Quality wise the Sansa
trashes my laptop as a source using the same files, so you can go figure that.
Most of the files being high bit rate variable bit rate WMA encoded.

rgds, sreten.

[lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by jmar

I guess you're right -- hate to see these motherboards go unused

another vote here for "too clunky". use the old motherboards to build a usable pc, install linux, then donate it to your local school system. or donate it to the Good Will store. it's a tax deduction for you either way. last resort is take it to your county recycling facility, they ought to have a bin for recycling old electronics. don't just huck them into the trash however, as these older computer components contain lead, mercury, arsenic, and other nasty stuff, so they must be disposed of properly.

[zman01]

I also have the same model of Sansa MP3 player as Sreten - surprisingly good source, and yes trashes the integrated sound of most notebooks. IMHO built in sound of most motherboards isn't too great for music, though for HT it might be ok enough to go with 5.1/7.1 PC speaker systems (I really dislike their sound ).

And for just playing MP3s a PC would be very underwhelming in 2011...