wifi enabled mp3 device with storage? slightly OT

[SirPoonga]

You guys might know. I'm looking for basically a hard drive with mp3 playback capability that i can remotely manage via wifi.  I have two uses for this.  Making a jukebox type thing (and that simply touch bar) that I can remotely manage what is on it.  And putting an mp3 player in my car/motorcycle so I can just drive up near my apartment and manage the files on it.  Also it would be nice then if it could run off a 12v supply (or cigarette lighter jack in the car).

I've been looking at stereo systems for my bike.  Basically I want a removable system because since it is a bike security is low.  So it look like I have two choices.
First is the easy but expensive route.
http://www.mc-tunes.com/home_flash.htm
I can get just the box and speakers, put in my own mp3/cd receiver.  But it is ugly.

The other option is just to get amplified speakers and provide an audio source:
http://www.mhinstruments.com/testimonials/kawasaki_vulcan_1500.htm
That looks much better!

Ultimately the best approach is to have an mp3 device hidden in my storage compartment (under my seat).  It would be nice if it would be possible to remote control the device.  I could make a handlebar mounted switchbox (like the one they sell at that last link) to control the mp3 box if there was a way to interface with the device.  Actually, I might almost have the right thing but it isn't road worthy.  It would have to have wifi so I could manage the songs on it.  I can drive close enough to my apartment to do that   Obviosuly it would have to run off a 12v source.
This approach is nice because I wouldn't have to detach anything.  Most people would not realize the audio source is in the storage compartment.

I'm wondering if there is na easy DIY mp3 device that I can accomplish this with.

I'd also use a device like that for my old time jukebox idea

[SirPoonga]

Heck, what would even make it better is if i could store the songs on my 1gig jump drive

[tmasman]

Heck, what would even make it better is if i could store the songs on my 1gig jump drive

I'm wondering if this would work with ANY USB drive...

Looks like it's an MP3 player that just plays the MP3s from the USB flash drive. Just ,

• Store the mp3 player under your seat
• Attach a USB extension cord to it & run it to an accessible location.
• Find a car-charger for the MP3 player so it wouldn't die...

Hopefully it would work with your existing JumpDrive & you'd be ready to go!

[SirPoonga]

i see you can get just the player without a drive.  Actually, something like that I'd get a windshield bag and put it in that, then take with me when I get off the bike.

Edit: Reading Lexar's website it uses the JumpDrive Sport.  So it may or may not work with my jump drive it it can fit on it.

[tmasman]

i see you can get just the player without a drive.  Actually, something like that I'd get a windshield bag and put it in that, then take with me when I get off the bike.

Edit: Reading Lexar's website it uses the JumpDrive Sport.  So it may or may not work with my jump drive it it can fit on it.

I also found a review that said it wouldn't work with other flash drives... [grumble grumble]

I would personally look into the iPOD Shuffle (512MB / $99) or iPOD mini (4GB / $199).
You'd get the most bang for your buck with those... & you could still get a car charger...

[NiN^_^NiN]

You could look into using a Mini ITX machine like the MII 6000E with a pcmcia wifi card and a 60w or 80w DC to DC psu (12v)

the motherboard is only 17cm x 17cm and the psu isn't very big at all this would easily fit in a box not taller than 4" (with a 3.5" hdd)

If you wanna be able to use it in the car get a Morex Car Kit.

Im using a MII 6000e in the car with a 80w morex psu and a pcmcia wifi card.

Got the 7" xga touchscreen int he dash and it runs great.

Right now it's in a morex case which is:

29.5cm wide 27.5cm lenght and 6.5cm tall

so thats just over 2.5 inches high

It also has tv out and usb+firewire its a great machine and i run a media (car pc specific ) front end on it and it does dual video and gps dvd and mp3 all at the same time without any skipping (it's 600mhz fanless pc)

it also opens up the oppertunity of using other things for it as it hs the processiong power

Just a thought........

[SirPoonga]

yeah, doing it for a car is easy.  I'm trying to do this for a motorcycle.

I think the best solution is get the rumble road speakers, a leather windshield bag and put mp3 player in there.  Though I;d like control over it while riding, I guess I'd have to live without that.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Actually SirPoonga im working with a guy on using a pocket PC for mp3 and creating a HUD (heads up display) on the bike helmet for mp3 and gps info (showing arrow signs and the distance till the next turn

using a pocket PC or another handheld is easy you could add a 2.5" hdd (laptop hdd) and a CF wifi card to do all this.

I've seen someone do this around there home they use the PPC to listen to mp3's over the wifi network.

I think you should be looking at zarus for being able to add a hdd and wifi.

You could also add a mic inside the helmet so you can say next pervious etc for basic controls and use the pda at the lights to change the album.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Or screw that and get this

http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-5619146-1.html

20gb mp3 player which lets u connect to wifi networks to download music and also through USB 2

I don't know if it lets you onto encrypted networks but im sure it will so i guess thats all you need

it has FM transmitter so you could use a FM ear phone with the helmet on and have it in a bag or on the side of the bike somewere.

Only problem is controling the songs you play and changing songs.

I havent look fully at it but it might have a external controller on the earphones which would make it perfect

[SirPoonga]

Actually SirPoonga im working with a guy on using a pocket PC for mp3 and creating a HUD (heads up display) on the bike helmet for mp3 and gps info (showing arrow signs and the distance till the next turn

using a pocket PC or another handheld is easy you could add a 2.5" hdd (laptop hdd) and a CF wifi card to do all this.

I've seen someone do this around there home they use the PPC to listen to mp3's over the wifi network.

I think you should be looking at zarus for being able to add a hdd and wifi.

You could also add a mic inside the helmet so you can say next pervious etc for basic controls and use the pda at the lights to change the album.

Neat, assuming you have a full face helmet.   Could it be projected onto the windshield....

[NiN^_^NiN]

Id do it on the windshield (the guy im doing it for is doing on the helmet) so there wouldn't have to be any problems with wires going to the helmet and modify a helmet to do this.

What would you want to see on the windsheild for the hud?

I can make some plans for you to build it and set it all up if u tell me what you want

[SirPoonga]

Hmmm, first, the hud would have to be able to be turned on and off.
I do have a gps, it would be cool to have the compass up (that's all I use when I am on my bike).

Other than that general song info.  artist-title, play time/position.

I wouldn't mind it if i could mount some switchbox on the handlebars to control it.  Would just need play/pause, prev, next, random on/off, hud on/off
Getting handlebar controls isn't a problem, those are easy to find.  It's interfacing with whatever.

the big question is what is it going to cost.  You say PDA.  So what software is going to be needed, etc...

[NiN^_^NiN]

Hmmm, first, the hud would have to be able to be turned on and off.
I do have a gps, it would be cool to have the compass up (that's all I use when I am on my bike).

What type of GPS do you have?

Other than that general song info.  artist-title, play time/position.

I wouldn't mind it if i could mount some switchbox on the handlebars to control it.  Would just need play/pause, prev, next, random on/off, hud on/off
Getting handlebar controls isn't a problem, those are easy to find.  It's interfacing with whatever.

Well im guessing the handel bar controls are just standard switches?

you could hook them to a mini keyboard (like mobile phone sized) that works on a pocket pc or whatever system you use and use mp3 player software that supports setting keystrokes for commands so you can push a button on the handel bar and that sends A to the PDA which makes the mp3 pause.

the big question is what is it going to cost.  You say PDA.  So what software is going to be needed, etc...

Well thats the problem i don't work or use pda's but you want one with a HDD i gather so if you get a zaurus witht he HDD built in you can get a linux mp3 player that supports it.

Doing a HUD to display song info is hard cause i don't know how to get the to display on a extrnal display from a PDA.

If it was PC based then i could easily do it.

If the GPS is a handheld which just has a monocrome LCD screen for the compus then you can hack the LCD out of it and use tht to be a HUD

But its very tricky to do this stuff.

[SirPoonga]

sheesh, sounds like alot of work

[NiN^_^NiN]

it is 

Simple way could be grabbing a ipod and hacking the wheel to be attached onto the bike and the display to reflect onto the windshield.

then you can just grab the ipod and bring it in then plug it back into the bike so the controls and display stay on the bike only the unit is removed.

But then the text would be reversed........

Be alot easier if i had a PDA or something i could use to make sure the idea's work and do a mockup