SPMicro.com's Mobile MP3 Player
To be installed in a 1998 Suzuki Sidekick

 
Eventually this site will be of use to people that might want to replicate MP3 Sidekick. Until then, There will be pictues posted of the progression of the project.

MP3 Sidekick was inspired by Ashis Vaidya's A.M.P. project. However, MP3 Sidekick is now running Scott Bradshaw's MPXFfront-end for MPXPlay, a DOS-based MP3 Player. MPXF is not free software, however, it is certainly worth the $15 if you plan on reproducing the MP3 Sidekick.

Email: mp3@spmicro.com

News:
9/3/2002 
This update has been over 2 years in the making. Unfortunately, the MP3 Sidekick project has been discontinued since the Neo35 came into my possesion. As cheap as that thing was, it was much better than this project. I then got an Empeg. If you are looking for a VFD similar to the one I used, see this guy's webpage. He has similar VFDs for a great price. They probably don't connect the same way as mine, but this seller has brought a lot of traffic here. So, I am more than happy to give him a long overdue link.

I will keep this page up for the forseeable future. It still is of some interest to people (especitally the DOS driver for the PCI 128). Aparently it is helpful to people trying to play a certain DOS-only game. Thanks again for checking this page

5/15/2000
I recieved the CrystalFontzLCD ($70) on Friday at 5pm. By 8pm, I wanted to throw it through a wall. As a result, I am now using a Futaba VFD ($15). It was a fraction of the cost, and, in many ways, is superior. The readout is stunning and vibrant. It can be seen at all angles as well, and doesn't get washed out by sunlight. I definitely think I should have concentrated on the VFD instead of LCD technology from the beginning.

If you need instructions on getting Ensoniq, PCI64 or PCI128 sound cards to work in DOS, go here.

5/11/2000
The sound card dilemma has been solved. The on-board Creative PCI128 is now being driven by a pure-DOS driver! (pci64.zip~15MB) Click for instructions!

Click the image to see a larger version!


Overview of the machine while being
troubleshooted and tested


Quantum Fireball lct10. Chosen for it's
shock protection. This is a 10GB model
(no larger image)


On-board sound chip. Creative Labs PCI128
(this thing was a bitch to get working in pure DOS)
(no larger image)


Finally playing an MP3 in DOS with acceptable sound


Overview of the semi-final configuration. Notice the floppy
drive was removed to increase air-flow to the processor


View of the CPU with the floppy out of the way


Front of the machine. Removable hard drive bracket
is installed where the CD-Rom drive originally went.


This is the keypad that will be used. It was only
$15 and was delivered to my house in 14 hours.


As you can see, I'm playing Opiate by Tool.
This VFD is very cool.
See here for similar Futaba VFDs.


This is the cable I had to assemble to get the VFD
to interface with the computer's parallel port. It's
A floppy drive cable I cut up and soldered to
a $1.49 Radio Shack DB25 port body.
Schematic available here.


The chosen one

©2000 Stony Point Micro