|
Coming to a home near you: Hot new products and technologies. Check out ZDNet's Future Home site.
TAKE ME THERE
|
| |
"The Man Who Built His Own MP3 Player"
By Giancarlo Varanini, ZDNet Music
Have you ever walked through an electronics store and asked yourself, "I wonder if I could build my own MP3 player"? Probably not. You may be techno-savvy (and can even program your VCR), but have no real idea where to begin. Well, ZDNet Music has found the anomaly among us. For most of us, building a portable MP3 player is a near impossibility. For one man, though, it's like playing with LEGOs.
Step One...
|
The main stumbling block is that there are no technical resources available that answer common equipment and technology questions. At least your VCR comes with instructions that demystify the complicated remote control. Takeshi Akamatsu has set out to solve that problem. His web site contains specific instructions on how to compile the proper materials and build your own MP3 player.
Why would someone would undertake such an arduous chore; one that could only benefit someone with way too much time on their hands? "To design and build the electronics devices, such as an MP3 player, is my hobby. The MP3 player project is one of my trials," said Akamatsu.
Normally, a hand-built device will cost significantly more that those available for retail. Think of assembling a car from purchased parts. A complete MP3 player costs less than the sum of its parts. Akamatsu though, could really care less. "Yes, the MP3 player [you build] will [be] more expensive than any other cheap MP3 players. However, the significance is to build my own work, not cost."
His site is an excellent resource for MP3 builders, as Akamatsu notes, because visitors only need "experience in designing embedded micro-controller systems to understand the instructions." Unfortunately, most normal people have none. Further, if you are not up to scratch on designing embedded micro-controller systems, there are no Embedded Micro-Controller Systems for Dummies or Learn Embedded Micro-Controller Systems in Under 12 Minutes texts to consult. The tedium is almost oppressive.
Continued
| |
|
