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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : SOMO-II - MP3 player from 4D....
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
I have used a few of the SOMO modules from 4D, but you have to convert files to AD4 format etc, and this new version of the SOMO can play MP3 directly, so sounds interesting. Also has USB flash-drive support etc. Might be worth playing with, and would ideally suit the new MicroMite chip, to give it sound playing abilities. SOMO-II EDIT: Output is via on-board 3W amp, or stereo line-out(original SOMO was mono only). Also accepts serial commands from the MCU, FAT16 and FAT32 support, up to 32GB card or flash-drive support - quite impressive, really, for twenty five bucks. Might have to get a couple to tinker with.  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
I have purchased a couple of these to play with. I will initially be trying them on the full-size MM, but if successful, I will then port the code to the MicroMite. I see it being useful for my model elevator project: "Floor 1", "Floor 2" etc.... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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jman Guru  Joined: 12/06/2011 Location: New ZealandPosts: 711 |
I like this idea What was the shipping cost to NZ ? Jman |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
Surprisingly expensive, considering they are in Australia, and I am in New Zealand. US$32 for freight. However, I have paid it anyway, and we will see what we have when they arrive(three units), and if they are any good - I will post details - then perhaps we can combine interest and shipping etc here on the forums for those interested. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Goeytex Regular Member  Joined: 12/05/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 74 |
For those in the States, I checked MOUSER and they have them for $25.00 plus about $6.00 - 8.00 shipping. Do let us know how it works out. I am thinking about ordering a 4D uVGA-III to interface with a Micromite via Serial/ I2C. I did a project once that used a μLCD-144-G2 display and I was impressed with the quality,perfomance and support from 4D Systems |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
I do like that these new ones use standard UART comms, 9600 baud 8N1. The first SOMO used SDA and CLK, and the data was bit-banged to the module in 16-bit words, requiring a sub to handle the data words. Not that this was a pain once others helped me work out how to do it(this was back on the PICAXE forums), but this new one appeals to me, cos we can connect directly and just send serial commands with the likes of PRINT #1 etc(or SEROUT on a PICAXE) - much easier. However, I do understand the reasons for the DTA/CLK method of the older module - members over on the PICAXE forum informed me that this kind of data out, can be generated by practically anything, so you don't need any special kind of MCU - they can all bit-bang data out if they need to. Still, I like pre-defined protocols(despite the issues I had recently with the pager transmitter), cos it is more simple from the code-writing point of view. EDIT: @ Goeytex - I just had a quick look at the uVGA-3, and it looks interesting. Seems it uses the same graphics chip as uVGA-2, so probably has the same screen-refresh rate issues, but not sure. I tried the uVGA-2 for a project, and although it did seem to work OK, it was slow to redraw the screen. I wonder if that has changed? Probably not, if they are using the same display chip. Please keep us posted on your experiments, as I would be interested to read anything about the new module. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
UPDATE: Modules arrived with today's DHL delivery. I hope to get one hooked up to a MicroMite over the weekend. I will post back with results, ease-of-use, general opinions etc. But the SOMO-1 was a bit of a Bart Simpson(a problem child!), so I am hoping that the SOMO-2 is a nice improvement. Stay tuned folks! Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| vk7krj Newbie  Joined: 15/01/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 12 |
Groster, I realise this is an old thread, but did you have any luck with the SOMO-11? I have one that I am trying to use, it works fine if I use the next and previous pins (3 + 4) but I am having no luck at all using serial (comm 1) to it from the micromite. It could be the way I am sending the data to it, I can't find much at all on sending long strings of hex from the micromite, so I tried converting it to decimal & sending that, but still no go. The relevant line in my code is- if elapsed_minutes = gong then if elapsed_seconds = 0 then print #1, "9080101273742605551" The long number is the decimal representation of the hex from page 7 of the SOMO manual to specify track 1. If I look at it with my cro, I can see the data going out so the micromites serial port is working ok. As always, any word of wisdom gratefully received Ken. Ken, vk7krj www.vk7krj.com |
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| vk7krj Newbie Joined: 15/01/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 12 |
Problem solved- I found an older post from WhiteWizard to do with a catalex mp3 board that had the information I needed. The SOMO-11 is now working a treat. Ken. Ken, vk7krj www.vk7krj.com |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
Yeah, I think both the Catalex and SOMO-II use the same processor chip. Glad you got it working.  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1427 |
I have one of each. Paid a fraction of list price for the "somo", though. Less than I paid for the Catalex. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9641 |
The Catalex module is so cheap at about $6 each, I have not bothered with any real work on the SOMO-II, as it is so much more expensive. Another member here put me onto some other MP3 modules that are even cheaper then the Catalex units in 10+ quantities, AND the cheaper ones have a BUSY line to play with - the Catalex modules don't. This is one thing that goes against them big-time(no BUSY line), especially as the processor chip actually has a busy pin, but the Catalex module does not route that pin out for you to use - an odd design...  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1427 |
I have not looked at the message format, but I think the Catalex will reply with a busy indication via serial port. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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