| Hi again,
I have to agree with you. When I analysed my unit, I found as major advantages to it the fact that it was blowerless (and silent because of this), and the fact that it only consumed approx 16W. It's compac(t) design also was a + point. With a embedded OS on it, it boots in less than 40 seconds. For that reason, I found it a good idea to use it as a music player. Other such approaches on the market are either portable unit's (like the iPod) or devices that get their music from your PC. This means, you have to leave your pc on if you wan't to hear your music. So, I bought a 50 euro clipper and a 100 euro harddisk. I also needed a 40 euro wifi stick. This means I have a 190 euro music player. A commercial player with the same possibilities will cost 300 euro or more. My unit can be used as internet radio as well. A great gadget to overbluf your neibour...
Most commercial players can play video as well. I don't see myself looking at a movie on a 3 inch tft screen.
My next step would be to buy a 5 euro universal remote control, and build a receiver into my clipper so that I can control my music player without leaving my seat. The big display of the unit should make it possible to see what's playing from a distance. (Not easy on a ipod if you ask me). If I would calculate the hours I spent already in getting the thing running, I will probably end up with the most expensive music player ever built. (maybe another argument to overbluf my neibour...)
I bought myself a radio with a USB port, in the hope I could play the music from my disk on that. It is possible, but don't try to find a particular CD or song, if you have your total collection on it... That again makes me happy that what I am doing is not so unusefull as I sometimes think.
The moral in the story is, that it is very hard to construct some hard &| software solution these days, cheaper than you can find them prebuild on the market. As long as it stays fun, it will keep you off the streets, and it is a cheap toy. It can be a good learning experience as well, messing around with it. Whatever, who cares?
Maybe I could use it as a digital foto frame as well. (Not sure how much these cost nowadays)
And, another advantage, my music player doesn't erase the songs a friend gave me to listen to after I played them 3 times. At least, I don't think it does.
Besides, since there is no blower in the unit, it doesn't collect that much dust after all 
regards,
Luc | |
