[SC.LUG] Linux USB Project

[George]

geoff wrote:
> Hi all,
> I have been looking at doing some simple electronics to create a usb device that would allow me to display and control mplayer or similar so I can play music on my server via a connected stereo without having to power on the monitor. Does anyone have any good sites that would aid in doing this kind of project?

Two options:

Get a media player with a web front-end. Amarok has a plug-in to do this 
and there are some more specialised ones available too. Then get a small 
  tablet device to control it. I've got a Nokia 770 (approx £70 from 
Expansys who sadly are out of stock now) and it's a lovely device with a 
very nice screen. Looking at prices on eBay were I to be buying a new 
one I'd go for an 800 instead for a few quid more, the processor on the 
770 is fine but I wouldn't say no to a bit more "oomph".

Get a media player that can be controlled via bluetooth. Again Amarok 
has a plug-in to allow this ( see http://www.sebruiz.net/267 ). You can 
then use your phone or just buy a second hand one off eBay to use as a 
remote.


If you're after something to build yourself http://www.phidgets.com have 
a number of gizmos for sale that might be of use - or you could try what 
I've done in the past when wanting to make a simple input device; take 
apart a mouse and just use the circuit board as-is with different 
switches wired in where the mouse buttons used to be.

George