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Thread ID: 71853 2006-08-19 11:52:00 DIY iPod speakers? not.my.s0ck (10995) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
479453 2006-08-19 11:52:00 As a fun experiment I was thinking of building some iPod speakers but I need some clues on how to get started.

The speakers I have in mind MUST;
*Be able to play music from my iPod (duh.) with good quality
*Be powered externally
*Good looking (after I've figured out how to get everything else working)

Some features I WOULD LIKE it to have;
*An LED display
*Charges my iPod (but if done wrong it could fry it right?)
*Basic remote control (pause, play, next/previous track)
*Alarm clock

Am I shooting over my head? I dont mind if I have to do some hard work to learn how to program a firmware if thats nessacary 		not.my.s0ck (10995)
479454 2006-08-19 20:00:00 might aswell just buy one thomas09 (10276)
479455 2006-08-19 21:13:00 Thomas - I disagree, it might be easier to buy one, but where is the fun in that? :D

Unless your are very good at electronics (which would be my plan of attack), you are going to have a hard time.

With the speakers, all you need is a set of speakers that as you say must have good quality, powered externally and look good, just go and buy some speakers from the shop... (I like the Logitech X-230 but these have a sub, are you wanting one of them? or are you wanting portability?)

The features you would like - What do you want the LED display to display? (this will need to be programed)
Yes, you should be able to charge it, and yes if you wire it wrong, you could fry it which is why I would suggest getting a premade one (authentic) as I have heard non authentic do not chagre it, and wire this into the docking station.
A remote, if you can get them for the i pod, then you should be able to.
With an alarm clock, you will need to get into a little programing.

To be honest, the speakers will be easy to do, but the 'extras' will be a lot harder than you think. You will not only learn programing, but electronics too...

Bear in mind I know nothing about i pods so I am not sure if the extras will work, maybe someone else will know 		The_End_Of_Reality (334)
479456 2006-08-20 04:53:00 This could easily be done, (well most of it anyway), but you need a knowledge of electronics as what is proposed is simply a combination of existing electronic projects.

1. Select the speakers you want.
2. DSE and/or Jaycars have various stereo amplifiers kits to suit your needs.
3. Buy external power pack to suit.
4. Connect together.

or

Simply buy a set of good powered speakers. This would be the easiest method. Probably the cheapest too.

Then

1. By a LED Display I assume you mean a LED VU meter. DSE and/or Jaycars could help you out here with another kit.

2. A simple electronic voltage regulator circuit, say a 7805 fed from the speaker external power supply will satisfy your needs. The plug to your ipod will have to be wired correctly and if this done the 7805 will take care of the other problems like current control and voltage regulation.

3. Can't build a remote for ipod economically, so buy one.

4. If you want to put an alarm clock into the speaker box, this can be done but to turn on the ipod automatically then extra electronics will be required.

Hope this helps.

BURNZEE

GREY HAIRS ARE INHERITED, YOU GET THEM FROM YOUR KIDS!! 		Burnzee (6950)
479457 2006-08-20 05:34:00 the hardest part would be getting the wiring pattern for the ipod dock connector. put it this way, just buy a set of speakers. they arent expensive ( im looking at doing an import of some and they are only $20US) Tux (606)
479458 2006-08-20 10:37:00 Here's the iPods connector wiring just click HERE (pinouts.ru)

Thought this might be of use to other people as well.

BURNZEE 		Burnzee (6950)
479459 2006-08-21 08:41:00 I feel the poor cousin ! All I do is use the speakers off my old PC. Plug in the speakers to the mains wherever I am and the lead to my ipod and am in business !
Misty ;) 		Misty (368)
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