nkg
I totally understand how programming can be a daunting task.. and myself being a web developer by trade was not as put off by learning C++ as others may be. I am no pro... I still ask C++ questions myself.... (but I also think I'm doing a bit more now-a-days than blinking some leds or moving a servo..etc.. )
That being said.. most of the code done is fairly straightforward... with only a few 'general' programming rules to learn (what a variable is.. what an array is... what s a loop is...etc)
And are there are SO MANY tutorials.. and examples.. and forums.. and commuinty support.. that anyone should be able to figure it out or get help for whatever their task is.
I did skim over your link.. and it doesnt really seems to reflect your statement above. (it does 'look' like it is just general info and shines some light on Arduino's as well.. however your statement above does not seem to mirror your page content)
To me.. having control over things is the best place/advantage you can have.
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I used to use the Adafruit WaveShields.. then developed my own custom version of it.. with the Arduino and WaveShield stuff all on the same board.. and using all SMD components... designed the pcb's in EAGLE.. sent them out to a fab house in China.. waited a few weeks.. cut a colder stencil/mask using my laser/vinyl cutter....
slapped some solder paste on it.. added the components... and re-flowed it in a $17 toaster oven from wal-mart!
When going the Waveshield route.. the audio stuff puts a heavy load on the Arduino.. and doesnt leave it much time to do other things..
When using the DFPlayer Mini.. that chore is put off on the DFPlayer chip itself.. leaving the Arduino open to do other things...
Con about the DFPLayer Mini is that.. you can use the SD card to hold text files and read or save things to it.. Where as the WaveShield approach I could put a config file in there.. to set user editable parameters for the prop (ammo count, led color settings..etc)
example: to show size difference: (of Adafruit WaveShield stacked on an Arduino UNO.. vs my custom merge of the two)
http://dmstudios.net/misc/scab_assembly/apply_paste.jpg
http://dmstudios.net/misc/scab_assembly/populate_board2.jpg
http://dmstudios.net/misc/scab_assembly/all-in-one_1.jpg
http://dmstudios.net/misc/scab_assembly/all-in-one_2.jpg
Other boards created using the above method as well: (custom, Arduino with on-board USD socket.. think Pro-Mini with SD card)
http://dmstudios.net/misc/uSduino_board_pics/uSDuino_top2.jpg
A run of TASM (Spiderman) webshooter PCB's:
http://dmstudios.net/misc/TASM_pcb/batch1_completed-004_sized.jpg
A DC-17 kit made with all Arduino based stuff.. (kind of a big ket, with several pcb's...etc)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj58wl-aT0M&t=7s
I recently developed a kit here for member Valor, for his Rocketeer Jetpacks too.. which turned out great! IMHO.. (Arduino Nano, DFPlayer Mini, and Neopixel led strip)
Kit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwev8Sv274E
In use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qddnIJvUUaw
All of those are 'Arduino' compatible circuits... meaning you program and use the same IDE as you do with ones you bought somewhere else.
Back on topic: LOL
Great_Bizarro
I know...right!? I was a bit suspect when I first started using them..
RE: DFPlayer mini boards..
They are small.
Have on-board AMP
Sound great and are fairly loud..
I have purchased many of these over the year.. and have gotten fakes and legit ones.
The fake still 'sorta' work.. but dont respond to some of the latest library commands/actions.. like the ones that query the chip for certain states (current clip, play state..etc).. but still will trigger playback of an audio clip..
I have found that the real ones had:
* blue leds
* had silkscreen on the pcb around all components (resistors, caps..etc)
* had a legit/real YX5200 chipset on the bottom of the board.. (fakes had a chip with the writing ground off!)
They can be used STAND ALONE.. (no code!)...
Or in conjunction with a microcontroller.. to be able to have more control over things.. (such as when you trigger based of an event or sensor value, volume...etc)
I mean for under $5.00 (Pro-Mini and DFPlayer Mini).. you have a pretty capable effects system to do whatever you want!~