Show HN: Wampy, interface addon for Linux-based Walkmans

github.com

45 points by unknown321 12 hours ago

Wampy is an interface addon for modern Linux-based Walkmans, which allows you to switch between standard interface and custom one using hardware Hold switch.

The project was born out of handful of standard UI nitpicks and "can I make a prettier UI?". There is no Rockbox port for my device (NW-A55), so I did a UI myself, unlocking and adding various features along the way, such as:

  - Winamp 2 skin support
  - Custom cassette skins
  - Digital clock skin ported from iPod Nano 7g
  - Audio amplification table editor for S-Master HX
  - All audio filters are available regardless of firmware
  - Per-song audio filter options
  - Standard interface enhancements (add clock and increase cover art size)
  - Low latency USB DAC module
  - FM radio on devices with FM chip and Walkman One (A40/50)
The result covers 6 models, from cheapest NW-A30 to premium NW-WM1Z. Development process involved a lot of reverse engineering, digging into device internals and was pretty fun overall; there are links to development stories in README.md, describing how this or that feature was added.
aylmao 10 hours ago

I don't have one of these, so I can't try, but very cool!

Seeing that Winamp skin screenshot was especially interesting to me, because I'd assume Winamp is itself a digital representation of an audio player— an abstract standalone device, turned digital, again, in a way, turned standalone, haha.

gsora 10 hours ago

Neat! I have A55 as well, I wish I had the time to port rockbox to it. I like Sony OS, but having the thing re-scan my library on each reboot gets old quickly

  • unknown321 10 hours ago

    Long rescan usually happens if there is a date mismatch between device date and pc. About porting rockbox - you'll have to integrate with almost all system services to keep Sony sound enhancements.

    • svl7 9 hours ago

      For me the database rebuild happens on every boot (NW-A55), no matter whether a file changed it not. It's the one thing that constantly annoys me with this device as it takes several minutes...

      • unknown321 8 hours ago

        AFAIK database rebuild is two steps; first is fsck_msdos, second is checking every file for changes. You can check the logs yourself by installing Wampy and enabling adb, maybe your filesystem is also having issues?

    • gsora 10 hours ago

      Ah I should check again then, thanks for the tip!

      Re: rockbox, I’m not concerned about them, I’m sure the thing sounds good enough already.

appel 7 hours ago

Oh man, this is exciting! Running Mr Walkman FW on my NW-A45, so looks like I should be good to go.

csdvrx 10 hours ago

Since you did reverse engineering and checked the internals, have you found the cause of the high power draw in suspend? (device on, screen off, wireless off, not playing anything)

I haven't checked, but I would suspect either the USB port of the internal DAC are left powered on

  • unknown321 9 hours ago

    You are talking about Android devices, right? Linux ones have no wireless (and power issues).