For Sale (someday): Home docking stations designed to sit on a desktop or act as a "stereo component" box for the Rio/Empeg Car player.

Okay, these don't exist yet. But I'm making a prototype, and everything looks nicely "doable". Here's what it consists of:

-- the docking cabinet, rectangular in shape, measuring approximately 8"x8"x3" externally, made from MDF (medium density fibreboard), with laminate wear strips on which the Empeg slides in/out.

-- a standard (car) docking connector, mounted within the cabinet.

-- a 6' ethernet cable connected through the rear of the cabinet, with docking connection to the player. Yes, this is short, but can easily be extended to whatever length is needed by the owner, using an RJ-45 coupler.

-- RCA phono jacks for Left/Right output mounted on the rear of the cabinet, connected through the (car) docking connector.

-- a female inline power adaptor connector on a 12" cord from the rear of the cabinet, designed to connect externally to a standard Empeg 12V AC adaptor. Internally, this connects through the (car) docking connector. An unmodified unit will think it is "in the car". Hijack will be enhanced to allow auto-selection between car/home based on the external "mute" input at power-up (optional, can be disabled). Alternatively, a short AC adaptor style plug could be implanted within the cabinet to fool the firmware into believing it is running on AC power (doesn't actually need to be connected to anything).

-- four rubber feet on the bottom of the cabinet.

I plan to offer this fully assembled as follows:

--> US$125 sanded but unfinished MDF -- paint it your favorite colour(s).

--> US$50 extra for attractive wood veneer (a variety of choices available, including birds eye maple/birch, and others) applied to the four primary external surfaces (top, sides, bottom), with a shellac or varnish protective finish coat applied.

For now, I'm building a few for my own units to rest in when not in the cars. If enough genuine interest is seen, I'll run production batches of 5-10 at a time to fill orders.

For now, do NOT send me money, but rather just post here whether you would or would not buy one (or two or ..).

Cheers

I'd probably buy one (I'd have to see a sample first, of course), but wouldn't it make more sense to have an ethernet jack on the back rather than a cord hanging out? Or am I misunderstanding?

Sounds good. Count me in for at least one. How much is shipping something like that going to run?

Yeah, a jack would be tidier, but it would also increase the cost (parts and labour) by perhaps another $5-$10 or so. I'm trying to keep this thing simple enough that it ends up significantly cheaper than most/all other options.

Cheers

Mmm.. shipping?

Well, it's a very rugged unit, and should easily survive the post office. Postage for a parcel this size would likely be in the range of US$10-$20, depending on timeliness. I'll have to check with the local office to get a more exact figure, but that oughta be the ballpark.

Cheers

How about an option, then? Or the ability to let us install an appropriate part ourselves (that might already be possible without having seen your box). I'd probably be willing to pay an extra $5-$10 for a jack instead, just for the tidiness.

Out of curiosity (and I know I'm getting ahead of myself and you), have you considered routing the face of the unit a little so that the empeg will sit more-or-less flush with the face? Shouldn't be a big problem as long as you're using reasonably thick MDF.

Of course, I could do all of this myself, but I'm just too lazy.

Not to tell you how to create your product, Mark, but shortly after I built my first docking station I discovered that a fan was a requirement. Something you might want to think about.

>How about an option, then? [ethernet jack on back instead of a loose cable]

Well, if everyone leans in that direction, I suppose I'll just have to design the RJ-45 coupler into the back panel then, and adjust the price to compensate -- probably $5-10 extra.

>have you considered routing the face of the unit a little so that the empeg will sit more-or-less flush with the face?

I'm still toying with that aspect of the design. Personally, I kinda like letting the empeg bezel just sit flush against the front of the cabinet, but I suppose it may look better with a face frame around it -- this would look a little better with the veneer as well. I'll try a couple of things on the prototype.

Cheers

>I discovered that a fan was a requirement.

Yes, I've been pondering that problem, and may have to offer fans as an option. The unit will have air passages to match those of the player, including the top "fan" grill.

I'm looking around for a cost-effective method for pushing air through those holes. The player should get no warmer than when in most cars, but even that is pretty darned hot in reality.

The big issue is noise. People don't want fan noise when listening to soft background music, or at least I don't want it. I'm still working on that one.

Cheers

Oh, and to, once again, request too much, it'd be nice to have some sort of spring loaded bezel to cover the hole when it's not filled. Kind of like the one that covers a car cassette player's hole. I was thinking of the kind that had two flaps, as it'd seem to be easier to fit, but it'd probably also cost significantly more, so a one-flap solution would do, if it'd work.

Mark, that sounds awesome! Put me on the list.

I would be interested in one, maybe two. Would like the ethernet plug on the rear instead of the cable, FWIW.

I was toying with this idea a few weeks ago, but would rather get one from you Count me in for one.

(FYI - I would like to have the ethernet as a jack on the back of the box and have the hole covered when not in use )

I would also be interested in one. Ethernet jack would be preferable to a loose cable. Cooling is a major concern of mine, though. The room the computer is in gets quite warm, especially in the summer.

i was going to build one in the up comming weeks, but if you are going to produce one, put me down for one. There is something about me never being satifyed with my own creations so if someone else builds it all the better.

Greetings!

I would be interested!!!

I would be interested in one also. And could I make a special request for one to fit the MKI in? You wouldn't have to worry about the ethernet connection. That is what I use as my home player now.

<---- smiles sweetly and waves

I'm not sure if a mating dock connector can be found for the Mark-I.

But if you always just leave it hitched to the stereo at home, then I suppose the docking connector may not be as important for that particular unit -- just plug the individual cables directly into the rear of the unit. That would also make it MUCH cheaper to build (and for You, my dear..)

Cheers

You can order them from newark. The part number has been posted on more than one post and it wa a much simpler connector than the mk2 one.

I'm not sure if it would help, but I could send you the sled if it would make it easier. Or if you make it down here for the meet I could give it to you then.

And thanks!

I would go for one. I have contracted Mark's work before and have been very pleased with the results!!

Your design sounds great, Mark. Count me in as very interested. I was going to start a project like this myself but "real life" has gotten in the way of all my projects lately.

I would probably just want mine in a flat black color, so I guess I'd paint it myself. Do you have any plans to offer serial on the back? Didn't see anything about that.

I don't have a mute line connected, so I would actually prefer the tuner detection patch were incorporated into Hijack to accomodate those of us who would rather the car/home detection be based on the presence/absence of the tuner.

I can't wait to see how your prototypes come out!

>I don't have a mute line connected

Exactly. And neither do nearly all of the rest of us. Which makes it perfect for home dock detection for (almost) everyone. The nice thing about that line, is that it can be read rather simply -- it's just a pin. Tuner detection requires much much more, including an actual tuner in the vehicle..

I'm thinking of perhaps tying the mute to the serial TX line (through a resistor, perhaps), and then just strobing the serial and reading back from the mute. That way, it could be used by everyone, even those who actually have the mute line connected up to a cellphone/onstar/whatever in their vehicle.

Cheers

Put me down for at least one of those, probably 2.

Will it come with a docking sled? Or will we have to provide one?

Ohhhh.. Mute line would be active at *home*... Gotcha.

Well I think I'd be interested in two of these.

>Will it come with a docking sled? Or will we have to provide one?

Neither. This design does not use a docking sled, even though it permits the player to be inserted/removed in the same way as with a "real" sled.

Think of the "cabinet" as a custom built docking sled, albiet somewhat more attractive to look at than the metal sleds..

Cheers

Hi Mark,

I to am interested, and I would prefer the ethernet jack as opposed to the loose cable.

I look forward to some pics!

Thanks,

Doug

I would be interested in one with ethernet jack. Thanks.

The loose cable reminds me of the way computer monitors come these days, with the captive monitor cable in place. If it breaks you're sort of SOL.

Stu

US$125 sounds like a bargain to me I think that's about the price of the sled in mine, before I bought the case and connectors.

I have one docking station already at work, but the temptation to acquire another for home could prove too tempting for me. And having made one, I'd find it harder to justify making another (novelty factor and all). I'd rather save myself day's work that it took for the first one even if it means spending more than I did on my parts (and it's almost certainly less).

Some observations, and (I hope constructive) criticisms:

• I put an ethernet socket on the back of mine (£5 or so) and I think that's the best connector option, as the user can then use the best length patch cord to plug it into the rest of the network. But if you leave space where I could install a socket myself, I'd be happy.
• I have a power-plug in mine to fool the player into AC mode, but I did think a bit about using mute or headlight sense to detect the sled. I considered wiring the input to the amp control, and checking for a transition when the display is activated, but your idea of strobing the serial sounds interesting. I like that.
• You don't mention what kind of serial connector will be exposed. I think serial is essential (for re-applying Hijack after an upgrade, if nothing else). I'd be willing to fit one myself, if you leave space for it.
• I suggest leaving some space to add extra audio connectors, for those who want rear outputs and AUX and MIC inputs. My dock has 3 pairs of RCAs (though I've only bothered wiring one pair).
• The size you mention sounds very compact - IWBNI there would be room to fit a tuner module (original or pca-kit) inside. My docking station is 11"x7¾"x3½" and some of the connectors were a bit of a squeeze. A bit more space would be useful for anyone customising their dock.

I've tried to keep my suggestions from increasing the cost - they're mostly places to leave space for keen people to add stuff.

All that said, I'd probably want one as a home-stereo dock with just power and audio-out, and use my existing dock for hacking.

Count me in for one.