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

[unknown321]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[csdvrx]

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]

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