Web Radio : Raspberry Pi or  ESP32  ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2017, 05:55:49 pm
content: Dear All,I am thinking of making a simple web radio.with limited features ( no more than 10 preselected stations)This will be to be used by someone that has no special technical ability, and just want a ON/OFFbutton, and simple selection of stations and sound volume.I see two options :A) Rpi where everything is done in softwareB) ESP32 + VS1053as inhttps://github.com/Edzelf/ESP32-Radio/blob/master/doc/ESP32-radio.pdfMy preference would go towards B) as I believe it would use lower power. I could then put it on battery.What do you think ? Have you any recommendations for these web radios ?ThanksJacques

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2017, 02:42:38 pm
content: Quote from: evb149 on July 20, 2017, 06:16:02 pmYes, I need 802.11 support. Its the whole point. A web radio needs to be connected to the internet. I need wifi connection.There is no need for bluetooth or other IR connection. The unit will have loudspeakers. No remote command. Its for an old person for whom the simpler, the better.To have a fixed station connected to the internet and a satellite connected by bluetooth or other will make it more complex. You have to remember to turn on the mainstation, etc.Everything has to be in a mobile wifi radio.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2017, 07:57:33 pm
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on July 21, 2017, 02:42:38 pmHum and how are you going to handle explaining that that enormous brick of a battery this will need for any reasonable listening time needs to be removed from the radio and charged (or the unit plugged in) when the above is too complex? Or are you planning on using a boatload of D-cells like in old boomboxes?By "solving" one problem you may have created an even bigger one.E.g. this Sangean (http://www.portablehifi.com/sangean-wfr-28-rechargeable-portable-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/) uses 4 NiMH D-cells (fairly uncommon) and lasts some 10 hours. Unless the goal is to bring it to the beach (but then why wifi?) or garden you would likely be better off with a mains powered unit.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2017, 08:14:27 pm
content: this has been done with an anduino, so it's like the esp8266 ... and the vs1053 chiphttp://www.serasidis.gr/circuits/Arduino_WebRadio_player/Arduino_WebRadio_player.htm

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2017, 08:20:07 pm
content: Use a RPi with a touch screen LCD, and make the RPi open this amazing radio interface from Radio Garden:http://radio.garden/

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2017, 09:42:08 pm
content: Quote from: janoc on July 21, 2017, 07:57:33 pmI will put some lipo battery. A simple 85 mm x 55mm unit can provide 5mAh or 15 wh. If I plan on a 2w power usage, it gives 7 h ofpower which is more than what is needed. Even with 5w output, it still gives 3h autonomy.The unit will stay most of the time on main power, but it is nice to be able to move itwithout wondering of finding an outlet where you go. Of course, it is not to go to the beach, but just to move indoor from one location to another.QuoteThanks for the link. This looks like a nice unit. This may be an option for me. Unfortunately is is not presently available on amazon.fr.I have ordered some VS1053 board. I will see what I can do with it.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 11:19:56 am
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on July 21, 2017, 09:42:08 pmIf you search for "internet radio" on Amazon, you will find tons of similar products:https://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=internet+radio