Top MusicPal Hacks & Features

If you didn't know, you can modify this device to add a few handy additions. Note: I suspect that all these will void the warranty - and you make these changes at your own risk

1. Use a remote control (software hack required)
http://freecom.mcproductions.eu/Mac/

20140620: I have noticed that the linked domain is now down.
I (mostly) recovered instructions from ( http://web.archive.org/web/20080913211616/http://freecom.mcproductions.eu/Mac/ )
Download the file ( http://web.archive.org/web/20080913211616/http://freecom.mcproductions.eu/downloads/Musicpal%20Infrared%20Remote%20control.rar  untested)

These are the instructions I copied from the webpage: Perform at your OWN peril!
 
1: Go to: http:///admin/cgi-bin/debug and start "Start Telnet server"

2: Start your "Freecom Network Storage Assistant" and "Start recovery" after that dont close your Popup screen.

3: Place "remote.hex" file into directory: C:\Program Files\Freecom Network Storage Assistant

4: Go to start and Typ: telnet

5: login with "root" and ENTER

6: ???????????

7: Typ: /home/make_rw.sh and ENTER

8: ???????????

9: Typ: cd  /etc and ENTER

10: ???????????

11: Typ: tftp -g -r remote.hex and ENTER

12: Typ: avr_prog pdef and ENTER after that Typ: avr_prog i and ENTER

13: Typ: exit and ENTER

14: Close now your Popup screen and all Windows and restart your MusicPal

15: Tweak are 100% working.


2. Add a usb socket to play mp3s off a memory stick (soldering + software hack (to make usb devices readonly) required.
I have since read that some devices already have the USB port already on the circuitboard (unconfirmed) The highest confirmed data volumes used are as follows (not to say higher volumes cannot be used);
USB 4GB stick
Powered HD 160Gb Fat32


3. Use the device with a battery pack (simple diy battery pack build required - be very careful of the polarity!)

From the forums:
"Male is outside the black cables, connectors inside the red.
There are, according to V 5.6 meter from the charger, exactly what the gauge also indicates when the battery pack attaches the plug!
Caution: If a minus it is displayed, then the polarity is wrong and that could damage the device is likely.

Total Cost: about 23 euros
Battery charger included 4x2700 mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries: 19.95
Battery Holder: 1,49 Euros
BatteryClips: 0,26 Euro
Male 2.5 mm: 0.66 euros "

4. If you turn the MusicPal into standby, the audio in 3.5 socket seems act as an audio in !? ( source )