VLC RF-controller

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi guys!

For my final test in high school next year i have the following idea for a project:
I want to make a FM-transmitter who transmits the audio from a pc to a radio in another room.
Also I want to have a controller who can control the media player on the pc and if possible send the ID3 tags and playlist to the controller and show it on a display
So if I’m in the bathroom, kitchen or living room, I can always change the tracks.
There is software for android and blackberry who does the same over the wifi network
http://www.chocolatechunkapps.com/applications/vlcremotecontrol/
But I want to make the controlling by myself.
(see scheme)

For the FM-transmitter part I have this one:
http://electronics-diy.com/BA1404_Stereo_FM_Transmitter.php
This should have a range around 60meters (500mw) is that right?
The antenna I have to use will be between 70 and 60cm

For the interfacing with the computer I ordered a arduino one, I don’t have experience with arduino, but i hear arduino is quite simple for programming?
Normally I get him one of the next days so I will start directly with experimenting!
I searched for topics about controlling media player software from an arduino, but its poor
I have no idea how that works… and which media player I should use (I guess VLC is the most powerfull for these things?)

for the data transmission part I was thinking to do this with 2 RF transceivers (one in the remote control and one connected with the arduino)

to control the display in the remote controller I guess I will need also a microcontroller in there
Or can I just transfer te signal from the RF transceiver directly to the display?

I have no idea how everything will be connected and how the program will look like.. I just had the idea yesterday and wanted to hear from guys with experience what they think of it and how they would do it.

So tell me what you think of it, and how I should fix this
Greetings, Koen

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2

You have not filled in where in the world you are so I can't tell exactly but in a lot of places FM transmitters like this are illegal.
Just because you can buy them doesn't mean you can use them.
I am sure in the U.S an FM transmitter of half a watt is illegal.

The other thing is if you have more than one transmitter make sure they operate in different bands otherwise they will interfere with each other.
You generally can't transmit and receive at the same time when the frequencies are closer than 1MHz without very special equipment outside the amateur arena.

Or can I just transfer te signal from the RF transceiver directly to the display?

No.

3

I searched for topics about controlling media player software from an arduino

The first thing to do is identify what media player software you are talking about. Does that software connect to a serial port? If so, you can send data to it.

If not, you may need to develop a custom application that reads from the serial port and uses the media player software's APIs to control the hardware that the media player software interacts with.

and which media player I should use

You've got your questions backwards. You must choose the software first, then figure out how to control it. Of course, if one of your criteria is "externally controllable via the serial port", that might factor into (and severely limit) your choices.

4

Grumpy_Mike:
I am sure in the U.S an FM transmitter of half a watt is illegal.

Is half a watt enough power to get more than 61 meters of "effective service range"?

http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lowpwr.html

5

Half a watt is enough to get about 20 miles. I have done it on many occasions as a radio ham.
If you want to push it I have got 200 miles from half a watt on one occasion.

6

Got it. Thanks.

Hmm, I wonder where the OP got to?