How to reprogram an MP3 player?

Question

Do it yourself

There is an MP3 player for 900 rubles and the question that suddenly arises is "Is it possible to reprogram it a little to suit your taste?" For example, slightly change the playback mode, correct random play, change key assignments. Is it possible to do this, having, in fact, the player itself and a laptop? If yes, where to dig? Maybe someone has done something similar and can provide some links?

Answer 1

1. Open the mp-3 player.
2. Rewrite the names of the microcircuits.
3. Find datasheets for these microcircuits. Determine which one is the controller.
4. Check the possibility of uploading / receiving firmware from an mp3 player. Protection capabilities (for example, checking signed firmware checksums, burnable security bit jumpers)
5. In accordance with the controller command system, write the firmware, or if the circuit allows it, merge the firmware, disassemble it with a disassembler for this microcontroller, and supplement it with your own code, then compile back into a binary image for firmware.
6. If possible, debug the code in the emulator.
7. Fill in the firmware back.
8. Profit

Answer 2

Well, there are two options:
1) either the player should have the ability to customize with standard tools
2) or open source code
Just like that, no one will let you reprogram a non-open source project)

Answer 3

Without options - cheap players are built on the basis of MTK chips and have a closed source code. A couple of times I managed to find sources without instructions on how to get the firmware from them.
It’s easier to take some kind of Orange PI One for the same 900 rubles - it has a lot of different firmware and you can already program in popular languages ​​​​such as python.

Answer 4

There is a firmware for rockbox players. View your player in their compatibility list. There are no other options - they are described above :)