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Hello,

Just wanted to throw out a few more options for sound players.  These
options all require an additional amplifier and speakers.

1) Medeawiz DV-68 CF Card Player ($200 for 99+ buttons)
Think of it as an industrial strenth IPOD.  This player actually puts out
MPEG4 video as well as MP3 sound.  Plays from a CF card that you can
download sounds onto from a computer. With a few accessories, you can hook
up multiple buttons (99+) and play multiple sounds (99+).  Plug and play. 
(*Can also communicate with a microcontroller, but the serial protocol needs
help).

http://www.medeawiz.com/products/Dv68.htm 

2)ISD Chipcorder ($30 per button)
A cheap electronic chip that records sound off a line-in jack and stores it
into memory.  I believe something similar is used in those annoying greeting
cards.  You can buy a prepackaged kit from Cowalacious Design, but you need
one kit for every button.  Great for single sound applications. It comes set
up to be triggered by a pushbutton.  Fairly Plug and Play.
http://tinyurl.com/3sr58q 

3) Arduino with Wave Sound Backpack (~$100 for up to 20+ buttons)
I love the Arduino Microcontroller, but haven't tried the sound card
addition yet.  It basically converts the Arduino microcontroller into the CF
Card Player (similar to #1).  The advantage is that you now have a nifty
microcontroller to control when and what sounds are played, etc...  But for
simple pushbutton applications, you'd be better off going with a dedicated
CF player, and not fiddling with DIY kits.
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=index 


*Just an idea, but how about a painted mural with invisible touch panels
embedded in the wall.  Touch a creature and it makes a sound.  Let me know
if you are interested, and I can send additional info on reliable touch
sensors. 

-Eric


*****************************************
Eric Yuan
Exhibit Developer
Children's Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington St
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 742-2002
www.childrens-museum.org 
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