Random choise mp3 playlist

[Dick60]

I use the PFplayer mini on my ESP8266 device with the latest rom.It works great but is there a a rule to start playing the playlist like a Lucky shot, so not sequently but randomly?

[TD-er]

We don't have a random function (which is a great feature by the way), but you could create one in the rules.

What you could do, is use the RSSI as random generator and multiply it by the uptime.

Let's assume you have the current track nr stored in variable #1 and number of tracks in variable #2
In this example I will store the random number in variable #3.

Code: Select all

let,3,abs(%rssi%) * %uptime%
let,1,([int#3]*[int#1])%[int#2]

With this code your next track nr is in variable #1 (to be used in rules with [int#1])

(untested code)

[Ath]

Looking at the commands for the DFR-0299, there is a command available to get random playback, it just isn't available to be set.
And the same goes for 'repeat', AFAICS, which would probably be useful here as well.

Wouldn't be too hard to add, except I don't have such unit available, so actual testing would have to be done by you or someone else. What type and flash configuration (.bin file name is helpful) do you use?

[Ath]

I use the PFplayer mini on my ESP8266 device with the latest rom.It works great but is there a a rule to start playing the playlist like a Lucky shot, so not sequently but randomly?

I've opened a pull request (PR #3615) adding a mode and a repeat command.

This plugin is only available in the 'test' .bin files, but as they are currently too big, they won't be available in the PR builds. (There's a separate PR #3600 to try and solve that).

I can provide you with an (adapted) 'test' build if you provide the type you need, and a list of other plugins that must be available too (if any), as I have to leave some out to create a working build.

Based on your highly appreciated feedback we can opt to actually include it in ESPEasy.

[Dick60]

thanks for the explanation. At the moment I use the test.bin because that was the only bin where the MP3 player was available. What i need in my project is the mp3 player and some normal switches. I appreciate the offer, to make an costum test.bin for me. After a succesfull implementation I can give you feedback of my findings.

I hope you have enough info to create the test.bin.

[Ath]

At the moment I use the test.bin because that was the only bin where the MP3 player was available. What i need in my project is the mp3 player and some normal switches. I appreciate the offer, to make an costum test.bin for me. After a succesfull implementation I can give you feedback of my findings.

Here's a test-build (attached below) with the new commands included.

From the (also updated) documentation:

Screenshot - 01_05_2021 , 16_33_37.png (35.05 KiB) Viewed 18769 times

[Dick60]

I hope, there is no misunderstanding from my side, I have load the attached Bin on my NodeMcu without any problems, created the device DFPLAYER-MINI and tested the play mode (http://xxx.xxx.x.xx/control?cmd=play,3). Worked perfect. Tried the new option MODE at boot

Code: Select all

 On System#Boot do 
   vol,10
   mode,3
   delay,180 //play the song for 30 seconds (this is a generic command!)
   stop
 endon

Did not work. Tried http://xxx.xxx.x.xx/control?cmd=mode,3 in my IE, Did not work.
Any idea? What am I doing wrong?

[Ath]

Not sure if you are doing anything wrong, there are a lot of possible causes here

- You can enter the commands, as shown in the documentation above, on the Tools page, no prefix like control?cmd= etc needed there, and the quickest way to test a command
- Calling that type of commands from the System#Boot event might be a bit 'early', not sure if the plugin is already fully initialized at that point (though I'd expect it would be). Adding a delay like you did is a big no-no, so that's why I updated the example code, see below.
- I have no player module available, so I've been unable to do any testing at all, just extended the existing command structure
- Chinese clones are not necessarily 100% compatible with the original player, so they can have a chip that doesn't support these commands, don't know what exact type of module you are using

Updated Rules example (as available in the updated documentation):

Code: Select all

On System#Boot do
  vol,10
  play,255 // file number 255
  timerSet,1,30 //play the song for 30 seconds (this is a generic command!)
Endon

On Rules#Timer=1 do
  Stop
Endon

[Dick60]

I've tested the new command MODE as described in your previous answere. The PLAY option is working but the MODE,3 without the "control?cmd=" (http://xxx.xxx.x.xx/mode,3) is not working for now. Probably I have to wait for the final version of the plug-in.

[TD-er]

I've tested the new command MODE as described in your previous answere. The PLAY option is working but the MODE,3 without the "control?cmd=" (http://xxx.xxx.x.xx/mode,3) is not working for now. Probably I have to wait for the final version of the plug-in.

You always need to include a command prefix as you tried first.

Can you try sending the command in the "command" input field on the Tools page?
If you submit the command you will see some output, which may also state if it is an unknown command.
To be honest, I do find it a bit too generic, so maybe it conflicts with some other plugin?

You can also add the "task prefix" to the command to make sure you address it to the task you want to control.
See: https://espeasy.readthedocs.io/en/lates ... f-a-plugin

Also if you submitted the command there, the browser will reload with the command encoded in a new URL in the browser URL bar, so you can use that later on other devices.

[Dick60]

this is all above my level of knowledge. Probably I use Variables for now to monitor the mp3's already played and that the new play not start Always with the same mp3. This is part of my alarm system (barking dog) and you do not want to start with the same mp3 but "randomly".

[Ath]

I will order a MP3-player module from my friends at Ali, but delivery will take a couple of weeks, so any testing by me will be postponed until then.

[Dick60]

thank you for the effort. I appreciate it.

[Dick60]

The MP3 is working perfectly using the "normal control options mentioned in the WIKI. A nice, missing function, would be the option to put the volume and the Play number in a rule. Bur for now I m happy with it and thiefs are welcome with the sound of barking agressieve dogs.

[Ath]

I've tested the new command MODE as described in your previous answere. The PLAY option is working but the MODE,3 without the "control?cmd=" (http://xxx.xxx.x.xx/mode,3) is not working for now. Probably I have to wait for the final version of the plug-in.

Today I did some further investigation, but the limitation here seems to be in the chips/modules, not related to the plugin. They just don't conform to the documentation of the DFPlayer module, and that mode command just doesn't do what the documentation prescribes.
I've put a note in the documentation, and declared the work on the PR as completed.
The 'repeat' command is working as expected (when executed, plays all mp3's from first to last, then starts at the first again).
Now we wait for that PR (#3615) to be merged in ESPEasy.

[TD-er]

It has been merged

[Dick60]

Perhaps a stupid remark, is it ready for testing? Is the option for volume level, mentioned before not possible using rules?

Code: Select all

On System#Boot do
  [u][b]vol,10[/b][/u]
  play,255 // file number 255
  timerSet,1,30 //play the song for 30 seconds (this is a generic command!)
Endon

On Rules#Timer=1 do
  Stop
Endon

[Ath]

AFAICS, the 'vol,<volume>' command should work as intended, or did I misunderstand your question?

That command uses exacty the same function call as the initial volume, settable in the configuration.

[Ath]

Here's the latest build from the Github Actions download: (same .bin I posted earlier)

ESPEasy_normal_ESP8266_4M1M.zip

(2.26 MiB) Downloaded 408 times

[TyraNoah]

Quite a lot that I really overlooked! That is helpful!

[Dick60]

I am sorry, I don't understand, which BIN do i need to load to test the results?

[Ath]

You can download a .bin (in a .zip file) from post #19, above. Assuming that fits your ESP. If you need another type of build, just name it, and I'll put it here for download too.

[Dick60]

That is what I did, copied it in the latest release (20210802) bin folder, strted the flasher and selected the .bin you send to me. Finished succefull but as soon as I want to add the MP3 device, it is not in the list. Any idea or what am I doing wrong.

[Ath]

Check on the Info page (or the site footer) what .bin file you are using, it is in the 'test' builds. Looks like I posted the wrong .bin file
The improvements aren't included in the release build yet, so I'll post a test build asap.

[Ath]

A bin that does actually include the updated DFPlayer MP3 plugin:
(based on today's 'mega' branch, as the improvements have already been merged, but are not released yet)

ESP_Easy_mega_20210810_test_A_ESP8266_4M1M.zip

(626.14 KiB) Downloaded 432 times

[Dick60]

I tested it and it works as expected. Thanks for the very very good service you delivered.

[Ath]

Glad to help

[Sminter4]

I'm also looking for a random number, but one that's plugin-independent and has the option to restrict it between a min and max value.

A function like this would be cool: let,<var nr>,rnd,<min>,<max>

Is this or something similar possible?

[Ath]

It would then be something like:

Code: Select all

let,random,%c_random%(%v_min%,%v_max%)

Or in old-style notation:

Code: Select all

let,1,%c_random%(1,100)

Note: The conversion %c_random%(min,max) doesn't yet exist!

[Sminter4]

Is such a function feasible?
And if so, when?

[TD-er]

We're very close to making a new official release and this will not really affect existing code.
So I think we can include it as it is a nice feature to have.

[TD-er]

Added the feature, it will be included in the next upcoming build, which will very likely be in April this year

[Sminter4]

Wow - you guys are awesome!
I've developed a new feature so quickly on the side.
I'm looking forward to testing it! I urgently need it for my new project...

[TD-er]

What build binary do you need, so I can make a test build for you to test it.
Will nearly be the same as the upcoming release build

[Sminter4]

Gladly. I need the normal_ESP8266_4M1M build.

[TD-er]

Gladly. I need the normal_ESP8266_4M1M build.

Can you test this: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/16l5544t ... u5xvz&dl=0

[Sminter4]

With the few tests I was able to perform, I couldn't find any errors in the random function.

For my application, I don't need any decimal places. However, I can round them with

Code: Select all

 [int#1]

However, this only seems to work with the number variables. The name variables are spitting out incorrect values ​​here.

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[int#%v_random%]

It seems as if the next largest number variable is simply rounded instead of the word variable.

[TD-er]

Code: Select all

let,1,%c_random%(1,100)
logentry,"My random value: [int#1]"

Have you tried it like this?

Or

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let,1,%c_random%(%v_min%,%v_max%)
let,random,[int#1]
logentry,"My random value:  %v_random%"

Not sure if floating point values as index will be parsed very well.
Never tested it.

[Ath]

With the few tests I was able to perform, I couldn't find any errors in the random function.

For my application, I don't need any decimal places. However, I can round them with

Code: Select all

 [int#1]

However, this only seems to work with the number variables. The name variables are spitting out incorrect values ​​here.

Code: Select all

[int#%v_random%]

It seems as if the next largest number variable is simply rounded instead of the word variable.

That should be:

Code: Select all

let,random,%c_random%(1,100)
...[int#random]...

to get the integer value of your random number

[Sminter4]

I tested the commands on the tools page. And I can now confirm that this syntax works:

Code: Select all

[int#random]

If it's well documented, it shouldn't be a problem...

[TD-er]

Well Ton made the named variables, so without having read the docs, I can be sure he did a good job.

And Ton can confirm I didn't read the docs for it, judging our Signal chat of a few minutes ago

[Ath]

For reference, the use of Internal variables is documented here