RockBox RemoteControl (includind ID3 song info)

[FIREWALL]

Hello,
    Is it possible (via serial,etc) to remotely control (and access playlists, track info etc) rock box? For example, If I have an roxbox device with a broken, screen  is it possible use an AVR/Pic to communicate with it  and get the current track info, ffwd, all the other normal player functions over serial, SPI, I2c etc?

[Chronon]

Do you have a specific player in mind?

[FIREWALL]

No device in particular, I want make an MP3 Player with my own hardware interface (controlled by what ever buttons/os/etc ) but use and existing mp3 player as a sort of "module" that would allow the playback of mp3's. I was originally going to make hd based mp3 player from scratch, but realized that if I can interface with an exisiting MP3 player, that I can focus on the rest of my project (Internet enabled MP3/ CD player with freedb lookup/ fm radio , all using 1 interface/remote etc).  Basically I am looking for a HD based MP3 "module" I can interface with using a common or well documented protocol, and I thought that RockBox might have the ability to do that for me. I am Programmer by profession, so if partial support for what I want is available, I may be able build on it. Do any of the RockBox firmwares/Hardwares support serial out?

Thanks

[Chronon]

Some players have an LCD remote supported by Rockbox.  I believe that these use serial port for communication.  Check out the iriver H1x0 and Iaudio X5 or M3 for examples (the M3 actually doesn't have an LCD on the player, only on the remote).  There's also some support in the 5g iPods for accessories that use the serial port.

[tomers]

It is definitely possible to implement a 'vendor specific' USB class driver.
Rockbox identifies as 'Rockbox player' and uses the OF vendor/product ID's. Its possible that it will communicate with an appropriate protocol for these needs, provided that the host operating system knows how to talk to it, using the same protocol (driver).

I am not sure whether such open source protocol exists, but that's exactly what Apple have for their iPods - the ability to control the player, playlist, and even to transport audio.