Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

I cant stand that the volume of my Prism's speaker is so low. I constantly miss appointments because I never heard the alarm I set. I want to make modifications but need some info. I e-mailed Handspring but was told to refer to their website. That was a waste of time. They only respond to registered developers. Anyone who can answer my questions will have my gratitude. The following is from my e-mail to them:

...One of your reps from Handspring Tech Support told me to look at the Handspring Developer Website. I checked out EVERYTHING including the hardware diagrams and every PDF file related to the Prism. I was unable to find any mention ANYWHERE of the piezo "speaker" that is used to create sound. I was looking for power and signal requirements of the piezo. Here's what I need to know. Please respond to EACH question so there is no confusion when I attempt my upgrades.

1. If I cut the piezo's wires from the connector attached to the circuit board and replace the piezo with a slim REAL speaker (like the TRG Pro PDA uses), will this work?

1a. If not, why?

2. If I can't use a speaker and MUST use a piezo as per question 1a, what power, signal and other specifications (such as size) must the piezo meet?

2a. Using the specifications from question 2, is it possible to use a louder piezo than the one that comes standard on the Prism?

2b. I was told by Handspring Support that the piezo "speaker" in the Visor Edge is ALOT louder. Can I use a piezo "speaker" from the Visor Edge in the Prism if I were to purchase one from Handspring?

2c. If I can't because the connector is different, can I just replace the connector?

2d. If I can't because Handspring will not sell me an Edge piezo, can I get an OEM version somewhere if you provide the specs?

3. Do you think I'd get any increase in volume if I were to remove the back cover of the Prism, remove the piezo, create a "speaker grille" by drilling a few small holes (each about the size of the reset hole) through the back of the case where the piezo's sound would pass and then replace the piezo and back cover?

4. If the answer to questions 2a and 3 are yes, can I combine both solutions to create maximum volume?

These questions are posted on several Visor related forums to maximize my chances at finding the answers. My apologies for wasting space.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

Your duplicate posts on multiple forums are not appreciated

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

quote:

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Originally posted by kalahari
Your duplicate posts on multiple forums are not appreciated

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

I see that you took the time to voice your opinion, but obviously didn't take the time to actually READ my post. if you HAD, you'd have seen that I apologized in advance for the multiple posts. I guess you need a PERSONAL apology. I'm sorry kalahari.

I've asked these questions before in Visor Central. I find it hard to believe that nobody knows the answer. I just figured I was posting the question in the wrong place and decided to try and maximize my chances for a valid response.

I got a single response so far. From you. But you weren't any help. Thanks anyway.

BTW - were you speaking for EVERYONE, or just yourself? Chalk it up to my being a rude New Yorker in need of valuable info.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: NJ,US
Posts: 94

I dont think the prism provides enough power for a
real speaker. The TRG actually has an amplifier builtin
to provide the power to drive a real speaker.

Putting a holes in the back of the prism will increase
the volume, but will void your waranty. I suggest you
try the alarm with the back of the prism off, before
you put holes in the prism, to see if it will be loud
enough.

There is a japanesse web site, where someone modified
the prism so that they could connect a external amplified
speaker.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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if you HAD, you'd have seen that I apologized in advance for the multiple posts.

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Umm...apologizing and/or thanking 'in advance' usually signifies a lack of courtesy and/or appreciation on behalf of the poster.

quote:

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BTW - were you speaking for EVERYONE, or just yourself?

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I'm pretty sure he speaks for everyone. Double posting to forums, mailing lists, etc. is just plain bad etiquette.

I thank you in advance for not double posting again.

__________________
We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
-David Byrne

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

quote:

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Originally posted by homer
I thank you in advance for not double posting again.

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LOL...good one, homer!

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Posts: 61

I agree with wforde; unless you're a EE, I wouldn't recommend wiring up any old speaker in there, especially not knowing the power requirements.

Are you certain that your particular speaker isn't defective somehow? My prism is pretty darn loud. The speaker itself is a very thin disk that's welded or glued to the back plastic of the prism, and I think it probably uses the prism housing as an amplifier (like an acoustic instrument). I'm not sure you could take it off or put holes in the case without damaging it.

Maybe there's a decent volume hack out there? I saw a few on PalmGear, but I don't know how they work.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

quote:

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Originally posted by jenesis
Are you certain that your particular speaker isn't defective somehow? My prism is pretty darn loud. The speaker itself is a very thin disk that's welded or glued to the back plastic of the prism, and I think it probably uses the prism housing as an amplifier (like an acoustic instrument). I'm not sure you could take it off or put holes in the case without damaging it.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Scottster
I appreciate your help rather than the flames. I'd have gladly deleted a few posts if those other guys here in the "How To" forum offered me some advice on what I asked, rather than advice on "How 'NOT' To" offend them. They act like I posted to every forum in VC. I only posted to TWO other forums for goodness sake. You'd think that guys with over 400 posts each would have had something constructive to offer me insted of a netequite lesson.

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There's a good reason why we don't like to see multiple posts here in the forums (besides the fact that they clutter up the boards). It makes it very difficult (if not impossible) to have any continuity. Three posts in three forums get three different answers, but they're not all together for everyone else to benefit from.

While the moderators have a merge capability, it is not without problems (as marcus found out the hard way today). It's therefore usually best to simply post once. If you think you're in the wrong forum and want it moved, just email someone on staff and we'll gladly move it for you (if we haven't already ).

As for getting answers to technical questions, all I can say is that while there is a wealth of information available here from the general membership, it might take some time for the right person(s) to read your inquiry and reply with appropriate information. This is especially true on weekends, and even during the day as many, such as myself, simply don't have the time to respond while at work.

All that being said, I'll just state that, IMHO, the flames weren't meant as such and certainly weren't personal. Now, everyone play nice or I'll close the sandbox (after I delete the other threads)!

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

Thanks Mark. 'nuff said. I'll keep the posts to one forum at a time waiting for the answers I seek. My frustration at needing a solution to my problem got the better of me. As I said, had I been asked, I'd have deleted them myself. I'm just wondering where I should keep the post. I'd have thought the "How To" or "Developers" forum would have gotten me a few good responses, but the best came from the Prism forum so far. What do you think? Whatever you decide, just delete the other two threads. Again, my CURRENT apologies for rudeness - It's the New Yawka in me

One last opinion though. You said it's not personal. I think that whoever rated this thread at one star (and, though I could be wrong, my guess it's one of the guys who thought it was bad etiquette) was doing it based on my posting mishap rather than the content of the post. I believe that alot of Prism users could benefit from these answers. If that poor rating keeps someone who may know the answer from checking out the thread and responding, I'd take that personally. Scottster humbly steps down off of soapbox

Last edited by Scottster on 05-04-2001 at 02:22 AM

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

Ok, now that we're done with the netiquette lessons...

Here's the link to the 'palm de cool' Japanese site with all the palm (and visor) mods. In the past, I've seen jog-dials added to the Prism, and I think I saw some speaker mods at some point (and a headphone jack added to a TRGPro). It might help:

http://www.fureai.or.jp/~mori-t/index.html

(you may have to go to the bottom and look at some of the old news/articles)

Here's an old VC thread with some other links:

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...?threadid=14319

Good luck! Let us know if you ever get a louder speaker working for the Prism.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

Thanks Rob! I may solve this problem yet.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Discworld
Posts: 21

Here are direct links to the two speaker/headphone links from the Japanese pages, pre-translated.

http://world.altavista.com/urltrurl...a037069/nsv.htm

http://world.altavista.com/urltrurl...2Fprism_ej.html

Both are for the Prism, and one of those should have the info you need.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

I'd love to check out the sites, but clicking on them gives me the following info:

BabelFish Error 3012
We're sorry we've encountered an error with your request.
If you think this is a bug we should know about? Send us e-mail and let us know the following:

* What browser you were using.
* The operating system you are on.
* The type of translation you were trying when this error occurred.

Questions? Check out our FAQs.

The error encountered is: Not a valid referer.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 114

Use the original address instead:

http://yokohama.cool.ne.jp/ja037069/nsv.htm

-xjx

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 63

quote:

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Originally posted by xjx
Use the original address instead:

http://yokohama.cool.ne.jp/ja037069/nsv.htm

-xjx

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Discworld
Posts: 21

Copy and paste the translated links into a new window instead of clicking, and it should work fine. I think Babelfish just doesn't like being referred from the forums. If that doesn't work, try these two (different translation engine):

http://browse.amikai.com/HTMLBrowsi...htm&t_dis=2

http://browse.amikai.com/HTMLBrowsi...tml&t_dis=2

Also, with the greeting card speaker, he says that he used junk parts (the card) as a trial, it has better sound but it's softer. His concept is still fine, though.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Misplaced Canuck in Charleston SC
Posts: 257

quote:

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Originally posted by Scottster
Nope. It's not defective. It's loud enough when I'm alone or in a fairly quiet environment, but in a noisy office with the Prism in my pocket, it needs a good boost. I was able to remove the piezo "disk" from the cover. Just a bit of adhesive holding it there. It's definitely louder with the cover off (hence my thought about the holes.)

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__________________
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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I wrote to AltaVista about this and they actually replied back saying it's a known error and they are working on it. That was many months ago.

quote:

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Originally posted by Scottster
I'd love to check out the sites, but clicking on them gives me the following info:

BabelFish Error 3012
We're sorry we've encountered an error with your request.
If you think this is a bug we should know about? Send us e-mail and let us know the following:

* What browser you were using.
* The operating system you are on.
* The type of translation you were trying when this error occurred.

Questions? Check out our FAQs.

The error encountered is: Not a valid referer.

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