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geekmaster · 05-16-2016, 03:31 PM

I have added K1 (i.e. "Kindle: Amazon's Original Wireless Reading Device (1st generation)") support to my kindle video player. It is identical to the existing version 1.5a, except it has support for the K1 2-bit per pixel framebuffer, relocated to "/dev/fb/0".

I am working an MANY HUGE improvements (for all eink kindles), including a significant speed increase for old kindles such as K1 through DXG, but especially, I am adding sound support (for those kindles that support sound). As you may know, amazon is now selling a "USB sound dongle" for under $20, which currently supports only the newest kindles, but they have announced plans to support older kindles as well (or you can DIY). Besides that, just for fun, I plan to add OPTICAL sound to older kindles, using the power LEDs and/or frontlight modulation, so you can drive amplified speakers (perhaps stolen from an old destop PC) using only a photocell positioned to receive modulated light emitted from your kindle.

I suppose I should post my latest source code (and K1 binary, which is NOT compatible with newer kindles). I may do that soon, ESPECIALLY if somebody posts in this thread requesting a copy. I am not sure how many folks are interested in such a thing, considering that the K1 was only available in the US, and that amazon's entire stock sold out in FIVE HOURS, and then it took FIVE MONTHS before amazon was prepared to ship any more Original Kindles. Anyway, I am truly fascinated by my K1s (I have two so far). They are enough alike AND different from other eink kindles that they have certainly grabbed my attention (for now), and they show up on ebay for as little as $30 now and then. If your scroller (and menu selector) switch is flaky, I have discovered that it "fixes" itself with use. It seems that the switch contacts (old technology) must oxidize, and using the scoller wheel makes it slowly get better until it works perfectly. I discovered this only AFTER ordering a $0.99 replacement roller switch (still unused).

Again, if you WANT a copy of gmplay with K1 support, just say so here...

EDIT: I just noticed that when I hover my mouse over the amazon link to the K1 (above), MobileRead automatically appends a tag, apparently so they can get credit for anybody who purchase a K1 after clicking my link. I have no problem with that, and in fact I support it (so that my large volume of posts here can have some life after I am gone, hopefully).

05-16-2016, 03:31 PM	#348
geekmaster Carpe diem, c'est la vie. Posts: 6,433 Karma: 10773670 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Multiverse 6627A Device: K1 to PW3	I have added K1 (i.e. "Kindle: Amazon's Original Wireless Reading Device (1st generation)") support to my kindle video player. It is identical to the existing version 1.5a, except it has support for the K1 2-bit per pixel framebuffer, relocated to "/dev/fb/0". I am working an MANY HUGE improvements (for all eink kindles), including a significant speed increase for old kindles such as K1 through DXG, but especially, I am adding sound support (for those kindles that support sound). As you may know, amazon is now selling a "USB sound dongle" for under $20, which currently supports only the newest kindles, but they have announced plans to support older kindles as well (or you can DIY). Besides that, just for fun, I plan to add OPTICAL sound to older kindles, using the power LEDs and/or frontlight modulation, so you can drive amplified speakers (perhaps stolen from an old destop PC) using only a photocell positioned to receive modulated light emitted from your kindle. I suppose I should post my latest source code (and K1 binary, which is NOT compatible with newer kindles). I may do that soon, ESPECIALLY if somebody posts in this thread requesting a copy. I am not sure how many folks are interested in such a thing, considering that the K1 was only available in the US, and that amazon's entire stock sold out in FIVE HOURS, and then it took FIVE MONTHS before amazon was prepared to ship any more Original Kindles. Anyway, I am truly fascinated by my K1s (I have two so far). They are enough alike AND different from other eink kindles that they have certainly grabbed my attention (for now), and they show up on ebay for as little as $30 now and then. If your scroller (and menu selector) switch is flaky, I have discovered that it "fixes" itself with use. It seems that the switch contacts (old technology) must oxidize, and using the scoller wheel makes it slowly get better until it works perfectly. I discovered this only AFTER ordering a $0.99 replacement roller switch (still unused). Again, if you WANT a copy of *gmplay* with K1 support, just say so here... EDIT: I just noticed that when I hover my mouse over the amazon link to the K1 (above), MobileRead automatically appends a tag, apparently so they can get credit for anybody who purchase a K1 after clicking my link. I have no problem with that, and in fact I support it (so that my large volume of posts here can have some life after I am gone, hopefully). Last edited by geekmaster; 05-16-2016 at 03:42 PM.