The DFPlayer Mini

Passionate about electronics and audio, I quickly discovered the "DFPlayer Mini": a small and very affordable audio player.

Since the features and build quality seem to vary greatly depending on the manufacturers and versions, this guide will help clarify things.

By the way, thanks to the "DFPlayer Mini," I sell the "Ambi'Son Mini" module in the shop, and I offer two free guides to help you build your own sound box, DF only or with an Arduino (also possible with a Raspberry Pi).

Introduction

This player is always manufactured in China by several companies. It is sold in many places, but many copies exist and do not work the same, or sometimes not at all... I’m thinking of "MP3-TF-16P" and other "BY8001-16P" that I won’t cover here.

Physically

The DFPlayer Mini is a small electronic board with many pins, capable of holding a MicroSD card (sometimes called "TF").

Electronically

It offers a "Line" output and an amplified 3W output.

Computationally

This module can read WAV, MP3, and WMA files from a MicroSD card (sometimes called "TF") formatted in "Fat16", "Fat32", or "ExFat" and can communicate with an Arduino (or a clone, like I use) or Raspberry Pi via RX/TX.

In practice

While theoretically, it has everything to be liked, in practice things are different: depending on the manufacturers and versions, the features they offer are not always there.

It’s highly likely that for economic reasons, to keep the price as low as possible, and because it only (almost) affects people who are not very picky, the quality and features sometimes change drastically.

/dossiers/dossier-99/comparatif-dfplayer.webp

In this comparison, we can see the removal of several components, and even the difference in the audio chip: a "DFROBOTILISP3," a "GD3200B," a "GD3200D," and finally a "TD5580A."

Here are now the characteristics of the versions I had on hand, from the best to the worst.

1. DFR0299 from DFRobot

Compared to all other versions, it is perfect! Which is normal, as it is DFRobot who designed this player.

How to recognize it

Its LED is blue, its audio chip is a "DFROBOTILISP3," and all the component placeholders are filled (and there are many). Bought in 2024 at 5.90$, directly from "DFRobot" (beware of customs fees: in my case, it was €4 for 2 DF!). "DFRobot" and "DFR0299" are written on the packaging. It is also sold for €6.55 at "BerryBase".

Qualities

Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
Good audio quality
Stereo Line output
Usable "AdKey 1&2" inputs
Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
Upon powering the DFPlayer Mini, a short circuit (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" starts all files from the SD card, in a loop
After powering the DFPlayer Mini, a short circuit of more than 1 second (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" starts file 0001, in a loop

Known flaws

Speaker output is Mono, a summation of both channels (left + right)

2. Before 2023

Compared to all the following versions, it is... (almost) perfect!

How to recognize it

Its LED is red, its reference "HW-247A" is printed in white on the circuit, its audio chip is a "GD3200B," and all component placeholders are filled. Bought before 2023, €3.02 at "Reichelt", I don’t remember what was written on the packaging.

Qualities

Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
Stereo Line output
Usable "AdKey 1&2" inputs
Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
Upon or after powering the DFPlayer Mini, a continuous short circuit (without series resistor) of more than 1 second on "AdKey 1" starts file 0001, in a loop

Known flaws

Average audio quality
Speaker output is Mono, a summation of both channels (left + right)
Upon powering the DFPlayer Mini, a short circuit (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" does not start all files in a loop, only file 0001 in a loop

3. In 2023

This version is entirely mono and accumulates other flaws.

How to recognize it

Its LED is red, its reference "HW-247A" is printed in white on the circuit, but this version has fewer components (some placeholders are empty) and its audio chip is a "GD3200D." Bought in 2023 for €2.50 at "BerryBase", I received them in packaging marked "BerryBase" and "Sertronics GmbH."

Qualities

Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
Usable "AdKey 1&2" inputs but degraded
Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"

Known flaws

Average audio quality
Mono Line output, no summation: only channel 1 (left)

Worsened flaws

Degraded "AdKey 1&2" inputs: for example, upon powering the DFPlayer, a short circuit (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" no longer starts anything
Mono Speaker output, no summation: only channel 1 (left)

3. In 2024: the "v0.5.1"

This version accumulates all the flaws and is not even autonomous.

How to recognize it

Its LED is red, its reference "HW-247A" and version "v0.5.1" are printed in white on the circuit, and its audio chip is a "TD5580A." Bought in 2024 for €3.02 at "Reichelt", I received them in packaging marked "BerryBase" and "Sertronics GmbH."

Qualities

Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"

Known flaws

Average audio quality
Sometimes poorly soldered ground on the card reader, which can cause the player to stop working: needs to be resoldered
Mono Line output, only channel 1 (left)
Mono Speaker output, only channel 1 (left)

Worsened flaws

"AdKey 1&2" inputs unusable: nothing works anymore...

Conclusion

Although this small module is still very nice, it is no longer autonomous and must be controlled by an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi to be used.

Do you know of other versions? Do you have suggestions or questions? Contact me or comment below this guide.

♥ - Joseph SARDIN - Fondateur et Sonothécaire de BigSoundBank.com et LaSonotheque.org - Contact