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NTSC video monitor - What do you use with the Propeller? — Parallax Forums

NTSC video monitor - What do you use with the Propeller?

phil kennyphil kenny Posts: 233
edited 2009-05-29 00:23 in Propeller 1
I'd like to interface the Propeller to an LCD video (NTSC) monitor a bit
larger than the 3.5 inch display offered by Parallax, but not too much
pricier.

What are some specific models folks here have been using
and are happy with? (Display size and URL link if available)

Thanks,

phil

Comments

  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2009-05-28 16:24
    - cheap portable dvd players with video in (most have it)
    - second screens for dvd players
    phil kenny said...
    I'd like to interface the Propeller to an LCD video (NTSC) monitor a bit
    larger than the 3.5 inch display offered by Parallax, but not too much
    pricier.

    What are some specific models folks here have been using
    and are happy with? (Display size and URL link if available)

    Thanks,

    phil
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  • phil kennyphil kenny Posts: 233
    edited 2009-05-28 16:41
    Bill,

    Exactly the type of info I was looking for. I had done some Google
    searching, but unless one knows the right question to ask and key
    phrases, Google doesn't help much.

    phil
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-05-28 17:05
    I use a LCD that I pulled out of one of those under the cupboard kitchen TV units. Got it at a thrifty for a few bucks. Does a full interlaced NTSC frame and works with composite or S-video.

    Another great option is a USB capture device. There is some latency on these. It's about 300-600ms, on average, but the upside is having a nice window on the PC to see display output from the Propeller. This makes a propeller rather portable. Toss it in a laptop bag, and call it good.

    The HDTV capable ones do a very nice capture. You get the full 720x486 NTSC frame. This is very handy for drivers and such as the full overscan can easily be seen.

    I recently tried the PAL option, and it appeared to work just fine. (and there are a lot of PAL options!! Most look the same, so I'm not sure what's up with that.)

    It's nice to have both standards for viewing projects.

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-05-28 17:08
    The workhorse NTSC monitor I use in my shop is a 12" Sharp TV (CRT) that I got from Costco for around $100. The main desirable feature is the set of A/V connectors on the front. I'm sure, with it's analog-only tuner, that it's gone the way of the dodo.

    Here is a 7" flatscreen model that looks pretty interesting.

    Second-hand stores and thrift shops are another source of bargain TVs with A/V inputs.

    -Phil
  • mosquito56mosquito56 Posts: 387
    edited 2009-05-28 17:14
    I have an insignia brand dual t.v. dvd player from best buy. Came with 2 t.v.'s, one with dvd player and slave for second seat.

    Just make sure whatever you buy has a a/v in switch for direct drive.



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  • phil kennyphil kenny Posts: 233
    edited 2009-05-28 17:17
    Thanks PhiPi and Mosquito56. I suspect that many others will benefit from
    the comments you all have offered.
    Potatohead said...

    Another great option is a USB capture device.

    I'm not familiar with that device. Could you elaborate a bit, please.

    phil

    Post Edited (phil kenny) : 5/28/2009 6:13:45 PM GMT
  • HarleyHarley Posts: 997
    edited 2009-05-28 17:50
    Phil,

    When my old 5" b/w CRT monitor died, I ran across a Sony FX810 model. 8" screen, A/V inputs (which was mandatory; cheaper units don't seem to include). About $100. Is nice to have a 'color monitor'. Plays CD/DVDs too.

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  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-05-28 18:26
    Commodore 1702 and 1802 monitors. Cheap and work great!

    OBC

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  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2009-05-28 18:29
    Go on ebay and search for "portable dvd player as-is." Look for players with video in (most 8 inch up models have it, most 7 inchers don't) that will display but not play dvd's, a common problem. You should be able to pick one up for $30 or less. The prices have been going up a bit because the trick is going around, but it should still be cheaper than a DVD headrest monitor (you can get those for around $70 from Amazon).

    I got a DVP-FX810, a pretty high end 8" model, for $20 with shipping because it was advertised as playing (including DVD's) from battery but neither charging the battery nor running from AC. I opened the unit and hotwired an AC adapter to the battery contacts, and it works beautifully.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-05-28 18:35
    http://www.compumusic.com/i373824.htm

    I think that's the exact one I have. Over the air HDTV is excellent, and it will record MPEG video right to the hard disk. I rarely use that function. Depending on the model you buy, it does S-video along with ordinary composite baseband video capture, NTSC, PAL and other formats.

    All you do is plug it in to the USB, fire off the capture application, connect your prop, and see the video output in a window on your PC. There is a frame capture function that I use all the time. Good for communicating between people. I've several screen captures posted to this forum you can see as samples.

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    Chat in real time with other Propellerheads on IRC #propeller @ freenode.net
    Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
  • phil kennyphil kenny Posts: 233
    edited 2009-05-28 20:01
    I hadn't heard of it. Looks like a very slick and useful device.

    Thanks
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-05-28 20:17
    Yeah the only downside is some latency. I wouldn't play games on the display output because of that. Use a real display.

    If that's not a worry, the rest is all good. Signal tolerance is good, resolution, the whole deal. I find the thing is very helpful when doing video driver work. A capture device will put up with a lot that a TV might not.

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    Chat in real time with other Propellerheads on IRC #propeller @ freenode.net
    Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
  • John AbshierJohn Abshier Posts: 1,116
    edited 2009-05-28 22:18
    I got a 10.4 inch TV from Nebraska Furniture Mart for $100. It has composite video, svhs, and vga inputs. The TV tuner is just gravy.

    John Abshier
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-05-29 00:23
    E-bay has a huge range of CCTV/Vehicle reversing monitors from 2.5" up to about 7" available for cheaps from China.

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