By itself, the BS2 cannot output video. But you can drive a Propeller Backpack with a BS2, which can output video or overlay characters on an incoming video signal, such as that from a camera.
The short answer is that the Propeller can do so, including mouse and keyboard interface. There really isn't a need to involve the BS2 since you have other unused cogs available to do much of what a BS2 might do.
If you are new to microcontrollers, it might be easier to merely stick with Spin language and the Propeller as a starting point. Not much reason to have to learn PBasic and yet another device until you have attained some comfort and know how.
Really, not much. The main purpose of a BS2 is that it is easy to learn, quick to program, requires little outside hardware, and is 5 volts. If you are wanting to go into more complicated projects without spending a lot of money for special interface circuits, like serial backpacks for TVs or LCDs, then I would really just start out on the propeller chip. Its cheap, powerful, and overall more versitle then the basic stamp.
The BS2 is very easy to use and is capable of some basic experiments, but i would also recommend the Propeller. It is cheaper, more powerful and not that much harder to use than the Stamp. The Spin language is incredibly easy and there is the option to use PASM(Propeller assembly language) for increased speed. The Propeller can also do video and audio, which is awesome:)
One thing going for the BS2 is the ease of use and the fact that there are many books and experiments written for it; many available for free download on parallax's site. The BS2 can read IR remotes, control servos and be used to run robots. It can be used for light displays, generating simple sounds, industrial control applications and other neat things.
It is true that the propeller can do all these things and much much more, including driving a TV display. SPIN IS harder to use. That said, SPIN makes use of many free objects that essentially automate and pre-code many complex tasks. Driving a TV display is as simple as referencing a "tv text" object in your code - it leverages other people's work through the propeller object exchange. SPIN is much more difficult in tasks like handling and parsing strings, in my experience. It is much less expensive. The choice is yours.
jc3III
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By itself, the BS2 cannot output video. But you can drive a Propeller Backpack with a BS2, which can output video or overlay characters on an incoming video signal, such as that from a camera.
-Phil
If you are new to microcontrollers, it might be easier to merely stick with Spin language and the Propeller as a starting point. Not much reason to have to learn PBasic and yet another device until you have attained some comfort and know how.
It is true that the propeller can do all these things and much much more, including driving a TV display. SPIN IS harder to use. That said, SPIN makes use of many free objects that essentially automate and pre-code many complex tasks. Driving a TV display is as simple as referencing a "tv text" object in your code - it leverages other people's work through the propeller object exchange. SPIN is much more difficult in tasks like handling and parsing strings, in my experience. It is much less expensive. The choice is yours.
Robotics, heating and air control, light/illumination control, displays, motion and control, even crude vision. Wow there's a long list.
That's kind of like asking: "What can I do with this big lump of steel?" It's all up to your creativity
I'm kind of partial to the BS2........With with the addition of external memory, I'd say you are only limited by processor speed.