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The UKHA-ARCHIVE IS CEASING OPERATIONS 31 DEC 2024


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RE: Re: Displays round the house - architecture...



Ian Lowe [mailto:ian@xxxxxxx] wrote:
> But realistically, as soon as I see the passion for IP, I think it's
> basically doomed. Using TCP-IP seems to wipe out all of the low-end
> (ie cheap) PICs, and takes you into ?50 module country, plus anoher
> healthy chunk for the display.

To keep the project alive we need to break it down into smaller bits.  This
way more than one of us can actually start to build these, start using them
at home, then look to the future together.  I guess I start of with a very
simple device in one room, and if it worked well, start thinking of
expanding.

I know I'm repeating what others have said, but lets try to keep within the
realms of reality.  The cheaper the project starts out the more people
involved, and the less damage if the project goes to the dogs.

Maybe as a start
1) Try to agree on a simple display which has the features most of us would
like.  Thinking of cost, size, VFD/LCD, interface electronics
2) Find a way of mount the display in some sort of nice SWMBO approved panel
3) Connect the display using serial (if thats what the display has) to your
PC.  You can use your existing CAT5 leads for this.
4) Develop some simple software to display "hello world" messages
5) Roll out to a few more members possible as part of a limited bulk buy
6) Enhance what the display displays!
7) Add a simple keypad to the display
8) Develop code to make use of this, menu systems etc.
9) Consider adding a new board to interface the Displays serial interface to
TCP/IP, possibly with local inteligence if available for zero cost.


Like the IR project this started very simply
* We had a circuit design that allowed us to recieve and transmit the same
signal in another room.
* Several members of the group then built these on breadboards and they
worked.
* Next up someone designed and built simple PCBs people could use.
* We built or own modules, and boxed them up ourselves
* End result several list members have simple IR distribution.

Looking to the future these have been geting enhanced by various list
members for things like Zoned IR control, PC IR control etc.

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