Re: Controllable Digital Picture Frames

[Warren Block <wblock@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike Barnes <mikebarnes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> In comp.home.automation, Warren Block wrote:
>>Digital picture frames could be very useful as annunciators if a host
>>computer could at least tell them "switch to picture x now".  Even
>>better would be the ability to download a new image and display it
>>immediately.  Think of it as a slow frame buffer.
>>
>>There are now 15" versions, and even those little keychain 1" displays
>>might be useful.
>>
>>Web searching shows that the documents on most frames are unhelpful or
>>nonexistent.
>>
>>A cheap notebook computer could be made to do this.  The digital picture
>>frame advantage would mostly be form factor.  Power consumption and
>>price are lower than a notebook for the smaller versions.
>>
>>Are there any digital picture frames that can be controlled by a host
>>computer via USB or Ethernet?
>
> I'm not sure what kind of "host computer" you're talking about, but if
> it's a PC, wouldn't a second (third, etc) monitor do the job? If not,
> why not?

Yes, general PC.  Additional video cards can be used, except it somewhat
limits where the extra display can be located.  There are slot and OS
limits on additional video cards, and you need another VGA cable for
each monitor.

USB gives fair distance, particularly with repeaters or powered hubs.
Ethernet is even better.

Samsung makes USB monitors that try to be general-purpose and are
expensive, and "network" monitors that appear to be an LCD with embedded
thin client and are expensive.

> I currently use eight-inch LCDs connected to my server PC as VGA
> monitors. But I'd be interested in using picture frames instead, as they
> look neater, and might be cheaper. But, as you say, they don't seem to
> provide active inputs, and the documentation is poor.

The refresh rate could be in the multiple-second range, so use as
interactive displays might not be so good.  I'm thinking more of a DPF
on the wall that could display weather, calendar, network status, and so
on.  Maybe even camera pictures, but let's keep the priorities straight.

What really started me thinking about this was searching for a small
text LCD and seeing the prices on them.  A 16-character, two-line serial
display can be $80.  A 7" DPF can display color bitmaps for less and
wouldn't need a serial port.

The hardware in mass-market DPFs certainly could do it; it's just a
matter of firmware.  (Sounds like "Solving the problem is left as an
exercise for the student.")

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA