Auto select video input for Lilliput?

strohmrs · 01-31-2005, 01:15 PM

I searched but did not see anything on this topic. Has anyone modified a Lilliput to act like a Xenarc as far as having the display auto switch to one of the Video inputs when a signal is detected?

I would like to have the input switch to one of the RCA inputs when it detects an active signal there or have some other signal (5V, 12V, ect.) do the switching for a rear view camera when in reverse and switch back to VGA when not in reverse. The only problem I see is the the video select goes from VGA, VID1, VID2 and back to VGA with each push of the button. Anyone know if each mode can be selected independantly by bypassing the front panel board and going directly to a pin on one of the chips on the main video controller?

I've got a couple of other projects going on now and don't have time to research this myself yet. Still need to get a camera as well! If I don't hear of anyone else that has already accomplished something like this, then I will attempt to design a mod that can be posted here. A schematic would be nice!

Thanks,
Rick

dodgetimes2 · 01-31-2005, 01:17 PM

It's been discussed before, search for the words "Cheese Box" of "Cheesebox".

strohmrs · 01-31-2005, 01:50 PM

Thanks. Looks like it would work. Expensive though at $75. Would also add more external bulk to the setup and requires a 9v power adapter. I'd rather use my existing inputs to reduce the cost. Hope datasheets are available for some of those chips on the controller. Time to open up the display again and check.

techy101 · 01-31-2005, 05:28 PM

Make sure you find one of the origional Cheese Box's. The new one (it's green, doesn't look like a block of cheese or nething) is a PAIN to set up to switch. It's got 24 solder points on two seperate switches inside the box. Even though there is only one switch on the outside. The old one as far as i have read only has a real simple switching system.

Grayscale · 02-14-2005, 04:17 PM

http://www.freewebs.com/billymcbunter/

Also, look for the auto-reverse camera thread, its got more info on this stuff.

strohmrs · 02-14-2005, 04:57 PM

Thanks Grayscale, I saw his thread in the forums here on that already. Trying to aviod the multiple button press method he's using but I might not have any other choice since I haven't been able to decode the controller chip inputs yet.

Grayscale · 02-14-2005, 05:49 PM

I think thats the only route man. I think if you do it fast enough its not noticible

strohmrs · 02-14-2005, 08:22 PM

Probably is the only way but I can never do it quick enough. I end up pressing it 3 or 4 times but it will only respond to key presses about once per second. It has to switch to the new mode, display VID2 or whatever, then it will allow another key press.

Grayscale · 02-15-2005, 03:39 PM

Should have gotten a Xenarc

JK, I love my lilliput!

strohmrs · 02-15-2005, 11:02 PM

Know what you mean. Just more proof that being cheap isn't always the cheapest route! It wasn't until after I got the Lilliput that I learned that the Xenarc had that feature built-in. And yeah, I still like my Lilliput as well. Only real complaint is daylight readability but I think they all pretty much suck equally at that. Hurry up with those OLED screens already!!!

mgithens · 02-17-2005, 02:26 PM

a few months back I picked up a cheesebox for $40 delivered... ebay baby...

rando · 02-17-2005, 03:12 PM

IIRC, the last time I took a look at this, the monitor controller chip (NT68320) and video decoder (SAA7114H) both recieve commands over I2C from the MCU (SM89516a) in the Lilliput. You should be able to tap into that bus and command the decoder yourself. This might confuse the programming in the MCU though -- dunno for sure. The decoder and MCU data sheets are easily found on-line. I only found overview information on the monitor controller chip from www.lcdtv.cc.

Grayscale · 02-17-2005, 06:18 PM

rando, you're a hardware genius! are you an electrical engineer? thanks for all of the wonderful information about PICs, i greatly respect you for taking the time to write all that out. yesterday that glitchbusters site was down, but today i ordered a bunch of stuff on there, and am gonna start tinkering