Project NiteVision - NiteMax + HUD + carputer - Page 41

cipro · 07-22-2007, 12:27 PM

sounds like fun idea thanx

inh · 07-22-2007, 12:31 PM

I think I'm going to look in to this. Maybe one day i'll read the whole thread

On a semi-related side note, The next release of RRCam (plugin for roadrunner) will support multiple cameras, so will work nicely if you have a backup cam and a FLIR cam (ok, so maybe not true FLIR, but it is still foreward looking infrared, right?

)

Genesisfactor · 07-23-2007, 02:42 PM

i will be coming back stateside in one week. Not so much happy, but atleast i get to play with my toys again and finish this.

For those of you who are new, please, this is a long thread, but the first 8 pages are replete with all the information you need to know to understand our project. Some of use are close to completion of our first version, some of use are on our 3rd or 4th test. Just read, use the thread search tools, or sit back, get about a 2 hour block of time, and enjoy this thread from the beginning. s003apr, hate to single you out, but that ESPECIALLY goes for you! CRT...where did you get THAT from?

The veterans of this thread are all good and friendly guys, and it shows in our posts. Eventually, when we get a solidly working model, we'll see about a limited wider access...mostly because we don't want the Law catching on to us. And if they already have, we'll find the squealer.

Yev...but...i wanted one of those mitsu mini projectors

. Hehe, get another one for me and i'll build you an HUD

. How as mongolia? Why were you in mongolia?

inh, see if you can make such a program for non RR people like myself. I would hate to have to change around my plans just so i can integrate a multi feed cam software.

inh · 07-30-2007, 06:36 AM

So far, at least with RRCam, it is really just a standalone app that gets embedded in roadrunner. Shouldnt take much to get it to work with any other front end. Hell, if you enable testmode, it expands the window a bit and theres buttons to control all the functions. If only it had multiple cam support. (still workin on that)

s003apr · 08-01-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Genesisfactor

For those of you who are new, please, this is a long thread, but the first 8 pages are replete with all the information you need to know to understand our project. Some of use are close to completion of our first version, some of use are on our 3rd or 4th test. Just read, use the thread search tools, or sit back, get about a 2 hour block of time, and enjoy this thread from the beginning. s003apr, hate to single you out, but that ESPECIALLY goes for you! CRT...where did you get THAT from?

If I wanted your opinion on whether I should post on the thread or not, I would have sent you a PM and asked.

And if you do not understand the value of using a CRT over a LCD (and some disadvantages), then maybe you are in over your head on this project..

I was just wondering if anyone has a working prototype of a collimated HUD display that is not enormous and has desirable viewing characteristics. If so, what off-the-shelf parts did they use and what layout did they use. I have read this thread and as far as I could tell, the answer was 'NO', I just wanted to verify.

Genesisfactor · 08-01-2007, 06:21 AM

my stateents are't opinons. you asked qustion that was obvious by mssion goals alone. you should read before asking such questions.

as for if i'm over my head, i'm done with the project on paper and am just waiting til the docs say i can drive again to get my next car so i call install it.

as for crt vs lcd, the idea, if you read, was to make something small. Please, show me a small crt that i can put on my dash with little or no modificaton and put and image onto my windshield.

as for your question, not that am aware of, and i've been keeping track.

As for your attitude my comments concerning your post were not meant to insult or belittle. Your reply is uncalled for. My point stll stands, though, had you read the first 8 pages, you would realize where, how and why we chose what we did. If you want to use CRTs n you HUd, be our guest. start a new thread if you want to as well. however, don't get a hissyfit just because someone told you to read to get the obvious answer that you arrived to all by your little self AFTER you read.

some people...

actually, not done wth you yet...
your energy is best used towards finishing this little project and helping pepe. You seem to have some expertise in this, so use your space benificially. We're all trying to crack the same nut.

and inh, we can just pretend its FLIR, even if its RLIR

inh · 08-01-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Genesisfactor

and inh, we can just pretend its FLIR, even if its RLIR

Its only RLIR if the camera is on the back

I plan on burying one in my bumper for the front, and probably a small waterproof one looking out the back where the keyhole for my hatch used to be (project car is a Honda CRX) =]

I think the way I want to go about getting the image on the screen is to use the projection method. The two biggest problems that I've seen talked about were 1) the sun frying the projector because of the optics, and 2) having enough space under the dash. I think both of these can be solved by using a small mirror at a 45 degree angle and placing the projection setup (including at least one lense) horizontally in the dash, and then using the mirror to project upwards. A small solenoid could pull the mirror to the correct position when the car is on, and when off, a small spring could shift the mirror just enough to not reflect any light on to the optics and such =]

Seems to me this would work, just need to sort out the optics.. I read somewhere in the thread that you can use two fresnel lense to both project and focus with. If so then i think thats the way to go, probably with something small like that viewfinder CRT. Whatdya guys think?

EDIT: Also, found this spiffy lil projection lens. Its tiny =] http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l3322.html
Seems like it woul dbe good for our uses, or for at least the way im thinking about doin it. I really need to spend a lot of time researching projection setups though, as well as optics and the like. Sadly, time is quite limited over here =/

Genesisfactor · 08-01-2007, 01:09 PM

quantum is an optics professor

you may want to talk to him on that.

the 2 problems ca be solved with a photocell and a temp sensor. Place a photocell by the mirror. have it programmed (pic maybe or erial to yoru computer) that it will return to the last good position if it gets too mch light. Possibly you can also do an iris, bt i don't know. The temp sensor will retract the whole thing if it gets too hot nsde. what do you think of that?

i love surplus shed. I have a fiberscope from them. I STILL can't believe the deal i got. Nice people on the phone too!

inh · 08-02-2007, 12:49 AM

Anyone know where to get a small CRT like the viewfinder one? Prefferably some place that might have a good amount of em?

Genesisfactor · 08-02-2007, 12:51 AM

i'm lost...what CRT viewfinder are we talking about?

inh · 08-02-2007, 12:34 PM

Somone pulled one out of an old camcorder. If i recall correctly it was like a 1/4" lil CRT.

inh · 08-06-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by inh

EDIT: Also, found this spiffy lil projection lens. Its tiny =] http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l3322.html
Seems like it woul dbe good for our uses, or for at least the way im thinking about doin it. I really need to spend a lot of time researching projection setups though, as well as optics and the like. Sadly, time is quite limited over here =/

Ordered the lense today. Figured I'd see what kinda projection I could get of it with my camera viewfinder as the source.

inh · 08-14-2007, 03:53 AM

Got my projection lens in =] Havent had a chance to play with it using my video camera viewfiner, but it does indeed project (tested it using a PSP screen, though it was less than ideal)

Ill test it with my viewfinder tomorrow. Anyone know if there would be any adverse effects to projecting on to a mirror angled at 45 degrees? I dont think there would be but ya never know. Also thinking about using a small 640x480 or smaller LCD to use as the source. Could build a mini projector that way. Hell, maybe the nitemaxx lcd with a brighter backlight?

Wish some other people were working towards this and posting on the thread =/

inh · 08-15-2007, 12:23 PM

Alright, getting anything to project has been a real pain, though i did have one success, my 3 LED maglite (uses two AA batteries)... This will project very nicely, and about 10 inches across at only 6 or so inches away from the surface. It is also SUPER crisp, i can see all the fine scratches on the LEDs and the clear lens cover. Seems to be almost ideal..

I guess i need a Fresnel lens to direct the light of whatever im trying to project first then i guess? i dunno, new to all this optic stuff. Im going to go look around and DIY projector sites and see if i can figure anything out..

EDIT:

Did some research, seems i'll need 2 Fresnel lenses, roughly the size of the LCD panel i want to project..

I wish i actually had a nitemax, as it seems this would be ideal. Anyone got one they wish to sell for a decent price? Im trying to track one down online... Whats a fair price to pay for one guys?

shotgunefx · 08-15-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by inh

Got my projection lens in =] Havent had a chance to play with it using my video camera viewfiner, but it does indeed project (tested it using a PSP screen, though it was less than ideal)

Ill test it with my viewfinder tomorrow. Anyone know if there would be any adverse effects to projecting on to a mirror angled at 45 degrees? I dont think there would be but ya never know. Also thinking about using a small 640x480 or smaller LCD to use as the source. Could build a mini projector that way. Hell, maybe the nitemaxx lcd with a brighter backlight?

Wish some other people were working towards this and posting on the thread =/

The nitemax (or a similar cheap LCD , think lilliput sells basicially the same one for around $50) would probably work with a better backlight. (It's still on my todo), with the standard backlight, it's very faint.

Quote: Originally Posted by inh

Somone pulled one out of an old camcorder. If i recall correctly it was like a 1/4" lil CRT.

Yes, that would be me

I only tested it with a cheap "magnifier" fresnel lens. Might be better with a projector lens, but it didn't seem to be bright enough. Here's a crappy pic.

I also have one out of those giant 80s video cameras as well. That one might be brighter (though does have a radiation warning on it

)

One thing that would be good if you could use something like that outside of size is that black, is black, but I don't think you'll get one bright enough. I might be wrong though.

Quote: Originally Posted by inh

Alright, getting anything to project has been a real pain, though i did have one success, my 3 LED maglite (uses two AA batteries)... This will project very nicely, and about 10 inches across at only 6 or so inches away from the surface. It is also SUPER crisp, i can see all the fine scratches on the LEDs and the clear lens cover. Seems to be almost ideal..

I guess i need a Fresnel lens to direct the light of whatever im trying to project first then i guess? i dunno, new to all this optic stuff. Im going to go look around and DIY projector sites and see if i can figure anything out..

EDIT:

Did some research, seems i'll need 2 Fresnel lenses, roughly the size of the LCD panel i want to project..
....
I wish i actually had a nitemax, as it seems this would be ideal. Anyone got one they wish to sell for a decent price? Im trying to track one down online... Whats a fair price to pay for one guys?

You'll need a setup like that if you are working with a point light source.

Is Mark (the guy who sold us all the nitemax cameras) out of them totally? He had a lot of them that where just parts, such as the backhalf with the LCD. Which is what you really want.

Price is going to vary, some people have them on ebay but wanted a LOT of money.