Video camera to portable TV

[Paul]

Good afternoon,

This message is being sent to two groups (rec.video,
sci.electronics.repair) in the hopes that I can find an answer

I building a remotely operated camera for the rear of my truck. It
is home-made with pan-tilt capabilities and some PICs to control the
RF transmitter and reciever.

Basically, I have everything done, except connecting the recieved
video to a small pocket LCD TV with no video inputs. This TV only has
an antenna input. I know an RF adaptor can be used, but I also know
that a standard composite RCA-type input can be directly wired to most
such circuit boards. I just saw one done the other day, where the two
camera outputs were directly soldered to the board, and the TV only
recieved the camera input. [I recall him saying something about an
existing S-video connection hidden somewhere on the board to which the
soldered the cable.]

I can't find a description of how to connect video to TVs anywhere
on the web, although I saw an instructional page a few years back,
that I can no longer find.


Does anyone know how to attach a video input directly to a portable
TV with no video inputs?

Thank you for any tips or leads!

Paul

 

[Sofie]

Paul:
The easiest and very possibly the cheapest way to do this is with an RF
Modulator...... many available and inexpensive RF Modulator units utilize a
"wall-wart" outlet mounted AC Adapter for their power source.... so it would
be relatively easy to have it run off of your vehicle 12 volt battery
instead.
To modify the pocket LCD television may or may not (very likely it is not
and in fact may be very difficult) be an easy task but since all makes and
models of pocket LCD portable televisions do not use the same design,
circuitry and parts, I am certain that it is obvious to you that without
posting the MAKE and MODEL NUMBER of the television you should not be
expecting any kind of specific helpful television modification suggestions.
Frankly...... my very best suggestion to you is to go after the RF Modulator
approach.
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


"Paul" <pjc30943@isic.org> wrote in message

Basically, I have everything done, except connecting the recieved
video to a small pocket LCD TV with no video inputs. This TV only has
an antenna input. I know an RF adaptor can be used, but I also know
that a standard composite RCA-type input can be directly wired to most
such circuit boards. I just saw one done the other day, where the two
camera outputs were directly soldered to the board, and the TV only
recieved the camera input. [I recall him saying something about an
existing S-video connection hidden somewhere on the board to which the
soldered the cable.]
I can't find a description of how to connect video to TVs anywhere
on the web, although I saw an instructional page a few years back,
that I can no longer find.


Does anyone know how to attach a video input directly to a portable
TV with no video inputs?

Thank you for any tips or leads!

Paul

 

[Paul]

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your reply!

You are of course completely right, an RF modulator is the easiest
way. I already have such a transmitter, and it is sending to the
recieving unit which then can only output a composite video
signal--hence my desire to attach it in the manner described. I can
also get a pure RF modulator which sends to a specific channel, but I
would prefer to not go this route.

You are also right that without a specific TV make and model, it's
hard to give real information. But, as the non-TV-expert, it is easy
for me to say that there may be general information pertaining to
television sets, such as: "Well, first we have the tuner, which
usually outputs data in such and such format, at at this stage we have
the optional RCA/S-Video video inputs, and then either of these data
goes into the CRT/LCD driver chip", or something similar. I'm
guessing there's a most efficient way to make TV sets, and most
manufacturers follow this for cost efficiency.
From this info it may be relatively simple to hack into various TVs.
I know that one guy did it with soldering just the two wires into the
right place

Am I way off base?


Thank you,
Paul
"Sofie" <sofie@olypen.com> wrote in message news:<vqntjf62fkhd44@corp.supernews.com>...

Paul:
The easiest and very possibly the cheapest way to do this is with an RF
Modulator...... many available and inexpensive RF Modulator units utilize a
"wall-wart" outlet mounted AC Adapter for their power source.... so it would
be relatively easy to have it run off of your vehicle 12 volt battery
instead.
To modify the pocket LCD television may or may not (very likely it is not
and in fact may be very difficult) be an easy task but since all makes and
models of pocket LCD portable televisions do not use the same design,
circuitry and parts, I am certain that it is obvious to you that without
posting the MAKE and MODEL NUMBER of the television you should not be
expecting any kind of specific helpful television modification suggestions.
Frankly...... my very best suggestion to you is to go after the RF Modulator
approach.
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair

 

[Sofie]

snipped:
"Paul" <pjc30943@isic.org> wrote in message

From this info it may be relatively simple to hack into various TVs.
I know that one guy did it with soldering just the two wires into the
right place

Am I way off base?
--------------------------

Paul....
Yes.... you are "way off base" (your words).... you really need to post the
MAKE and MODEL NUMBER so anyone trying to give you suggestions knows what
kind of television you are wanting to modify.
Furthermore, your pocket LCD television is probablyl not a "normal" in home
television with easy to access circuitry and common discrete components....
more than likely (again, depending on the MAKE and MODEL NUMBER) the unit
will not be easily disassembled, with a circuit board that is very small and
cramped with a lot of subminiature surface mount components and a lot of LSI
and other propriatary chips. There is no standard way of building
television sets .... each manufacture does it their own way and even the
various models from the same manufacturer can be significantly differerent
from each other.
My best suggestion (again) is to go with the RF Modulator route.... or
maybe look into low cost monitors built for the purpose you are
describing..... 12 volt operation..... video inputs only (no television
tuner)...... rear of vehicle monitoring...... check with truck and RV parts
suppliers locally and on the internet..
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
..
..
..

 

[Samuel Paik]

pjc30943@isic.org (Paul) wrote:

You are also right that without a specific TV make and model, it's
hard to give real information. But, as the non-TV-expert, it is easy
for me to say that there may be general information pertaining to
television sets, such as: "Well, first we have the tuner, which
usually outputs data in such and such format,

A tuner will typically produce composite video, as that is what is
modulated up into UHF or VHF in the first place. An RCA jack is
often used for consumer composite video interfaces.

That should be enough to get started.

 

[Pete Culf]

It may or may not be possible to inject the video signal directly into this
TV but a more serious problem you haven't addressed at all is that, if you
intend this to be a fancy rear view mirror, then the picture observed on
screen will be completely reversed to
that which you would expect to see. in other words without altering the scan
orientation it wont work. (Overtaking vehicles for instance will be on the
wrong side). It would be a lot easier to swap the scan with a CRT type
display, but modifying a LCD display in this way is potentially a much more
difficult problem. Sorry I can't be a bit more helpful but this may save you
a lot of time in the long run.
Regards,
Pete



"Paul" <pjc30943@isic.org> wrote in message
news:f08f7148.0311071113.386bcc7c@posting.google.com...

Good afternoon,

This message is being sent to two groups (rec.video,
sci.electronics.repair) in the hopes that I can find an answer

I building a remotely operated camera for the rear of my truck. It
is home-made with pan-tilt capabilities and some PICs to control the
RF transmitter and reciever.

Basically, I have everything done, except connecting the recieved
video to a small pocket LCD TV with no video inputs. This TV only has
an antenna input. I know an RF adaptor can be used, but I also know
that a standard composite RCA-type input can be directly wired to most
such circuit boards. I just saw one done the other day, where the two
camera outputs were directly soldered to the board, and the TV only
recieved the camera input. [I recall him saying something about an
existing S-video connection hidden somewhere on the board to which the
soldered the cable.]

I can't find a description of how to connect video to TVs anywhere
on the web, although I saw an instructional page a few years back,
that I can no longer find.


Does anyone know how to attach a video input directly to a portable
TV with no video inputs?

Thank you for any tips or leads!

Paul

 

[Paul]

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply!

Ahh, this is true. I actually hadn't intended this to be a
rear-view mirror, but for the future I'll keep this subtlety in mind
since it never occured to me.
Do you know how to modify a CRT to reverse the scan? That's an
interesting idea. One other possibility may be to use optics to
reverse the image before it gets to the camera (e.g. mount the camera
backwards, then have two prisms that form a miniature periscope to the
forward direction).

If this is getting way off-topic, someone please let me know.

Thank you,
Paul



"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<boiju3$qv8$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...

It may or may not be possible to inject the video signal directly into this
TV but a more serious problem you haven't addressed at all is that, if you
intend this to be a fancy rear view mirror, then the picture observed on
screen will be completely reversed to
that which you would expect to see. in other words without altering the scan
orientation it wont work. (Overtaking vehicles for instance will be on the
wrong side). It would be a lot easier to swap the scan with a CRT type
display, but modifying a LCD display in this way is potentially a much more
difficult problem. Sorry I can't be a bit more helpful but this may save you
a lot of time in the long run.
Regards,
Pete

 

[Paul]

Hello,

Again, thank you for replying.

Unfortunately I do not have a make and model number yet, because I
thought I'd wait on buying a specific unit, until after I'd heard from
all of you.

In any case, I'll really consider your idea of just using an RF
modulator.

Thank you for your help,
Paul

Paul....
Yes.... you are "way off base" (your words).... you really need to post the
MAKE and MODEL NUMBER so anyone trying to give you suggestions knows what
kind of television you are wanting to modify.
Furthermore, your pocket LCD television is probablyl not a "normal" in home
television with easy to access circuitry and common discrete components....
more than likely (again, depending on the MAKE and MODEL NUMBER) the unit
will not be easily disassembled, with a circuit board that is very small and
cramped with a lot of subminiature surface mount components and a lot of LSI
and other propriatary chips. There is no standard way of building
television sets .... each manufacture does it their own way and even the
various models from the same manufacturer can be significantly differerent
from each other.
My best suggestion (again) is to go with the RF Modulator route.... or
maybe look into low cost monitors built for the purpose you are
describing..... 12 volt operation..... video inputs only (no television
tuner)...... rear of vehicle monitoring...... check with truck and RV parts
suppliers locally and on the internet..

 

[Paul]

Hello,

Thanks for yoru reply! This makes sense. Yes, it is very useful
information, and I'll give the connections a try.

Thanks!
Paul

A tuner will typically produce composite video, as that is what is
modulated up into UHF or VHF in the first place. An RCA jack is
often used for consumer composite video interfaces.

That should be enough to get started.

 

[Pete Culf]

Hi Paul,
With a CRT monitor you can just reverse the horizontal scan connections to
the scan coils on the yoke but an LCD screen is a totally different thing
and I wouldn't dream of trying to do it. I think these things would be
driven by software and are easily damaged. Of course you could mount the
monitor facing away from you and look at it in a mirrormounted on the dash.
Best of luck with the project.
Regards,
Pete



"Paul" <pjc30943@isic.org> wrote in message
news:f08f7148.0311080930.44c71569@posting.google.com...

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply!

Ahh, this is true. I actually hadn't intended this to be a
rear-view mirror, but for the future I'll keep this subtlety in mind
since it never occured to me.
Do you know how to modify a CRT to reverse the scan? That's an
interesting idea. One other possibility may be to use optics to
reverse the image before it gets to the camera (e.g. mount the camera
backwards, then have two prisms that form a miniature periscope to the
forward direction).

If this is getting way off-topic, someone please let me know.

Thank you,
Paul



"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<boiju3$qv8$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...
It may or may not be possible to inject the video signal directly into
this
TV but a more serious problem you haven't addressed at all is that, if
you
intend this to be a fancy rear view mirror, then the picture observed on
screen will be completely reversed to
that which you would expect to see. in other words without altering the
scan
orientation it wont work. (Overtaking vehicles for instance will be on
the
wrong side). It would be a lot easier to swap the scan with a CRT type
display, but modifying a LCD display in this way is potentially a much
more
difficult problem. Sorry I can't be a bit more helpful but this may save
you
a lot of time in the long run.
Regards,
Pete

 

[Tim Mitchell]

In article <f08f7148.0311080934.4e81a5a9@posting.google.com>, Paul
<pjc30943@isic.org> writes

Hello,

Again, thank you for replying.

Unfortunately I do not have a make and model number yet, because I
thought I'd wait on buying a specific unit, until after I'd heard from
all of you.

In any case, I'll really consider your idea of just using an RF
modulator.

If you haven't bought it yet, why not buy one with a composite video

input and avoid the problem?

In the UK, it's illegal to have such a display active while you are
driving. They are normally wired up to the reversing lights so that they
can only be activated when reversing. I don't know if this is a
consideration in your part of the world.
--
Tim Mitchell

 

[jakdedert]

Parts Express has a fair number of small (3"-6") video monitors. The one I
bought a year or so ago (around $100--4") had a switch to reverse the image.
Apparently it was designed for use as you describe--12 volt supply,
composite video input.

jak

"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bojeb9$1r2$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...

Hi Paul,
With a CRT monitor you can just reverse the horizontal scan connections to
the scan coils on the yoke but an LCD screen is a totally different thing
and I wouldn't dream of trying to do it. I think these things would be
driven by software and are easily damaged. Of course you could mount the
monitor facing away from you and look at it in a mirrormounted on the
dash.
Best of luck with the project.
Regards,
Pete



"Paul" <pjc30943@isic.org> wrote in message
news:f08f7148.0311080930.44c71569@posting.google.com...
Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply!

Ahh, this is true. I actually hadn't intended this to be a
rear-view mirror, but for the future I'll keep this subtlety in mind
since it never occured to me.
Do you know how to modify a CRT to reverse the scan? That's an
interesting idea. One other possibility may be to use optics to
reverse the image before it gets to the camera (e.g. mount the camera
backwards, then have two prisms that form a miniature periscope to the
forward direction).

If this is getting way off-topic, someone please let me know.

Thank you,
Paul



"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<boiju3$qv8$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...
It may or may not be possible to inject the video signal directly into
this
TV but a more serious problem you haven't addressed at all is that, if
you
intend this to be a fancy rear view mirror, then the picture observed
on
screen will be completely reversed to
that which you would expect to see. in other words without altering
the
scan
orientation it wont work. (Overtaking vehicles for instance will be on
the
wrong side). It would be a lot easier to swap the scan with a CRT type
display, but modifying a LCD display in this way is potentially a much
more
difficult problem. Sorry I can't be a bit more helpful but this may
save
you
a lot of time in the long run.
Regards,
Pete

 

[James Sweet]

In the UK, it's illegal to have such a display active while you are
driving. They are normally wired up to the reversing lights so that they
can only be activated when reversing. I don't know if this is a
consideration in your part of the world.
--
Tim Mitchell

That's silly, why would a rearview display be illegal? Are rearview mirrors
illegal too?

 

[Pete Culf]

I don't know if there is a branch of Maplins http://www.maplin.co.uk/ in
your part of the world but I see they are offering a 5.5" B/W CRT TV unit
with video input for just 20 GBP that's 33.43 USD
I'm sure there are alternatives wherever you are.
Regards,
Pete









"jakdedert" <jdedert@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:QpSrb.82906$un.42807@bignews6.bellsouth.net...

Parts Express has a fair number of small (3"-6") video monitors. The one
I
bought a year or so ago (around $100--4") had a switch to reverse the
image.
Apparently it was designed for use as you describe--12 volt supply,
composite video input.

jak

"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bojeb9$1r2$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
Hi Paul,
With a CRT monitor you can just reverse the horizontal scan connections
to
the scan coils on the yoke but an LCD screen is a totally different
thing
and I wouldn't dream of trying to do it. I think these things would be
driven by software and are easily damaged. Of course you could mount the
monitor facing away from you and look at it in a mirrormounted on the
dash.
Best of luck with the project.
Regards,
Pete



"Paul" <pjc30943@isic.org> wrote in message
news:f08f7148.0311080930.44c71569@posting.google.com...
Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply!

Ahh, this is true. I actually hadn't intended this to be a
rear-view mirror, but for the future I'll keep this subtlety in mind
since it never occured to me.
Do you know how to modify a CRT to reverse the scan? That's an
interesting idea. One other possibility may be to use optics to
reverse the image before it gets to the camera (e.g. mount the camera
backwards, then have two prisms that form a miniature periscope to the
forward direction).

If this is getting way off-topic, someone please let me know.

Thank you,
Paul



"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<boiju3$qv8$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...
It may or may not be possible to inject the video signal directly
into
this
TV but a more serious problem you haven't addressed at all is that,
if
you
intend this to be a fancy rear view mirror, then the picture
observed
on
screen will be completely reversed to
that which you would expect to see. in other words without altering
the
scan
orientation it wont work. (Overtaking vehicles for instance will be
on
the
wrong side). It would be a lot easier to swap the scan with a CRT
type
display, but modifying a LCD display in this way is potentially a
much
more
difficult problem. Sorry I can't be a bit more helpful but this may
save
you
a lot of time in the long run.
Regards,
Pete

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Your periscope idea has a major flaw. It will reverse the picture
vertically, although the left to right orientation will be OK.

You only need one mirror. Point the camera to the side and put a
single mirror in front of the lens at a 45 degree angle to show
what's behind you.

Gino

pjc30943@isic.org (Paul) wrote in
news:f08f7148.0311080930.44c71569@posting.google.com:

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply!

Ahh, this is true. I actually hadn't intended this to be a
rear-view mirror, but for the future I'll keep this subtlety in
mind since it never occured to me.
Do you know how to modify a CRT to reverse the scan? That's an
interesting idea. One other possibility may be to use optics to
reverse the image before it gets to the camera (e.g. mount the
camera backwards, then have two prisms that form a miniature
periscope to the forward direction).

If this is getting way off-topic, someone please let me know.

Thank you,
Paul



"Pete Culf" <hackamat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<boiju3$qv8$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...
It may or may not be possible to inject the video signal directly
into this TV but a more serious problem you haven't addressed at
all is that, if you intend this to be a fancy rear view mirror,
then the picture observed on screen will be completely reversed
to that which you would expect to see. in other words without
altering the scan orientation it wont work. (Overtaking vehicles
for instance will be on the wrong side). It would be a lot easier
to swap the scan with a CRT type display, but modifying a LCD
display in this way is potentially a much more difficult problem.
Sorry I can't be a bit more helpful but this may save you a lot
of time in the long run. Regards,
Pete

--
Gene E. Bloch (Gino) phone 650.966.8481
Call me letters find me at domain blochg whose dot is com

 

[Tim Mitchell]

In article <gCSrb.116824$mZ5.787429@attbi_s54>, James Sweet
<jamessweet@hotmail.com> writes

In the UK, it's illegal to have such a display active while you are
driving. They are normally wired up to the reversing lights so that they
can only be activated when reversing. I don't know if this is a
consideration in your part of the world.

That's silly, why would a rearview display be illegal? Are rearview mirrors
illegal too?

It's a side effect of legislation about not watching broadcast TV

programmes while driving. It's illegal to have a TV in the view of the
driver, whatever it is showing.
--
Tim Mitchell

 

[Si Ballenger]

On 8 Nov 2003 09:34:20 -0800, pjc30943@isic.org (Paul) wrote:

Hello,

Again, thank you for replying.

Unfortunately I do not have a make and model number yet, because I
thought I'd wait on buying a specific unit, until after I'd heard from
all of you.

In any case, I'll really consider your idea of just using an RF
modulator.

Thank you for your help,
Paul

Check the radio shack LCD TVcs. I think one of the models has a
small earphone looking jack for composite video and audio input.