Composite Video Output on Chumby One (Hack)

xobs recently completed a hack that adds a composite video output to the Chumby One. You can read step by step details on how to do it on the chumy wiki. The hack takes advantage of the fact that the CPU, a Freescale i.MX233, has a built-in composite video output that’s not connectorized, but available on the motherboard: you can solder a video cable to a set of pads as shown below (click for a larger version).

With a little case modding, you can have a very tidy video connector on the back as well.

In addition to the hardware mods, you need to install a modified kernel that contains the drivers for the video output, and call some scripts to switch the LCD output to the video output (instructions here). Unfortunately, you can only drive one screen at a time with the i.MX233, so it’s not the easiest to interact with, but it is pretty neat for passively displaying information on your TV. Just configure the chumby with your favorite channel, plug it into an unused composite input, and watch photo slideshows from your favorite photosharing website, news headlines, Twitter feeds, eBay auction status, etc. Or, you can use it to make your TV chuck-tastic:

37 Responses to “Composite Video Output on Chumby One (Hack)”

  1. Aris says:

    Oooh, this is nice. I can see a use for this for in-store advertising screens. all remotely updated via wi-fi.

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  11. […] posted this pretty slick way of getting composite video out of a Chumby. The Chumby is an open source connectivity device that has already seen some decent hacking. This […]

  12. Andrew says:

    Drooling…

    Can this be done on the first version of the Chumby (ironforge is it?)? Or how about on the Chumby Guts I just bought? Or is it a Chumby One only hack?

  13. […] Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a Day] Tagged:chumbydiyelectronicsmonitors […]

  14. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  15. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  16. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  17. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  18. […] Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  19. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  20. […]  |  Bunnie Studios, ChumbyWiki  | Email this | Comments ArrayArrayArrayArrayArrayArray Link To […]

  21. Glen says:

    for lack of a better place to note this, “did you know you can use the chumby one as a wireless router?” I figure this one out one day. if you plug a UBM ethernet adapter in the back and then select it as the connection type (same place as when you setup your wireless connection) the firware will automatically turn the wireless part of the hardware into a wireless router.

  22. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  23. […] out for your Chumby Filed under: Hardware, Linux — 0ddn1x @ 2010-01-12 18:44:19 +0000 http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=792 Leave a Comment TrackBack […]

  24. […] below. Have a favorite small-electronics hack to share? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Composite Video Output on Chumby One [via Hack a […]

  25. Jean Mangan says:

    Hello. Thank you. I read it regularly to get the most recent info.

  26. rexmo says:

    Hoping to get response on chumby ironforge composite output potential.
    Is there a place for us old school chumby guys?

    -Still lookin for a tight box to put my nekid chumby in…

    REXMO

    bunnie? bunnie? st louis hackerspaces await you….

  27. We now have our freely available on the Web “synclecronic” GreenTyme Circadian clock also running on the chumby and on Android smart phones. Any possibility that this chumby hack could be used with a usb monitor instead of using a jack?

  28. […] Bunnie posted about a cool new hack that adds composite video output to the Chumby One with some hardware modifications. […]

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  30. Susan Mire says:

    This is the option that I currently use because I think it is the best value for money.

    I got it here

    Along with the ability to stream HDTV to your laptop comes the ability to record programming to be viewed at a later date.

  31. […] device, the question is what can you do with it? Fortunately, xobs (who also brought quake, 3G, and composite video to the chumby One) left, in my opinion, the best Easter Egg of all inside the firmware. If, on the […]

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