Keyboard Shortcuts
Likes
Search
Simple video test device/source
|
Hi all, ? Looking to see if anyone has a simple (cheap!) device that generates video via HDMI or VGA (I¡¯d like to have the option for both) that can be used as a test input on presentation switchers in classrooms.? YC is pretty much a Crestron shop with a lot of DMPS3-4K-100-C units deployed.? What I¡¯m looking for is something that I can plug into an unused input that can be an always on, always ready video source.? Coming from a broadcast education I¡¯d ideally be looking for some sort of a Bar/Tone generator (in the past we had a unit called a Calibug for composite video on BNC, and there was an HDMI version for a while, but I can¡¯t find it anymore and it was a bit pricey). ? We wouldn¡¯t make this input an available source to the end-user at all, but it would be a technician available trouble-shooting input. ?There are lots of things out there (a couple of them are listed below) that would fit the bill, and I know I could probably easily build my own with a Raspberry Pi and a 3D printer, just curious if anybody out there has something they are already using.? I¡¯m not looking for a true piece of test equipment as that wouldn¡¯t be cost effective. ? Amazon - AGPTEK 1080P Media Player Amazon ¨C RISHIL WORLD DC 9V Portable VGA Signal Generator ? One thing we have used in the past is a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter when we were looking at them as a wireless presentation option (we decided against going that route) as they always show a splash screen, even if they aren¡¯t configured to actually be used to present.? This would be a troubleshooting input for the support calls of ¡°there¡¯s nothing showing on the projector¡±¡ which is quite often because the source (PC, Document Camera, Blu-Ray Player) device isn¡¯t turned on J. ? Thanks to anyone with any ideas or information! ? -Tom |
|
I don't remember all the details now of how I set it up but I have a raspberry pi. I found some instructions online and set it up to start up and play a video clip with audio on loop. I got a solid case and it works like a champ. I have broken a couple but its just a matter of putting the memory card in the new one and powering it up.
I just used the power supply but I believe you can be rechargeable battery packs for them as well. -andy |
|
Haven?t used it myself, but this sounds like sth that could do the trick:
|
|
Hi Tom, I have been using a Tenma HDMI signal generator for several years with fantastic results.? The link is below, what's nice about this one (which is not the cheapest by any stretch at about $200) is that is outputs different pattern types at every resolution from 480i to 1080p.? It also outputs a nice and loud 1K audio signal, and does not perform EDID or HDCP negotions with the sink.? I have regularly connected it to a DM input that wasn't working with other devices and have it start working with this generator. I tried several lower cost options before this and none performed as well for as long.
|
|
Was going to suggest a simple Chromecast or FireTV dongle as they are cheap ($30), and power over USB and work out of the box.? But they don't have VGA, and it sounds like you already tried something close with the Microsoft device?
-- Jason Mussetter Control Systems Designer Mussetter Programming Services |