Controlling a TV from computer or Running custom software(linux?) on a TV

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jbard

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#82104 21-Apr-2011 22:30

So i have a friend whos openign an internet cafe, and he wants to add in a couple of tv's with a xbox and ps3.

He wants to charge $5 for 30mins playing but he needs someway to control the amount of time they can play for.

Ideally it would be great if someone could pay at the counter and he could either enable the TV for 30mins or give them a code which enables the TV for 30mins.

I have done some googleing but can't find much. I guess either a TV that can run custom software or maybe even a really lite linux distro?

Basically any automated way to switch the tv on/off or control what was displayed on the tv?

Anyone got some ideas?

Cheers

richms

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#461479 21-Apr-2011 22:54

Go to adafruit.com and look at the tutorial for IR commands from an arduino. You should be able to time it to send a IR command to power off after 30 mins or whatever, or attach a coinslot to it to add time etc..

Richard rich.ms

jbard

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#461491 21-Apr-2011 23:57

Ok awesome, never heard of arduino before but it looks really cool, can't wait to get my hands on one now.

Where would you reccommend i buy one from, i'm in Dunedin so is their a retailer i can purchase one from or should i get it all online?

Cheers

richms

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#461493 22-Apr-2011 00:17

mindkits.co.nz and nicegear.co.nz sell them, both ship out fast, if you talk to @mindkits or @nicegear on twitter and tell them what you want they are both very helpful.

Nice gear is in timaru so perhaps a better option for you for being, whereas mindkits have a much greater selection.

Richard rich.ms

dylz

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#461515 22-Apr-2011 08:11

Some TVs have an RS-232 could you use this?

mattRSK

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#461517 22-Apr-2011 08:53

jbard: Ok awesome, never heard of arduino before but it looks really cool, can't wait to get my hands on one now.

Where would you reccommend i buy one from, i'm in Dunedin so is their a retailer i can purchase one from or should i get it all online?

Cheers

I got a replica one of trade me.

jbard

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#461611 22-Apr-2011 15:45

Ok so one thing that came to mind, if their are 2-3 TVs of the same make/model when i send the command to switch off one they will all switch off?

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Gadgetcity

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#461612 22-Apr-2011 15:46

A coin slot to power the TV is the simplest solution (probably not that cheap though)
http://www.gislonline.com/CoinBoxes.html

richms

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#461674 22-Apr-2011 20:39

jbard: Ok so one thing that came to mind, if their are 2-3 TVs of the same make/model when i send the command to switch off one they will all switch off?

If the IR LED sending can hit them all, then yes, so multiple LEDs would be what you want to do. There are ones to stick on the front of things, but last time I needed to remote control a TV I just poked one on the end of some cat-5 into a vent on the back and it still managed to hit the sensor in it somewhere.

Richard rich.ms