Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: javeryh on August 04, 2011, 03:43:40 pm

Title: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: javeryh on August 04, 2011, 03:43:40 pm

So has anyone tried something like this?  Is it even possible?  Digital picture frames are pretty cheap but similar sized monitors (8"-10") are not so I thought I'd ask...

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: Vigo on August 04, 2011, 04:03:38 pm

I personally wouldn't try....On mine, even when it switches photos, I see massive color shifting. I'm sure the refresh on them suck. Of course, mine was about as low end as digital frames go.

I would personally try hacking those old playstation 1 portable tv screens. I have seen a number of portable projects use 'em.

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: GibsonRiddler on August 04, 2011, 04:22:12 pm

I had thought about using one for showing marques or other artwork.

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: BobA on August 04, 2011, 08:29:39 pm

I have a couple of older ones and you cannot update them dynamically.   You will have to check the specs to see how pictures can be updated and selected to show marquees or controls

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: MonMotha on August 04, 2011, 10:17:36 pm

The unit itself is probably totally unsuitable.  Most can barely handle pulling pictures out of some flash memory and poorly displaying them on the LCD.

You may be able to use the LCD panel from one, but it's probably not worth the trouble.  The interfaces on them isn't anything you'll find on a standard PC, and the panels tend to suck, anyway.

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: borals on August 05, 2011, 12:25:48 am

The way they are designed, they have terrible response times, any on screen movement would just be a big blur of color!

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: HanoiBoi on August 05, 2011, 06:35:13 am

I don't think there are any connections for such, but not sure.  I had considered using one to load movie poster images to run as a slide show.  Also, I've heard that there are ways to power them without the plug to the outlet...for a cleaner wall install.

BTW, today on 1saleaday, there's a 10" digital refurb for $40.

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: javeryh on August 05, 2011, 11:07:09 am

The frame I have says it plays avi files so I just assumed it could handle an arcade game... I tried connecting it to the computer via USB last night but no luck.  There is a tutorial of sorts HERE (http://www.ehow.com/how_5761324_use-picture-frame-pc-monitor.html) which isn't helpful but it makes me think it is at least possible.

Title: Re: Digital Picture Frame as Arcade Monitor?
Post by: bkenobi on August 05, 2011, 11:20:09 am

Doesn't the USB connection on these just put it in mass storage device mode?  I'm not sure it gives you any kind of access to the hardware itself (at least not without a boot strap or something).  My vote would be find a cheap LCD on ebay and use that.  There are plenty of old Dual head car DVD players out there for fairly cheap.  One or both of these screens are typically hooked up with an RCA cable.  I'd think that would be much easier since you'd just need to add a power cube.