Build Your Own LCD Picture Frame

mbrain writes "PopSci is running a really good how-to story that shows how to build your own LCD picture frame. Since you are building it yourself, you can make it any size you like, using an off-the-shelf LCD monitor as the display. The frame as described uses a cheap motherboard, power supply and HD and runs Linux. It can hold thousands of photos. A little pricey, but still a cool project (especially if you have some of the parts laying around)."

Hard drive?

[DrSkwid]

You should at least boot if from a Compact Flash card

silent, no heat, droppable (kinda)

I've got no references for Linux but FreeBSD has a sectionin the Handbook [freebsd.org]

And my fellow 9fan [google.com] Matthias showed me a handy reference guide [neon1.net] and bunch of scripts for the binaries you want. Well that's for non-X, my next stage of my project is trying to get my EPIA working in SVGA mode or, if I get a big enough CF card (I think a 256Mb should work and they are about $50 on ebay). I'm trying for an in car system. I already got it playing mp3s from the CD Rom 35 seconds from power.

Just go out and buy one...

[answerer]

At the prices + time you're looking at with a project like this, you might as well go out and buy one.

http://www.artpix.com/
http://www.pacificdigital.com/products/memoryframe .asp

This project is only economical if you have old laptops sitting around. If that's the case, you probably won't have enough CPU/RAM to install the latest version of debian. For me, I don't even have a hard drive.

Anyone found a lite solution to picture frame software? Here are two solutions that I've found so far:

PictureFrame Linux [risacher.org]
- Too heavy on system requirements
DOS Solution [roines.net]

Somebody Didn't Read Linux Toys

[cmholm]

It doesn't cost 400 quid to put together an LCD picture frame. PopSci is taking a different route from Linux Toys [amazon.com], which starts with a $50 laptop from eBay. This has also been reviewed [slashdot.org] on Slashdot. While I like PopSci's mini ATX method, the Linux Toys laptop method is usually cheaper, if you shop eBay carefully, and refer to Linux On Laptops [linux-on-laptops.com] to make sure it'll work.

Re:Just go out and buy one...

[Tony]

This project is only economical if you have old laptops sitting around. If that's the case, you probably won't have enough CPU/RAM to install the latest version of debian.

I have built picture frames out of old pentium-class laptops ('bout $100 off ebay, or cheaper if you shop around your own town), and they have no problems running the latest Debian. Just don't run X!

I use zgv [svgalib.org] to cycle through the pictures. Works great, *and* is less filling.

Nano-ITX

[-tji]

The upcoming Nano-ITX [epiacenter.com] boards should offer even more flexibility for this type of design.. It's smaller, takes less power, and runs cooler. It also takes DC power, so you don't need to mess with the ATX -> DC/DC converter stuff that the Mini-ITX requires (although, there is supposed to be a DC Mini-ITX board coming out).

The down-side is that these have been announced for several months, but are still not available for purchase.

DON'T DO IT - PATENT ALERT

[Linker3000]

Take care,

According to this article on ZDNet [zdnet.co.uk], uncle Billy has a patent on this kinda thing. Dunno if a home brew version will fall foul of the patent, but best keep yours in an upstairs spare room, draw the curtains ('drapes' for our US chums) and not show it to friends or neighbours.

Of course, if you wanna really p*ss people off:

Bill: Have the thing scroll through your virtual art library

then...

RIAA: Show some stills from your favourite music video accompanied by the matching MP3

then...

SCO: Show a tasty source code snippet from the routine of your choice

Snapshots

[cgenman]

If you want to display just snapshots, why not pick up an older color PDA with a cradle? They look great, run on low power, and can be had for about 100 bucks. Rigging them into a custom frame is easy, as the hardware is small.

Sure, you're not getting a 17" LCD, but let's be real... You're not getting a 17" LCD. A mini ITX board is easy to come by (I've got a spare if anyone wants one), as is a tiny HDD (Microcenter routinely sells 5gb strips for 15 dollars). Of course, you could always pick up [mini-itx.com] a [mini-itx.com] T-cube [personal-media.co.jp]

Or bypass style and class altogether and get one of these [4eversports.com] things.

Note: above links courtesy of Mini Itx.com [mini-itx.com].

iFrame

[macgyvr64]

Use old iBook parts and run a network (wireless!) iPhoto slideshow with all those cool transitions.