PC to Composite Video Converter - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Nuer Tek · 5th April 2008, 09:18 PM

I am currently looking to build a circuit that converts vga signals to composite video; however, I would also like it to crop. All video would be cropped down to 320x234. If possible I would also like buttons to move the cropped area. Where would I start if I wanted to make something like this?

Here is a sample of what I would like it to do:
Screen-Cropping.jpg
As you can see, it will be used to display the screen of a gps.

Thanks for any help!

**Nigel Goodwin** · 6th April 2008, 10:55 AM

It's very complicated, and expensive to do, you need a standards converter plus someway of cropping to the part you want. It's not something you could casually get answered on a forum, it's more like a University final project.

Marks256 · 6th April 2008, 03:07 PM

Use a computer with a video card that can output composite. Then set the screen resolution to 320 x 240!

Nuer Tek · 6th April 2008, 11:49 PM

Is there a way to (or does anyone know of any resources that I may reference to find out if I can) crop the video before or after the conversion to composite video?

Marks256 · 7th April 2008, 01:07 AM

Yes, a PC or a MAC. Don't reinvent the wheel.

Nuer Tek · 7th April 2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marks256

Yes, a PC or a MAC. Don't reinvent the wheel.

Please elaborate...

Does this mean with the graphics drivers? (if so, that probably won't work because I'm using an old compaq armada 7800.) I can look and see if it is possible.

Using a resolution of 320X240 is also out because I have to use a key to mouse command for one of the functions of the gps. Therefore, the entire unit must be displayed on the monitor.

Trying to save some money here and there tends to lead me to reinventing the wheel sometimes; however, I find it educational.

Thanks,

Nuer Tek

Marks256 · 7th April 2008, 08:55 PM

Maybe tell us a bit more about your project, eh?

Nuer Tek · 8th April 2008, 11:38 PM

Sure...Currently I'm planning a simulated cockpit to expand my flight simulation software. One of the first things that I want to build is a simulated GNS garmin unit. I have the software to do this and also the ability to interface buttons and rotary dials to the simulator. My question pertains to the lcd screen that will be in the simulated unit. I have found a tft monitor (5") that has the same resolution as the unit...320X234.

Hopefully this helps. A link to the GNS unit: http://www.avionics-installations.co...530-dyn-mg.jpg
(It's the bottom unit)

Please ask anything about the project that needs clarification.

Thanks

Marks256 · 10th April 2008, 12:56 AM

I used to have a small LCD DVD player hooked up to a computer to use as a monitor on vacation (i would take a computer with us in the camper, and use my wireless to torrent

)

I was able to set the screen resolution to 1024x768, but the monitor worked fine, even though its' screen resolution is like 350xSomething.

Just try sending raw video into the unit at a higher resolution, and see what happens.

Nuer Tek · 10th April 2008, 01:04 AM

I have the reverse problem...I need to display only a small part of the screen on the tft display. I have to see the entire software window (not just the part on the tft) on the laptop I'm using for certain commands. The commands are only accessable by mouse click. Thus, they have to be visible on one of the screens.

Marks256 · 10th April 2008, 09:04 PM

Oh. Ok. I understand what you mean, now.

I don't think such a device exists. Sorry.

Perhaps you could make something?

Nuer Tek · 11th April 2008, 12:37 AM

Do you know any good sources of information on this (books, etc.)? I think it may be monetarily wiser to focus on just the cropping. I already have a pc to tv converter that converts 640X480 to NTSC. I guess the easiest thing would be to crop the outputted TV signal.

Once again, if anyone has good sources for information, such as this, I would be greatly appreciative.

mneary · 11th April 2008, 06:20 AM

If you're running XP on appropriate hardware, you can add a second display card with whatever characteristics you want. If you display the gps on the 'secondary' screen you might not be able to display it on the 'computer' screen.

Nuer Tek · 11th April 2008, 07:12 PM

I can't remember if some nVidia cards can zoom a second display (that's being mirrored). If anyone knows of the cheapest ones that can do that, please let me know. I have an old Gateway G6-300 that I could use. Not sure of the interfacing technologies that it supports. The only constraint for the card is a video out (yellow composite) and vga.

Thanks (forgot that there was this possibility)

Marks256 · 12th April 2008, 01:26 AM

I know nVidia cards can zoom a mirrored display. Not sure what chipsets, though.

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5th April 2008, 09:18 PM	(permalink)
Nuer Tek	PC to Composite Video Converter I am currently looking to build a circuit that converts vga signals to composite video; however, I would also like it to crop. All video would be cropped down to 320x234. If possible I would also like buttons to move the cropped area. Where would I start if I wanted to make something like this? Here is a sample of what I would like it to do: Screen-Cropping.jpg As you can see, it will be used to display the screen of a gps. Thanks for any help!

6th April 2008, 10:55 AM	(permalink)
Nigel Goodwin	It's very complicated, and expensive to do, you need a standards converter plus someway of cropping to the part you want. It's not something you could casually get answered on a forum, it's more like a University final project. __________________ PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at: http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

6th April 2008, 03:07 PM	(permalink)
Marks256	Use a computer with a video card that can output composite. Then set the screen resolution to 320 x 240! __________________ There is no "I" in "team", unless Apple makes it... Then it would be iTeam.

6th April 2008, 11:49 PM	(permalink)
Nuer Tek	Is there a way to (or does anyone know of any resources that I may reference to find out if I can) crop the video before or after the conversion to composite video?

7th April 2008, 01:07 AM	(permalink)
Marks256	Yes, a PC or a MAC. Don't reinvent the wheel. __________________ There is no "I" in "team", unless Apple makes it... Then it would be iTeam.

7th April 2008, 08:55 PM	(permalink)
Marks256	Maybe tell us a bit more about your project, eh? __________________ There is no "I" in "team", unless Apple makes it... Then it would be iTeam.

8th April 2008, 11:38 PM	(permalink)
Nuer Tek	Sure...Currently I'm planning a simulated cockpit to expand my flight simulation software. One of the first things that I want to build is a simulated GNS garmin unit. I have the software to do this and also the ability to interface buttons and rotary dials to the simulator. My question pertains to the lcd screen that will be in the simulated unit. I have found a tft monitor (5") that has the same resolution as the unit...320X234. Hopefully this helps. A link to the GNS unit: http://www.avionics-installations.co...530-dyn-mg.jpg (It's the bottom unit) Please ask anything about the project that needs clarification. Thanks

10th April 2008, 12:56 AM	(permalink)
Marks256	I used to have a small LCD DVD player hooked up to a computer to use as a monitor on vacation (i would take a computer with us in the camper, and use my wireless to torrent ) I was able to set the screen resolution to 1024x768, but the monitor worked fine, even though its' screen resolution is like 350xSomething. Just try sending raw video into the unit at a higher resolution, and see what happens. __________________ There is no "I" in "team", unless Apple makes it... Then it would be iTeam.

10th April 2008, 01:04 AM	(permalink)
Nuer Tek	I have the reverse problem...I need to display only a small part of the screen on the tft display. I have to see the entire software window (not just the part on the tft) on the laptop I'm using for certain commands. The commands are only accessable by mouse click. Thus, they have to be visible on one of the screens.

10th April 2008, 09:04 PM	(permalink)
Marks256	Oh. Ok. I understand what you mean, now. I don't think such a device exists. Sorry. Perhaps you could make something? __________________ There is no "I" in "team", unless Apple makes it... Then it would be iTeam.

11th April 2008, 12:37 AM	(permalink)
Nuer Tek	Do you know any good sources of information on this (books, etc.)? I think it may be monetarily wiser to focus on just the cropping. I already have a pc to tv converter that converts 640X480 to NTSC. I guess the easiest thing would be to crop the outputted TV signal. Once again, if anyone has good sources for information, such as this, I would be greatly appreciative.

11th April 2008, 06:20 AM	(permalink)
mneary	If you're running XP on appropriate hardware, you can add a second display card with whatever characteristics you want. If you display the gps on the 'secondary' screen you might not be able to display it on the 'computer' screen.

11th April 2008, 07:12 PM	(permalink)
Nuer Tek	I can't remember if some nVidia cards can zoom a second display (that's being mirrored). If anyone knows of the cheapest ones that can do that, please let me know. I have an old Gateway G6-300 that I could use. Not sure of the interfacing technologies that it supports. The only constraint for the card is a video out (yellow composite) and vga. Thanks (forgot that there was this possibility)

12th April 2008, 01:26 AM	(permalink)
Marks256	I know nVidia cards can zoom a mirrored display. Not sure what chipsets, though. __________________ There is no "I" in "team", unless Apple makes it... Then it would be iTeam.