Another member and I were discussing Silverleaf and how to copy and save off the default screen.
That morphed into a discussion of inputting the rear camera signal to display alongside Silverleaf on the same laptop (Windows 7, widescreen). One of my 'grumps': the default monitor location on the 1995-2000 coaches is NOT optimal for a rear view, especially for a color LCD panel.
I was wondering if any of the various composite to USB capture devices could just stream to a window - no need to capture, retain etc. Anyone play with one of these? Main design is for converting analog to digital for VHS conversion, etc.
I would also use a simple RCA two to one splitter so the the original low mounted monitor would still display.
Sure would be nice to put the Siverleaf, rear-view camera, Google traffic and weather radar on the same screen. I saw that Steve & Michelle had put in a fancy computer system that did all this. One thing is that there are laws about what you can see on a screen while driving, IE you can't watch movies while driving though some idiots do.
Keith
You get a port replicator for your laptop and add a pair of monitors. Wireless keyboard and mouse and the laptop stays closed. Put two products on one monitor and the other two on the other...the one with traffic and weather sits in front of the co-pilot. Port replicators are cheap on eBay. They allow the laptop to remain closed and act as a desktop pc. Most have analog and a digital video output which allows you to run dual monitors in an expanded desktop...
But, can I see my toad on my PC????
Gary O
Next thing you know,is that someone will have Osimo to drive the coach. :P :P :P :P
Gary, Looks like you are getting to the point that Sandy will have to drive while you Engineer. :) Might not be a bad Idea, feet up on dash with clear view of all TV and Camera Monitors, maybe a Keg in the reefer with a long hose. Hmmmmmm Maybe another MOD for a FT :) ( Better yet teach Jackson to retrieve the beer from the fridge, no sense in overdoing this techno thing )..
Gary B
Gary, I have that one worked out already. Wine in a box, on the top shelf, with a plastic tube attached, with a shutoff valve on the end.
Gary O
The first USB Capture device showed up today. I bought this one on a lark. The EasyCap products have a rep for running hot and not the best quality. We'll see. This one has 4 inputs. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the coach over and play a bit. You can select one to view, or all 4 in different configurations. You can name the camera input.
Software is a snap to install. Load the drivers from the mini-CD, then load the view software. Then plug in the USB dongle. It even comes with a USB extension cord.
Think about adding some down low 'keyhole' cameras on each side of the coach to look at the toad tires!
Drug the coach out of hibernation and hooked up the camera. My concern was whether I would have enough desktop for the two programs to fit nicely. The issue is the "monitor" program that comes with the EasyCap dongle does not re-size. I could, however slide the controls 'out of view'. I moved a few things around on my Silverleaf screen - only the turbo bar graph and manifold temp are blocked.
The clarity is 'ok' - not as good as my newer LCD display, but better than my old Javelina LCD display. You have sharpness, contrast, hue, saturation controls. A better system would look better - but this thing has only cost me about 5 bucks so far!
Only issue - Silverleaf USB wants to be plugged in first to capture the comm 2 port.
I never thought of this before, but there is no reason I couldn't do a splitter to another small LCD panel on the dash with a better line of sight.
Dave, if all you wanted was a monitor that says NO SIGNAL in one to four or more places...why tie up your computer for that. I have a 42 inch TV monitor that says that when Comcast (Cable TV) goes out! ::) ::)
cable? Bah, humbug!
Late last month I presented an idea and a challenge to Dave Head. For a long time , I've wanted to have the rear monitor on the laptop along with the Silverleaf. He started this thread for more info but also started research on various video live USB inputs and quickly came up with two workable systems. One good with multiple inputs and a better one with a single input. He also obtained all the necessary wiring and connectors, came to my house in Fl., and with in minutes, had the better system running.
We closed the Fl. house last week and are now at the "barn" in Tn.( only FT visitors who have been here, know what the barn is) The trip to Tn.,convinced me that this set up is just what I wanted. Personally,GPS has some good uses but for long trips I still need an old fashioned road map.The map shows me side roads and different routes that you never see on GPS, so having that on my laptop would only be clutter.
It would have been easy to replace the camera and monitor but since I already had a fairly new Javelina color camera, I wanted to use it and put everything on the laptop. There are two problems to work out. The picture is reversed. That was not a suprise, but, all I want is a good view of the car and I never use the rear view monitor as a rear view mirror. Can anyone can give us a solution for that problem without changing cameras?
Also , there is a slight delay that seems to vary (4-15 sec.) Dave has some ideas that we will work on later. The attachted pictures show the old gauge setup and the new setup.
I am giving Dave Head a great big "ataboy", for helping me set this up. Thanks Dave.
Gary O
Gary,
A lot of applications have "flip image" or something like that in the "file" or "view" drop down menu. Check "preferences" also. Worked well using my new usb borescope/endoscope using "photo booth". Have heard that Centrafuse works to reverse images on PCs.
A lot of times I use my GPS for an very accurate arrival time. I may not need it to navigate but when you are meeting someone or need a good eta, it comes in really handy. My TomTom figures eta depending on time of day and is usually within five minutes for a 500 mile trip.
Love your display.
Pierce