If you glanced at the PS3 and thought it was too expensive, this might help you justify spending your green. [ken_vs_ryu] put up a mini tutorial on running mythtv under Linux on the PS3 with an external USB capture device. When you consider the cost of a decent machine, video card and blue-ray drive, it’s not a bad deal. (I’m not sure how many Plextor ConvertX encoders you can run at once.) To get things working, you’ll have to thumb through the Gentoo Wiki for the details on setting up the ConvertX.
Author: Will O'Brien805 Articles
Interactive Pillow
[nicolas büchi] sent in his groups latest project at Zurich University. This innocent pillow interacts with the user based on current light conditions and proximity sensing(pressure). The project pages are in German, but the video demonstration explains it. I like the idea of a vibrating pillow alarm clock – as long as you don’t loose it during the night. It reminds me of Clocky – which is actually for sale now.
WL-700gE Serial Port Mod
The Asus WL-700gE is an interesting device. It provides NAS, streaming and routing services thanks to linux. In their quest to modify the WL-700gE to a more flexible platform, [Eric] documented adding a serial port to its not so spacious innards. (FYI, Standard serial/RS-232 signals are around 5 volts ok, more like 12. I was thinking of the max 232/n variety) Asus was kind enough to provide through hole mounts and a TTL interface right on the board with console access already turned on.
I hadn’t realized it before, but the Siemens phone USB data cable is a nice cheap source of USB to TTL serial interfaces. Ironically, replacing the cable on the data unit was actually more difficult than adding the port to the router.
Digital Rebel XT(350D) IR Removal
[ash] wasn’t satisfied with these instructions, so he provided a complete how-to on gutting a Rebel XT to remove the glass IR filter. This one involves pulling everything down to the CCD. Once the IR glass is removed, it’s replaced with some high grade glass from Edmund Optics. If you’re into camera modding at all, and own a Digital Rebel, the reference links at the end of the how-to are worth a read.
Lazy Psp Player (automatic Woodchopper)
[Andrew]’s love hate relationship with his PSP is impressive. He used a webcam to watch for the appearance of the woodblock and used a small motor (probably serial or parallel actuated) to trigger the button on command. It’s a little silly, but it’s a good exercise for computer visual interaction.
Airsoft Turret 2.0
[Jared] posted the latest version of his remote control airsoft gun. The new one allows USB and R/C control. It’s got four seperate firing mechanisms, a laser and uses a pair of servos for motion… and lots of ammo. Whatever you do, don’t make fun of [Jared]. They’ll have video up on the site after a couple of days to save bandwidth.
(Just a note: embed youtube or netscape videos and you’ll have video and save your bandwidth.)
Circuit Board Repair
[Wayne] sent along this interesting read on circuit board repair. Even if you’re not uh, repairing, it’s interesting to get some ideas for modification techniques. Pictured is a DIP IC that’s been placed upside-down over the old one with a set of jumper wires. I can only aspire to produce solder joints that look that nice. Good stuff.
Just so the Unofficial Team-Hack-A-Day guys don’t crucify me, they too have been making their own shirts. Thanks [mastershake916].
