I worry that each TV would become its own reverse-engineering adventure,
due to differing chip sets. Also, the internal chip sets will change as
time progresses. Even the same model of TV may have an entirely
different internal structure.
Sorry to say it, but I think their web cam solution is probably the best
one. Maybe add some 3D printed love to give them more standardized
camera mounts for the various TVs types. Also, appropriate lenses may
allow for cameras that don't have to stick out so much from the screen.
The thing you can count on from EVERY TV is that it will display a
picture and its menus to the user.
K
On 7/27/22 14:51, Brian Chamberlain via TriEmbed wrote:
Interesting 🤔 idea. I will ask them if they've looked into it. Thanks!
-Brian
On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 2:35 PM Trampas Stern <[email protected]> wrote:
It might be better to look and see if you can capture the frame
buffer and send over the network, think remote desktop. I have
not looked at the SmartTV API but it might include this capability
for app developers.
Trampas
On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 2:29 PM Brian Chamberlain via TriEmbed
<[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Scott, Thanks for the advice and suggestions (and very cool
diagram BTW). This client makes media/software for smartTVs.
So part of their development process is that they need to test
their content/software on actual TVs. They have a solution for
testing Roku's, AppleTV, game consoles, etc...since those all
have HDMI outputs. But there's a whole list of major brand
TV's and models they want to be able to test in a
similar/consistent way. Their engineering staff is remote so
I'm guessing they'd want to rack and stack these modded TV's
somewhere so they can access the output of the TV via a video
stream, controlled by some kind of IR blaster interface... if
that helps paint a better picture.
So, at this point I'm just putting together the SOW (which
would include some exploratory hands-on TV teardowns and
investigation) and requirements gathering. My gut says that
there's probably not some silver bullet solution. Each of
these TV's (and maybe even different revs of the same models)
will have very different internals. So every model/brand would
be it's own research project. But perhaps some have
debug/diagnostic outputs somewhere on the main board? Though
that really feels like wishful thinking. But I am also hoping
there's some other entirely sane approach to this.
-Brian
On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 12:08 PM Scott Hall
<[email protected]> wrote:
Brian,
This is done all the time in companies, churches and
schools for "electronic signage". First, with the chipsets
used, the rendering of the video signals is not in a form
that can be 'tapped off' to be able to make a
transmittable signal, unless the motherboard of the TV is
already doing that for its own features -- in other words
already creating an HDMI output port. Essentially what I
do when consulting with places is to get an external Roku
device and forgo the internal "smart" works, then use an
HDMI distributing amplifier. If you have more than one
signal source, like cable, Roku, DVD, etc, then an
external HDMI switch is used. You chain the devices
together kind of like this:
Cable ──→╖ ╓───→ TV or Monitor
╠══════╗ ╔══════╣
DVR/Camera──→╢4-to-1║ ║1-to-4╟───→ TV or Monitor
║ HDMI ╟───→╢ Dist.║
DVD Player──→╢Switch║ ║ Amp ╟───→ TV or Monitor
╠══════╝ ╚══════╣
Streaming ──→╜ ╙───→ TV or Monitor
Device
a sample link for a 4-to-1 HDMI switch:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00OJMAXZ2/ (really a 4-to-2
switch, as it has 2 outputs)
a sample link to a 1-to-4 HDMI distribution amp:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0180PPTNO/
link to a review of switches and dist. amps:
https://www.gearhungry.com/best-hdmi-splitter/
- sgh
On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 10:50 AM Brian Chamberlain via
TriEmbed <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi all, Just wondering if anyone here has any TV
hardware reverse engineering experience? I have a
client asking if I can pull a usable HDMI signal off
of “SmartTVs”. Basically, they want a mirror of what
is on the display panel (menus and all). Not just one
TV but multiple brands/models.
Their current solution is pointing a web cam at the TV
from a distance. They’re looking for something more
scalable (less space requirements, easier setup, more
TV brand selection, etc).
My answer to them at this is, “maybe and I’ll look
into it”. They seem willing to pay me to do the
investigation. Which sounds like fun but I am looking
to talk with anyone who might have any experience with
this or could point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
--
-Brian
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Raleigh, NC, USA
[email protected]
/Although kindness is rarely a job, no matter what you do
it's always an option./
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